Back on the farm - Part of our Summer 2016 Top Ten

Growing up, there was perhaps not a more special place to me, or my siblings, than that of my Grandpa and Grandmas house.  

After my Mom died, us kids spent days upon days here.  Anytime my Dad had to work nights and sometimes just if we felt like it.   There was something amazing about their place.  

I loved accompanying Grandma when she would take lunch out to Grandpa in the field.  

I loved playing on the rope swing that hung in the old barn.

Loved how the house smelled.

Loved watching storms from the front deck. 

Just flat out loved everything about it.  

Well, not too long ago, my brother texted me and suggested that he might purchase the farm (it had been for sale for a while) from my Uncle George.  I can honestly say, I did not really entirely believe he actually would, but I am so glad he did!

This past Sunday he invited us down (after I kind of awkwardly suggested that he invite us) to the farm for a afternoon BBQ.   It was so fun to drive the old road leading to their place and explain to my kids all the memories I had associated with this place.  As we turned onto the driveway, it took my breath away to see my kids' cousins running towards our van.  

Just like old times!!!!

(This photo is one that my brother took and sent to me.)

  Jewel's clan was in Utah attending Uncle Jim and Aunt Karin's homecoming, so unfortunately they couldn't join us, but Crystal and Jeremy's family came - which just added to the fun!

The BBQ was delicious but it was really not the food that we had come to enjoy.  I could not stop watching our kids play.   It's like they had instinctively picked up right where we (my cousins and us) had left off.   

Chad's kids introduced mine to "machinery row."   (New name, but same old familiar equipment.)  Not your typical playground, but we sure had fun here as kids!

This wide metal gate seemed to be the gathering place of choice for these kids.   They'd all run off to do their own things, but inevitably, before too long, they'd all end up right back here.  Just chillin' like a bunch of redneck wannabes.

Tyson and Sam spent a lot of time walking around.   I love Tyson's arm around Sam and I picture him sharing all sorts of useful tips about farm life and country livin'.   For the record, and for reasons I will not publicly share here, this is the day that Tyson officially became the COOLEST and LUCKIEST cousin ever.  At least that is what Sam would say.  

I also couldn't stop noticing Abby and Ella as they wandered around the farm, chatting animatedly.

This old farmhouse has a lot of reno work that will need to be done before my brother's family is able to move into it, but I found myself sending a little prayer up to heaven that it would happen while Ella still lived at home.  I can't think of a luckier place for Ella to get to live then here!

Naturally, I made Chad take a couple of family pictures for me.  (This was, admittedly, one of my main reasons for wanting to come to the farm in the first place!)  

(This family picture, along with the one now posted as this blog header are two that Chad took for me.  THANKS SO MUCH to him!)

After the kids had gotten a good dose of running, exploring, driving, eating and visiting - we drove a few minutes north to check out the old dried up lake, before going our separate ways.  It is a beautiful little park with a not-so-dried-up lake now, and I could not get over how familiar everything about this day still felt.   It was nice to be with my siblings and to watch our kids enjoy the things we once did.   It was nice to be surrounded by so many reminders of my youth.   It was especially nice to reminisce and reflect on how good our life growing up had been.   It wasn't an easy childhood necessarily - but it was an oh so very good one.

Writer Mary Jo Putney once said, "What one loves in childhood stays in the heart forever."  

Oh how this place rests deep in my heart.  

Thanks Chad and Heather for a beautiful evening and walk down memory lane.

Fishing good ol' Lake Josephine

We have not spent a single day in Waterton yet since summer began!  

Our summer must be awesomely jam packed with other fun things, if we can't even squeeze in a family trip to Waterton.    I'm sure we will make it there eventually;)  

We have made a couple of trips to Glacier national Park, though and we are discovering that, in many ways, it is equal to our favorite Canadian National Park.   

 A few of the things we love about Glacier National Park:

*An annual pass is a fraction of the cost that we spent to get into Waterton.

* A fishing license is not required if you have a pass (That sold John, right there!)

* GNP is HUGE!!  

* Lots of kid friendly hikes

* Wildflowers grow like CRAZY in this park!

and last but not least ...

* GNP is home to - the "elephant Tree."

