The perfect time

to be in Waterton is RIGHT NOW! I'm not kidding either. My sister Jewel and her family drove out there earlier in the week. After talking with her, I knew I had to go this weekend. Waterton in September is AMAZING!
The leaves are starting to turn, and in another week or two the fall colors will be as vibrant as they'll get. Still today, it was pretty darn gorgeous.




We've been hearing about all the wildlife that people are seeing there. The other day some friends of my sisters saw 11 bears! Today - we only saw 5, but that was on one road only.


I wish these photos were better. What we need is one of those huge giant lenses. There were dozens and dozens of wildlife photographers out today, and their cameras were so big they needed tripods just to hold up their lense! That would be sweet. There is something about seeing wildlife in it's natural environment. So regal. As we looked for bears we also saw a couple of bald eagles soaring above us.











We met up with Jordan and Luce for a wiener roast down by pass creek. The kids got nice and dirty, and we all got good and smoky, but the food was yummy!




If you like s'mores then you will LOVE this. It was Luci's idea, and I don't think I'll ever enjoy a s'more made any other way from this point on. What you need:
Marshmallows, graham crackers, and the secret ingredient Nutella Hazelnut spread.


Roast the marshmallow to perfection.


Add it to the cracker with a very generous spread of that delicious chocolate, and sit back to enjoy!
Try it. I don't think you'll regret it!








After we ate, John and Jordan went to the Prince of Wales Hotel to fly there planes over the cliff there. It was actually really cool to watch it fly BELOW us at times. The backdrop of course was stunning! As much as I enjoy watching those planes, I convinced Luce to come with the kids and I to go find the ELK! This time of year they are all congregating in the lower fields. Jewel was telling me how last year, they saw hundreds of them!



On the way we spotted this wolf, just off the side of the road. okay Okay I realize it may have been just a coyote, but I still maintain that it was a wolf. It looked right at me with it's Wolf Eyes!
All who think it is a Wolf, say "AYE". Anyone who thinks it is a coyote...well just keep your opinion to yourself okay? ha Just kidding.






This was the funnest part of the evening. All we had to do was follow the other cars. We were all headed in the same direction. For the longest time we sat and watched these amazing creatures. The picture doesn't show it well, but we actually could see them so well. The bulls were so impressive with giant antlers! Occasionally two bulls would fight a little and we could hear the cracking as they banged their racks together. Constantly we could hear the bellowing and bugling as they communicated together. Again I was wishing for a great camera.
It was amazing.


Today was awesome. Nature at it's finest, and I'm glad we got to enjoy it a bit! Thanks for the heads up Jewel!

What a day for the little guy!

Doesn't this look like a first day of school type photo? Well for Sam, today was a first day.

A few months ago Sam was assessed by some language therapists, and the results came back indicating some delays in certain areas of his language development. Nothing major but you know, I've managed to apply some good old self inflicted guilt about this. I've often wondered what I could have done to help him more. (no doubt it was those 9 months when I was pregnant and did nothing but let him watch TV!) Shouldn't of done that! Well he did great at his first speech class, and he has improved tremendously over the past couple of months even, so they were all really surprised. The diego back pack was a nice touch - I needed him to feel like he was a big boy going to school!!! It worked like a charm, and he was so proud to be just like Abby going to a REAL school!!


I was digging some carrots today when the phone rang. It was my sister on the phone, which is great because I can't seem to go a day without talking to one of my sisters. After several minutes I remembered the job I'd started outside. I went out to find the kids, and instead this is what I found. ...

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When Sam saw me, he looked up from his "work" , (if I can call it that), and said in his broken (but soon to approve) english: "see a Happy Face Van!"

I can be patriotic too you know!

