Dinner at St.Mary's

We've reached that glorious time of year when the evenings are long and slow.   There is rarely something to rush off to, and the temps have usually lowered enough to make it my favorite time of day.   Often, if I'm on the ball- we will load up our dinner and drive out to St. Mary's for a little picnic there.    As you can tell, we always enjoy the short drive too.  I love it when Grandpa comes with us, because sitting in the back with the kids can be a little entertaining;)

(My sister Jewel once made those bean bag "hot box" things and I use it weekly!)   

Our picnics often consist of piping hot pasta dishes, chowders, and other yummy food that always tastes better when eaten outside. 

After everyone ate, the kids went and played at the playground while we visited a bit.   As the sun began to set, the kids' focus shifted to that of catching snakes.    They did see one but were unable to grab it.  (Thankfully)   John vowed to build them a snake stick, with a hook on the end, to make it easier for them - which he has since done.  (Dangit!!!)  

It was a beautiful evening, and I'm looking forward to many more evenings like this during the next couple of months!!!

Stitches, Celebratory French Fries and Summer School!

June 25th was the last day of school for us, and what a day it was!!!   

School was almost out and I was in the middle of a meeting, when Sam's teacher called.   The first things she said was, "Well!  He almost made it the year!!!"  

She went on to explain that Sam had been playing underneath a table (of course he was;) and he sliced his hear open.   Of course, being the empathetic Mother that I am, all I could think about as I took Sam to the Doctor was how I did not have time for this!!  (Kids don't seem to mind if you have time for ER visits or not, though do they!)   

So, two hours, and three stictches later - Sam was a new man!   (The hole in his hear was all patched up, and Sam was more then happy to soak in any and all attention that came his way.   Our neighbors down the street brought him a bag full of goodies.   A bunch of girls from his class all gushed over him.   And he continually reminded us that he was deserving of special treatment.   "You know...'cuz he like...has stiches and everything";)    haha

 Once all the kids were home, we went down to Dave's for their traditional "last day of school" lunch!    Most of our happiest parties involve Dave's fries and chocolate milkshakes.  Just sayin'

 I was all ready to begin thinking up ideas of things we could do to keep the kids occupied during the summer, but they went and came up with an idea of their own.  In one day, they managed to turn our spare bedroom into a school room, complete with an art board, bulletin board, and white board!!!   They have lofty plans to use that room to carry on with all of their subjects...so long as I take them on a field trip or two;)

At first, I thought it was a little bit ironic that one day into Summer, they were already "playing school."   But then I realized, we're barely one WEEK into Summer and I am definitely ready for them to go back!

We're clearly on the same page;)

June Gardens

June was such a good month for my front yard.   I seriously enjoyed (as in I took my enjoyment of it seriously;) all the plants that bloomed this month.  The peonies didn't bloom for near as long as I would have liked, and I wish I had white peonies, but that's alright.    My front flower bed is really filling out, and there is barely any dirt visible anymore.  That's how I want it to be.  (Less weeding that way!!;)  

Our vegetable garden is thriving as well.   Wish I'd gotten a picture of that.   Next time;)

Sam's Journal Entry

Sam has really taken to Journal Writing the past couple of weeks.  

He came to me the other night at 10:00pm, (he'd been writing in it for an HOUR!! ....perhaps this is how he stalls going to bed...?) and showed me some of what he'd written.   He said I could share a few of my favorite entries.   

Entry 1:

"This is about my parents.   My parents love me with all of their heart.   My dad is the best smoothy maker in the world.  My mom is beautiful, kind, and doesn't like to be late.   I am so glad my parents love me.   They are the best mom and dad ever."

Entry 2:  

"This is about my sisters.  My sisters are fun a little, but we get in fights now and then.    They always want a puppy.   They love to feed horses.  I love my family and know we will live and survive."    

Entry 3:  I LOVE this one!

"This is a picture of my friend Reggie (picture not included;)  Reggie is one of my friends.  He has huge muscles.   He is fast, and good looking with the ladies. and funny.  He is the best friend ever."

Entry #4: 

"This is about me.  My name is Sam.  I like to play baseball with my dad, and I like to play lego with my family.   We all look out for eachother.   I am so glad I have this family."

For such a silly boy, he really does have a very tender side to him, which I just love.  

Kids Marathon!!!

This past Wednesday, our whole town, as well as Hillspring...and Glenwood....and Mountain View....AND RAYMOND ....joined us for the annual Kids Marathon.    There were over 1600 participants!!!     

Every year the organizers, Duane and Patricia Beazer, have kids sign up 8 weeks before race day.   On their own, the kids run 25 miles, and then we all come together to run the final stretch of the marathon together.    It's always super fun.   Music, Grab Bags full of goodies, Lunch courtesy of Subway...and practically a day off of School!!! 

An we're off!!!  

All of those people left the Elementary School and are racing down to the Remington Carriage Center.    

(I love how Abby is racing the opposite way in this picture;)    

 The entire month of June basically consists of one party after another- but the kids marathon happens to be our favorite party of all!