This is our kids' favorite tree stump.  It can be found while walking around Swift Current Lake. We have been stopping here to take pictures for several years now.  (And every year it looks more and more like an actual elephant to me.)

This past weekend we decided to take the beautiful walk up to one of our favorite Glacier fishing spots.  Josephine Lake.    It's a very easy stroll up to the lake (probably half an hour at best) but this time, as we approached the lake - John suggested we keep going further around the lake.  Actually, he insisted we keep going.  And I insisted right back that we not.  Oh, I knew exactly what he was doing.   He was going to dangle a carrot in front of us, the promise of a better fishing whole "just up ahead a little ways," and then we'd end up walking around the entire stinkin' lake.   

(John would tell you that the best fishing is always at the head of a lake.) 

 He's tricksy, this guy, but I wasn't going to have it.   We all followed him, but I assure you, I complained the entire way.   So, here we were.   I'm was frustrated with being dragged all over "heck's half acre" in search of THE perfect fishing whole and John is frustrated that he couldn't get to where he was certain that all of the fish were.  I thought I'd take the democratic route and ask the kids to decide what we should do.   Keep wandering and hiking? Or go back to where we always fish?  

They all gave a very diplomatic "it doesn't matter to us what we do."  

Wimps;)

So- we walked on (which on any other day would have actually been delightful exploration, but on this day, I was hellbent on proving a point) until finally John relented we decided to go back to the start of the lake and fish from there.  

Wasn't that an interesting story?

Here is another one:
Fishing with four kids is always an adventure. 

Within the first three minutes - Sam fell in the lake.   Then, Abby lost half her rod in an overzealous cast.   Jess and Sam continued to argue debate whether she had got her hook caught on a rock or if she'd actually gotten a bite and Nate took his own sweet time finding the perfect rock to fish from. 

Finally he found it and all was well!

We fished for a good fifteen minutes or so, until the wind picked up and we all felt too cold to continue.   (I'm pretty sure John was ready to throw his rod, or maybe even himself, right into the lake;)   He definitely seemed a bit defeated as we walked back down to the van.

Luckily, lunch seemed to bolster us all a wee bit (hot dogs and pringles chips seems to have that affect on my kids;) and by the time we were finished eating, we were ready to give this whole fishing thing another go.   

Well, technically, John and two of our kids were ready to give it another go.  The rest of us opted to stay in the van and enjoy an afternoon nap.  (Wandering aimlessly around an unfamiliar lake also seems to have that affect on me my kids.)

To make this long story just a little bit shorter - John and his team ended up catching a handle of little fish like this one.   Me and my team woke up from our nap happy and refreshed.   

We all agreed that it had been a very good day after all.  

By the time we left Glacier that evening, we were still as in love with it as ever.

(Sorry Waterton;)

Beazer Fun - Part of our Summer 2016 Top Ten

My Aunt Karen and Uncle George own a special little piece of land in Beazer.  

Every so often they invite us out and we get to enjoy the fruit of their labors - playing in the Lee Creek, visiting in the authentic Tipi, and enjoying their fabulous company. 

One day last week, Jewel called me and told me that Aunt Karen was out of town, but that she had given Jewel permission to go out to Beazer and spend an evening.   

How could Jewel turn down a fun offer like that?  

Well, of course she couldn't - and thank goodness she invited us along!

I love the Diamond Dipper (as this place is aptly called).  It is full of beautiful birds, wildflowers and authentic handcrafted creations like this.   

On this particular evening, we brought out supper and stayed until the sun went down.  

It was a fun opportunity to dust off the ol' Can Cooker.

Nate spent the entire evening on the zipline.  He got a little bit more brave with every go.

When the kids weren't down playing in the Creek or fishing, Sam could be found using a Styrofoam cup for target practise.    It's so fun to see the kids expand into wide open spaces.  Their imaginations seem to wake up and suddenly there are so many more things they are able to do.  

 Boredom disappears when in the great outdoors!

Mostly though, it was fun to just sit around the fire and visit.
Kendall made some DELICIOUS popcorn over the fire which probably helped keep us sitting there well after dark.  

Heck, I'd STILL be there, if I could;)  

I was glad to get to spend some time out there and even happier to spend it with such awesome family!

Yup!  Another "Summer 2016 Top Ten Highlight" - right here:)

Virginia Falls - Part of our Summer 2016 Top Ten

The past few weeks have been amazing.   

