Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a very merry 

Christmas and a happy 2014 from...

The Israels Family!

We Survived the Snow!

Howdy all! We are all hunkered down due to the latest and greatest Southern Alberta blizzard.  The winds yesterday were wild and didn't let up for 24 hours.  It was wild!  This was taken yesterday...

This photo shows some of the snow we have at the back door.  It actually got even higher!

Here is what it looks like from the back yard...

Here is a peak at our neighbours front yard.  The drift is as high as their garage roof! There was NO snow there on Sunday.

Mom is here visiting.  She was due to go home on Monday but we changed her flight on Sunday night knowing that the weather was coming.  Good thing we did.  They actually closed the highway between here and Calgary yesterday for quite a few hours and over night due to low visibility, accidents and drifting snow.  It just reopened again just an hour or so ago.  Many people were stranded in Strathmore over night.

Spencer hasn't spent any time outside as the wind makes the temperature, -17, feel like -30!  He hasn't been to school for 5 days - buses were cancelled the last 2 days. We stayed inside and mostly watching movies and we did a lot of reading.  Hope everyone is safe and warm!  Todd is due to come home on Friday.  I sure hope we don't get any more snow between them and now.  The running joke is that...

"How do you know Allison is going to the airport?"
"There's a snow storm!"  I swear... every time I HAVE to go to the airport, it snows!

Happy and safe travels people!
Ally.

Happy Halloweenie!

I Think We Need a Family Blog Update!

It's been AGES since I updated the blog so I thought I'd take a few moments to do so this morning. 

Here in Alberta we have seen the first signs of colder weather headed our way.  It was -3 degrees this morning when I got up... Brrrr!  The good thing is that we finally got a cold enough bout of weather to get rid of 99% of the stupid flies.  They have been terrible this summer and I'll be very happy to see them disappear.  And yes... I have already turned on the furnace!

Autumn is my favourite time of year.  It brings some amazing wildlife to the lake as they go on to warmer wintering grounds.  We've seen a number of flocks of pelicans again this year (maybe 8-9 birds per flock) - goodness they are huge birds! 

As you see from the photos above, we get some AMAZING sunrises here this time of year too.  Nothing beats the beauty of the sun rising over the lake in the morning!

We have also added a few finned friends to the family...

The whole family has enjoyed watching all the action going on in the tank everyday... even Marlee and Teaco.  We've since added some large rocks and more plants to the tank since I took this photo.  It looks much more natural now and less sparse.

Spencer is growing like a bad weed and he's actually doing much better in school this year with new meds on board.  I think we have finally found the right pills for him... but only time will tell.  We will be meeting with a new Pediatrician in a few weeks to see what he says.

Todd's "having fun" at work.  They have finally hired a cross-shift for his position so hopefully that will help. The new employee starts his job on the weekend before Todd returns home.

We had the opportunity to really enjoy the lake this summer, especially with Penny, Scott, Kali & Logan visiting.  Spencer of course, loves the water and just had to go out and play by himself on the boat.

I'm doing well.  I've been working on getting healthier with the help of my doctor.  Diagnosed with Diabetes in June, along with a questionable mammogram, I have since lost 30+ pounds since August 1st and I'm going for more; no more Diabetes and my cholesterol is down to normal too.  I have an ultrasound rescheduled for mid-October to have my left breast re-examined for signs of change in the questionable area they found in June.  Thank goodness it's not a mammogram and just an ultrasound... damn that thing hurts!!!  Especially when they reposition you 5 times and take 5 pictures at 5 different angles!

I'm off... hope this little update finds you all well!  Take care!

~ Ally ~

Homeward Bound!

Wow... it's been February since I updated the blog.  Shame on me!

Well we have finally pinned down a time to return home for July.  We will be coming home July 5th-17th.  Spencer specifically told me he wanted to spend his birthday with his Momma!

There's a few places we want to go while we're home and people we want to see;  "the girls", Penny & Scott, Judy & Dick, Linda and Rondeau, Christie & Mark and Mom. We're actually driving home so we'll have our own vehicle to travel around in.

Let me know when you'll all be around!

Our Days on the Slopes

Thought I would update everyone with some family pictures of what we've been up to lately.

Just before Christmas we bought a Lake Louise Pass because it also includes the ski hill we frequented last season, Castle Mountain.  We're hoping to meet up with friends there once this season. So far we've been to the ski area 3 times and we've thoroughly enjoyed it.  Here are a few fun pictures...

Getting ready to board at LL for the first time....

Taking a break in the chalet.  Nice eye roll buddy... grrrr!

 

First time up the gondola and on the slopes with Daddy...

Pit stop close to Banff...

Riding the magic carpet up to the top of the bunny hill together, Spencer & Daddy...

Spencer heading down the slopes leaving Daddy behind him...

My guys...

We've been enjoying our family days together.  With Todd's schedule it allows us to go almost every time he's home. The next time we go, Todd's lift ticket is FREE (because of the pass) and Spencer has a Husky Grade 2 Pass which allows him to ski all season for $20!!!!!!  I'll just head up on the lift and take some photos at the top.  The last time we went, it was too cloudy to go up and take photos so I didn't bother.  I would go skiing except I injured my knee at work so I'm off the slopes for now.

Hope everyone's had a good February!