Ottawa pics

Weiner roasts, smores and sleigh rides pics

Ottawa

So I've made it to Ottawa! Im currently curled up on the sofa with Hank,  Shelley &Craig's enormous dog. I think he might be part horse.

We're heading up to the cottage by the lake. Hank and the 2 cats Dublin (marmalade tabby) and Olive (black) are coning too. Apparently its about an hours drive away, in Quebec. We're there for a few days, including NYE. We're haing a Florida Keys themed party. So out comes the flamingo  shirt. 

Had a great last couple of days with the Dunbars. We had a Weiner roast in th he snow in the back yard, Erika taught me how to make smores &we went on a sleigh ride.

Arrived in Ottawa yesterday arvo. Fab catching up with Shelley & Craig again. Last night we went into town to see the Christmas lights, eat Beaver tails (a hot pastry yummy thing) and out for dinner.

It's minus 18 out there.  Wind chill makes it minus 30. I have 3 pairs of socks on, leggings, jeans, long sleeve top, hoodie, jumper, down filled coat, beanie, scarf, 2 pairs of gloves, boots and I'm still a little bit scared of walking out the front door. Although its bklue skies and sunny!

Snow photos

Blizzards and sunshine

Last night, while out with the Dunbars having dinner with some of their friends, it started to snow and snow and snow.  Although Erika tells me it's not a real full on snow storm I was still impressed. And it snowed all night.  And today there is fresh snow and sunshine!

And tonight we're going on a Winter Lights sleigh ride. Complete with blankets and hot chocolate! And that's after the Weiner roast on the ice!

Ice skating on Bower Ponds

Tobogganing pics

Dunbar folk photos

Christmas lights, tobogganing & church

Today I saw where Fraser works - with the monster trucks, oil field & fracking equipment.  We were going to be going ice fishing this afternoon but apparently the ice isn't thick enough.  There's been too much snow covering it and it hasn't had a chance to freeze. So we went for a walk and then went tobogganing in a local park. Tobogganing is heaps of fun , if a little bit out of control.

Tonight we've been to church. I am reliably informed by Nick (and confirmed by Fraser) that my Australian accent is much stronger when I'm singing carols!  After the service we went for a drive to see the Christmas lights. 

The kids are now checking on Santa's progress and getting ready for bed. Erika has threatened to wake me up at 6.30 am. Apparently house rules are: everyone has to be up before presents can be opened!

Ice forts and gingerbread houses

Snow at Fraser & Lori's place

Minus 13 here in Red Deer. I'm being credited with bringing a heatwave.  Yesterday was minus 33!

Eagles

At The Cellar jazz club

Scandiave spa

More winter fun

Woke up in Whistler yesterday morning to a winter wonderland.  It had snowed all night and everything was blanketed in white.  So cool. And a little bit surreal.  It's so Christmas card picture perfect that it doesn't seem quite real...

We went wandering around Whistler Village in the morning. Headed back to Squamish in the afternoon. Last night with Lou we drove into Vancouver and went to The Cellar jazz club. We Three Queens were playing a Christmas show based on carols etc including Santa Baby, Blue Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, We Three Kings, I Believe, Winter Wonderland etc.

Today we hung out here in Squamish.  Took the dogs for a walk along the river in Fisherman's Park. Question of the day.  Do dogs get frostbite? Apparently not.  Jessie, Snow, Mack & Ginger all adored romping and rolling in the snow. And catching snowballs. 

We also saw eagles, a blue heron and more eagles. Squamish is the eagle capital of the world.  Eagles twitter.  Rather than a blood curdling spine chilling shriek eagles just chatter amongst themselves. 

Tonight we're making hot buttered rum...

Snow