Quebec Trip (Ka-beck not Qu-wa-bec.)

In Quebec City- a view from the wall - looking at the Chateau Frontonac












In the Quebec countryside - sooo beautiful.













I can't believe we did this... more or less - admit that we did this.. but we rode in a carriage through Old Montreal. Say cheese.










In Old Montreal - dating from 1600 - 1900

Travel Log

We are now on day #4 of our trip to Montreal and Quebec City. We've spent the last few days romping around Montreal. We've been shopping, site-seeing, shopping, eating out and just simply enjoying being together. All this couple time together is really great. It makes you remember that oh ya, I really like this person and more than anyone, I want to see and do new things with this person. Of course we're married and I love my husband but, this trip has reminded me that Darren and I are good friends. Just simply having fun being, seeing and doing together has been such bliss. Mostly because, we are alone. No kids - not even our infant - my sweet Connor - fat boy. (how did I leave?) We've said over and over, not having the entourage has made this trip. Not that we haven't missed them - but, we wouldn't have been able to have this kind of vacation with them. Enough sap. (ironic because we're in Quebec - the sap/maple syrup capitol of the world.)

This place is truly amazing. Montreal is a world class city and is now on my list of world class shopping cities. Seriously, we westerners don't really get it sometimes... and this place is up there with New York. Old Montreal is more like Paris than some parts of Paris. It helps having a husband who speaks French. I just pretend I know what they're saying and chime in on the merci and bonjour part. Montreal is amazingly bilingual. I stand out a bit - being blonde so they must see my ignorance with the language comming. Every other person you walk by is speaking French or English. Sometimes they switch mid sentence just to mix it up I suppose. The food is unbelievable and dining is an art. We took 3 hours to eat dinner last night. Really soaking it all in.

Today we spent most of the day in the car - meandering through the countryside on our way to Quebec City. We're traveled throught the Northern tip of the Appalacian Mountain range. It was so quaint and picturesque, it didn't feel real. (For you Americans we're above, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont.) We arrived in Quebec City tonight and walked a bit through the old town. QC is the oldest fortified city in North America. English isn't as common here - so it was a quiet night for me. I keep telling Darren I feel like we're in Euroupe. The lifestyle, articture, ambiance is either very French or very British. Tomorrow we'll spend most of the day in QC and then spend another night here before we make our way back to Montreal. Today was a calmer day for us. We've walked 10-12 miles a day since we got here... just trying to see it all. But today, we (okay, mostly me) really started to miss the kids. I just want to hug, kiss, hold, tickle, smell and make them laugh... then I could continue on the trip. Not possible I know. But now that we're half way through, I thinking about them more and miss them more. I'll be ready to see them - but we'll be busy the rest of the trip and we plan to keep on enjoing our alone time. (Thank goodness for trustworthy grandparents who are willing to step in and be the parents for a while. And for good friends who agree to take on an infant who still gets up at night!)Anyway, pictures to follow.

Baby Phat

I took Connor to the pediatrician where he was tested for sterroids. He weighs a "healthy" 17 pounds and is 25 1/2" long.... making our car seat illegal. Our doctor runs the child obesity clinic here in Calgary and assured me his growth rate is fine - he's just on the bigger side of things. I tried to make a fat joke but he didn't think it was too funny. I hate it when people don't get me. Anyway, all is well but we're hoping the growth rate slows down a bit. It would sure be nice if he could wear the same clothes longer than 3 weeks. I probably should not let him wear a shirt that says "Mammoth" on it. Oh and remember, the camera adds 10 lbs.

Piano Lessons

It was a big day for the girls - they started piano lessons. Their teacher is Mr. Don Simmons and he comes to our house. (this should be the #1 new qualification for all piano teachers) I can't say enough about how great it's going to be not to drive them both somewhere - especially with Connor in tow.

Cala has a 15 minute lesson and CC a 5 minute lesson. He'll even take me on when Connor gets a bit older. I stay for the lesson and I felt like he's going to be great. Cala has 3 songs to work on and CC has to learn middle C. They were both very excited. I even got CC to take a nap so she would be "fresh" for her lesson. I can't believe we're in this phase of things now - seems like just yesterday I was telling them to quit banging on the piano... wait, that was yesterday.

I've been tagged...

My friend Tiffany tagged me... the request - tell us about your marriage. (this is something under no circumstances would my husband ever do... so I'm glad for the chance to at least self analyze with my friends.

