Iphone Catchup....

Every few months I like to clear the photos off of my phone.   (I also prefer to delete every text or email I receive as soon as I've read it.   Letting things build up stresses me out - even if it is just some pictures on my phone;)   Anyways, here are a few of the gems that I found while purging, (I'm pretty sure these pics will make the internet a happier place):

This old summer shot made me laugh.   Nate and I had planned a date to the public library.   We'd made it all the way there and almost inside before I actually paused to look at him.   For some reason he had felt it totally appropriate to where one of his sandals and one of Johns.   What the heck!   

Of course we went on inside and acted like nothing was amiss.   

One of my kids' favorite summer past times is walking down the nature trail and wading in Lee Creek.   They splash around for hours, catch snakes, and play along the shore, which is made up of both sand and clay.   Always looking for something to create - Jess made this Mommy bird and nest.   

The kids went through a phase (thankfully it was short lived) where they loved building forts, and of course, the bigger - the better!   The kids were emphatic that this 3 bedroom fort should stay up for a couple of months.   I had the patience to leave it up for two days.  The moment my family were gone (aka: the first day of school) you better believe this baby was G.O.N.E!

There was this magical evening, a couple of days after school started yet before Volleyball got busy, when John took me on a date.   Kinda a shock when John plans a date, but we did go fishing, which isn't really a shock at all;)  It was a fun time though!   I learned how to "troll" for fish, we watched several beavers and marvelled at them every time they clapped their tales on the water, John focused on getting a catch and I put my feet up and watched the sun go down while drifting aimlessly along.  

(How much longer 'till summer?;)

I thought it was incredibly "matchy matchy" of me though to be reading a book titled "FISH" while fishing!

The local Rotary Club donated funds and oversaw the construction/revitalization of a new playground in town.   It's a great new park that as brought a lot of new life to the area.   Nate spent a few weeks trying to work up the courage to climb to the top of this contraption.   By the end of the summer, he almost had!

One day, late in September, I watched Jessica walk across the cross walk after school and climb into the van, lugging her swollen backpack behind her.   When I asked her why her backpack was so heavy that day, she responded by telling me that she had "a brought home a lot of important stuff."   Later that evening I opened up her bag to find nothing but autumn leaves!!!!  

She'd left all of her books at school and brought home a small tree instead.   

We had some beautiful evenings watching the Elk in Waterton, but one evening was particularly windy.   Not being ones to let that dampen their spirits, the kids decided to "set sail" and see where the wind would take them.   One gust of wind literally pushed Jessica all the way across the road!   

It was legit.

Perhaps you thought this picture was taken on Halloween day?

Nope, this is just an early September (after school) visit from two of Jessica's friends.   

Five minutes later, Jess had gotten more appropriately dressed herself and the three of them were out the door in search of other friends' houses to call on.   This is a very weird (albeit adorable) little trio right here.  

Speaking of weird - all of my kids are.

They are weird.  Every one of em.
Occasionally, I find the strangest things and for the life of me, I just can't figure out "Why!"   

Exhibit A:  Opened my freezer last week, to find this...

Exhibit B:   I went to wrap a present one day....

Exhibit C:   Discovered "Fred" while attempting to make cupcakes.  

(For the record, I wasn't allowed to put friend into the cake, but I did secretly serve him up the next morning with a slice of whole wheat toast and mashed avacado and he was delicious!)  

Why?  Why do they do these things!????   

They obviously have too much spare time on their hands, but I worry they may also be demented.   

Speaking of hands...Sam and Jess sometimes like to be my "helping hands" at the grocery store; Only instead of being helpful, they actually end up making my grocery shopping experience an absolute and colossal waste of time.  Every time.

First, they convince me that they want to help, insisting on having their own cart, and then they take half the grocery list and disappear.  As I shop for my items, I can literally here them laughing, isles away, as they throw everything BUT what we need into the cart.   They think this game is hilarious.

And I keep falling for it.  

You know what they say, fool me once....

Abby was chosen to be part of a "We Club" this year and was able to attend a huge We Day convention at the Saddledome in Calgary.  She (along with thousands of other students) got to listen to Chris Hatfield, Margaret Trudeau (Justin's Mom), Rick Hansen and Paula Abdul Speak.   She came home enthused and repeating the phrase "I am WE."     Apparently, Abby singlehandedly rallied her surround peers together and they got the wave going all around the dome.   

