Party Hardy Week 2 - Camp!

This family camp was a good idea, that is all there is to it!  

I think planning for it began early in the new year and it all started when John's brother Ben asked if any of us wanted to join them for a couple of days in Waterton.

We were like, "Waterton you say?   Um...ok!"

So one Thursday afternoon we spent an entire morning loading up our van, coolers and backpacks with everything we'd need and then a few extra things for good measure;)   By Thursday afternoon John and four of his 7 siblings (and their families) were off on the first ever family camping trip!   

Each of us had our own site (most were adjoining) but John's and my site quickly became the base.  Some of us had decided to cook/eat together and we conveniently

 took over this camp kitchen.    Grandpa joined us each evening for supper which was nice and super helpful as he would bring out a warm meal to us.   (Hardly camping when you don't have to cook the supper, I know.  There were times it felt more like "Glam"ping!!;)

The first evening was spent:

* setting up camp

* eating a milkman dinner (yum!)

* taking the boat out on upper waterton lake 

* going fishing

* swinging in Calebs hammock (which him and Mala actually slept in each night, the brave souls!)

* attending the falls theatre where some of the kids became participants in the show!

* Enjoying hot chocolate and fish (in lieu of s'mores I suppose?) before bed 

* enjoying a perfectly calm and still evening

While I was watching a theatre production with some of the kids, John was fishing with Sam and a few others nearby.   I joined them just as the sun was going down and watched them row towards shore with Sam excitedly calling out that he'd caught a fish.   I'll admit, it was a nice looking fish and John was determined to keep it and take it home.   I, however, was equally determined that we were NOT hanging on to that thing for the next two days!   Our coolers were filled to the brim with other food and even if they hadn't been, I did not want the extra hastle of trying to keep a fish carcass cool for the duration of our trip.   Can you imagine how stinky that thing would have been?  Carrying around a dead fish for two days was just not part of my plans at all;)   So  there we were at a complete standstill.   This ridiculous 2 lb fish was quite truly the straw that broke the proverbial camels back, and as I stood there on that Waterton shore I called out to him the one and only option:
"Cook that sucker up or SET.IT.FREE!!"

John begrudgingly tried to set it free, but the poor thing instantly went belly up so there he was (at 10:30 at night) by the light of a kerosene lamp gutting and cooking up Sam's prized lake trout.
And can I just say -it was delicious!!!
Like, truly scrumptious and by far the yummiest fish I'd eaten in well...forever maybe.   As an added bonus, John's family all huddled around him and thought it was the coolest thing ever.   The combination of Hot Chocolate and fish before bed didn't seem weird to them at all!  It was so strange to me, but in an instant John's and my "fish feud" had quickly been put to rest.   All's well that ends well, I guess!  haha

Our one full day in Waterton was spent in the most perfect way (for me at least;) :  

* 6:30 am - early morning bike ride from the campground to the park entrance!  (I've always wanted to try that new trail they added and I was glad Sarah, Caleb and Mala were willing to let me tag along!  And tag along, I did.  Way...back...much further along! haha.   I hadn't even reached the park entrance yet when Caleb and Mala breezed past me already headed back to camp.  Seriously, to be a teenager again!   Or fit even.  (I'd settle for that;)

* After a mediocre breakfast, a few of us hiked bears hump.   It's our second time this year doing it, and I'm more and more proud of Nate for managing that hike all on his own.  I love sitting on top and looking over at the town site!

* After lunch, we adventured/played up at Red Rock for a bit

* Stopped off at Emerald Bay

* Got caught in a surprise rainstorm

* Enjoyed Zums chicken and fries for dinner (thanks Grandpa!)

* Took the boat up to Cameron lake for, you guessed it, MORE fishing!!!  (After previous nights successful fish fry, everyone had high hopes of a repeat cook off this second night.   It was hilarious to me that three separate family members contributed during the day with newly purchased salt/pepper, fresh lemons, and dill!   John was definitely feeling the pressure;)

* Watched Caleb's entertaining paddle board trip to the far end of Cameron.  (I love his adventurous spirit and I think his mom Sarah does too;)    

* Got caught in yet ANOTHER torrential downpour.  We had to load up all the fishing/boating gear in a hurry.  (and when I say "we" I mean John.  I was sitting in the van trying to be helpful from there;)    The mountains sure can be unpredictable!

That storm that caught us unaware up at Cameron lake rolled over Waterton and brought with it a fierce wind that stayed with us for most of the night.   We still enjoyed one last fish fry in the camp kitchen before bed and Mala even slept out in the hammock despite the wind - but it definitely put a bit of a damper on things and sent many of us to our tents.