Tonight I helped harvest some of my Father-in-law's corn over at his house. Now that is not the noteworthy part of this post because my current attitude about the "harvest" should not be put into words. So enough said. HOWEVER, as Luci (my sis in law) and I were cutting and bagging those tasty little kernels of corn, it just so happened that Luci recited the preamble to the American Constition. Not only did she recite it, but she had actions..patriotism in her voice...and a tear of gratitude on her left cheek. ha ha I'm kidding...about some of that. But she did recite it, and suddenly I didn't feel like mocking her american self like I normally would have! In fact, I thought it was pretty darn cool. And when she asked me if I knew the preamble to the CANADIAN constitution I couldn't help but feel a little sheepish. So yes at 11:30 at night- I've done a little research and Luci this is for you.

It is actually called the Canadian Charter of RIghts and Freedoms. (that much I knew) ...REALLY

Now to the best of my googling abilities- this is it:

(The preamble to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is the introductory sentence (preamble) to the Constitution of Canada's Charter of Rights and Constitution Act, 1982. The principles it invokes are the "supremacy of God" and the "rule of law.")
In full, it reads,


“ Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law ”



Go Canada!! (and boo on corn)!

I can't say I've had a lot of time to work on painting lately. But this is the summer long project that is finally completed! It was a challenge to paint the trees and the water, both of which are weeknesses for me. Still though, I'm happy that it is done. On to the next thing I guess. Hopefully I get it done sooner than three months from now!

the last bit of summer

This evening we went out to Walleys Beach. We went all summer long without making it out there, so I was glad we finally took the short drive. The evening was beautiful and we enjoyed visiting with Jordan and Luci.

Of course, the Hardy brothers don't get together without flying their planes. This usually results in a near death experience for one of the innocent bystanders!





Jessica attracted a little ladybug that rested on her cheek for quite a while!

A nice evening, and a good way to say goodbye to the summer.

Better than a snow day!

Being married to a school teacher, I've come to really appreciate and look forward to the holidays. There is nothing like those unanticipated days off, however, it is the unscheduled moments when school gets cancelled that bring sheer joy to my heart. Usually those days come as a result of a winter snowstorm. Today, it came in the form of a water main break! John was getting ready to leave for work when a teacher phoned him to notify him of the water problem and to tell him not to bother coming to work. For the longest time John didn't even believe the guy, and even after getting off the phone, he still drove down to the school to make sure that this wasn't some kinda prank. Sure enough, the High School was closed. Woo hooo!!! We didn't waste a minute of it. As soon as Abby got out of kindergarten we headed to the mountains. All summer long, I'd wanted to hike Bertha Falls in Waterton, but we'd never found the time.

I'm so glad we did it. It was a longer hike then we'd planned, as it was about 3 km in to the falls, and then the same distance out. It was sure worth it though. Abby hiked the entire way without ever really complaining. Sam was happy to be carried the entire way...except for those moments when we had to let him down so he could protect us from the bears! Jessica unfortunately INSISTED on WALKING most of the time. Have you ever hiked a mountain 18 month old speed? It was tedious at times, and more then once I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and haul her up that mountain, yet there was such determination on her face, and she truly enjoyed the challenge of the climb. She got lots of comments from people passing. Many of those people passing happened to be high school students! I guess we all know how to spend a day off eh?

I was so proud of the kids today and so glad that we got to do that as a family. I get such satisfaction from crossing things off of my "wish list" of things to do. It was a great day! And it didn't even take a snowstorm!


The kids stopped to eat some Thimble berries along the way. John was a great guide, as he was frequently stopping the kids and teaching them about the vegetation, berries, etc. I probably learned as much as the kids did! Of course, I didn't let on to that. John would say something smart and I was all like, "yeah that's right kids....what dad said!"






This is the view of Waterton Lake from our halfway point.










Once we reached the falls, the kids had the best time climbing on the rocks as they snacked. Suddenly all of their strength returned and they had energy to climb!



I also loved how well they all got along together. I think we need to do this more often. Sam and Abby....are actually FRIENDS! Who knew?




Of course, I have to show a picture of the falls! This photo does not do justice to how pretty, and large the falls were. I LOVE the sound of a waterfall.




As I leaned over the edge of the railing to watch the water flow under the bridge I saw this leaf nestled alone in a pool between some rocks. It made me want to sing O CANADA! right there for everyone to hear!!!
....but I didn't, don't worry!