I wasn't the least bit surprised when I heard that as it sounds like something she would do.   

One last picture.   

Months back, my sister Jewel and I had been asked if we would team teach a stake RS class on "Strengthening the Family."  It was an easy assignment to say yes to...back in June!   By the time October 14th rolled around I was reaping first hand the reward procrastination brings.    

A week after teaching this class, John and I spoke during Stake Conference, the subject of our talks being "How to build a refuge for our families."   What a crazy couple of weeks that was as I focused more intently on Family.   Allow me to repeat the old Mormon cliche adage and say that I definitely learned more than those I spoke to ever did.  

  I still find myself reflecting on my family and the role that is mine to help each of them be who they are supposed to be.  That's kind of a big deal, you know?   I've thought a lot lately about all of the things that are expected of me (either my own expectations or those that others have of me) I've determined lately that there are FIVE people in my life that I will move mountains for (proverbial mountains of course) but mountains nonetheless.   

Beyond those five, I offer no promises, but this family of mine - I would do anything for!

Back to School - 2016

Oh man, our summer was so perfect.   

Absolutely perfect.

Therefore, it can't possibly come as a shock to hear me say that I did NOT want September to come.   Not only is it a very expensive month (Checktember is what I refer to it as) with school fees, choir fees, music lessons starting up and sports fees....it also means that it is time to send my chicks off into the world without me.   Again.  

Drat!!!!!!

Thankfully, every year, John makes a point of giving each of our kids a fathers blessing.  (Without a doubt, one of my favorite family traditions)  It's such a beautiful privilege to watch him do this, and so very reassuring to me.  I clung to the words he said to each of our kids and I know they each feel of his love for them, and even more importantly they all feel of their Heavenly Fathers love.  

So, the night before school started - that happened.    

And the next morning - mayhem ensued.   

FIVE bag lunches had to be made.

Piano had to be practiced.  

Abby woke everyone up at 5:45 am because she felt certain she needed that much time to get ready.

Nate didn't like his new backpack.

Before five hoodies, toques and school shoes could be placed at the front door, it all had to be found!

And last but not least... as per tradition (and much to every ones delight;) the obligatory "Back to School photos" had to be taken.   

Oh yes they did!

Sam's heart wasn't really in this but he knew resistance was futile.  

He's in grade 6 now and attends up at the Junior High.   The JUNIOR HIGH!!!!

This can't be.  Despite the fact that I am in denial, Sam has adjusted quite well.   He goes to school, has fun with his friends, runs each day with the cross country team, practices his cello. 

 He's a pretty chill kid.  Super funny and really chill.  Could there be a better combination?

Jessica's heart was perhaps a little too much into it.  

Sigh...all that work giving her a new haircut and trying to make her look cute as a bug for her first day of Grade 4 and this is how she thanks me?     My kids should know by now that they are only prolonging the torture when they refuse to "smile nicely for the camera"  

Here's our third or fourth try:

Jess keeps insisting that grade 4 is "The Grade."   She can't give us any reasons as to why it is the grade to be in - it just is.  She's sweet as honey, this girl, and I'm confident she is going to just sail through the year.

Abby has been the one consuming most of my thoughts since school began.   She's a darling girl, but grade 8 can be rough, no?   The first few days were particularly challenging for her as she realized that for much of the day she is in classes without any of her friends.   She would tell me of moments when she felt so isolated and alone that she didn't know who to talk to or sit with and would resort to siting by Sam.   (You know it is bad when she chooses to sit with her grade 6 brother and his friends.)  One night I went down to check on her after she'd fallen asleep and her pillow was wet with tears.
It sure can pull at a mamma's heartstrings to watch your kid go through hard things.   We've spent lots of time talking about friendships, how to be a friend always and how to feel comfortable even when alone.   

Luckily, things have improved for her.  She is more comfortable in her lonely classes and even though some of her friendships are changing (they were bound to) she is reaching out to others and trying to be a friend to everyone.   In an amazing show of courage, she ran for Student body president- and she WON!!   This alone has done wonders for her confidence and has forced her to look at what she can do for others rather than wait for others to do things for her. 

