Mega Bloks Overload

So our neighbors across the street are moving to Houston in a few weeks. They have 2 elementary aged boys. In cleaning out their basement, we have acquired a kiddie table with two chairs, 4 outdoor plastic kiddie chairs, a wagon, and 2 large bags of Mega Bloks. (Mega Bloks are like legos but larger.) Here is what Steve and Haley are currently up to.....

Kananaskis Valley.....

On Thursday we decided to take a last minute vacation to Kananaskis Provincial Park for Sunday and Monday nights. We stayed at the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis and had a fabulous time! It is about a 45 minute drive from our house and it is like being in completely different part of the world! The hotel was great and VERY family friendly. We had a "family room" that had a small room within the room that Haley slept in which allowed us to stay up past 7:30! We intended on doing some short (1-2 hour) hikes on some of the trails off of the hotel grounds but decided not to as some trails were closed due to bear activity while others just had bear warnings. With a cute litte one who preferred to walk vs. ride in the backpack, we decided against risking the hike. Instead we walked around the hotel grounds which had some nice viewpoints overlooking the valley and mountains. We also played a lot at the playgound (or as it sounds from Haley, "p-town"), walked around, watched the fish in the pond, and played in the large field. It was nice to getaway for a bit! One funny story while walking the hotel grounds, if someone was walking towards us, Haley would step off the path and say "watch" and wait for them to pass. People thought it was so funny! She made lots of friends. And no, we never saw a bear. Enjoy the pictures.

Nap Time Advice

Has anyone who reads this ever sleep trained an 18 month old? For the past week or so Haley has severely protested taking her afternoon nap. Our typical day lately includes playing outside from about 10-12 to burn some energy, then lunch, then we head up for a nap around 12:45 or so. After a clean diaper and putting Haley in her sleep sack, I would typically sing to her for a few minutes until she was calm. I would lay her in her crib and then sit in the rocking chair and she would typically be asleep within 5 minutes. A few times this week there was about an hour of protest and yesterday there was 2 hours until she finally fell asleep. Today I was in her room for about 30 minutes and left. Steve went in about 30 minutes later and left after about 30 minutes frustrated. She fussed for the next 45 minutes until I finally went in a she fell asleep on my shoulder. I know I gave in but we have a birthday party at 4:30 and I didn't want to have the fussy kid.

She goes to bed around 7:45 and is asleep by 8 with no problem. We just set her in the crib and leave and she goes to sleep. And then is up in the morning between 6:45 and 7:00. She does have a few stuffed animals in her crib to play with. I just can't figure out why nap time is so hard!
Needless to say, I am looking for any advice and/or words of wisdom!

Playgound

This morning we went to a really fun playground about 10 minutes from our house! Haley & I have been a few times and had fun so we thought that we should show Steve! It was a balmy 55 degrees this morning so yes, that is a coat on Haley. Below is a video of Haley going "fast" as she calls it.

Miss Helpful

Post 2 of 2: Lake Louise

Steve and I ventured to Lake Louise for a night away! Haley stayed home with Grandpa Tom & Grandma Sue and had a great time! Steve & I left early Friday morning and headed to Yoho National Park and hiked the Iceline trail. It was an amazing trail that was straight up and straight down but had amazing views of the Takakkaw Falls as well as lots of glaciers! After we headed to our hotel, Deer Lodge, and had a few beers on their beautiful patio! After cleaning up we had an amazing dinner at the hotel restaurant! On Saturday we headed to Sunshine Meadowns to hike Citadel Pass. It was a beautiful alpine meadow and had probably the most spectacular views of any hike I have ever done!

Thanks again Sue & Tom for watching Haley!

Post 1 of 2: Swick Visit

Steve's parents visited us from July 23rd to August 2nd! It was a fabulous visit and Haley had so much fun playing with them! The first weekend we had great weather and played in Haley's pool and sprinkler! Monday - Wednesday Sue & Tom spent at Emerald Lake! They had a great time and enjoyed some relaxation. Thursday we visited the Calgary Zoo where Haley got to compare her feet to one of the Gorillas. Two grizzly bears also put on quite a show playing/wrestling/fighting. And on Friday morning Steve & I headed out to Lake Louise to spend the night and do some hiking (& the subject of post #2). Haley had fun getting all of Grandma Sue & Grandpa Tom's attention!