Friends from faraway...

We had company last week! Our friends Raul and DeAnna came up from Houston. We had a great time: took them to the mountains, went out to dinner without kids and just enjoyed each other's company. We have many more pics than this, but I didn't want to get carried away. Some are from our camera and some are from Raul's so they aren't exactly in order.

Gracie and Bradley were both obsessed with the baby in DeAnna's belly.


On Wed, R&D walked over with me and Bradley to pick up Gracie from school. Raul got some great shots of B swinging.

Gracie on the walk home.

Raul was so excited about all our snow in the backyard. Look at how deep it is!

Bradley was very shy at first, but it didn't take him long to warm up.

After living here for a year and a half, Doug finally went snowboarding last week. He and Raul took lessons here in Calgary last Wed night and then they took their new skills up into the mountains to Lake Louise ski resort.

Doug after his long trip down the hill at the end of the day.

Raul after his journey down the hill.

Doug wanted to show us his new skills, so he did a run down the bunny hill before we left.

After snowboarding, we went over to check out Lake Louise. It was very frozen. They plowed the snow off one section to make an ice skating rink. And you can just walk around on the lake (but we didn't, because I'm paranoid!).

All 6 of us in front of the lake.

Gracie found a slippery spot on the bridge and liked sliding down.

A great pic of R&D. Aren't they cute?

Raul was quite the photographer. He was willing to get right up against the Thin Ice sign for his shots.

They have sleigh rides and the driver was so nice and stopped for a minute so the kids could see the horses.

The kids loved playing in the pile of snow. Gracie built about 3 different snowmen.

Bradley climbed up on top of the mound of snow and said 'I am king of the snow!'.

That night we had a visitor at our hotel.

Gracie just loved her!

Riding the gondola Sat morning. (Gracie rode up with R&D.)

Up at the top of Sulpher Mountain.

They have an observation deck on the top and have labeled how far you are from major cities. They had 5 US cities listed and Houston was one of them. :)

On the way down the gondola.

When we got home Sat afternoon, the street was almost completely free of snow and ice! I was so excited! Sat night, it started snowing and didn't stop until Sun afternoon. We got about 8 inches. So much for no snow on the road...

And we welcome any visitors, but you might get put to work if you come! (Just kidding. He wanted to help. Doug was out there at the same time with the other snow shovel.)