Elkwater

We went on our annual Cypress Hills August Long Weekend trip with our friends from Regina. We have missed it when we had newborns, but otherwise we have been doing it since 2005.  The reason we chose Cypress Hills is because it is between both of our cities, and it is a unique place to camp or stay in a cabin/condo.

McDonalds, as bad as it is for nutrition, really is a lifesaver when you are a parent with little ones. They know how to draw them in. The playplace, the airconditioning, the TV's... the cheap food.... you can't ask for more on a road trip. Don't worry about those drinks, they are mommy and daddy's cups filled with milk.

We stayed at Elkwater Lodge in a two bedroom condo that was quite spacious ( compared to the condo in Invermere three weekends ago with Grandma and Grandpa ).

The kids haven't seen each other for a year so it was fun to see them interact. Bobs absolutely adores Missy. They are 15 months apart.

We all took turns cooking and cleaning up. It worked out well considering the craziness of the kids. We didn't drive around the park much. We kept our days simple with a routine of breakfast, a walk to the beach and playgrounds, home for lunch. Babies napped in the early afternoon with Daddy and AMK. Noah and myself took the preschoolers for adventures like the visitor center, or a nature walk finished off with ice cream. Then when everyone was up, we would go swimming inside in the salt water pool. Missy has become an excellent swimmer this summer. She can go on her own and has so much confidence.

After swimming we would slowly prepare supper, and then go for another walk after supper.

I got Noah hooked on a game on my ipod called Angry Birds.

Ike is only two months older than Mads, but he looks so much older and he can communicate really well.

Mads learned to wave bye bye and to say Bah Bah!

Mads also learned on this trip that he likes to eat bacon.

On the way to the beach, the local firemen would stop traffic and ask for donations to a charity. In return, we got a bunch of red balloons for the kids.

Everywhere that Missy went, Bobs was sure to follow.

AMK made her delicious nectarine salsa on baguette and brie.

AMK always has a bunch of fun things to do.

Noah used Mr. Snips in his BBQing.

Mads gave us a bit of a hard time at night time. He didn't feel like sleeping much and one night he even played soccer in his playpen for a few hours. He was saying "ball ball ball!!! babababababa ball!!!" and kicking it around. What a crazy kid.

Ike taught Mads to eat yogurt with a spoon.

The last night was so hot, that after our walk, the kids were happy to have their freezies for dessert.