To top it all off, after supper John watched the kids so that I could go to a book club meeting. It is my favorite meeting ever! Quick question for anyone still reading this looooonnngg post. I'm looking for a great book for this next month. The theme: anything by a British Author. If any of you have any good suggestions.... send em this way EH!

When it gets close to nap time...

I think the worst part of any day is around late afternon. That's usually when Sam starts to get tired enough to fall sleep, yet it is too late in the day for me to really let him nap. If he sleeps at this point he'll never go down at night. I 'm sure you moms can understand how difficult those couple of hours before dinner can be. It takes a lot of work to keep Sam interested and alert. If I dare let him get bored, even for a second then it is game over and "hello" to a very late night. So as you can see, between the time of 3-5 pm...



I'm willing to let anything happen!

My thoughts on Harvesting the Carrots...

I HATE gardens. I know that H-A-T-E is a strong word, but I do. I don't like em. Not one bit. The planting was fine. Weeding was ok. Watching things grow -rewarding. Harvesting it all? ... ughhhAHHHHGHHH!


I'm beginning to think our garden plot could be put to better use next year. I'm seeing a really big sandbox for the kids!

It's a FIRST!

I know that a majority of you mom's who check in here had a similar experience today, but for me - it was a first. Finally, after days and days of being asked, "how much longer?", and "is it my day yet?" Abby had her first day of Kindergarten. It was a busy morning. After a summer of zero (and I mean O !) routine we had to get up, get dressed and ready way earlier then any of us were used to. Outside the air was fresh and cool, and a light frost had remained on the ground - a sure sign of fall. My favorite! Abby looked like a doll today, and I was so proud of her. She didn't seem nervous at all! On the way to school I did feel the need to give her the old lecture. You know - the one where I tell her not to talk about body parts, body NOISES, people, or anything bad that mommy has ever said! Maybe you've never had to give that lecture, which probably means your a better parent ok? :) After that we walked into the school ready to begin the new year. Her teacher is very nice, and luckily the entire school faculty is probably the best EVER! I feel so glad and relieved that my kids are part of this particular school system. I think if we were anywhere else, I'd probably feel a lot of anxiety about who exactly was with my kids all day. Isn't it crazy that these people will now spend as much time with our kids as we do in a way. I felt today as if I was turning Abby in for someone to take over teaching her. I couldn't wait to get her back again!




It wasn't just Abby's first day. dum da dum dum ... True John officially started work last week but today...the kids arrived! John's been preparing a lot lately, but it didn't take long for us both to realize that no amount of prep is going to prevent him from being busy. I don't think he was really nervous so that was good. I did warn John that he'd better be one of the NICE teachers. I so do not want our house to be one that gets EGGED on Halloween!
John was asked today to take on the responsibility of coaching the JV boys volleyball team. This is a first for him, as he's never coached before. Can I just say, ......ARGHHHHH!!!! Do you know what this means? Let me tell you folks. It means that John will be gone Mon-Thurs until 7:30pm each night until mid November. Not to mention tournaments. That is going to make for some late nights for him and therefore lonely nights for me. That also means that his regular after school prep is now going to have to ALL be done on Saturdays. In all honestly though, I can't be too bothered by it. It just so happens that there is not a teacher in this town that doesn't dedicate just as much time to one cause or another. Still, send your favorite MOVIE suggestion this way. I plan on watching every single one of em!



I've enjoyed doing some preserving with jewel this week. ...again. Don't worry, the time is quickly approaching when I will no longer mention gardening, weeding, pickling etc, ....but that time is not yet!

The latest project. Apples.
Isn't this slick? It's a recipe I got last year from a sister in law. All you do is take one of these jars, dump the apples into a greased pan, top with your crumble mixture and oi la...Apple crisp! Heaven!!
Jewel also showed me how to prepare pies, by filling pie shells with apples, sugar and cinnamon and then freezing. At a future date, you just have to put a pie pastry on top and bake. Isn't that great. I made eight of those pies today with Luci's help. I plan to use those babies for evenings when John has had a late game or a long day coaching. Can you imagine coming home to a fresh baked pie?

