Update #5

Well another week or so have gone by and we're starting to settle in. We've actually made some friends which is rather nice! Now we don't feel so isolated. It's amazing the difference a bit of company makes. Be challenged all you out there. If you come across someone new to the country or to the state, have them over for a cuppa or a pizza or meet them in a local park. Your hand of friendship might be the thing that gets them through another week.
Now that I've had a DMC (deep and meaningful conversation), I'll give you a quick run down of our past week.
The boys have been building an amazing lego bulldozer with their daddy and I don't know whose been having more fun - Howard or the boys!!! They have waited with eager anticipation for Howard to return from work each day and then it's straight to work on the construction.
We made homemade strawberry jam and then of course some scones with fresh cream.... ahhh a taste of home. I even made a cup of tea. Miss your scones Debs!
On Saturday, Howard's work had a BBQ at Calaway Park which is an amuzement park. The kids had a ball to say the least. Laura went on the rollercoaster six times and Daniel was most disappointed that he was not tall enough to ride(see photos attached). Danny went on any ride which would have him. There was one which he could only go on with an adult and I said to him as I was strapping him in, "Are you sure you want to go on this; it's very fast and scary?" His reply was, "Ohhh yes!"
Nathan on the other hand did a thorough risk analysis of each ride to decide whether the thrill was worth the risk. He decided the ride Daniel went on was way too fast and the seatbelts did not look safe enough. We all wanted to go on the flume log ride as a family and it took much convincing. He finallly decided he could do it if he wore his raincoat and sat in a particular spot on the boat (after studying the returning boats, he worked out those at the very front and the very back got the wettest). Guess who enjoyed the ride the most after all that? Yes, it was the analyst himself! We even had to do it again.
We have such a lovely variety of children in our household. :) Life never gets boring.
Well that's about it - Howard's enjoying his work, although it is rather challenging, we think we have found a home church and we're also starting to make some friendships AND I'm staying on the right side of the road literally!
Your friends in Calgary,
Howard, Shona, Laura, Nathan and Daniel

Update #4 - Calgary Stampede - Yeehaa!

Calgary Stampede

Howdee there partners,

Okay, that was a bit tacky, but that's all you'll hear from anyone if you are anywhere near the Stampede. There are cowboy hats, big buckles, a lot of yeehaaing and the smell of horses all around. We managed to make it to the Parade in the city (Howard could only stay for a little while - had to work) and it was amazing. Two hours of cowboys, indians, big bands, more cowboys, more indians, fancy floats, mounted police ohh, and Daniel's most favourite; the poo machines that cleaned up after the horses.
Then this week, I ventured into the Stampede grounds by myself with three children in tow (took a bus and a train to get there) - very proud of myself - didn't even get lost!!! We had an absolute blast. We rode the ferris wheel and one or two other rides, ate fairy floss, milked pretend cows, rode pretend horses, saw real cows, horses, pigs and even some that had cowboys on them bucking!, met real indians and walked inside their teepees and ate with them around a fire, had a photo with some Mounties (mounted police) and watched the Superdogs (Dogs doing tricks basically). 

The only downside was that when we left we were in t-shirt and shorts and by the afternoon it was down to about 4' C and we were freezing!!! Fifteen minutes after we arrived home it rained hail literally. The hail was the size of frozen peas and it ended up being about 2 inches thick! Laura and Daniel put on anything they could find that was remotely warm and ventured out to build icemen. When they tried to get Nathan out there, he replied, "Are you crazy! Do you realise that stuff is actually ice? It will be freezing!" Sometimes, he just too much of a thinker. 

The other two had soooo much fun and played until they literally turned purple and I had to bring them inside for a warm bath to defrost them. Because Calgary is at the foot of the Rockies, the weather can change in an instant. A little old lady on the bus told me, "Layers; you have to be able to peel off or put on at anytime." It's going to take a little getting used to. :)
I've attached a pile of photos. I especially like the one of the old mountie (put that one in especially for you dad - thought you'd get a giggle out of it.) The last photo is of the machine that cleaned up after the horses...totally fascinated the boys!
Sorry to saturated your systems with so many photos, but after all we are talking about the Stampede! I couldn't have you miss out.
Hope it gives you a little taste of the fun we had.
God bless.
With love,
The Eban Clan
(Howard, Shona, Laura, Nathan and Daniel.)

Update #3

Hey friends,
The past ten days in Canada have not been the easiest, but things are getting better.
In quick summary, Nathan started to improve from his ear/throat infections and then was hit with a gastro bug.  Of course Laura had to join soon after but fortunately, Daniel did not deem it necessary to follow suit.  

We were unable to move into our house on the day assigned and were also unable to remain in our apartment as it had already been booked, so we moved to another apartment, only to find out that we could now move into our house.  Problem is, I came down with the flu (despite having the flu shot!).  So Howard moved the ten suitcases, groceries accumulated, three kids and one sick wife to our new house only to realise we were missing many essentials like plates, kettle (and pretty much all other small appliances), sheets for the beds, towels etc.  So I was left half dead on the couch, while the kids had a ball running around their new house, all the while their daddy was shopping for household goods.  Some of the choices would not have been mine, but all in all he did a good job.

Daniel turned four the next day and due to mummy still being flat out on the couch with the flu, daddy bought a "donut cake" (donuts in a box with candles stuck into them!).  He thought it was great.  We were supposed to go to the zoo the previous Saturday for his birthday, but that was the day his brother was throwing up!  So all in all, I think he missed out, but we will definitely make it up to him.

Well, the past couple days have been much brighter.  The "Stampede" is in town so we all put on our cowboy hats and watched the parade which was just fantastic (I'll send photos when our computer arrives).  I'm not a real western fan, but it was something else.  Daniel's favourite thing was the "poo machines" as he called them, that followed the horses and cleaned up after them.  Laura loved the flag dancers and has been in the backyard ever since twirling our broom above her head.  She's not too bad at it, apart from one rather painful head injury!   We'll take the kids to the showgrounds this week.  Calgary has been swamped by cowboys (real and the wanna bees) and even genuine indians.  Nath took it all in quietly as he does and when I asked him if he enjoyed himself, he replied, "Yes, it was great,but why did I have to wear a cowboy hat when I'm not actually a cowboy?"  He's such a thinker.  I have to try not to giggle.

Well my friends, that is our little update.  Hope you are all doing well.
God bless.

Love from Howard, Shona, Laura, Nathan and Daniel