Ft. McMurray, AB

Gabriella and I left on the way to Ft. McMurray, Alberta, Canada to visit my sister, Marta, and her family on September 6th for a week. Kevin came up to be with us on Friday, September 12 for the weekend before we all went home together on Sunday. However, Gabby was a good baby on the airplane with me alone. We made it through and were excited to see Marta and Aniela who picked us up at the airport. They showed us what Ft. McMurray was like, and the town is very small unlike Peoria. Once we got to Watts's house, I unpacked and relaxed for the day with Gabby. We ladies with two girls went to the park to the playground where Aniela plays with other kids.

During the weekdays, Aniela was kissable and huggable with her cousin Gabriella constantly. Aniela and Gabriella enjoyed playing together on gymnastic floor mat. When Gabriella cried or was fussy, Aniela sang a song or cheered her up with a funny face. How cute! Aniela will be a great big sister for her new baby brother that will come in November. Anyway, Marta took us to Aniela's activities: to the library for children storytelling, Gymnastics, Hub Center for children to play, and Aniela's first swimming lesson. Gabby enjoyed listening to the woman who sang the song and read one book. At the gymnastic, it was so much fun to watch Aniela, and she did good at it. Marta introduced us to her wonderful neighbors and one of her friends at the library.

On Friday, Kevin flew in to be with us in Canada for the weekend. Kevin and Charlie went out for golf in the afternoon. On Saturday, we went to Aniela's first swimming lesson. Aniela did excellent in the water with her daddy (Charlie) and did paddle her legs very well. Kevin, Gabriella, and I were at the top floor to look over where the swimming pool where the Watts family were swimming. In the afternoon, Marta watched Aniela and Gabriella while Charlie took Kevin and me to the Oil Sand Mine area. It was first time for us to leave Gabriella with Marta for about two hours since birth. We were not able to bring Gabriella to this place because of dangerous place that won't allow for babies and children to be in. Anyway, we saw an enormous Caterpillar tractor called 797. Unbelievable to see how huge it is to use for oil sand mine. Also, there were several places afar where we could see the various sections of the oil sand mine. Also, there was a small equipment museum where workers used to dig up the oil sand underground a long time ago.

When we came back home, Charlie and Kevin tried out Charlie's new home-brewed beer: it was quite refreshing! Both the Oktoberfest and Wheat flavors were perfect for the changing season! Unfortunately, we could not try the cider or wine from the "Watts Home Brewery", since those were not ready yet.

On Sunday morning, we walked the tree-filled trail behind Watts's house. We enjoyed walking. Marta mentioned that there could be bears out there somewhere, unfortunately we didn't see any. Good thing we didn't or else we would have been in trouble. Marta has a special bell attached to their stroller to alert bears that we were in that area. Afterward, Kevin and I packed and got everything ready before we flew back home to Seattle in the afternoon. We had a wonderful time in Ft. McMurray visiting the Watts family and thanked them for that. We miss you, Watts Family, and will until we see you again.