When Mother Nature flexes her muscles...

This past week has taken a bit of a sad turn for lots of Albertans.   The past several days have brought a lot of rain.  HEAVY RAIN!   Rivers almost entirely throughout ALL of central Alberta are swollen, have crested, or are expected to.   

If you were to ask me, I'd say that our little town has fared better then most.   

This is what downtown looked like on Tuesday evening.   Luckily, the flooding was isolated to main street and homes have pretty much been left alone.    For us, the worst is over. 

This is Cameron Falls a couple of days ago.    Waterton hasn't even reached it's peak when it comes to water levels, and they are bracing for flooding too.   Lots of damage already though.

Recognize this road anyone?   

It's CAMERON ROAD, just before you reach Cameron Lake!   Boathouse Rentals up at the lake are closed indefinitely (until this stretch of road can be fixed).   Looks like Cameron LAKE is closed indefinitely, unless you want to swim in!

                                           

Moving on to areas north of us:

Okotoks, where my Brother lives, has experienced insane flooding too! 

Evacuation orders were issued, and some of the busiest intersections became rushing rivers.

Here is a picture of an RV, being swept away.  A couple of people are missing, and it is suspected that they were IN RV's carried away.

These pictures were taken of High River.  (John and I almost moved to High River!)

People didn't even have time to evacuate.  Some needed to be rescued from their ROOFS!

I ripped this picture from online, and it is a tornado that apparently touched down in Duchess.  (Duchess is a small SMALL town 3 hours west of us.  My sister is building her home there.  YIKES!!)

Canmore:

I think Canmore has been one of the hardest hit communities.  John and I have watched in awe as we've watched HOMES literally be carried down the cougar creek river!

Another shot of High River.   ;( 

As a result, school divisions in a large chunk of Alberta have cancelled school.   Calgary is waiting for the Old Man river and Elbow River to crest, and they are bracing for the worst.

  The Calgary Zoo (which is virtually surrounded by rivers) has become it's own little Island, and we've "heard" that they've had to evacuated some of the animals at risk.   For example, rumor is - that the big cats (ie: lions and tigers) have been moved to holding cells at the Calgary Courthouse!!!  CRAZY!!!!!

In moments like this, I always marvel at two things.  1) The awesome power and force of Mother Nature.   When she decides to flex her muscles, there is precious little that can be done.   It is humbling;

And 2) The incredible generosity of people.   It's been inspiring to watch and see friends and family of mine offer up THEIR homes to any who are in need or without.    hope I would be willing to do that too.

We're hoping all of our family and loved ones affected in these areas stay safe and warm!!

Wateron Wildflower Festival

Yesterday was a Good Day.

It started bright and early with John watching the kids AND trying to attend youth days with the youth in our ward; and me driving to Waterton to take a Wildflower Photography Course.   

A few years back, I'd signed up to take a watercolor course during this festival.  

I went.   I knew no one.   Felt Awkward.   And left.  AND I vowed I'd never do that again!

Thankfully, a kind member of our stake emailed me a couple of weeks ago, and said that she was taking the course, and suggested I register to.    That's all I needed.   

Doesn't it sometimes help to know that you won't be alone?

So, back to yesterday.   The weather was BEAUTIFUL.  Not too hot, but definitely not cold.   

We met at the Info Center in Waterton, and then we all followed our Instructor Frans various locations around the park (but really outside the park) looking for wildflowers.    Occasionally, he would give us tips and pointers that would be valuable to any photographer.   

I was so thankful to have been able to attend with Marilee, but really, within a few minutes I think the whole group felt rather comfortable together.    Here are a few of them searching through a field full of wild onion and shooting stars.

This is Marilee.   Like I said, she is in a different ward in my stake, but I got to know who she was at  Moroni's Quest last summer.    Her son Neal was in our tribe, and SHE was one of the events photographers.   Doesn't she look like a pro?

 At one point she mentioned that she has been known to get right down on her stomach to photograph a flower, and I am here to tell you - she did!!! haha.   I would have too, but I was scared of ticks;)

I loved every second of the morning, and was perfectly happy when our course went a little over time.

There is something about just being in nature and really noticing it that does wonders for ya.   I really feel as though this course helped spark within me a deep interest for flowers, and I can hardly wait to get back to Waterton and see what other ones I can find.     

I'm just so so grateful for this beautiful world we live in!!!

Here are a few of the flowers that I saw today.   I'll admit, I knew NONE of them before this morning, and I hope that the ones I identified are at least identified correctly!:) 

The end of a school year

Jess celebrated her last day of Kindergarten on Friday.   

Despite the photos below, she was actually quite sad about it.    

She cried every day that week, and constantly tried to convince us that she's really just been in preschool all this time, and NOW she will be moving up to Kindergarten.   She just didn't want to leave!

We tried to warm her up to the perks of grade 1.    Abby reminded her that she'll have her very own desk, and Sam pointed out that now she'll get to order hot lunches some days. All to no avail.  

This girl wasn't going to budge.

