Canada for Christmas 2022

 Not many people of the streets of  downtown Vancouver at 9.30 in the morning but many more in the late afternoon taking advantage of the after Christmas sales. Took a walk to Robson Square and Christ Church Cathedral in the morning and then everyone went out to the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. Joined an excellent free guided tour relating to the first nations people of the British Columbia area. Tragic things done to those people during colonisation and right up to the 1950s, similar to many other parts of the world. At the museum Aayla did some speed crawling around an out of the way carpeted area at the back of the museum and was sound asleep by the time we stopped for lunch in Kitsilano woken only the smell of food some time later.

 After walking into the Village for Kat's birthday dinner at a restaurant there we woke up to a spectacular morning - of course it would be the day we were leaving. Never mind.   Miraculously we managed to leave the Sun Peaks accommodation prior to check out time and in good condition.  With so many adults around, Miss Aayla was readily entertained in a variety of ways, including her favourite pastime of playing with people's hair! She even gives nourishing conditioning treatments with such ingredients as cream cheese, toast and anything else she may have on her fingers! The return trip was a lot quicker and easier, with only one stop because the road conditions were less icy and snowy. A tunnel protects this part of the road from avalanches. Kat, David and Viv will be staying in downtown Vancouver for four nights to take in some of the city sights with Jana, Evan and Aayla joining in where possible.

Two posts today as tomorrow we will be packing up to return to Vancouver for a few days before heading up to Whistler.  Its Kat's birthday - Happy Birthday Kat and K, V and D went dog sledding while E & J took Aaya toboganning again. More snow over night about 18cm so great powder skiiking for E, J and K in the morning. The dog sledding was great although we could not do the full course because the snow was so thick and it would have been too hard on the dogs!

 Evan and Jana's day for dog sledding yesterday. Fun experience in steadily falling snow. Kat had a ski lesson and for Kat and David the powder was a challenge.

 A bit cloudy again today but relatively mild so I could take a walk to the Village and meet the others for lunch after their morning of skiing. Came across a woman on 'icicle watch' outside a store in the village. The icicles were at third floor level above the store and threatening to fall and would hit the street below so she was guiding people around the area while her colleague prepared to knock them off. Evan also took Aayla for a toboggan ride - not sure if she liked the snow coming up into her face at the end though. The snow is melting on the trees but more is forecast for the morning in time for Kat's ski lesson and Evan and Jana's dog sled ride.

Into our matching Christmas attire, before a day of skiing and Christmas dinner in the early evening.   A beautiful morning for skiing followed by a hot tub. The wrapping paper and a cardboard box were the best part of Christmas gifts for our Christmas elf who is also growing four new teeth for the New Year !

 Spent first day at Sun Peaks making the apartment child safe (fireplace, stairs, Christmas tree, etc etc) and hiring ski equipment and getting ski passes sorted.  Still very cold and with short days the time for skiing is limited but that shouldn't be a problem given the cold. We have all the ingredients for hot toddies and lots of hot chocolate. Second day (Christmas Eve) four intrepid skiers ventured out for their first day of skiing.  Very cold and goggles even iced up in some places so not easy to see.  Kat's goggles were iced to her helmet! Grandma was on Aayla duty and had fun with a cardboard box and decorating her Christmas tree. Every item on the tree had to be taste tested before sticking it on! Main street in the village plus one of many dogs! Pre ski stretches "Happy Baby" Snow bunnies!