As May begins

We are just over here enjoying the realities of spring!

Long walks, sunny days, warmer temperatures, the opening of roads in Waterton and the emergence of wildflowers. Sigh.... it has been too long. 

Nate has been doing a great job at Dairy Queen.

He was taught how to scan receipts to claim points that go towards future food. 

Silly boy is trying to milk the system by hanging on to any receipt that customers don't want. haha

Apparently he has acquired enough points to buy himself a large ice cream cake, which he will need, one of these future summer days. 

Easter Break

Holidays are strange without the older kids. I worried that Easter would be a challenging time for Nate and Jess. Though it was difficult, we found a way to enjoy the day and we even made a new tradition. 

1: This year, the Easter Bunny (aka ME) filled a bunch of plastic eggs with money and hit them around the house. (Loonies, toonies, 5s, 10s, and 20s were placed into eggs. In the giant egg, Nate and Jess both got a treat and a note that stated that their was $120 for the finding. This actually turned out really well. It was so nice to not have to buy a bunch of sugar and it was oddly enjoyable watching Nate and Jess clamour through the house, each wanting to find more cash than the other. By the end of the day, they had found every eg, but one, which happened to contain two $20 bills. It was driving them crazy, which I found quite thriling. This was definitely a thing we want to repeat next year. 

We also got to hear from our missionaries and enjoyed an Easter dinner with Trevor and Mandy Butler's family. 

Easter Sunday was only the start of our partying, however, as we got to enjoy a week long break immediately after. We planned an impromptu getaway to Invermere to enjoy the Radium Hot springs, Windemere Lake and more. Despite the fact that Nathan had a flu for a large chunk of that time, we all had a blast! We had such a "devil may care" attitude about this trip, we even let Jess invite her boyfriend. The more the merrier!

We drove the long way there so that we could show Grayson the secret "Heart Creek Bunker."

The condo that we stayed at, on Lake Windermere, was the perfect place. At night we would play games or watch movies. During the day, we went paddle boarding, explored, and ate yummy food. I LOVED getting to see new spaces and spending time with the family. 

I am convinced that we need to make "getting away" a priority in life!

 

Random Marchness

March was ALL about basketball. Here are some recaps:

Nate was coached by his uncle Kendall. We always have a fun time watching these boys play together. They been friends and teammates for several years.

Jessica played against LCI on their Senior's Night. It is always fun because Jess and one of their players (Nyla B) have developed a friendship. On this particular night, the clippers beat the cougars, but its nice they can still be friends. 

Jessica made me laugh so hard one day, after she told me about her grand efforts to arm herself for her an evening in Lethbridge. Her antics did not pay off however, as most of those things fell out of her pant leg before she could use them. Poor girl was not only caught unprepared, she had to accept the reality that she was likely dropping them in sporadic places where anyone could have noticed. (Good try, kid!) 

During my Mountain View practicum I got to enjoy the occasional visit from local farmyard animals. One day the bunny group brought in the newest batch of bunnies for us to hold. On another day, while being examined by my supervisor, the classroom door creaked open and in ran a little lamb. Where does that even happen?! Mountain View School, that's where.

 March marked the first month of my last practicum ever!

Let's return to some basketball talk, shall we? 

Jessica was thrilled to get to play in the League AllStar tournament, hosted (this year) by Raymond.  Two players from CHS were chosen, by other schools coaches, to join one of the all-star teams. It wasn't Jessica's best night as far as plays go, but she laughed a lot, had fun with the other girls she'd played against all season long, and enjoyed the game. I love her attitude. 

Nate was an awesome cheerleader that night. I mean, I didn't want to sit close to him or anything, but I was proud that he was willing to be so vocal about his support;) 

It was a fun month, supporting those I love!