1. How did you meet your husband? At BYU (original I know) My last semester - I had a roommate in law school with him... named Laurie Davis. Jessica Sherrill (also roommate) and I had a plan to snag a lawyer. We talked Lori into choosing the smartest, best looking law students and we would make dinner for them. Clam Chowder was the decided meal... I was no help in this.. Jess and Laurie did it all while I stood there saying I don't cook. (not the case anymore) Darren was on of the "chosen" guys and lucky for me he showed up. Darren now refers to this meeting as "The Viewing" becasue he says it was soooo obvious what we were doing. The girl to guy ration was a little off. So when the crowed died off... all that were left was Darren, Steve, Jessica, Erika and another guy named Steve. Jessica and I were both on full cuteness mode that night - we were charming - flirty enough - jeans tight - but not too tight.. you know, played it cool. After the door closed - Jessica, Laurie and I went into full analyzing mode. Jessica mentioned something about Darren and I was like... oh no, we can't both like the same one. So, (Jessica, this is probably news to you) later that night, I cornered Laurie and said, I was the one who needed to go out with Darren - so put in an extra good word for me. Laurie may have directed him my way (she was nice and never actually told me he may have been more into Jessica b/c seriously, even I would have been more into Jessica - she's a good time) Anyway, Darren asked me out a few days later - our first date was on Halloween. We went to Applebee's and q-ball or q-room... that place on State Street in Orem where you could play air hockey and stuff. (I'm pretty sure we haven't played air hockey since that night) We held hands while walking out of q-ball.... (after some major flirting on my part) The night ended with a perfect little kiss at the front door.

2. First thing I said: Umm actually the first time I met Darren he came to pick up my roommate Laurie to go to a Rodeo in SLC. I made so much fun of her for going to a rodeo. I opened the door and said - oh, come in, I'll get Laurie for you. After that, I probably made fun of his cowboy boots to Jessica.

3. When was your first kiss - see first date.

4. Length of courtship/engagement? 10 months... met and married. I knew I had a good thing going and I didn't want him to have time to change his mind.

5. Where did you get engaged? Murry City Park. I've always thought that was random. We'd never been there and haven't been back. Plus, I knew it was coming (no matter what Darren says) but after I had the ring - we went to like 4 peoples houses to show them and no one was home.

6. What was your reception like? A blur and I'm still bitter about it. We stood in line for over 3 hours greeting 800 guests and then bolted as soon as we could. Our legs totally ached. I loved my dress and everything but looking back, I seriously felt ridiculious the entire time - I was nervous at the ceremony - just felt out of place all day. I've often said to Darren, when Cala and Chelsea get married - I'll enjoy it more - have the wedding I wanted. Quiet and calm. ps: the music was great - my super talented bff Tiffany Stoker Madsen did background music. I would have just rather listened to that all night, looked at my dress while eating the wedding cake. Oh ya, Darren can sit by me and share the cake.

7. Where did you get married? The Idaho Falls temple. It was the worst flood in 200 years and so there were sandbags all along the river.

8. Honeymoon - this made up for it all. We went to Hawaii for 12 days - hit the beach - slept in- drove around - relaxed. I also got a massive sunburn and wanted to check myself into the hospital. I'll probably get skin cancer one day because of it. I had blisters and was purple. I shed dead skin for one year - no kidding. We took the kids back to Hawaii 2 years ago... it wasn't quite the same trip.

So there you go Tiff! Thanks for the tag. Darren and I basically have nothing in common. He likes to do things I have absolutly no desire to even try. But, I'm a good sport and take an intrest in things he finds important. I've even learned how to tolerate the horses and will talk to them when I go outside. Darren likes a lot of the same things I like - he's more well rounded and not as shallow. My likes all involve selfish things and he's a good sport. He even knows the ins and outs of whatever handbag/fashion find I'm drooling over at the moment and puts up with the money I wast on People magazine. Although, just to make him sound normal... I just got a new chruch calling. Ward music chairman - and I have to lead the music for sacrament meeting... I've been practicing b/c I never learned how to lead... he just made fun of me the entire time... said I looked like a robot. Thanks honey. Jokes on you - one Sunday I'm just going to sit on the stand the entire time while you fight it out with the kids.

Classroom Manager

A big day for Cala today... she's the "Classroom Manager." She gets to help the teacher and take a show and tell. She wanted to take Connor but I decided it wasn't a good idea since he had some shots today. She settled for some sea shells instead. I can't wait to hear how it went. She looked so cute today.

Matching Moment

We left for church on Sunday as Darren commented - you're all matching. Did you plan that? Okay, normally I don't try and dress like my kids. But, you would be surprised how many times we are all have the same theme going. Also today, Cala was complaining about her shoes hurting her feet. I had some wise words of advice. I said, look at my shoes. (black high heels, peep toe) Do they look comfortable? They're not, in fact I can't feel a few of my toes and the rest are being pinched so hard I want to cry. I'll probably be bleeding after church. But, they look good. I love these shoes, Angelina Jolie has a pair like them and I can sure stand them for 3 hours and so can you. That's just part of dressing nice. She decided she would tough it out in the name of fashion. Not before she told me how uncomfortable nylons were though. Gotta learn young.