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A Weekend in Edmonton
An alternative title for this post was: the trip where I forgot to pack my toothbrush and my purse.
Honestly, I’m the worst at packing. On different trips I’ve forgotten: deodorant, make up, my flat iron, phone charger and now my toothbrush and purse (writing that down it appears as though personal hygiene isn’t something I think about a lot, I promise I’m cleaner than it sounds!).
Hygiene aside, this last weekend found us on a spontaneous road trip that we’d been planning for awhile.
Makes no sense, right?
We’d been planning on going to Edmonton for awhile, a long while, originally we planned to go the weekend of Jared’s birthday (May 31st), of last year. So this trip was over a year in coming.
We planned on going this weekend but were both feeling like something would come up that would prevent us from being able to make it, thankfully that didn’t happen. We booked our hotel the night before we left and that’s all the planning we did.
We left Friday morning and drove the 5-ish hours there without a hitch. We did stop in Vegreville to see the world’s largest Pysanka (which Google tells me is a Ukranian Easter Egg), I’ve always seen photos of the egg but never gone in person, so we made the little stop. I think it would be a cool family tradition to stop every time we are out that way.
Our weekend was pretty casual, we spent most of it just walking up and down West Edmonton Mall, but it was the getaway that we needed.
THE egg
<3
how can she get so tired when she was either carried or pushed in the stroller the whole time?
on the ferris wheel at galaxyland
making herself at home at Ikea
arriving home to rain
Now tell me, are you a good packer or do you pack like me?
If you are a good one, please tell me your secrets!
(And if you are a bad one let me know so I don’t feel so alone in this!)
38 Comments
meg pitts
It never fails, we always forget something. Last time it was all my hair stuff… which luckily I use cheap stuff and not the crazy curly hair stuff.
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Haha, I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Robyn Black
i used to always forget my pajamas! now that’s the first thing i pack! i’ve had to pack a lot over the last few years, and i’ve found what works for me is making a list. i sit down and think about everything i use during my morning routine and write it all down on the list. i make a post it to stick on the bathroom mirror that says “pack toothbrush, hair straightener & makeup” since i use it the morning we leave!
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
That’s totally what I should do. Normally I pack my stuff up as I use it in the morning but last week my Dad phoned while I was brushing my teeth and it threw me all off!
In Due Time
I always forget something too 🙂 Actually I get ready at the gym every morning and always leave something at home 🙁 Looks like a good weekend getaway! We are getting the rain right now and really need it!
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
It’s nice to know there are other forgetful people out there. 🙂
Ursula
Looks like a great getaway! I’ve heard about that egg 🙂 I’m the worst packer so unfortunately I can’t offer any good advice. I usually over pack and then seem to forget the essentials like a toothbrush, face wash, running shoes…anything I’ll actually need!
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Haha, too funny!
abby - little city adventures
Beautiful photos of your weekend 🙂
what saves me when packing is using Evernote. I’m super OCD so I can plan way ahead in advance and have it synced to all my devices so if I think of something while I’m out, I can write it down right away. Plus Evernote has little check boxes so you can go through and actually check things off as you pack/collect them.
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
That’s a great idea! I’m thinking I should definitely do that for my next trip!
Madison
Don’t worry, I’m notorious for forgetting underwear, so that’s great… Looks like a great trip for you guys though 🙂
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Lol, too funny Madison!
Caitlin
This looks like such a fun trip! Seeing the world’s largest Ukrainian egg is so cool — I love silly roadside attractions like this. Lovely photos from your trip, too! I’m terrible at packing for vacation. I tend to always forget a hair brush, my cell phone charger and/or undies. So there’s that… haha. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone!
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Haha, that’s awesome Caitlin! Do they have a lot of “the world’s biggest” things in the States? Lots of little towns do that around here, it is one of my goals to drive to some of the nearby ones this summer and get photos with them.
Caitlin
We do have a ton of them! Even if they’re not “world’s biggest”, America has a lot of unique + odd roadside attractions throughout the country. I found this little link showcasing some of them, in case you’re interested: http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2006404_2006095,00.html
That is such a fun goal… it’d be awesome to put together a whole scrapbook of roadside attractions!
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
So neat, thanks for sharing that!
Joanna Rist
So sad that I was in Uganda for this. We could have met up! Next time. 🙂
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
I know, I thought about you this weekend! Definitely next time!
Katie Cook
I love your pictures! And of course love you!! And I was dying this morning when you told me Raeca calls Kevin “heaven” hahaha!!! Thank you so so much for your prayers! You mean so much to me!! xoxo
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Thanks Katie! Say hi to “Heaven” 🙂
Rachel Nordgren
That egg looks SO epic.
Also, Ikea? I could make myself at home there every. darn. day.
As far as packing…I always keep my toiletries travel bag (this one from Rapha House – https://www.raphahouse.org/take-action/freedom-store/rapha-house-creations/accessories/products/view/5/7) stocked with travel sized essentials. I keep a travel toothbrush, small bottles of shampoo and conditioner, body wash, etc. in there all the time. That way, whenever it’s time to go someplace, I can just grab the bag and go, because I know I already have all my essentials packed in there.
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Having a travel toiletry bag is a really good idea, definitely seems like something I need in my life!
Rachel Nordgren
It definitely makes packing just a wee bit less stressful!
Now, of course, the problem becomes remembering to KEEP the toiletries bag stocked…
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Haha, right!
Amy Hodgdon
I am a BAD packer. I can relate!
I once forgot my entire bag of toiletries….yep- contact solution, toothpaste, deodorant. I cried a lot.
So fun to that you guys could have a weekend getaway! I love the photos of you and your family!
Makes me want to go to Canada!
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Oooh, not fun! I think I forgot my contact solution once too, thankfully I used some of Jared’s and used cups in replacement for the case!
Elizabeth Mayberry
this looks like such a sweet rip! I love all the pictures!
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Thanks Elizabeth, it was a lot of fun!
Susannah
What a fun getaway! Two years ago my family went to Edmonton and it was such a great trip!
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
That’s so neat Susannah! What did you guys all do when you were there?
Susannah
Well, we were only there for a day so we hung out at the mall and went to the waterpark! 🙂
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
That’s cool, that’s pretty much all I’ve ever done in Edmonton too 🙂
Sarah
Looks like a fun weekend! I’m usually a good packer–as I use something
(deodorant, makeup, etc.) in the morning, I toss it on my bed and then
when I’m done getting ready shove all the last minute stuff in my bag!
But…there was one vacation where I forgot pants. So the shorts I wore
when we left for vacation were all I had for the next 5 days!! Oops!
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Haha, forgot pants. That’s pretty awesome!
Jenna Guizar
Your pictures are gorgeous, lady. You inspire me. ~Jenna
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Thanks Jenna!
Whitney @ Journey Mercies
If you want to get good at packing, just travel 50% of the year, like we did in 2013. 🙂 no seriously, the travel sized toiletries is a huge time saver! And once a year I buy a couple sticks of mascara from Clinique just so I can get the gift with purchase. Usually the gift has everything i would take on the trip with me, and the bag is super cute. Also that’s the only time I buy make up, except if my foundation or mascara run out. Normally you get a couple eyeshadows and lipstick. I don’t wear it every day, so it’s usually enough for me for the year. All about decreasing my make up stash 😉
Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing
Thanks for the tips! I’m sure you’ve hit the nail on the head: I need to travel more 🙂 Then I’ll be pro at packing, I’ll let Jared know. 🙂