OLYMPICS! The only time I forget about the Oscars in February. Almost as good as the events are the montages. Here are some Canadian gems:
Sochi 2014
Rio 2016
And… finally. I believe.
Who doesn’t believe? I’m excited. Go Canada go!
PS. I met the snowboarder who jumped through the Olympic rings at the opening ceremony in Vancouver… at a wedding. I’m slightly embarrassed about my fan-reaction.
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Today’s online finds: Inspirational, educational and very close to home. I grew up with Carly, and her family’s story needs to be heard. Her voice has been strong, loud and clear and now it’s our turn to do our part. Please Share. Support. Donate. Write. Speak up.
Dear X
I’m writing in support of families who have children impacted by Autism and whose children are faced with a mental health or behavioural crisis related to their diagnosis. The province of Nova Scotia must step up to the table and provide the supports necessary for these complex cases involving children in crisis.
Namely, I am insisting the government:
1. Ensure families with children in crisis have access to necessary resources to maintain the safety of their home (funded in-home support);
2. Ensure coordination between the departments of community services, health, and education to develop a shared plan of support for children who are in crisis;
3. To continue publicly funded, evidence-based interventions for children affected by Autism past the age of six.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best,
Bill Horne
Fall River/Waverley
billhornemla@gmail.com
Ben Jessome
Hammonds Plains
jessomeben@gmail.com
Kelly Regan
Bedford
kelly@kellyregan.ca
Claudia Chender
Ochterloney St., Dartmouth
claudiachendermla@gmail.com
Dave Wilson
Lower Sackville
avewilsonmla@eastlink.ca
Tim Harrison
Main Street, Dartmouth
larryharrisonmla@gmail.com
Barbara Adams
Eastern Passage, NS
barbadamsmla@gmail.com
Patricia Arab
Joe How Dr.
info@patriciaarab.ca
Jaimie Baillie
Springhill, NS
jamiebaillie@bellaliant.com
Gary Burrill
Quinpool Rd, Halifax
garyburrillmla@gmail.com
Keith Colwell
East Preston, Dartmouth
keithcolwell@eastlink.ca
Lena Metlege Diab
Craigmore Drive, Halifax
nfo@lenadiab.ca
Rafah DiCostanzo
Lacewood Dr, Halifax
Rafah@Rafahdicostanzo.com
Tony Ince
Cole Harbour
tonyince@tonyincemla.ca
Brad Johns
Middle Sackville
mlabradjohns@gmail.com
Labi Kousoulis
Spring Garden Road, Halifax
labi@labimla.ca
Susan Leblanc
Wyse Road, Dartmouth
susanleblancMLA@bellaliant.com
Brendan Maguire
Herring Cove, Halifax
brendan@brendanmaguire.ca
Lisa Roberts
Young St, Halifax
lisarobertsmla@gmail.com
Itching to see 200 photos of mountains with a some cute kids mixed in? Here’s life lately. In February we travelled across to the country to spend a late Christmas holiday with our family from another country. Mike’s parents came as well and we enjoyed a five glorious days skiing at Whistler with some Vancouver sightseeing to bookend the adventure.
With the time-change, I was wide -awake at 5:00 am and went out for a run around Stanley Park. Not the smartest thing to do alone in a big city, but it was a bucket-list item … It was really dark (which is why these pics are so grainy) and also why I thought the statue in the water was a real person. 
After breakfast we met up with Mike’s brother and his family and went back to Stanley Park to the see the totem poles and visit the Vancouver Aquarium.
In daylight, she looks a lot less real.
Joel, David, Evan and Celeste:
As a devote DANGER BAY fan, I was excited to see where Dr. Robert’s worked:
Sting Ray touch tank:
Afterwards, we took a bus to Whistler and made it in time to see the fire show.
The kids went to ski school for the first three days and had a blast.
… And here are the mountain photos – I mostly skied alone on the first day.
At the end of the day, I rode the peak-to-peak – the gondola that takes you on a +4km ride from Whistler to Blackcomb mountain:
I skied with my father-in-law. He was incredibly patient (with my skiing and photo taking) and I convinced him to ride a t-bar up to Blackcomb Glacier… then we hiked up a hill just to snap some more pics.
Carl and me on the top:
Lunch with the Ackermans:
Whistler village has totem poles too.
Terrible photo (sorry) but it’s the only one I have of Jeff and Allie. It was great to see them again!
It was rainy at the bottom and wet snow at the top so I only skied in the morning. 
But I enjoyed the mitten warmers in the bathroom at one of the hill-top restaurants:
After lunch, I roamed around the village and grabbed a coffee.