I woke up the next morning though to the most calm and peaceful scene!

I love waking up in Waterton, before anyone else, and going for a walk.   It is such a special time.

By the time I got back to our site, others were waking up and we began the task of taking down camp.   

It always amazes me how much work Camping is; how my van gets filled to the roof with things we need in order to live a little more rustic?  It's so ironic.   But one walk along a bubbling brook as the sun rises - and it all feels absolutely worth it!!

Party Hardy Week 1 - Highlights

Back at the end of June, a few of John's siblings (and their fams) arrived in town for a two-four week stay!   To say it was a "busy couple of weeks" would be an understatement.   

A "constant party" is more like it!

I have to admit as June 30th approached I grew increasingly nervous about the logistics of the next couple of weeks.   I was scheduled for a surgery shortly before their arrival and we were in the throws of house hunting, both of which were making me feeling kind of wiggy.   (I'm really not sure what that means but I think it is what I was feeling;)  We were doing our best to carve out our schedules, but in the process were likely disappointing others.  I think we said "no" more last month then we have all year!  (Which is okay, I know, but not easy)   It was a little overwhelming, but looking back, I think it is my nature to feel overwhelmed about the unknown.  The REALITY however (how things really end up being) is always so much better than any logistic I worry up.   So, the next few posts will consist of my own synopsis of this wonderful, entertaining, exhausting (we're talking late nights people!) and fulfilling past few weeks.

These are some of the Highlights:

Rachel and her two kids arrived first and my kids were THRILLED to get to see Savanna and Maddax again.  It had been six months at least since they'd seen them last.  Poor Rach hadn't even been here a day before John and Sam lured them out (pardon the pun) for a bit of fishing!   John and Sam would fish every.single.day if schedules permitted and I think it would be fair to warn all future company of this fact;)     This was certainly one of our most um...entertaining fishing trips for sure.  

I never want to forget how hard we laughed as we watched two year old Savanna fish.   It involved slapping the rod repetitively on the water while calling to the fish.   We learned quickly not to try to help her either, she was determined that her way was the best way!    Maddax caught on quickly and enjoyed fishing.   He enjoyed it so much that I think he would have fished all night!    At one point some dark clouds rolled over us and released a torrential rainfall that caused us all to drop our things and run for the van.   Dear Maddax though -stood on that shoreline yelling, 

"No no no.  Don't go!  Ma not done fishing yet!!!!"

We decided to wait out the storm and I am glad we did!   It was a lovely evening after that.   We didn't catch any fish, but I now have a lovely picture of Grandpa with some of his Grandkids - under a rainbow.  So I went home happy.

For Canada Day this year we decided to do something a little bit different.    Sarah, Rach, Jordan and their families joined us in Waterton for the bicycle parade.   In the past we've always gone out to Raymond for the morning, but Waterton just seemed like the place to be.   I'm pretty sure we've started a new tradition!   The parade was about three minutes long (and I'm being generous) but it was the most scenic parade I've ever seen.   Afterwards we had a picnic down by the lake and hiked up to Bertha Falls.   We made it back into town just in time to enjoy a party down at the park.   For those in the family who were able to stay up late - the fireworks were especially grand this year!!!

Another highlight was celebrating Libbys birthday on the 4th.  None of the pics in the following collage actually depict Libby BUT Jess is shown here trying out Libbys new birthday gift - a mermaid tale!!   Seriously, what will they think of next?;)    Prior to Libby's pool party we spent the first part of the day out at St. Mary's.   Many of John's siblings were fiercely determined to find a dinosaur fossil and others were determined to take this fun fishing boat out on it's maiden voyage.  (ahem...John in particular!;)   It's bound to increase the number of nights we spend fishing exponentially.

Of course, I had to squeeze in a couple of family photo sessions, which always seems like a gong show in the moment.  But alas - a couple of picture perfect Families.  So sweet!

(PS:  If any family reading this wonder if Brent was photoshopped in, I promise he actually did come to visit!   He just wanted to wait until everyone left so we could enjoy him all to ourselves.  haha;)

It's never a complete family visit until we've made a trip out to Walleys Beach.  The sun was blazing hot on this particular day, the mosquitoes were relatively few, and we didn't have a care in the world.   

AKA:  perfection

Of course our first ever family Camping trip was a HUGE highlight but I figured that deserved a post of it's very own!!!

Stay tuned.....

