This past weekend we attended a winter festival called Bal de Neige (which translates Ball of Snow which I think is much more fun than the english name of Winterlude). There are activities all over the city for three weeks. We crossed the river to Quebec and took part in a big snow-playground. It was a very cold and windy day but the kids got into it once we stopped walking around and just let them play.

Gatineau is the name of the city in Quebec, just across the river from downtown Ottawa.

Kind of like luge, just no sled.

Not sure whose booth was set up (maybe Forestry) but there were a bunch of stuffed animals on display.

And many colourful characters, all speaking French, were floating around.

Some sort of dragon-lady...

And trees were decked in scarves!

Just past Felix in the distance is the LONG line-up for ice fishing. Yes, the Quebec Ministry set up a mesh cage filled with brook trout. It is suspended in the Ottawa river and everyone can have a try at catching one trout...if they have the patience to wait in line.

His little cheeks were red the rest of the day!

Speaking of...here is a snow sculpture of an angler ice-fishing (submitted by the Ontario team).

Here is Alberta's entry...it won first prize.

Impressive!

What a great idea for the kids: building blocks to make forts or inukshuks or just to test your strength!

She was quite proud about getting up on that snowball. She asked Patrick to take a picture! (That NEVER happens.)

Oh so windy!

The kids had their moment on the ice-slide.

Gaining speed and losing control...

Felix loved it. He cried when we left.

And after being thoroughly chilled, we warmed up in Matt & Sarah's new place and ate homemade chicken soup. It was perfect. And to top it off, Uncle Matt & Brig found Waldo.