The kids.

Cabane a sucre

Ben and I headed up to our friend Danny's for a look at his sugaring operation. It is quite a tradition here in Quebec in the spring as everyone collects the sap to make the maple syrup. I was interested to see how this all takes place. Upon further investigation I discovered, like many traditions here, it's basically just an excuse to go out into the woods and drink beer with the fellas.

In the first run of sap 700 gallons of sap boiled down to 14 gallons of syrup.

The hardest work I witnessed.

Ben enjoyed it very much thankyou.

Sherbrooke Winter Festival

It's a short (15min) drive to Sherbrooke where we took in the winter festivities this weekend. Photo above shows Ben just about to throw down with this clown.

Sleigh ride and pony ride, all in the span of 15 minutes.

Ben kept his distance from this cow.
I don't blame him, cow looked a bit sketchy.

Unfortunately Colin, this was as close as I got to the ice.

Train ride.

Trip to Lake Placid

I snuck away this week for two days with Kira's Dad and his friend Curt. My good friend Matt was in Lake Placid as the Sports Psychologist for the Canadian sliding teams at the world championships. I had a great time and enjoyed an event I had never seen live before. I couldn't believe the speed of these athletes! (Photo above is in Northern Vermont, you see the strangest things there.)

"Ski Trip" has a strange meaning to Curt and Mike.

This place has an unbelievable amount of Olympic history.

I was amazed that the last 300m of the track is actually uphill.

Canadian Jeff Pain

Track was covered a bit due to the sun
(Whiteface ski hill in the background)

Athletes waiting at the start.

Ski vid 2

Ben's getting better on the twigs! Three runs off the chair lift today.

Video montage

Missing everyone out west, but having a blast!

Les Fetes des Neiges

We didn't have to drive so far for a winter festival this weekend. Magog, a city just 20 minutes away on Lake Memphremagog put on a great weekend of festivities. Here's a few pics...