Snowball Express

Each December, the Gary Sinise Foundation hosts a five-day experience for 1,750+ children of fallen military and their surviving parent or guardian. As a therapeutic retreat with a blend of fun and inspiring programs, these families can lean on their peers for support. The event, Snowball Express was held once again this year here at Walt Disney World Resort! (more details here)

In order to provide these families with an unforgettable experience cheering Cast Members greet them as they make their way down Main St. in Magic Kingdom to the Castle to meet Mickey.

So Mike and I got up at 4am to take part this year...

Here are Gary Sinise and Mickey performing the welcome ceremony...

It was incredibly moving and like nothing I've ever experienced before. I swear we cried a river. Gary Sinise is such an inspiration and it's good to remember the Disney magic too. I'll definitely be thinking more of others this Christmas:)

Critter Care, Banff and more!

Maddy has really been looking forward to her 3-month internship at a wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary in British Columbia:). We decided to make the trip together as a family and take the opportunity to do some Canadian National Park sight-seeing while we were up there too. We flew into Seattle and spent the first day on a whale watching day trip from Friday Harbor in San Juan island. We didn’t see any orcas but we did get to enjoy a pair of beautiful humpback whales which was amazing!

And the seals were so stinking adorable too!

The next morning we arrived in Langley, BC and checked Maddy in at Critter Care. They take care of all kinds of injured and orphaned wildlife: squirrels, beavers, raccoons and even bears and the setting is beautiful. 

Maddy couldn’t wait to roll up her sleeves and get started so we said our goodbyes and headed East to Banff in Alberta. The drive was breathtaking, we drove through two other National Parks on the way...

As soon as we got there we realized that the some of the main areas were still closed for the Winter season. Although it was fairly warm, some of the lakes were frozen over and therefore not the famous blue/aqua color that we'd heard so much about. But we did get the snow-capped mountains to enjoy and they are just so pretty:)

It is some of the most amazing scenery I have ever seen and as the days draw to a close the mountains are perfectly reflected in the water...

 

And things really come alive on the golf course of all places! We saw about 50 elk grazing there!

Mike was particularly excited to see so many Bighorn sheep. We saw a whole family up close and two rams who had come down from the mountain to lick salt off the road:)

This was my favorite photo of the trip. So handsome:)

We also saw both a black bear by the road and a grizzly bear looking in this empty truck for food. I was so shocked I didn't get to my camera quick enough to catch him! 

The wildlife is just incredible. They even love their toads in Banff...

I loved the Columbian ground squirrels...

And the deer...

This elk looked like he was posing for a postcard...

 

And as we left the park to drive back to Seattle we even saw a mountain goat:)

Maddy reports that she is incredibly busy and already the proud mom to 4 baby squirrels. She is working very long hours mainly cleaning and constructing cages for the inevitable Summer intake. She's excited to be there and although we are missing her already we are so very proud that she is making a difference in this special place. 

Bye bye for now Canada - hope to see you again very soon!

Volunteering at the Orange County Animal Shelter

We have spent every weekend over the past month training at the local animal shelter. It's been an emotional, challenging and rewarding experience. The first week was the toughest for me - I cried over 'Sadie' all weekend after I left (she was adopted a week later:))

Maddy is a total natural and passed her exam to become a qualified volunteer before we did!

We get to exercise the dogs and introduce them to their future owners. So far, we are really enjoying it and are hoping to be able to make a difference for this important cause. Ideally without bringing a dog home:)