Yup that's right...I'm pretty sure he'll love me for it!

YIKES!

       This was the most sobering press conference I've ever seen. Seriously, it is like out of a movie. John and I have just spent the last hour or so watching coverage of the south as they prepare for this upcoming storm.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7590336.stm

It is so sad to think of all of those people, entire CITIES having to leave their homes, knowing they may come back to nothing. We will be thinking of all those people in the next couple of days. I feel so grateful that I've never had to experience that type of weather!

no no no no NO.... well ok - maybe

I hate to break it to you all, but summer as you've known it, is coming to an end! This past week has been spent frantically trying to squeeze in every last thing I wanted to do before school began. You know, harvest the garden, hike to Bertha Falls, one last trip to Glacier, go fishing, Walleys Beach... yadda yadda yadda. Something tells me most of those things will have to wait until next year. Luckily, my Brother Chad and his wife came down for the weekend. We spent a few days playing with them, eating at Jewel's, watching movies, and pickling! Heather, Jewel, and I did pickels AND beets! It was such fun to work alongside the two of them. As we chatted, laughed and stuffed jar after jar...it hardly seemed like work at all.


Before Chad and Heather went home they took us to Writing on Stone for the day. Neither John or I had ever been there before. It really was an amazing little place, full of hoodoos and fun things to climb on. I couldn't help but think of a few of John's nephews who would have LOVED it there. Our kids played and climbed and would have done so for hours if we'd let them. We enjoyed a great picnic together, played down at the beach and basically tried NOT to think about the fact that summer was almost over. HA!

That was yesturday.     This morning we got up early, and John got ready for work. Even though the students don't begin classes until Tuesday, John had to start work today.      All morning I kept begging him to just call in sick.      Don't go.      If he truly loved me....he wouldn't go to work ...that kinda thing.        I know- I'm not needy or anything eh?:)         I am not ready to say good bye to the convenience of having him around all the time.      It's been so nice.  Perhaps I just know too well this time around what we are in for.    Hours of lesson prep...late night marking....coaching.... Arrgghhhh!             So that is how today went.    John went to work, and I took the kids grocery shopping alone, harvested the onions, baked 8 loaves of zuchini bread and cleaned out my fridge.     The entire time however, I was lamenting the fact that we were not out enjoying these fleeting summer days!

However, I couldn't help but notice some nice and perhaps welcome changes. For example I actually cooked a meal tonight, and we ate alone as a family for the first time in a long time.   We enjoyed a nice family walk as the sun set.     The kids were in their beds by 8:30 as opposed to the summer routine of you know -  no earlier then 11:00!   I forgot how nice routine is.

So what started out to be a sad goodbye to a really great summer, has almost become a welcome to the new season.     I really do think I'm looking forward to the change.     Someone remind me of that when the first snow falls eh!



            

Family

John's sister got married this past weekend. We had such a fun time visiting with family, playing in waterton and celebrating Rachel's marriage to Brent. What a beautiful day that was. Now that everyone has left, we are only wishing we'd spent more time with each of them. The week flew by - much too fast!!!

Thanks Rach for giving us a reason to get together. You were a beautiful Bride!!!

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Happy Birthday

I just wanted to wish my sister Jewel a Happy Birthday. I feel so blessed to have the sisters that I do. Crystal, Jewel, and Heather are probably my dearest friends. Since it is Jewel's birthday, this post is going to be all about her! Jewel is so many things to me. Since I was little she's filled so many different shoes. She's been a babysitter, a mother, a nurse, a sister, but most of all ...a friend! She's an example to me of the kind of mom I want to be, and at times, she's helped keep me focused on what is most important in life. Family.

She's always so willing to open up her home, give of her time, and help whenever needed. She's more like my mom then anyone I know. You might recall how on my birthday, Jewel threw me a surprise party. I wish I could do more today to celebrate you Jewel! We sure love ya.

