2 tickets to Paradise

Ok, so it was 3, but that title sounds so much better!  Here is a little summary of our trip to Pratt Lake.

On Wednesday night, we hit the road around 6 pm.  It is an 8 hour drive, so we really weren't sure what Abrielle would think of being strapped into a car seat for that long.  She thought it was great to have company (me) in the backseat with her, until it was time to have a nap and then she wanted me to hold her.  Eventually, I just turned and ignored her for a few minutes and she fell asleep straight away.  Score.  She managed to sleep for the majority of the ride there, and we only stopped once for fuel.   We arrived at the cabin at around 2:15 in the morning, and for some stupid reason we stayed up until 4:30 in the morning chatting with Ryan and Andrea who had arrived a few hours before.



And we're off!

 

The kitchen



Our accommodations were in the loft



Living room



The next day everyone (including the Porters, who actually own the cabin!) arrived, and we got everyone unpacked, food put away, and settled and then it was time to catch some sun.  The weather was amazing, and before long we had the volleyball court raked, the net set up, and it was time for a game.  Initially, I didn't want to play because a) I haven't played since junior high and b) I needed to look after Abby.  Eventually it was decided that GG would watch Abbers and I was in on the court.  Turns out I have not a half bad serve!  Kelly and I almost killed each other a few times, but we left unscathed.

A tradition there after volleyball, since everyone is so sweaty and sandy is to have a lake bath.  Basically, everyone piles on the boat with their bathing suit and shampoo, we drive to the middle, and everyone jumps in and gets clean.  So cold, but so much fun!  The one time I went out though, when we stopped the bilge wouldn't work and the motor wouldn't fire and we started taking on water and had to contemplate swimming for shore.  Luckily, Dave got 'er started and we made it back safe and sound.

Fresh and clean!

On the first night, akin to Harry Potter, there is a sorting into teams.  There are two themes at the Porter cabin:  Bears and Pirates.  The teams are divided into Grizzlies (Dave's team), Care bears (Sherry's team) and Polars (Shirley's team).  There is a rotating schedule of cooking, cleaning the cabin, and yard work and the teams work together to get it done quickly and in a way that no one is working too much or not at all.  It's a great system.  I was a Griz this year.


The next few days were spent mostly in the same fashion: Wake up, grab something to eat, catch  some sun, have a second breakfast, play volley ball, hang out in the hot tub, chill on the porch, beer pong, night time fires, too much alcohol, too much food and many inside jokes that made us roar with laughter EVERY time.  We had crazy hat night (a Porter tradition), Tate's birthday and some Canada day fireworks.  When Monday morning rolled around we were really sad to say goodbye and not really looking forward to another 8 hour drive.

Game on!



Sunning that little body



beer pong!




The Maier's representing on Crazy Hat night



Hot tub time!



Kelly and I sat in the back this time and Abby had no problem with napping when she was tired.  Other than a little bit of construction, it was a smooth ride home and we arrived back at a decent hour.  Even though I had changed her half way through the drive, when we got home we discovered that Abby had peed through her diaper, clothes and car seat.  Oops.



Sleeping beauties


Today is that awful post-vacation day that will be busy with errands, laundry, grocery shopping and catching up on everything that happened while we were away.  It was such an amazing vacation though, I wouldn't trade it for anything!








Home

After an 8 hour drive, we are home again safe and sound!  It was an amazing trip full of sun, sand, sunscreen, too much booze, too much food and way too much fun!  I laughed until I cried on more than one occassion, had my first lake bath, and may or may not have demonstrated my ability to put my entire fist in my mouth.  Twice.

More details (and pictures!) to come tomorrow!

Paradise (almost) Lost

Today is the day!  We are heading out on an almost 8 hour journey to Pratt Lake, Sk for 5 days, and I can't wait.  Pratt Lake is paradise, our friends who host us are fantastic, and it is just such a relaxing vacation.  I have a few things left to do today before we head out, but last night our plans almost came to a screeching halt.

I was lying in bed reading last night when I heard Abby give a little cough, which I thought nothing of.  Then she gave a choky cough that was enough to make me jump out of bed and rush to her room, where she was laying on her back vomiting.

Remember all those times where I have marvelled at how much she can eat?  Well, I was able to gauge he stomach contents quite well last night.  Ty was a trooper and came up from watching a movie to grab all of her laundry while I gave her a bath.  Puke was EVERYWHERE on her...on her body, under her chin, in her ear, in her hair...ick.  I didn't want to nurse her in case it was gastro, so I gave her a bottle of water and settled her back in bed...and pro ceded to head back into that room every hour until 5:30, and sleep with the baby monitor on even though our rooms are side by side.

As worried as I was about her, I was also worried our travel plans would be affected.  Isn't that selfish?  I can't help it though, I am so looking forward to going and showing Abby all of the cool things there!  Tyler and I were talking about how excited we are to put her in the sand and let her explore.

She seems to be on the mend this morning, so we are crossing our fingers that all is well.  I wont be posting for about a week, so I will see you back then!

California Dreamin

My First Blog From Abroad!

We have arrived in Palm Springs safe and sound after a 13 hour journey.  Luckily, Abrielle was an ANGEL and was either happy as a clam or sound asleep.

We set course for Great Falls at around 12:30 on Monday and got there with plenty of time before needing to be at the airport.  Tyler (being the sweetie that he is) surprised me by taking me to Baker Bobs.  Baker Bobs is a little sandwich shop in downtown Great Falls that has amazing homemade breads, soups, sandwiches, and baked goods.  We have only been there once, and that was when we went to Great Falls to celebrate our 1 year anniversary back in 2008 (how time flies!).  We made it there with about a half hour before they closed and had some amazing (and cheap) sandwiches.





We then walked around the downtown, which is quite old and full of historic buildings.  We happened upon a cute little pet store where we played with some puppies.  At the very back of the store there was a huge glassed in area with about 5 monkeys in it!  None were for sale, they were just residents of the store.  I was too scared to take a picture in the store because there were a million signs telling you what you couldn't do, so we settled for one outside the shop.



Next we headed to the airport and hung out for about an hour, and then we were off to Phoenix!  Abby seemed to be really excited for her first flight, but apparently that enthusiasm died quickly.




Here she is with Tyler, watching the city lights as we landed.  Talk about 2 peas in a pod.



A quick change into her jammies and we loaded up our rental car (free upgrade!  Boo-yah!) and set off for Palm Springs.  Tyler's parents called us and offered to put us up in a hotel for the night (so sweet!) but we gratefully declined and set course along the freeway.  First, we stopped for some snacks.  Now, here is what I love about the states.  I got myself 44 ozs of Diet Coke for the low low price of $0.79!  How can you beat that deal?


We arrived in Palm Springs at about 1:30 am, Abby still sleeping like an angel in the backseat.  Coming here is almost like coming home.  We know and love the area, and I automatically feel happier just being here.

I don't know that I will be posting too much over the next two weeks, but I am going to sign off with some crazy cute pictures of my little beach baby!