2018 Family Reunion - Pine Valley

John's siblings (Rachel and Jordan) and their spouses were in charge of planning the 2018 family reunion.   What an event it was!    

I'll admit, my family was feeling a little apprehensive of the location (just 20 minutes from notoriously hot hot HOT St. George Utah) but this not-so- little Pine Valley Lodge was the perfect spot for a family to gather!

I loved trying to wake up before anybody else each morning.  It gave me a chance to enjoy the quiet and peacefulness of the morning.   FYI, watching the sunrise over a desert landscape while listening to the far off mooing of grazing cattle, and the nearby buzzing of hungry humming birds - is a pretty dreamy way to start a day.   Just saying.

Our reunion organizers approached the reunion in a fun way. 
They designated a major holiday to each day of our stay together, and we spent the day celebrating in ways that this family traditionally did growing up.  (ie: steak and seafood dinner on Christmas Eve, breakfast pizza on Christmas Day, etc)

Of course it wouldn't be a reunion without fun and games.   Christmas Day included the much loved "Family Auction", poker with Uncle Brent, Christmas Tree (cone) decorating contest, and the always enjoyable family photo session.  

New Years Day took us to Zion National Park.  

My little family was a little overwhelmed by the HEAT (41 degrees!) but they powered through it and spent the day doing small hikes in the park and playing in the muddy, but slightly cooler creek that cut through the red rock.  

There was one day in which we celebrate every ones birthdays.  

We went into St. George and let the kids swim at a fun pool, the Dad's all helped kids build and launch rockets, and we continued to enjoy the evening routine of games and watching family TED talks.

Halloween brought us the traditional family reunion carnival.   Thankfully we were able to use a nearby church for this, which meant we did not have to go out in the heat.  

Uncle Aaron through a fun and intense curve ball when he put $1000 on the table as an award for whichever family one his Curling Tournament.   Now he really knows how to inspire a group to try their hardest!    John and I (Italy) didn't win, as the prize went to the Finnish family, but it was fun to watch.

My family were able to feel consoled when we won Jordan's carnival challenge, which required that each family devise a way to pop our designated balloon using the tools and supplies provided by Jordan.  It was really cool to watch families focus on the challenge and work together.   

Us Moms ducked out early so we could enjoy our favorite evening out together.  

We missed Sarah H this night (darn flu!) but enjoyed the fancy restaurant and conversation.  

Our plan was to enjoy CINDERELLA at the Tuacahn Theatre.   I think I was looking forward to this more than anything else.  Unfortunately, as soon as we took our seats, it began to rain.  (Pour!)  We sat there in the rain for a bit hoping for the storm to pass, but ultimately the show was cancelled on account of the weather.  Boo!!!

Easter brought us a fun competition of Egg Jousting, a yummy Ham dinner, and (after a bit of Math Practice with Brent) a trip to Snow Canyon.

(Studying for my upcoming Diploma Exam.  Brent trying to prove that he could do better at it than I, which was probably true;)

I LOVED Snow Canyon!

I liked that the hikes we did were always short (way hot!) and I really liked how fascinating the terrain was.  

Really really a beautiful time with the kids!

Our reunion organizers made sure we had lots of time for visiting, evening reminiscing, and games!

(Family Feud, The Newlywed Game, and some Family history fun.)

Thanksgiving Day was a sweet day for me.  

It had been arranged for our family to go to a St.George nursing home to put on a musical concert.  (In honor of Marilyn's past music recitals)   It was very sweet to watch the family gather and share their love of music with each other.   

John shared a song he had composed (inspired by his Mom) and titled "Soaring." 

It was lovely.

We took a detour for a bit down into the Arizona desert where we foraged for Utah Ice.  It was a whole new level of HOT for my family, but really really fascinating!

My kids enjoyed their first ever dining experience a the Golden Corral.   (The whole "Buffet" thing was pretty darn fun for them all;)

We spent some time that afternoon visiting the St.George Temple. 

I LOVED watching Sam and Abby do baptisms with some of their older cousins, and I am glad that I get to say that I have seen this beautiful temple.   

We all enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner that night before a couple of us families left.   

(The reunion was to officially end the next morning, but some of us needed to make a dent in our trip home.)    It was a nice day to leave after having celebrating all that we were thankful for.   

Most (if not all) would agree that we were so very blessed to get to have that week together.  To get to celebrate Max and Marilyn and their posterity, to strengthen, support, and learn from each other.  