Well, not until I took her to Dave's for a grilled chicken wrap and chocolate milkshake in honor of her completing her school year.        

I swear.   NOTHING cheers you up like a Grilled Chicken Wrap and Chocolate Milkshake from Dave's!

Works every time;)

Soccer Season

Soccer season is drawing to an end, with only one week left, and I realized that I hadn't posted any pictures of it yet!  

Jessica was on the red team and her coaches were a pathetic husband and wife duo.  (ahem...cough..cough:)   They were so pathetic, that by the third week in, they'd almost entirely "passed the buck" and asked their awesome, teenage, next door neighbor to take over.    Just wait though- it gets even MORE lame then that.   Not only did they totally flake out on coaching, but they failed to actually TAKE their daughter to soccer 4 WEEKS in a row!!!!   

Losers much?

In John's and my defense:  Way back when we registered the kids AND volunteered to coach, John had not yet been called into a Bishopric, I had not yet been called to my calling, the busy-ness of May and June had not yet hit, and I was still some what of a "keener."   

A lot changed between then and now, you know?

Despite our jumping ship, we still think the Red Team ROCKS, and we think our awesome, teenage neighbor is the coolest coach ever!   (As you can see, John still likes to get in the game whenever he can:)

Jessica has ...well...played about half the season, so there's not much else to say.

 Saturdays are BUSY ok?!!

She doesn't seem to mind though, as she has told us that she "well...likes soccer and stuff, but basketball is really her thing.   Basketball and animals, are her thing."  

So why force it?  If it's not "her thing"- it's not her thing!  haha.

Sam, on the other hand, is a soccer maniac.   

Not because he particularly excels at it, but because he really does love it.   

(and really, he can hold his own:)

Last week, he kicked the ball and it hit a kid in the face.  That kid left the game with a bloody nose, so that was kinda awesome of us. ;(

For the most part though, he's a real team player, and LOVES to run all around the field celebrating with any one who will join in his little party. 

If he happens to connect with the ball in the process, well...that's just an added bonus!!!

The last couple of weeks, crossing the finish line, and saying goodbye!

I am exhausted.   Beaten down, run down, dog tired, exhausted!    

I've had a cold since the third week of May, and I know, it's "just a cold," but since the third week of MAY for goodness sake!!!!    Jessica has a field trip tomorrow, and I have no idea of the specifics.   (do I take her in the morning, or the afternoon like normal?  What's she supposed to bring?)   I suppose I could call someone and find out, or dig through the pile of paperwork in my kitchen, but I really don't want to go there.   The top of our piano is currently home to not quite-but almost an inch of dust, and I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if one day soon I walked up to it to find "WASH ME" scribbled on it's big ol' side. 

I'd worry about my current state of frustration if it weren't for the fact that I vaguely remember feeling this exact same way at this exact same time- last year.  I'm no doctor, but I'd say I'm experiencing a severe case of "End of the year Burn out."  My only consolation is that I'm pretty sure everyone else is too!   (Which is good, because I don't like to suffer alone;)

I keep telling myself that on the other side of the next two weeks - there is summer.

   GLORIOUS SUMMER!   

For now though, I'm coping by trying to enjoy one day at a time, and to every day find one thing to stop and LAUGH or SMILE about.   

Like the other day, when I had a morning in which each one of my siblings called me and I was actually free to answer my phone!   I enjoyed chatting with Crystal, then Jewel and then Chad- all with in an hour or two.    I loved it!   I hadn't spoken to most of them for days and days.    

Another day that made me smile, was when I went to watch Sam compete at Track & Field.    

Naturally, I arrived late, but still in time to watch him run a few events.   

 He'd ran the 50 meter race first and did well. 

  He easily placed second, and then went on to run the 100 m.    

  I watched at the starting line as he took off, but as he continued down the track I was a little puzzled.   It didn't seem as though he was even trying to race at all.   It looked like he was reaching out and playing with the person next to him.   The goof!    Turns out,  him and his buddy Everett realized they were racing against each other and devised a plan (mid-run) to cross the finish line at precisely the same time.   

So they joined hands and completed their race in a hilarious act of solidarity.  

Everet's Mom took these pictures, and apparently they were overjoyed to learn that they'd both tied for second place.   "Yes!!!"  they said, "All we wanted was to TIE!!!!"  

(Obviously not "in it to win it" kinda boys;)

Oh and this video clip made me laugh.   I found it on my computer with a bunch of pictures from way back when.  (okay, just from a few months ago;)    Sam, Abby and Jess had gone through a phase where they were obsessed with The Three Stooges.   They were always acting like Curly, Larry and Mo.  (talking in unison...bopping each other on the nose...that sorta thing.)       

Anyways, I captured this footage one morning as they headed off to school and said goodbye in their "three stooges style."

Simply put -  my.kids.make.me.laugh.    

period.

I'm looking forward to saying good by to routine for a while and playing with them a bit more.    

No doubt I'll be counting down to September sooner then I probably should, but I'll worry about that another day;)  

Good bye!