Calgary Trip

We had a FANTASTIC time in Calgary this past weekend. We've been saving up to go to Calgary ever since Paul and Kristal moved there (Alex's brother and sister-in-law). Alex's favorite hockey team has always been the Calgary Flames...so you can guess where we were headed the first night we got there...

We arrived early to watch the warm-up, enjoyed some really expensive hot dogs and beer! Brodie was lucky to have a couple warm-up pucks thrown over to him.

The highlight that Paul was bursting to tell us, was that he had managed to get us on the guest list to meet the players, post-game. Alex has been on 'cloud 9' ever since...

All the players were great, and willing to stop and chat (and sign a few things).

Dion Phaneuf (Alex's favorite player) was a great guy. He was very personable and pleasant. You should have seen Alex's face when Phaneuf gave Brodie his game stick...signed of course. Brodie has been showing everyone his stick, and today he wore his Flames Jersey (also with signatures) to school. The rest of the weekend conversation revolved around the experience and it was amusing to hear Paul and Alex parroting what the players had said.

The rest of the weekend was nice and relaxing, with some sleeping in and a bit of sight-seeing. We went to Banff for lunch...

Did a bit of shopping...

And spent some wonderful 'down-time' at Paul and Kristal's. Brodie became more comfortable with Nash (their dog), each day, and was giving him treats by the end. It was convenient that Paul and Alex were happy to play Wii with Brodie, because that was Brodie's other highlight of the weekend.

I enjoyed a Starbucks and a book while they played Wii and thouroughly enjoyed myself. The girls were at a 4-day respite weekend, with the respite couple who takes the girls once every 2 months. Ashley did great, and Hope had a bad spell because she started vomitting again while she was there. But thanks to the wonderful Palliative Care Team, we had the Ganisitron ordered and delivered to their house quickly, and Hope responded well, so we didn't have to come home. Hope is doing well now, the med and the slow pump feedings really help her through those episodes.

This 4 day break was definitely the best one yet. I feel so rested that all my neck and shoulder pain is gone. The only time my neck started to seize up, was when I was on the phone dealing with Hope's problems. Apparently stress makes pain! I should know that by now.

We were very lucky that Paul and Kristal were willing to host us and we are thankful for their generosity and enthusiasm to have us stay with them. Thanks guys!