Exhausting and Amazing!

We seem to be enjoying a repetitive cycle that consists of camping, hiking, fishing, swimming..repeat.

Our summer Calendar is all sorts of jam packed, busy, full - but for the first year ever - it is full doing stuff we have actually chosen to do.  It feels equal parts selfish and wonderful!   

Last week we took the advice of my sister's family and we hiked in to Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park.   The hike starts along the "Going to the Sun road" and involves walking through forest that was ravaged by a massive wildfire last year.   It was fascinating!  Every tree was bare of branches and leaves, giving an entirely different feel to the hike.   

It must have been a fairly lush and densely covered hike just over a year ago.  Now the sun reaches every part of the forest floor and the Mountainscape at the edge of the forest could be seen offering a new perspective.   

I just LOVED the abundance of "Fireweed" growing in the forest.  

Fireweed got its name because of its ability to quickly thrive after a land has been burnt. 

  It's such a promising and beautiful flower!

The kids - pausing to reflect on the scene around them:

Jessica - pausing to ...um....moving on...

Half way through the hike we came to the first set of falls - St.Mary Falls.  It reminded me a lot of Cameron Falls in Waterton.  I liked it here very much, but it was always so full of people - I could hardly find a place to snap a photo!  I may have to revisit this place in the fall;)

Finally we reached the end of the hike - the magestic Virginia Falls!

I was actually surprised at how remarkable this waterfall was.
Straight up, tall and huge and the spray from the water reached us from quite a ways away.

This picture shows John and the kids getting a little more wet up close and personal.

It was a perfect day! 

The kids all got along.  They hiked willingly.  The sun shone down on us.

Definitely one of our Top Ten Summer Experiences!!!!

"Post Quest and Pre Young Mens Camp" Camp!

I got home from my four day Moroni's Quest experience  on a Monday and John was scheduled to leave for his four day Deacon's camp on Wednesday.    That meant we had one day in between to spend together as a family.  And what would you suppose the kids wanted to do?...

 Camp, of course!  

(Just our luck;)

Not going to lie, I tried to talk them out of it and delay, but John was more than happy to set the tent up in the backyard and spend the night out there with them.   Seeing as I had missed them all so badly while I was away, I wasn't about to miss out on spending as much time as possible with them now, even if I did long for a comfy bed;) 

They were elated!

Having been inspired by a cable reality cooking TV show, they decided to have their very own cookoff - "S'mores edition."    Jessica was the judge and she did not take her job lightly.  

In the end, Abby's S'more one for creativity and design.   (She really nailed it with the graham cracker crumble on top;)

Look at that proud smile!

(And look at those braces!!  Only two more months of dental payments to make.  Booyah;)

Moroni's Quest - Part of our Summer 2016 Top Ten

I hardly know what to say or share about Moroni's Quest.  It's the type of experience you just can't describe adequately.   I was very VERY lucky to get to go this time around and I was even asked to take pictures throughout the weekend!  (I'm sure the other photographers had amazing shots, but these are some of mine that bring back great memories for me)

It has been such a privalige to serve in a stake young womens presidency.  One of our jobs was to serve the youth and tribe leaders breakfast the morning Quest began.    They all met at the civic center for milk, juice, muffins and such.   It was fun to feel the excitement and energy that the youth had prior to leaving.

Quest happens on some special land near the base of Chief Mountain.   It's an incredible thing to watch a couple of people hike into camp with that as a backdrop!

The entire weekend is designed to help the youth become better acquainted with the scriptures and their Savior.   The youth move from one scripture re enactment to another and discus what they have learned and felt (with their tribes) in between.  

Quest began on Canada Day.  I was so happy to get to sing "O Canada" in this setting with this group of young people!

The Book of Mormon is filled with wars and battles, so naturally those were some of the youths favorite moments to re enact.    But really, whether we were watching a scene about Abinadi, listening to Captain Moroni bear testimony, cheering for Helemans 2000 brave young warriors or watching Alma the younger forsake his sinful past or participating in a battle - every moment of Quest offers something meaningful and testimony building.  

I particularly loved two special moments.   The first, was watching the young men in our stake face our young women.  Each group bearing testimony through song.  ("As sisters in Zion/We'll bring the World His truth" was the medley that they sang)   So very moving.  

