Update #10 - Spray Lakes

Dear friends,Today we left our house, backpacks in tow, for Laura and Nathan's first day of school (see first photo). Nath was so excited and would have been there before the teachers had even arrived if I had let him. :) We set out by foot and it almost seemed surreal that we were off to school. There were no uniforms and no school traffic - didn't feel like a school day at all! Yet as I waved them good-bye at their classes it hit me. My heart sank and I prayed that they wouldn't feel as nervous as I felt for them. I remember sitting at my desk as a nine year old on the first day in a new school in a new country looking around the class wondering if any of these faces would one day be a friend.
The day has slowly moved along. I have quickly discovered that I do not play "goodies and baddies" as well as Nathan and when it comes to "plans" in the backyard my creativity is no match for Laura's. Daniel just shakes his head and says, "Can we go get them from school yet?" It's going to be a long day!

On Satuday we visited Kananaskis (another part of the Rocky Mountains). I can't say I enjoyed it as much as previous trips as Howard decided to take the gravel road and there comes a time in the drive when "Ten Green Bottles" is no longer enjoyable to sing!!! However, the highlights along the way made it worthwhile. We spotted a mother and baby moose (see second photo) in a clearing. At first we thought they were horses but on closer examination realised they were definitely moose. You will also notice that the mountains look as though they have been sprinkled with icing sugar - yes the cold is on its way. 
Later we found a lovely spot to picnic (third photo) and as we were munching on our sandwiches realised we were not alone (fourth photo). We're still trying to find out whether they were gophers or ground squirrels or something else. They had Nathan in stitches and Laura would have loved to have shrunk and become their new friend. As for Daniel, he thought the game was to try to catch them as they popped up out of their holes!
Speaking of that little bundle of energy - he requires a lego buddy to construct with... now that I can do (well I think so anyway!).

With love from your friends in Canada,
Howard, Shona, Laura, Nathan and Daniel.