Ski days and sunny days

Lately we have been skiing up a storm. Or snowshoeing. The snow is still here and even more came last night. It seems to be part of our daily routine. And when the sun comes out, it's really ideal!

This past weekend we went to visit Auntie Eileen and Uncle Marco. Rowan stayed up way past her bedtime enjoying the visit!


And I couldn't resist taking a picture of Rowan in this cute flowery shirt!

Happy Valentine's Day and New Chair

Thanks Morfor for the CUTE Valentine's day card! So SWEET!

We are onto solids. The list is still small but Rowan is eating cereals, yam, carrots, avocado, apple, pear and prunes. So far things are going through pretty smoothly. She loves eating! And this week, she got her very own high chair. (A wonderful Christmas gift from her Nana and Dada!) She really loves sitting up at the table with us.

Rowan's reaction when she saw our dogs after a 2 weeks away

(sorry, I don't know how to turn a video. You'll have to turn your head!)

Tio Daniel

My brother Daniel playing with Rowan.

Trip to Panama

Our trip to Panama started with a wonderful drive to Alberta. Seriously, wonderful, as in Rowan slept from Golden to Bragg Creek. And lots of other sleeps too, but with stops in between. She is a much better car traveler than when she was 2 months old.

We made our way to Okotoks, took a day trip to Calgary to get Rowan's passport (phew!), spent some time with great friends, walks in the snow and dinners together. The sun was out everyday, and I didn't realize how much I miss the sun living in the Kootenays until I got to see it all day for 3 days! A great way to start our little holiday!

Hiking with Kristin and Erin.

Onto Panama! Leaving Okotoks at 5:30 am in order to get to the airport and through customs before our flight left at 8:30. No problems! Fly to Minneapolis, 2 hour stopover and get on another plane to Atlanta. No problems! Arrive in Atlanta greeted by my parents! Glorious! Fly to Panama, get picked up by my brother, Daniel, and drive to our hotel. Arrive in hotel room at 11:30 pm (9:30 pm Alberta time)! NO PROBLEMS! I wasn't terribly worried that we'd have problems, but maybe some crying. Nope! Rowan is a born traveler. She did so well! I was so relieved.

Rowan on the airplane.

Panama city was busy! The only way to travel is by taxi or on foot. Even walking though can be tough as there aren't always sidewalks and the cars are everywhere plus the drivers are crazy.

On our first day we made our way to Casco Viejo, the old part of Panama city. We walked around and looked at old architecture, local artisans selling their crafts, went inside a church with a golden altar, and enjoyed the warm climate! The following day included a hike up a small mountain, flower shopping (for my brother's wedding), a trip to the Girl Guide center (my mom is a girl guide leader extraordinaire!) and lunch with my brother and his fiance.

View of city from Casco Viejo

Rowan hanging out with her Morfar.

Mormor checking out some stitchwork.

View from our hike up Cerro Ancón where we could see all of Panama city and the Panama Canal.

Fanally we made the trip to see the famous Panama Canal. It was spectacular! We were able to see a big ship go through followed by a few small boats. It was very interesting!

Mom and Rowan at the canal.

Peek a boo!

Yasmina and Daniel, the day before getting hitched!

Ship going through canal.

We continued our day trip and drove to the rainforest of Gamboa. We took an aerial tram ride, hiked through a rainforest, went to a butterfly house, a reptile center, an orchid garden and a deserted Indian village. The forest was beautiful with many different kinds of plant species to look at. The smells were different but wonderfully sweet and the temperature was warm and at times sticky.

Uncle Daniel, now known as Tio (spanish for uncle) Daniel, getting some baby time with Rowan.

Rowan and me on the rainforest tram.

Saturday, January 24th, 2009! Daniel and Yasmina's wedding day. Mom and I went over to Yamina's home to decorate in the morning, then back to the hotel to get ready, then back again to Yasmina's home for the wedding. It's a lot of work going places in Panama city. Always flagging down taxi's, negotiating prices in Spanish (which I learned quickly, atleast enough to get by), getting the stroller collapsed and into the taxi's trunk, getting everyone in, and finally making sure we got driven to where we wanted to go.

The wedding took place at Yasmina's home with about 25 family and friends attending from all over Panama. The notary was 2 hours late, although it didn't seem to bother anyone except for the bride and groom who were anxious to tie the knot. Daniel was beaming with excitement and happiness. Yasmina was beautiful and also so happy. Although the ceremony was completely in Spanish and I couldn't understand a word, I could still feel the emotions and even felt my eyes water when the vows were said. It was a beautiful wedding! Following the ceremony, everyone gathered at a fancy hotel for a delicious dinner.

Rowan meeting Yasmina's grandmother's who are 87 and 97!

The beautiful bride Yasmina and my brother Daniel.

Rowan girl!

Chilling with Morfar.

Making friends with Raphael.

The number one reason I went to Panama was for my brother's wedding of course. But I did not want to leave with spending some time at the beach! My Mom, Dad, Rowan and I joined Yasmina and Daniel on their honeymoon to Playa Blanca where we were able to enjoy some all inclusive goodness for a few days. It was so nice and relaxing. We did a lot of eating, swimming and chilling out.

Rowan's look of 'It's so hot!'

First experience in the sand.

Cooling off in the pool with Tio Daniel.

Rowan loving the pool.

More Tio Daniel time. Daniel always wanted to hold Rowan.

Ohh... Feel that sandy texture Rowan!

Rowan in her pretty new dress!

Cuddles from Mormor!

Beach time! Who needs a bathing suit.

Heading home!

Thanks for a great time Daniel and Yasmina! Rowan and I had such a great time! I also must say how surprised I am with Rowan. She is a born traveler. She did so well on all the flights and taxi rides and hotel sleeps! Wow!