Graham and I like to road trip, we had a lot of driving adventures before the girls joined our family. Nothing like watching the landscape change through the car window. Last summer we attended a friends wedding in Vancouver and then drove down through to Montana. It was the first really long road trip we had done with them and we were so impressed and knew we about to have a lot more driving adventures with them. This summer Graham gave the girls some choice as to where we have this summers adventure. I picked up some maps from AMA and one night when I was out Graham spread them out for the girls. He gave them a sphere encompassing Winnipeg on the far east side and the girls chose to go there! Sounded pretty fun since I have never been there and Graham had only really driven through. So I returned from an evening out with an adventure planned to Winnipeg in August.
We returned from Vegas late Sunday night and were so eager to go pick up our little women. Mom and Mikel met us in Wandering River with the girls, they had such fun with Gramma and Grampa!!! We were all pumped for our road trip. Graham works with a lady who had found a big book on Winnipeg so we read a bit and we listened to music a bit and we visited alot, hearing about the fun things they did up in Fort McMurray. We missed them so much!
It was so pretty to drive through the prairies! I have never been to Manitoba so it was a first for me too. I had picked up some books from Scholastic that had a book for each province talking about the history and major landmarks, super informative (I'm a nerdy teacher that way). My family humors me so we read them for bedtime stories or in the car. The girls also scored some new headphones to go with the portable DVD player.
Our creative ladies do whatever it takes to stay entertained, making paper jewellery came about and even dad needed in on it. It didn't quite fit his wrist like it did the rest of us.
We had heard good things about the Children's Museum and it did not disappoint! Down by 'The Forks' was where we spent most of our time and I was so taken by the great vibe, the history and the cleanliness. It is such a great place!
One of the highlights of the trip for me was the boat ride down at 'The Forks'. We had a guide take us up both the Assiniboine and Red Rivers, telling us a ton of history - LOVE it! Super cool is that as we passed the Manitoba Legislature Amelia pointed out the golden boy , which the guide was surprised at :) she had read it in the book on Winnipeg from Graham's colleague. Go girl!
The Assiniboine Zoo was a much anticipated destination. We had heard about how special the polar bear exhibit was. Our girls are big animal lovers so we enjoyed all of the critter we were able to see.
Our view of the polar bears wasn't amazing, they were staying in the shade when we were there BUT the exhibit was amazing, so much information and a wonderful interactive experience. About 12 years ago Graham and I had an opportunity to fly to Churchill Manitoba (an amazing place to view polar bears in their natural habitat) with friends but for some reason we had to pass and we regret it. It is definitely on our wish list to do with our girls.
There are many beautiful creatures in this world. I am proud of our girls and their tenderness towards them, their desire to protect.
This guy was just the cutest!!!!!
Something special about Winnipeg is that my grandparents lived here while engaged and when they were first married. They had given me a rough idea of where the chapel was that they first attended, we found it. My Gramma Hudkins was actually baptized at this Academy Road Chapel. Even though it was a Wednesday afternoon the doors were open because it now has the mission office in the building. There is no longer a baptismal font but it felt very special to be there and know that is because of my Gramma's choice to be baptized that I have the gospel in my life. My little ladies are now the 4th generation of people to have the gospel of Jesus Christ as a guide for them in life if they so choose. I am super grateful for that!
Oh my the National Human Rights Museum was another much anticipated stop for Graham and I. We knew that it may be heavy for the girls but knowledge is power and one is never too young to start learning. They have a wonderful facility and it was incredibly interactive and informative. I am thankful we were able to go.
There were many times when I got emotional.
It made me think and want to be a better person.
This goofy girl and her smiles! Another highlight of this trip was being able to meet up with my dear friend Mary. She is tackling the RCMP training in Regina and it was so wonderful to be able to meet with her and her family whom we have known since both of our early married years up in Fort McMurray.
We met up at the Regina Science Centre and it was great! I really wish I had taken a picture of all of the children together, her 4 and my 2....in earlier years we both longed for motherhood and have been blessed tremendously. Mary is a wise, wise thinker and combined with her tender heart, a tremendous friend to have in your corner. Many positive thoughts and prayers her way as she tackles the training, what an example!!!
We took a bathroom break in Saskatchewan at a little town that my Great Grandparents lived in. My Great Grandpa worked at the train station and it was actually still there so we snapped a picture, pretty cool I'd say.
So riding on the suitcases became a 'thing' on this trip. Bless their dad, he is a champ. Really though wouldn't we all enjoy just being wheeled from place to place?
It was a much anticipated trip and did not disappoint. I had made up duotangs with maps and few little sheets for the girls, it is to go along with their travel journals. We sure love these little women! Love having new experiences with them and helping them see beyond their own lives. I am pretty grateful for a partner who shares my love of travel. Many more adventures to come!
~ Mrs. P
