In July we drove through the Okanagan Valley to stay in Rossland, BC for two weeks. Rossland is a little mountain town where Tom’s company is based and where the company’s annual summer conference is held. Despite my worries about the 37 degree forecast (how do you even keep a baby cool in that weather?) we had such a fantastic time relaxing and enjoying small-town life.

“Mountain Hennie” thrived on the road! She did amazingly well on a 10+ hour road trip, slept through the night multiple times in her (dark, air-conditioned) bedroom, and even napped longer than she normally does at home. It’s almost enough to make her parents wanna move to a big house in a small mountain town! We stayed in a house the first week but a hotel room the second – guess which is easier with a baby? Luckily, the hotel obliged our request for a room close to the conference room, lobby, and hotel bar, so our baby monitor offered me some freedom while she was napping during the day and sleeping during the evening.

Hennie had a lot of first experiences while visiting Rossland!

• first time at the pool (big hit)
• first time trying frozen yogurt (even bigger hit!)
• first time seeing cats (very apprehensive and distrusting)
• first time having pizza (she grabbed mama’s slice and had a full bite before anyone could stop her)
• first time clapping her hands
• first time going to a lake

I think we’ll always have fond memories of this first big trip with Hennie, especially considering we had our offer accepted for our first home purchase while staying in Rossland. It was a relaxing, slow-paced time with an exciting twist!