Sometimes it takes a Storm

This past weekend we were blessed with the biggest, most bestest gift EVER!  

As Thursday approached, we began hearing about a massive snowstorm headed our way.  An unprecedented snowstorm.   A snowstorm of the decade. 

John, Sam, and Abby had to travel to Medicine Hat for a tournament, but regardless of that - I still prayed, crossed my fingers and hoped that this would be a time when the weatherman would be right.

I was not disappointed. 

On Friday evening Jessica, Nate and I cleaned the house, gassed up our vehicles and filled our fridge with groceries.  After a quick trip to the pool to warm ourselves in the hot tub, we returned home for a late-night of watching M*A*S*H together, more than ready to settle in for a few days of storm.  (For the record, a clean house, good food, and great television are all you need to survive a major weather event.)  

The snow started coming down late Friday night and did not stop until Monday morning.

By Sunday evening we had already received 2.6 feet of snow.  Church was canceled.  The school was canceled on Monday.  It was AMAZING!

We spent those two days reading, journaling (hence this post), preparing Moroni's Quest notes, watching TV, napping, and playing games together. 

It was a forced R&R and I loved every minute of it!

The novelty wore off a little bit when it was time to shovel our driveway and Grandpas, but even that couldn't entirely dampen the magic of this snowfall. 

I recently stopped by to visit my Aunt and Uncle. 

This beautiful tree stood at the edge of their driveway.

I'd never noticed it before, but on this day, it was so striking.  

My Uncle George explained that it was a tree given to them by my in-laws (Max and Marilyn) years ago.  He said it is normally very ugly and unassuming.  "The wrong tree, planted for the right reasons."  Every year though, for a brief moment, it bursts forth in incredible color grandeur.  Then he is reminded of how great it is and recommits to appreciate it's beauty.  

He actually wrote a poem about it and gave me a copy of it to share with Max. 

I thought it interesting that just has his poem declared, it is not a tree I had ever noticed before.  

On this day though, when viewed against the background of deep green and stark white, it stood out in the most majestic way. 

Sometimes it takes a storm...

Elk Watching - an annual tradition

Every year since moving here, and I do mean every year, we have gone to watch the elk in Waterton.  It is my absolute favorite time of the year.   It is a busy time of year, but it is always a priority to find an evening to enjoy the autumn colors and watch these fascinating animals.  

They always gather as the sun goes down, in the field just below Vimy.

We cheer for the bulls as they fight for their herd, we listen to the eerie bugling and we watch the sun go down.  

This year it was only Jess, Nate and I who were able to go out to Waterton and I am not sure how I feel about that little change in our tradition, but I will take what I can get.  

Here's to crisp, cool, autumn evenings.