The highlight of Quest for most people will likely always be the Sunday morning, the day of the re enactment of Christ's visit to the American Continent.   I loved a couple of things about this re enactment.   (Of course, this was President Low dressed up to portray the Savior, but it was incredibly moving, just the same.)  I was constantly humbled as I watched and noticed each persons reaction as they hugged him.   They exuded such love - and so did he!

It was neat as I photographed during that 2 1/2 hour experience,  to listen to the conversations around me.  I heard fathers thanking coaches for the service they'd given, parents thanking youth for being friends with their kids, kids thanking teachers for being so good to them at school ...etc.   So much gratitude being expressed.  I've spent time since then reflecting on the correlation between the gratitude that automatically ensues anytime we feel close to the Savior.  

Another experience I had during this Sunday morning came as I was trying to photograph each persons "moment" with President Low.   I hadn't realized that his hands (and feet) had also been made to look like the Saviors.   While taking one particular photo - the marks in his hands stood out to me and I could barely control my tears from that point on.  I was drawn to the image of ONE person wrapped up in His arms - with those wounds still there.  Proof that he suffered for each individual soul on this earth.   I am in awe of that!  I LOVE that!  I want to do better at living worthy of such a gift.  

I was so grateful to get to experience Quest with Jewel.   Jewel actually had half of her own family with her  (and I had no one from my family with me) but it was always nice to run into her, sit by her at times and watch her serve others in her designated way as well.  

This final photo is of myself, Karen Cahoon, Jolene Strang, and Jana Jensen.   

We currently make up the Stake Young Womens Presidency and it has been SUCH AN HONOR to serve with these women this past year.  It's been a year largely focused on Moroni's Quest and so it was a little bit bittersweet on the last day, to feel that our small efforts on this grand project were done.    I'm not sure how much longer this presidency will be serving as they have already been together for 3 1/2 years now.  I suspect a change will come in the months ahead but in the meantime, I will (like a sponge) soak up every moment and opportunity to get to know them better and learn from them!  

I am so very grateful for the opportunities that come my way (and my families way) as a result of my membership in this church!

June Fun

June was forever ago. (Yes, I'm gifted when it comes to hyperbole;) How am I only updating now!!!

Get ready for a bunch of posts, full of pictures and not enough detail about the awesomeness of each:

The town has completed renovations on the local pool and the WATER SLIDES are officially open and running!   We bought a family pass for the summer and the kids LOVE going.   Jess, in particular, loves taking her mermaid suit along.  

During the month of June we were able to have Jordan and Luci and their families visit us.  They were in Calgary and Waterton a bit too, but it was nice to see them when we did.   Unfortunately we had LOTS of end of school things going on as well.   Boo to feeling torn :(  

On one of those evenings, Abby played the flute in her year end band concert, which, due to the fact that she isn't taking band next year,  also may be her final concert ever!

I didn't go to it.

But she looked lovely and I'm sure she played well!

We spent several evenings in June driving through fields near Walleys Beach, in search of a good fishing hole.   I LOVE southern Alberta in the spring!

John had high hopes of catching some big fish in these channels of water.
So far, no luck, but I keep reminding him it "isn't about how many fish we catch";)

Occasionally on evenings like this, Grandpa would join us.  

Grandpa always fishes from the shore. 

Sam and John always take the boat.  (Jess too, if she is in the mood)

Abby and Sam always find a seat in the van to lay back in, ipods and iphones in hand. (groan)

I like to find a spot in a field to sit down and photograph anything I see.  Sometimes it is one of the kids or a cluster of grass....

Other times ..

A few birds perched in a row on some fence posts.

I LOVE Spring!!!

The last couple of weeks in June were fun ones.  

John and the three older kids were still in school, but Nate and I were finished.  

We spent our afternoons playing Super Mario Bros. and going on picnics in the park. 

One fun afternoon we joined my friend Ashley and her two kids and went out to Waterton.  
It was cold and windy but that didn't stop those boys from climbing all over the rocks and getting as wet as we'd allow them.  

It was a blur of a month, but a month full of fun, family and friends.   

We tried to suck every sunny ounce out of our spring and plan on continuing the party all the way through the summer months.  

We can't wait!!!!