Let me introduce....

TeAra, my new equine friend!
After a year of "horse inactivity" I felt the urge of having a horse again. TeAra is a 13 year old american quarter horse mare. (AQHA) I am currently leasing her because I want to see how things work out with my job. Leasing means I just pay for boarding an other expenses but she remains property of the owner. She is boarded within a 5 minute drive from our home (In Canadian language "just around the corner" ;))
We will keep you updated about our adventures!!

The visit of the Olympic flame in Cochrane

As all of you know, Canada and more precisely Vancouver is hosting this year's Olympic Winter Games. And no games without the Olympic Flame!
The Olympic Flame was lit in a traditional ceremony in Olympia, Greece on October 22, and traveled throughout the country before being handed over to representatives of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Once in VANOC’s hands, the Olympic Flame boarded a trans-Atlantic flight and arrived in Victoria, BC, where it started a 106-day during journey. On this journey it will visit more then 1000 communities across Canada. 12,000 people will have the honour of being an Olympic Torchbearer and will help carry the flame to Vancouver, a majority of whom will be selected through public programs. The Olympic Flame will complete the cross-country journey at Vancouver’s BC Place on February 12, 2010, as it lights the Olympic Cauldron, signaling the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
On day 83 (20th of January) it was Cochrane's turn to greet the Olympic Flame!


The Popo's getting ready (aka Police)


The van with the other Olympic Torchbearers


And there comes the Flame!


It's getting closer...


And closer...


And closer...


In it's full glory!


And on it's way to Vancouver

1 year anniversary

Waw time really flies when life is good! Today, one year ago, we arrived in Canada. Everything is more than A-OK over here. Last week we even said to each other that we didn't feel any regrets at all about our 'big move'. We are still living the dream. :)

Two weeks ago we got hit by what are called Chinook winds. This is air that literally rolls down the mountains and picks up heat. We went from -35 to +10 in a matter of days. All the snow is almost gone. Roads are back to normal (except for the massive amounts of gravel, and the windshield chips that come along with it).

Also today was a big day in Calgary. The Olympic Flame was back in town (since 1988)! They even lit the Calgary Tower again! That is one awesome sight! It looks like a big birthday candle to us (happy 1 year anniversary!). ;) My boss was one of the lucky ones to run with the flame this morning. And he let me touch the torch!
Tomorrow the Flame passes through Cochrane and Sarah is planning on watching it run by.

This summer it's going to be crazy busy around here. A lot of friends are coming over from Belgium. We are really looking forward to this. Luckily we have some spare rooms to share.

Last but not least we want to wish you all a happy new year and lot's of joy in 2010.