Beautiful Beazer

My Aunt Karen and Uncle George invited us out to their land a few weeks back for an evening of visiting and fun.   I had no doubt at all that it would be a great time as I can't picture many places in this area as beautiful and lovely as the "Diamond Dipper."     My Grandma Afton grew up in Beazer and I often wonder if it was right around here that she played as a girl.   What a charming place this would have been to grow up!

All of their kids were home for the week as well which made the outing extra sweet!  It was fun to see them all and catch up.   The kids played in Lee Creek, zip lined, and Sam even did a bit of fishing!  (shocker;)  It was cool to watching these kids run around (some barefoot) finding all sorts of outdoorsy things to do to stay busy.   Watching them reminded me once again of the importance of getting outside and away from the devices that seriously stifle everything imaginative and creative.   There are some qualities in all of us that I'm convinced only come alive when we get into the great outdoors!!

I so enjoyed listening to my Uncle George as he shared all sorts of info about this area, particularly Waterton and how it was formed by Glaciers, the evidence of which is still seen today.  It was cool stuff and I only wish my little brain could have remembered it all! 

As the day came to an end and dusk began to set in we watched a couple of nighthawks fly above us and try to listen to the humming of their wings.    It was a lovely time and a perfect break from all that had kept John and I so busy up until then.   

So grateful for their invite and for the extended family in my life who I am so proud to associate with, even if only occasionally.  Every visit with them gets stored up in my heart and will be treasured always!

1st Young Women's camp EVER!

Um...hello.    When did this girl get old enough to go to YW camp?    

I don't really want to talk about this much (I'm too lost in existential thought wondering where the time has gone) other than to say:

* she loved it!

* she got to go at a time when her Uncle Kendall was her Bishop, her Aunt Jewel was her young women leader and her cousins Ava and Mya were with her  (perhaps the reason why she loved it so much?)

* She didn't miss us at all

* I missed her like crazy 

That is all.  

I think I might cry.

End of School Fun

Wow, it is hard to believe that this was a month ago already.  What a fun day it was!!!  

June is always an interesting month, full of field trips, dress up days and such.  One thing is always certain though - the Kids marathon is a MUST!

For the first time ever, John and Abby couldn't join us  (John had to administer a final and Abby was writing an exam of her own) so we braved the rainy day without them.   Thankfully, it didn't really pour down on us until after the run and yummy Subway lunch.   Such a fun activity each year!!!

Abby was kept busy the last week of June writing several PAT exams and I was super proud of her when her Uncle Kendall told us that she had scored one of the two top marks on the science government exam.   She'd actually only gotten 1 question wrong!!  They invited us parents to attend an assembly in which she was recognized for that and given a medal.  At the same assembly she was also given a Citizenship award which made me even MORE proud!!   I'm grateful that grade 6 is behind her now and am looking forward to see how her remaining junior high years unfold.  

June was a big month for Sam as well, one where he certainly got to enjoy the results of some of his hard work.   For starters, he was among a small group of students who did not miss one single day of school the entire year!!!   What the WHAT?!!!    How did that happen?

This is the same kid who used to fake sick on a regular basis, just to be able to come home!

I think it says a lot about his teacher and experience this year and I am grateful that it was such a positive one for him.   

To celebrate this 100% milestone, these kids, their parents and their teacher all got to attend a BBQ one noon hour in honor of those hardworking students.  It was fun to go and sit with him and watch him bask in his awesomeness!!

This year Sam was a part of a program called "Recorder Karate."   He was given a recorder and a set of music to practice (at home of course;) and pass off before earning a specific level.   (red belt, black belt etc.)  There were two components of this program though and it typically takes students a couple of years to move up through the levels.   Sam, however had the end in sight right from the get go!   He practiced every.single.day (usually around supper time;) and then every morning before school.   He met with his music teacher often and it was inspiring to watch him work towards his goal in such a way.   I can't say I (or John, or Grandpa) always loved the dinner time serenades but we sure were proud of him!!!

Jess finished up Grade 2 and was sad to leave my Aunt Karen's class.   What a year for her and how lucky she felt to be able to call her teacher "Aunt!"  haha.  She definitely felt privileged;)

  

Nate finished preschool at the beginning of June and as we walked out of the school on his last day he looked up at me and said, "Okay, so when is Grade 1?"     I loved his "Bring It" attitude and he has been well prepared by the most amazing preschool teacher any kid could have.   Mrs. Toth has been the one to introduce all four of my kids to the world of school and I have come to appreciate her perception and approach as she's worked with each of them!

It's crazy how fast time will fly and before we know it a new school year will be here.   

We'll look back on this one fondly though, that is for sure!