A special week with a special group indeed!

Heber Creepers

John and I loaded up the kids (and Grandpa Max) and left on Friday morning in July for Utah. 
Our first stop - Heber City, UT to visit John's brother Aaron and his family.  

Oh Heber - what a place!

We hadn't been at Aaron's for more than 20 minutes when he whisked John and I away to the annual Demolition Derby.   I had never been to a demolition derby before, and quickly got caught up in the excitement watching strangers charge each other and crash intentionally.   

Is this for real??

We watched a couple of crazy rollovers, and witnessed this unfortunate moment.  One car was hit so hard that it was pushed up and over the barricade.   It took a moment for people to realize that things were worse than that even though, but suddenly we noticed a crowd of people running from the bleachers over to this car.   A derby official had been pinned underneath one of the fallen barricades.  As people rushed to lift the car and retrieve the man, thousands of onlookers prayed.  

He was taken away on a stretcher and reportedly was going to be okay.   

This next morning we took the kids down to the Deer Creek Reservoir for some fun in the water.   It was a hot hot HOT day.  It was definitely nice to have some water nearby, though I think it got some of us worried for the heat that was still to come as we traveled further south the next day.

The kids really enjoyed being in Heber.  Even though it is considered a city, it had a real small town feel to it.   It was cute to watch their excitement as they watched Hot Air balloons float over the house each morning.    

Aaron and Gina were incredible hosts, and kept us fed and then some. 

Corn on the cob with mayo and seasoning salt, Smoothie bowls and sourdough pancakes for breakfast, Jimmy Johns and late night s'mores.   

A visit to their house was the perfect way to start off an excellent adventure!

Cousin Camp

My sister Jewel hosted (yet again) an amazing Cousin Camp.  This year John and I missed out on doing any wild adventure sans enfants due to the fact that I was studying for a Math Diploma, BUT my kids had lots of adventure as per the tradition.

This.  This right here is what summers are made of. 

Bertha - In the clouds

Waterton recently opened the Bertha trail for hikes, which is the first trail to be opened since the Kenow Wildfire ravaged the park last fall.

This was big.  Huge in fact, and I couldn't wait to get on the trail and see how things looked.  

John and I were bracing ourselves for a scorcher of a day, seeing as we were in the middle of a summer heat wave and we knew there would be no shade on this trail seeing as there were no leaves.

We were pleasantly surprised to get out to the park and find it enveloped in a dense, thick fog.  

It was delightfully erie!

After a month of recovering from surgery and being somewhat inactive, it felt so good to move again, and I loved having time alone with John to talk and visit together in a way we don't often get to.  

Thankfully, the fog stayed with us for hours, as we climbed up that mountain trail and even after we'd reached the lake.   It finally lifted close to noon, just as John and I finished our pack lunch and shortly before we prepared to make our way back down.  We were thrilled to get to see the beautiful lake view, and to really be able to see the extent of fire damage.  

I was so encouraged to find that although many parts along this hike had been hit by the fire, and even burnt to a crisp - others parts of the mountain had remained unscathed.  It was humbling to look at the sometimes blackened earth and see tenacious green plants doing their best to come back.   

Mother nature is fierce, and beautiful and inspiring.  

Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

I think attending College level Baseball games should be "a thing."  

Perhaps it always has been and we are just late to the party.  

For the second year in a row our family LOVED getting to watch an legit ball game, complete with peanuts and popcorn, cheese nachos and hot dogs.  

A baseball game is always made more enjoyable when cousins end up being there too.  

What are the odds of that! 

I may be sounding redundant by now, but THIS is what summers are made of!  

Walleys World

Walleys Beach is a favorite place for our family.  Let's be honest, it's a favorite place for half of southern Alberta,  but us too;)   

We've been able to get out there a couple of times this summer.   

It always provides the perfect opportunity to just CHILL!

Oh my heart!!!

Oh my heart - it was a happy day when my girls returned from a four night stay in Calgary!  

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed some very interesting and humorous quality time with my boys, but it quickly became apparent to me that girls definitely add a touch of class in a home.  

The night they got back, we sat out on the trampoline and talked as the sun went down - catching up on all we had missed out on with each other and making plans of things we wanted to now do together.   

One of the first plans Jessica and I made was to get down to Many Glacier together.   I'd been a few days prior with my boys, which was beyond nice, but I had a sneaking suspicion that it was Jessica who would really appreciate the beauty of the park. 

