We arrived home from our ten day stay in Calgary and it has been WORK to get back into the swing of our everyday lives! It was such an amazing time, and there was something to do every single day we were there- which was so awesome and all due to my cousin’s fantastic planning. The flights went pretty well so I no longer have a strong fear of bringing my kids somewhere on a plane. They did a great job except for some minor restlessness, and a ridiculously stupid amount of time to go through US customs with Scarlett screaming for the blankie they tore away to put through the scanner thingy. I gave the guy this incredulous look and he was all, “Okay, let’s get that blanket through as quickly as possible.”
We took a road trip to Banff, which is absolutely gorgeous by the way, and had lunch at the famous Banff Springs Hotel- which was amazing and I didn’t want to stop eating- no surprise there. We picked up some pretty awesome maple fudge. My cousin says that it is hands down the best fudge and “regular” fudge doesn’t even compare… I tend to agree. And the kids did everything from go on trains and rides, to winning prizes at Stampede, to huge birthday parties with blow up bouncy houses, to the Calgary Zoo. They had a great time. I could tell they were a little upset to leave and it was almost as if Scarlett had just decided, “Okay, I guess we live here now. No problem, I love this dog and I’ve gotten used to my new room!”
It was such an awesome experience and so great to see my family. My Aunt Terri even outfitted Jackson in a cowboy hat and boots and my cousin Michelle got some AWESOME girl cowboy boots for Scarlett! P.S. I got some awesome cowboy boots too (happy birthday to me!) A very successful trip overall. Here are my quick traveling tips from this experience.
Number 1. Even though cumbersome and seemingly unnecessary bring a lot of books/activities to keep your children occupied while flying- even if you think they are going to sleep because it’s a late flight… Scarlett doesn’t sleep on planes. That is her cardinal rule apparently.
Number 2. If you are about to go through U.S. customs, make sure everyone has gone potty/had a diaper change, been fed, and have a distraction of some sort. I really didn’t think we would stand in line for two hours coming home from Canada… I am surprised by something everyday.
Number 3. When arriving at your destination explain to your kids that for the next X amount of days this will be their area/room/bed and try to thoroughly introduce them to their new surroundings. When we got in late and just threw Scarlett into a pack n’ play she’s never been in, in a room she’s never been in she screamed bloody murder all night. However, once we introduced her to the space and the house she went right down for all naps and bed like an angel. 
Now it’s on to the next few crazy weeks of traveling for commercial work in Iowa, heading to Wisconsin to be in TWO weddings in one weekend, and more birthdays and BBQs! Hope you are enjoying your summer!
BANFF SPRINGS HOTEL
- Our families hanging out in the mountains!
Jackson makes a friend at the Dinosaur park
Two cowboys and a cowgirl at Stampede!
Cousins!
Cousins- by marriage!
- Suri and Scarlett enjoy some lunch
