Being wisked away...

Just a little short of a miracle, Tory and I had an entire weekend alone! We went back and forth for a while about what we should do with our almost 2 days together. Do we stay at home and catch up on sleep, watch movies, eat popcorn and veg? Or do we head out somewhere and try to DO something with our time? As enticing as my bed sounded...Jasper sounded a little bit more exciting! We hadn't been there since our honeymoon, and we had never stayed at Jasper Park Lodge together so we booked our room, dropped off our Little's (2 at one set of grandparents and 2 at the other), stopped at Wok Box and headed out!

The weekend weather turned out fantastic! The first night we got there we checked into our room and headed straight for the steaming out door pool. Floating on our backs we starred at the stars and admired the finger nail of God as Tory called it! We felt like honeymooners! Teasing and giggling...chatting and enjoying very much the company. After a dip in the hot tub we headed back to our room. Ordered in some hot popcorn a bottle of water a diet Coke ($20 eee!) and a movie! We didn't finish our popcorn so Tory set the tray down on the floor. After breakfast the next morning we came back to our room and I noticed that the popcorn bowl was empty. I didn't think too much of it, asked Tory about it but he had no idea where it went either. I actually thought he was pulling my leg and had eaten it.

The next day we went into Jasper to shop for little treasures we could bring to our treasures back home. An elastic band gun for Cole (ya good job dad! It was a hit), a beaded kitty purse for Ashley, polished rocks for Grace, and a hanging horse ornament with hooks to hang stuff on for Kaehli...oh and I can't forget about the 4 bear claws. Huge, clusters of cashews covered/smothered in caramel then dipped in milk chocolate with 3 more cashews on top to make it look like a claw....mmmmmmmm!!! Then we headed to Maligne Canyon for the Ice Walk. It was stunning! Gorgeous! Breath Taking! 3 hours of hiking, photography, slipping, and sliding, learning about the river that never freezes, the "taps" of water that slow enough for the water falls to freeze, and sunshine!!! Making memories as a couple verses family is something we don't do often, but I am so glad we did this time, and so important for my marriage!!

After our hike, we enjoyed a candle lit meal together at the Moose Nook Restaurant. Tory had Bison Tenderloin and I had a Seafood dish with lobster, huge shrimp, scallops and mussels over Risotto (which was a cheesy creamy type rice) YUM! Then believe it or not we headed to the gym, pool and hot tub. Back to our room, in comfy clothes ready for popcorn and a movie and exhausted!!!!!!! Tory ordered a dish of mixed nuts this time b/c they couldn't find the popcorn...he didn't finish them and set the tray on the floor. This time, when the movie was over he swung his legs over the bed to find A mouse sitting in the dish of nuts chowing down! EEEEEEEK! The mouse ran down the hole by the pipe from the heat register that went down into the floor of the room. He jammed washcloths in the holes and in the end the hotel took a couple meals off our bill.

Sunday morning we enjoyed a Vanilla Latte for Tory and a Tea for me (He is risen!! you have to read my Ash Wed to know what I am talking about) and muffins in the Lodge. We reminisced about our weekend, how fast it went, and enjoying the mountain view from our little table. 10:15 am came pretty quick and we both (yes both he he) headed down to the spa for pedicures:) Lunch in the Emerald Lounge, Check out, home.

On a more serious note, I want to tell you that I know our weekend was amazing not only because of where we were, but because we put on the Armor of God everyday. I have just recently started doing it. And I know it made a huge difference in our weekend together. We didn't bicker or fight about anything...it was a laid back easy going wonderful weekend and I feel like it was a gift from my Father God! We came home feeling a little dreamy and in love and a lot more relaxed then we were going. I wish I could include more pictures...but here's a few!