It was a PERFECT drive! 

I took her to the hotel restaurant and then we spent some time driving around in search of bears, birds and flowers.   

We found all of those things, the most exciting being the flowers.   

Oh my heart - the flowers!!!

I have never seen such vibrant fields of color.  The Silky lupine, Fleabane and fire weed stretched on for miles and the scent of each flower sweetened the air.  

Jessica and I were constantly expressing our awe that so much beauty could exist in one place. 

We stayed way longer than planned, and had way more fun than I expected.

Sigh....it's nice to have the girls back.  All is right in my world again.

Lunch at the Interlaken

John's sister Rachel needed some help with her kids and asked if Abby and Jessica could come stay with them in Calgary for a few days.  

Abby and Jess had a fun time babysitting their little kids, and I enjoyed the very interesting experience of getting to spend some quality time with my two boys.    We drove to Many Glacier one day and stopped in at the Many Glacier Hotel.   I love that hotel!  

It is old, creaky and full of character.   

I've always wanted to have lunch there at the Interlaken Lounge and this moment just kind of seemed like the right time.  I was wrong.  

Within five minutes of sitting down it became very apparent to me that my boys (although ridiculously funny) are not the two who'd appreciate a fancier sit down restaurant.   They both tried to be polite, or at least pretended to try,  which only gave life to the old adage "You can dress them up, but you can't take them out."

I hope that waiter has forgiven us;)

Fences

Back in the early spring, John and I determined that our two oldest were ready for summer jobs.  

We made Abby build herself a resume and hand it out to various businesses around town.   When she didn't receive a single call - we decided that maybe John should take on a few fencing jobs and hire our kids himself.   (Nepotism at its finest!)

We designated two weeks in July for fencing work and it was not hard to watch those two weeks fill up fast.   Abby helped John build a beautiful wood fence, while Sam helped with a chain link fence on a business property.

Abby and Sam were really champs, working long hours (sometimes in the rain), shoveling concrete and helping Dad where they could. 

The whole thing reminded both John and I that summers are NOT meant for working.  haha

We resented the jobs we'd created for ourselves and vowed (once again) to never again go searching for work to fill up our vacation time.   

Perhaps Abby and Sam can add this experience to their resumes - because they are officially unemployed again;)

Chief

Two summers ago - we hiked Chief mountain.  

It was hard. (Gruelling actually)

It was hot.

It was long.

I remember thinking that I had never done a hike quite so discouraging as that one, and despite the fact that we have felt an incredible amount of satisfaction every time we look up at Chief and remember that day - my family and I have all wondered if we'd ever really get up there again!

Sam and Abby both had the opportunity to join our ward youth a few weeks back and make a return trip to the top.  I was a little nervous to let them go without John and I, but I had just had my surgery and John was building a fence.  

We loaded their hiking backpacks nice and heavy (hooray for over packing;) said a big prayer for them, and sent them on their way.  

Once again- it was hard.

It was hot.

It was long.

It was also an incredible experience that they have been lucky enough to enjoy twice now. 

I'm a little bit jelly;)

"BEE"ing Helpful

My brother Chad recently acquired an old (fixer upper) home with the intention of moving it onto the farm.  It has been a really cool process to watch as Chad and his family have taken steps to once again make this a habitable place.   

Last week, the home was moved onto a newly dug basement foundation, and we were able to go down and spend some time as a whole family.   The guys helped Chad refinish part of the roof, John found an opportunity to patch up their fence, and we all got to visit together while picnicking on Heather's delicious pork sandwiches.     

As if this place couldn't be charming enough, Chad impressed us all by showing us his newest hobby.  He got stung multiple times (8 I think) as we all stood by and watched in awe.   I have a new found love for bee and I am convinced that honey right off the comb is what summers are made of!   

A trip to the farm NEVER disappoints!

An evening break among the wildflowers

John and I thought up this genius summer idea.   Somehow, we'd decided in our minds that Sam and Abby would begin saving up for their mission(s)/school by building a fence each with John.  In theory it would mean that just two weeks of our summer would be spent worrying about fences, Sam and Abby would gain some experience AND cash, and we'd have a little to spend in August when we go to our family reunion.  

In reality what this has meant is that TWO WEEKS OF OUR SUMMER IS SPENT WORRYING ABOUT FENCES!!!

I think we both forgot what a hassle it all is.  