She also made the Volleyball team this year, which again, impressed me.   Her team consists of every girl that she has felt afraid of over the past couple of years.   These girls probably have no idea how intimidated Abby is of them, yet she has thrown herself into their circle as part of the team.   Dang, she's brave!  I couldn't be more proud of her and more excited for the growth that I'm certain she will experience as she reaches outside of her comfort zone.   

And then there is this sly guy.  

Oh how I will miss him each day.   (He's off to school every day, all day, for the first time ever)

No more morning snuggles or monopoly games.  No more sneaking off to Daves or Dairy Queen for a snack.  No more kids at home during the day.    Just me.  Alone.  Wishing my kids didn't have to grow up.   

Actually,  as much as I hate that my kids are all growing up on me, I made sure to mark their "Back to School" day in my own special way.   As soon as they were safely in their new desks at their home away from home - I drove out to Waterton.   I drove all the way up to Red Rock, taking in the beauty of the changing fall leaves.  

Before leaving for home, I made sure to enjoy a hot bowl of soup while cozied up in one of my favorite big red chairs.   It was divine! 

We are now one month into the school year and I have to say, the house is more quiet than I ever expected.   I finally worked up the courage to apply for an EA position at our local High School and was offered the job.  It is not quite full time (and I don't start until October) but I am looking forward to joining these five on the "Back to School train." (Choo Choo!!)

 I'm confident that as I adjust to my own new job, all I will need to do is take a little lesson from each of these five.  If I can be as steady as John, as chill as Sam, as kind and loving as Jess, as fun as Nate and as brave as Abby - all will be well!

Wish us luck!  I have a feeling it is going to be quite the year!

And they're off!

This darling girl was over the moon excited to get her braces off this past week.   

We went into Lethbridge early one morning for an 8:30 appointment and then had to wait in the city all day long for a second appointment later that afternoon.  

We spent the time in between - sampling food at Costco, shopping for clothes, singing to the radio at the top of our lungs, going to Crazy Cakes and just enjoying each others company. 

I enjoyed this day with her immensely and she is THRILLED to finally have those braces off.  

Congrats darling girl!

Waterton in the Fall

One of our favorite autumn activities consists of driving out to Waterton to watch the Elk.  During the rut, they are quite down low in the park and every evening they emerge from the trees and put on quite a good show, bugling and all!

A couple of weeks ago, John 's school held a staff party in which we all went on a guided horseback ride in search of Elk.   Our guide took us past the stables, behind Camp Columbus, along a side of the lake that one doesn't normally get to see and then back into the forest where dozens and dozens of Elk rest during the day.  At one point, we found ourselves completely surrounded by Elk.  We could see a giant bull in front of us, but could hear others on each side.  They were bugling to each other and it was beyond awesome!!!    Can't beat a staff party like that;)

Anyways, after that cool evening, I knew it was time to take the kids out too.  John rarely has an available evening (thanks Volleyball season;) so I took my four as well as Dane and Brooke.  We grabbed some pizza from our favorite shop in town and headed out.  

The following pictures were taken by Jess (my resident outdoor enthusiast):  

It was a beautiful fall evening!!!

Summer 2016

This summer has been one for the books!  (This book, actually;)  

Two months ago, as school came to a close, John and I talked about how we needed to prioritize our time with the kids more.   We were determined to utilize every ounce of our summer months possible.  

As part of this, John decided to try "not fencing" for a season.  Past summers have sort of revolved around his work schedule and for the first time ever he actually turned down ALL requests for jobs.  Though we have certainly been grateful for the added income those jobs have given in the past, we really felt that family time was more important than anything this summer.  (Perhaps the result of us both feeling burnt out by June;) 

This has turned out being the BEST summer that we've had in a very long time.  It seemed as though the past two months have consisted of one new adventure after the other, mingled with days here and there to relax and regroup.    With everyone heading back to school now, it is finally sinking in that our blessed summer vacation is coming to a close.   Because I never ever want to forget the best parts of summer, I've included a linky list of our Top Ten Summer Highlights:  

Moroni's Quest

Hike to Virginia Falls

Beazer Fun

The Farm

Waterslides and Waterfalls

Family Reunion in Utah

Hiking the Highline Trail

Hiking CHIEF MOUNTAIN!

