Crashing the J7!

A couple of weeks ago, a good friend of John's family contacted John and gave him the kindest offer.  He gave John a set of keys to his cabin, and told John that we could go out to is land throughout the summer.    This particular patch of land has been dubbed the J7 - and John has been out there many times before.  I remember going out there with John's family once when Abby was just a BABY!

This past week, on a particularly warm afternoon, we decided to venture out there.    

This is the view a few minutes from their property.    The cabin is somewhere back in those trees:)

First, we followed that gravel trail....

Then, we came to a field full of cows.    

(Driving through a field of cows is not something my kids do very often, but those cows didn't seem to be too concerned with us at all;)

Once passing through the "Field of Cows" we arrived at this charming little spot.    The J7!

As soon as we arrived, I had Max show me where the Hummingbird nest was.   (John's Dad had been out here a couple of weeks prior, and had told us all about the coolest little hummingbird.)

Sure enough, nestled quite low down in that large pine tree in the front yard - there was the most teeniest, tiniest nest I've ever seen!

We didn't want to let any one get too close to it, but Jessica was fascinated with the thing.

Luckily, I'd brought a camera lens that allowed me to zoom in a bit, to see the Hummingbird!!!   

It was just a couple of inches tall and sooo cool to watch.   Occasionally, it would take off and hover around a nearby tree.  If wee happened to get too close to the tree though, it would swoop right in next to me, and I could hear the hum of it's beating wings!!!

When Max had been here weeks ago, he'd seen two teeny eggs in this nest, and I was hoping to get a chance to see them.   When, later that day, I noticed that the hummingbird had flown off for a bit, I took it as an opportunity to reach my camera over the nest and snap a photo.  

I didn't get a picture of two eggs, but two baby birds instead!  How cute are they?!   

I made sure to not touch any part of that tree, in an effort to not disrupt them, and later that evening I looked over to the nest and saw Momma happily sitting with her chicks.   

 It was soo cute, and I want to check this nest out again sometime soon!

The kids spent a large chunk of the afternoon swinging on swings hanging from trees, taking rides with Dad up to the top of the hill where the view of Chief Mountain is superb, watching Grandpa launch a homemade arrow, and Barbecuing hamburgers!

 I got to pull out my newly acquired "flower twitcher" and I identified 4 more flowers that I had never known before.   (Buttercups, Harebells, Common Yarrow, and White Mountain Geraniums.) Beautiful!!!!

It took about five and a half seconds after arriving, for my kids to find this zip line that crossed over a lovely little brook.    The kids would have spent all their time on this, if we'd let them!    At one point, Jessica jumped off the platform and fell right into the water.  She stood up, absolutely shocked!   Then climbed out onto the bank, stepped up on that bench, and tried again.    I was so proud of her.  

  

I was also proud of little Nate.   I wasn't even going to let little Nate try it at first, I just didn't think he'd really hold on the entire way across.  Max had more confidence in him though, and lifted him up and sent him on his way.    Nate LOVED it, and after that- there was no stopping him either;)!

Just look at his dirty knees and feet!   I'm convinced that you can tell how much fun a little boy has had, by how dirty he is;)

After giving the kids a hundred "last times," we left the zip line and went back to the cabin for some s'mores before heading home.   

During this time, the Sun started to set, and sink down behind the hills around us.    I sat back, feeling absolutely content and happy to have gotten to spend this day with all my most favorite people.  

No phones...no doorbells...nothing to interrupt the solitude.   It was awesome!  

And peaceful.  And so very soothing.

Which might explain why I've begun plotting just how exactly to best execute our move to "the hills."

One can dream right?

High River Help

Last Sunday, our stake leaders announced that they were needing able men, women, and kids over the age of 14 to go to High River and help with the clean up efforts after the devastating flooding.   

We'd barely gotten home from church, when plans were made for John and his Dad to join up with Jewel, Kendall and their clan and go up together.   (I bravely and selflessly offered to stay home and watch all the younger kids?  haha)   They left at 7:00 am Monday Morning!

(Clark, Jewel, Kendall, Max, Ava, and John.)

What an Awesome group of family eh?!

These are all pictures that Jewel emailed to me throughout the day.    The bottom corner photo of the fence shows the water mark.   It's crazy that the standing water was actually that high!

At first, when I saw this, I thought this fence had been pushed over.  

Then I was told it is actually a train track.  Yeeeesh!

There were lots of loads to the dump, and for a large part of the day, they just tried to assist people with whatever work they needed doing.   Here they are gutting out someone's garage.

They returned that night around 9:30 pm - dirty, very stinky and tired;  but I think they were glad to have gone.   

  

Turns out, that High River received so many volunteer help, so this ended up being the only day organized help from our town was sent.    

What a pair of hard workers these two are!!!

Party at the Library

Last week there was a party at the local Library to help "kick off" their Summer Reading Program.  

We decided to make the kids ride their bikes, because if they are going to ride down on their own, we needed to make sure they could do it safely;)      

Nate tried his very best to keep up, but him and John seemed destined to lag behind us a good block and a half.    It was basically the longest ride to the library...EVER!!

Part of the way there however, we were surprised when a police officer pulled over and got out of her car.  She approached us, ticket book in hand!!  (I was seriously starting to panic because just a few days earlier I'd gotten a speeding ticket in Lethbridge, and so I was just thinking "Now What did I do!!!")
Turns out the kids were getting written up for "doing RIGHT" and wearing their helmets.  (Phew:)
Along with their tickets, they also got a coupon for a free DQ treat!

Totally made the kids' day:)

Finally we made it to the Library and it was PACKED!!   