The house calls to make estimates, the ordering of locates and supplies, the unexpected costs of cut phone lines, extra materials, hours in the sun, cuts, splinters, and dirt.  SO.MUCH.DIRT!  

I'm not even being sarcastic when I say it has been pretty darn hard watching John put up with it all!

This past Thursday evening, after sending Sam off to his first ever young mens camp, we decided to take advantage of the finally warm weather and head out to Waterton. 

The Silky Lupine, fireweed, yarrow, and mariposa lilies are out in abundance, the very slight warm breeze carried the scent of regrowth, and the lake was absolutely still.  

 Somehow, we had managed to do it again - enjoy Waterton under the most perfect conditions.

We introduced Grandpa to the newest fun store "Beavertails" and sat outside while we ate our tails and gelato.   The girls and I then walked the shoreline back to the head of the lake where we spent a couple of hours throwing rocks, paddle boarding and watching nearby fish catch one trout after another. 

Nate even declared the night a win (a huge bonus as he is usually the one begging us not to make him go to waterton) and has asked multiple times when we can do it again.  

We stopped a few times while leaving the park just to capture the perfect stillness of the evening.   We watched an osprey carry away a lake trout, while a mama bear and her three cubs lumbered off into the trees.   I stood there for a moment and marvelled at how many times I had seen this exact sight, watched the same wildlife, breathed in that same mountain air...

...it just never gets old.

Not ever. 

We're Canadian Eh

Canada Day is always a fun day for us.  This year was definitely more chill-  perhaps because of my recent surgery, or perhaps because my kids are getting older - but it was still fun.

I lazed around for most of the day while John took the kids to the local museum.  That evening we took the kids down to the Party in the Park.   There were food trucks, a barbershop quartet (or couplet?;) bounce houses and a petting zoo.   As I mentioned earlier, we all felt a little less excited than we have in years past, but attending Party in the Park is a must.  It comes with the territory.  It isn't Canada Day without "Party in the Park."

Once we all felt as though we'd had our fill of the obligatory festivities, we hurried home and set up a backyard movie.   It was delightfully charming.   I have to admit, it took about 49 minutes to get set up, and we watched for 20 minutes before we had to pack it in and go watch the fireworks, but while it lasted - it was delightful.

So very grateful for this little group of mine.  For this country we live in and for the circumstances convince us daily that we have a life that is good.

Inspired by...

What a fun thing it is to watch young people reach this milestone in their lives.

I have worked at the local High School for two years now, and this moment always gives me chills!

It has been a very fulfilling year for me, one full of challenges, and a sense of purpose, which has been a blessing beyond expectation.  This past week I watched some of my favorite students cross the stage to receive their recognition of graduation.   

My beautiful niece Ava was one of them.  Is she not a doll? 

This girl is a positive ray of light, who led her grade in so many ways.  She is going to school in provo this fall and I am beyond excited to see where she ends up.  Truly - the sky is the limit!

T is an absolute rockstar.  She has had a rough couple of years, but has continually shown resiliency as she has tackled life head on, with a sarcastic sense of humor that is un matched.  In many ways, she reminded me every day of my Abby, which may explain why she was such a favorite of mine;)

As the end of the semester approached, it became apparent that their was a group of boys who were at risk of not graduating, mostly on account of a diploma level English class that they were dismally behind in.   Thanks to an amazing principal who refused to give up on them, and an equally good english teacher, a plan was born that involved keeping this group of boys after school to catch up like crazy!   The goal was to get each of them as close to 60% before going into the diploma exam as possible.   I instantly weaselled my way into this plan as someone who wanted to help.   I was an EA in their class and had really come to like this group of boys.   (Side note: two years ago when I started this job, this was the same group of boys who had me terrified on my first day of work.)    They had at one time seemed so intimidating!  L, K, T, J, and J would stay after school from 3-5 any time they could, and they did this for a couple of months.   I would coordinate with their teacher and try to keep them focused on the work they needed to do.  There was a LOT of catching up for them, and it really did come down to the wire, BUT it looks as though they just may have made it.    Watching these boys, on this night had me smiling a big, fat, proud smile.   Jaleel (whom I always called Chief) danced on stage when given his certificate and I am so glad he did!   

He deserved that moment.  They all did!