We got in line super early for the first-tracks breakfast at the top of the hill. Steve, Celeste and Rachel on one side:
And me and Pauline on the other:
David and Evan own the podium:
After breakfast we attempted to all ski down together… which did not happen. Turns out, families that ski together, don’t stay together. 
Half of us headed over to Blackcomb for the rest of the day:
Back on the peak-to-peak, this time with Mike, Evan and David.
Our last ski day at Whistler – it was great to see how much the kids improved with just 3 days at ski school. They’re so much better than me, and brave! 
The best part about skiing:
Our last bit of time with the family before they travelled back to England. Joel is already taller than me… and I am guessing Evan will be too the next time we meet…
The village rink and playground:
Cousin time is the best time:
Back in Vancouver, we explored the city and rode the mini taxi boats to Granville Island.
David thought I was taking a picture of him but obviously, I was taking pictures of the palm trees:
We had lunch with Nelson and his lovely family – Nelson and I met in University and it’s been years since we’ve seen each other – what a treat!
Earl’s in Yaletown:
And finally, hockey night to wrap up the holiday.
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Holiday snaps. Here’s life lately:
I made way too many shortbread cookies this year.
Pizza night. We cheated on the crust.
Worked outside of the office one day. It was distracting.
My first Hanukkah present! I have great clients.
David and I are reading Harry Potter. My university roommate Beth, gave me this book.
We had Katherine and Jay + kids over for a fun night. It started off classy.
Christmas eve with Henry in Point Pleasant Park.
Amanda made me the most adorable batch of gingerbread men. Sarah made me peanut butter balls and Kristin delivered an assortment of goodies. Lucky me.
It was a quiet but nice Christmas eve with Mike’s parents.
I am pretty impressed with my screenshot skills.
Christmas morning on Cabot Street.
David got a waffle maker and was in charge of breakfast with Nanna.
Erin and Cameron + kids popped over on Christmas day for a quick visit.
Christmas flowers from Sarah.
David got started on his new lego right away.
Christmas dinner shenanigans.
My mother-in-law made my favourites for Christmas dinner including broccoli casserole. I got leftovers! 
We drove around Halifax on boxing day night checking out all of the lights. These houses bring in the big crowds.
Christmas break is for binging. This year it was the Crown. More please!
I attempted to braid my hair while watching it… not bad.
Two very good books I have been reading this season.
Winter running gets wet. 
We took David and his friend to the Putting Edge. We barely saw them. (I beat Mike)
My new bag arrived! Thank you Fjallraven Canada. 
Lego is done.
Mike and I celebrated New Years Eve a night early at Edna’s. Less crowds. Hey Mike, let me take a picture.
Oh wait, let me take a picture with the drinks.
Now let me take a picture with the appetizers.
These days I need to double-up the motivation to run. I did the Runners World Run Streak and overlapped the last week with a local clubs Christmas Marathon.
*** We had our friends from Quebec and others over for New Years eve brunch and forgot to take pictures – big fail ***
On the real New Years eve we stayed in and watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
New Years day walk around the Frog Pond Trail.
My first time skiing this winter. Mike and David have already been out a few times.
Go Canada…
Back to school and work. My house it peaceful and quiet again (during the day)
On to the next project. David is loving his K’Nex
Ants on a log for special dinner guests.
Snow angel by David. 
First go at the Steamwhich
Second (better) attempt.
Snow was in the forecast so we drove to Pugwash Saturday night to get ahead of the storm and close to Ski Wentworth.
It snowed all day. Lots of powder practice before our trip out West next month with the family.
While we skied, Henry did as well with my mom on their trails.
That’s a wrap. I’ll be back again.
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Winter is here. And with it comes the start of ski season.
To make the cold weather more bearable, I’ve recruited a new ski bunny to join me on the slopes and she asked me to make her a list of what to wear on and off the hill when we go away for a week in March.
The thing with skiing in the Maritimes is the weather is very unpredictable and usually pretty wet. Our winters are windy with high precipitation and it gets cold! Not a dry cold like other parts of Canada but an under-your-skin damp cold.
Fun right? Not always, which is why if you’re going to face this climate, you best be prepared and bundle up.
I’ve had the same ski jacket for more than ten years so I’m on the hunt for something which will keep me warm but look good and I have been eying the winter jackets from Fjällräven Canada.
I love wearing a light padded jacket with a shell on the slopes. The shell keeps the wind away and I stay toasty with the padded jacket underneath. If the sun comes out and the day warms up, off goes a layer! The Iceland Anorak is a great choice for every day wear – plus, I love the side zips and the big front pocket.
So with my new jackets picked, here are my On The Slopes and Après Ski essentials for our ski holiday:
Happy trails!
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Hello Sunshine 