They had a cute carnival themed party with popcorn, juice, tickets, games, and prizes.  

 What more could kids want eh?

Now it's time for them to Get READING!!!!

Waterton with the Allens

John's sister Sarah and her family came up to Canada for a little visit this past week, and we were all beyond excited!!!   My kids absolute LOVE their cousins- Caleb and Malachi, as was evident by the constant questions the whole week before they arrived:  ("But WHEN are they coming?!"  and "How much longer 'till they get here?!"   Those kinds of questions;)  

Finally.  FINALLY they arrived!   We spent Thursday in Waterton with them.   

First we went up to Red Rock and played in the water.   The older kids wanted to walk up the river to the big "water slide" and I was impressed with how driven Nate was to follow after them.   Not an easy venture for someone 3 feet tall to navigate those slippery rocks (or for his lame Mother;) but he did GREAT!!!    I'd never gone that far up the river before, and I was amazed by the beauty of that gorge in some places.    It made me want to go back with John sometime, so that I could really stop and take pictures.   (The kids don't really let me do that much;)   

It was so nice!!

Once everyone grew tired of Red Rock, we headed back down to the town site where we enjoyed some ice cream and candy from the Candy Store.  Then we headed off to Driftwood Bay for some more fun in the water.   The weather had gotten surprisingly chilly, so I planted myself firmly in a chair, cuddled up in my hoodie and a towel, while everyone else worked on this lean to.    Drift wood Bay is a great place to build all sorts of structures, and Uncle Ed was awesome the way he played with them oversaw it all!

After a while, we left Driftwood Bay for a more sheltered part of Waterton.   Emerald Bay is a favorite spot, and it was way less windy, so we plunked ourselves down and spent the rest of the evening here.   Caleb seriously debated about swimming the width of the Bay, but decided against it.  Probably a wise choice, because Abby and Mala had a dunking contest and were subjecting themselves quite literally to all sorts of torchure- including Brain Freeze.    It was cooooold!!!!

We had a delightful dinner of fruit, veggies, and chicken from Zums.   Chicken from Zums pretty much makes every trip to Waterton totally awesome, especially when eaten while looking over a beautiful lake!  You should try it some time.   (And take me with you when you do;)   

The kids had so much fun, they didn't want the day to end.   As we were driving back into town I was telling the kids that the Allen's would still be joining us that night for a movie.   Nate perked right up and declared, "I've got dibs on Caleb!!!!"   

Apparently, there's not enough of these cousins to go around;)

Relief from 37 degrees!!!

                           

Yesterday it reached 37 degrees.  37 freakin' DEGREES!!!!

Where am I- Arizona, or something?   

It was almost unbearable, ...and sticky,... and unbearable.  

By 5:00 that evening, I realized that with John gone at camp there was no way I was making dinner, so we instead - drove out to Waterton.   The kids immediately began playing in the water, while I sat in the shade and watched.  There was the slightest breeze that provided the best, most delightful relief ever from the heat!  

The kids ran around and splashed until about 7:00, when I finally took them across the street to the candy store.  Yes, that's right- for supper they had Candy.     (Don't -worry.  I supplemented their meal with a bowl of cereal when we got home;)

Hmmmm....on second thought, I guess I won't be expecting that "Mother of the Year Award" any time soon, but it sure was a pleasant way to end a very.hot.day!

Canada Day ParTAY!!!

Canada Day was quite great for us.     John was home, which was awesome!  (He's usually off at young men's camp at this time, and so we were thrilled to get to have him around.)  

We decided to go into Raymond to watch the parade.   Of course, we had to leave super early, to find a spot, but the kids were easily appeased with Chocolate Milkshakes from the Burger Baron;)

John made sure the kids drew their "poop circles" (something they learned from Jewel and  Kendall's family, in which you wait to see if a horse poops in "your" circle.   If it does- you WIN!) and then proceed to visit with a few of his former physics students.  

I knew they were former physics students of his, because at one point I realized they were working on a physics EQUATION together!!!!    I guess we all like to pass the time in our own way.  (Physics...Milkshakes.   Potato...Potato;)

Once the parade began, the kids stood anxiously at the side, waving to everyone as they went by.    There wasn't much candy at this parade (or maybe they'd run out?) which I was thrilled about!!!   Parade Candy is the WORST, the way it lingers around here, and the kids didn't seem to mind at all that they didn't have much of it, so that was good;)

After the parade, we stopped by to visit John's Grandpa and Grandma in the home there.  They are always so much fun to see, and the kids sang them a rousing rendition of "O Canada!"  

Before leaving Raymond, we found a great little park, with a bit of shade, and had a picnic lunch.  

Jessica beat the heat by dousing herself with water, which naturally turned into a bit of a water fight for the kids.   

Later that evening, we hit the party in our own town!

This year, Abby and Sam were given permission to pair up and go where ever the two of them wanted.   That meant that John and Nate went and enjoyed the party, and Jessica and I were little buddies.   Occasionally we would cross each other's paths and the kids would proclaim, "This.is.the.BEST.day.EVER!!!"  

(I love how they have said that before.   Numerous times;)

Nate spent about an hour on this "Boot Camp" style astro jump thing alone! 

I was impressed with how he whipped through that thing, throwing himself.   It was pretty cute!   

I was so tired by the end of the day, I was almost hoping the kids would forget about the fireworks at 11:00.  No such luck!  

They enjoyed the show, and at 11:30 we all clamored back into the house, tired from a long day of partying;  glad to have had the fun we did, and Grateful for this amazing Country!!!!!

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!!