And then there is C.  This kid has caused me more stress, more anxiety over the past couple of years than any other.   I've worked with him since I started at the High School and most days he made me want to stick a fork in my eye.   He knows this - I told him many times.   It took an incredible amount of Dr. Pepper and home made cinnamon buns to lure him in for extra help, but I was always proud of him when he came.  I've watched him make all sorts of crazy teenage mistakes, and I've watched him (more than once) give himself a chance.   I'm convinced that that is where the magic is!!   I truly cried watching him walk across that stage.  I felt as excited for him, and as proud of him as I do my own kids.   I'm sure going to miss him.  

These are a few of the student who made my school year so darn blessed.  

It was a very challenging year for me personally, one full of difficult decisions and inner turmoil.  There were many times when I felt as though worry/insecurity was going to overwhelm me and the thought that always came to my mind in those moments was "just focus on the students."  

 I'm so glad I had these students to not just distract me - but INSPIRE ME!  

They are GRIT and DETERMINATION personified.   I hope when I grow up, I can be just like them!

O- Very Hard decision

Years ago I learned that I had a BRCA1 genetic mutation. 

This discovery had been a long time coming.  For years I had suspected this, worried about this, and sought out Doctors and professionals who would help validate this.   That was a long, hard and stressful journey.   Although it was a disappointment to learn of this genetic predisposition, it was in no way a surprise.   

What has resulted in the past eight years is a journey so personal and all encompassing, I am not sure the full story will ever find its way onto this blog.   It has included visits with specialists, MRIs, regular screening, constant trips to Calgary, hours of prayer, a mastectomy, a harrowing six months without breasts, reconstruction, the heart wrenching decision to have my tubes removed, and most recently and finally - a complete hysterectomy.   This last procedure being the hardest decision that I have ever had to make for myself.   

For the past three or four years in particular, I have wondered if I could actually bring myself to do this, something so completely irreversible and permanent in its result.  I have bounced back and forth between fears of the disease, and fears of preventative consequences.  The though of being menopausal by my late 30s has terrified me for a long time.   So many times I prayed for someone, anyone to just tell me what to do!   Apparently though, Doctors like to remain as unbiased as possible and leave the difficult decisions to the ones who have to live with them.   Weird;) 

One day, a year ago, I sat in a session of Stake Conference and listened as our newly called Stake President shared his personal battle with this disease, and he encouraged everyone listening to "act on the things that nag us."   He told us that if there is something that is constantly on our mind - we should not ignore it.   I sat there on that hard, cold, metal chair and felt more comfortable, more at ease, than I had in years.   In my mind, I could see that the one thing nagging at me constantly was this decision.   As I listened to him speak, I asked myself, "What if I did it.  What if I just went ahead with the hysterectomy?"   In that moment - I felt peace.

I had no idea how many times since then I would have to go back to that moment, but it was a clear moment in which I had actually felt as though I had been given "help" deciding.   

That was a year ago.   

Last week I went into the hospital on June 22nd and had a preventative mastectomy.  

The recovery is going incredibly well.

I feel nervous about menopause.

I feel sad as I consider all I have put my body through over the past few years.

But I still feel peace.  

I'm sitting here this evening feeling convinced that there is nothing better - than peace.

Rules for a knight

Back at the beginning of this past school year, our local principal (Austin Nunn) introduced a book to the staff and students at the High School titled "Rules for a Knight."   

It was a short read that identified 20 rules/qualities that are possessed by a true Knight.  

These qualities range from humility, to grace, to forgiveness.   Every student and staff member was given their own copy, and each month a new quality/rule was focused on.  

It has been a fun year, and a meaningful one for both John and I.   I often thought of this book when I was working with a particularly frustrating student or challenge, and I know John referred to this book often as well.   

By mid may we had learned that this incredible leader/boss/principal was going to be taking a new position at the Division office and would be leaving the school.  We were all sad and John would be the first to say that he was even mad...but only for a day or two;) 

On the last day of work for most students and staff, Mr. Nunn held a staff lunch and invited everyone who worked in the school to come together one last time.   As the lunch came to a close, Mr. Nunn announced that before he left, he wished to start a tradition that he hoped would continue in the years to come.   He expressed again how important it is for us to exemplify the qualities of a Knight in what we do, and he announced that he had chosen to pass on an award to a staff member who had truly displayed Knight like qualities over the course of this past year.  

No surprise to me - he chose to award the 1st annual Knight helmet to John.

(This helmet will be displayed in Johns room for the next year, until John choses a new recipient next year.)  

Mr Nunn sure knows how to call it as he sees it.   A more knightly Knight there never has been!