What's BEAN going on!

You know, no matter how much I fight it, the summer is flying by. Have any of you noticed that? It was as if one moment we had tonnes of time to spare, and now we are scrambling to squeeze everything we had planned into our last couple of weeks. Abby received a letter in the mail this week, from her kindergarten teacher, "Mrs. Bennett" John has begun the discouraging process of preparing his course outlines prepping some of his future lessons. The evenings are getting cooler. The sun is going down sooner, and yesterday I noticed that our pumpkins are really starting to take off and grow. I'm not ready for this. Well I am, ...and I'm not. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fall, I think it is my favorite time of year, but I"m so not ready for summer to be over.



We've enjoyed many afternoons this week watching the kids play on the trampoline. It's caused some headaches, but for the most part it's been fun! I've even enjoyed a jump or two once the kids have gone to bed. :)

Sam's birthday was on Thursday. Three!! I am so glad the whole "terrible two" phase is past. In true SAM fashion, we spent a large portion of his birthday sitting in the emergency room getting x-rays. Sam hurt his elbow on ...you guessed it...the TRAMPOLINE! It was a little sad to see him blowing out candles with a hospital wrist band on. We're off to a good start!



We've harvested BEANS this week. Now, they aren't beans from my garden, because the beans in MY garden didn't take very well, the cursed things! Fortunately, my Father in law gave us a large portion of his crop. Sure it was more work then we'd bargained for, but oh so worth it. We stayed up until two in the morning blanching and freezing. 82 bags later though, I'm back to loving the whole garden thing!

This picture of John is definitely one for the books. One of my favorite things about having a garden this year has been the time that John and I have spent side by side, late at night when the kids are asleep. He makes even shelling, and blanching fun.


Oh summer- just slow down a bit, so we can enjoy you for a little while longer!

3 pics of a THREE year old!

It is hard to believe that Sam is three years old now! You know people always tell me to enjoy being a mom because it "goes by so fast." I usually just nod my head, inwardly not believing there has been anything fast about it so far. But it really does seem a little bit scary to me as I think about when he was born, that three years have indeed rushed by.

Out of all my kids, Sam is the one who truly makes me work for my money! Ok, since I don't get paid to be a mom- he just makes me WORK! One moment he can have me fuming mad over something he has done, and the next minute he is wrapping his sweet little arms around my neck, making my heart melt in the process. I love this kid, and I hope time slows down...just a little, so I can really enjoy this time with him.


Happy Birthday Sam!

"Pimp" my Trailer!

No I'm not talking about the latest reality TV show. Just thought it was noteworthy to comment on some of the work we've been doing on the good ole' home this past week. First, we got a nifty little picnic bench that isn't really little at all! These tables were built for the three surrounding stakes to use at Moroni's quest this year. After the events were over the tables were sold to whomever wanted one. We snatched one up and have enjoyed many afternoons and evenings here. The hanging baskets are a nice touch if I may say so myself. Sure it may make the place look like a couple of 80 year olds live hear, but whatev... I like em!





We've spent several days working on this:


I've been touch up painting all the walls in our house, and John has been installing the baseboards everywhere. This was one of those things that really should have been done ...oh a YEAR ago. We decided to give it prompt attention as you can tell. That is a project that we are glad is finished.



Our newest addition to our home is this baby:


14 feet of jumping goodness. Don't worry Jessica has already fallen off head first. Thankfully that was BEFORE we set up the enclosure, so we are hoping that from this point on the kids will enjoy it. ....accident free!

The most exciting addition to our home has not yet arrived though. It makes my heart warm just thinking about it. A STORM DOOR! Yup that's right people. We soon will have a screen door at our front entrance.

I guess there's just no stopping us now! What's next? The mind reels at the possibilities ...weather stripping probably!




On a side note - we took a break today from work and went to Frank Slide, just outside of pincher creek. The kids had the FUNNEST time climbing on the rocks, exploring old ruins, and getting scraped up good! It's a beautiful place with an amazing story! A fun little day trip!