Camping in Banff
Slave Labor (aka: Grandpa's Garden)

This Top Ten list doesn't even begin to convey the happiness that I've felt this summer as together we have seen new places, accomplished "Bucket List" hopes, stayed up late playing card games, travelling for days in our barely hanging on minivan and spent countless hours just enjoying each others company.    I just simply do not want it to end.

I sure do appreciate this guy of mine though for his willingness to go along with whatever plan I cook up, to physically make each adventure go as well as possible and (lest we forget) funding it all!  haha
I've said it before and I really mean it -"Holiday John" is a LOT of fun!!    

His week old beard is all shaved off though (an obvious sign that it's back to business) and God bless him, he's ready to head to work and a busy volleyball season.
(I can't complain though.  Future Summer fun has to be funded somehow!;)

What the kids might say about helping in Grandpa's Garden - Part of our Summer 2016 Top Ten

Grandpa's garden is a beautiful place to be this time of year.  

I'll admit, we don't hang out here too often.  With the exception of a few spring things ('tilling, planting glads and potatoes) Grandpa really is the one who does all of the work around his blessed back yard.  He does the planting, the weeding,  the watering...and I suspect he spends time singing to his garden too.   How else can you explain year after year success like this?

(In case you've ever wondered what 1400 gladiolas look like.  John and him planted them in May)

Despite the fact that Grandpa largely takes care of his garden and yard all by himself, he has allowed us to help more this year than ever before.   Which has been a bit of a happy surprise for us!

Just ask my kids.  I'm sure they would tell you that they have LOVED picking and snipping beans for hours and hours.   

They may even rave about how much fun it is to husk over 280 cobs of corn!

\

Sam would be happy to show off the corn husk people he learned to create.

Abby would likely declare her love for earwigs (kidding;)

And Nate might describe how hard the work was.  Seriously tough work for this kid;)

Without a doubt, I know they would excitedly exclaim how Grandpa's yard has THE BEST climbing trees in town!   Jessica wants to pick up his trees and move them to our yard.  (If only we knew where we'd be living next year, she'd likely pursue this as a real possibility)  Every single one of the kids have selected their very own personal limb on each of the four best trees.   

Hopefully they'd also describe how great it is to just get to work a little bit harder than usual for a few days.   Am I dreaming here?  Would they ever utter gratitude for something like that?  

Well- I'm certainly grateful for that opportunity to see my kids work hard.  Apparently it is possible!;)  

In fact, two days working in Grandpa's backyard has convinced me that what my kids need most in life is MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK!!!  That realization alone is what makes this past weekend a summer highlight fo' sure!

Banff/Lake Louise - Part of our Summer 2016 Top Ten

Oh man, so so so many great things were experienced this week as we enjoyed one.final.summer adventure!   

During a previous Banff excursion (last May) John purchased a fishing license that would allow him to fish in Banff for the entire fishing season.   That pretty much sealed our fate right then and there  guarantying a second trip would just have to be had.   (Can't let a fishing permit go to waste, right?)

Actually, we left Banff last May feeling as though we still had a whole list of things we wanted to experience, one of those things being ... a camping trip!

John and I booked and payed for this camping trip weeks ago, well before a forecast of the weekend could ever be predicted.   As the chosen week drew near, I grew increasingly nervous about the prospect of rain, yet not worried enough to pack my family for anything colder than a ideal/balmy August camp.  Sure enough, as we reached the Tunnel Mountain Campground last Monday evening, it was literally 1 degree out and tiny flakes of snow were falling amidst the very cold rain.  I wondered for a moment what we were thinking, camping in such cold conditions when we'd only packed for hot summer days, but my kids reminded me that we were Canadians darnit!   

Camping in the cold is part of the fun.   

And boy was it ever fun!

   Some of the highlights for us were:

1.  Stopping at the Mall in Calgary on the way to Banff.

  Our plan was to simply stop for lunch.   We managed to get distracted however by the coolest Lego Store Nate has ever seen, the escalators (Sam practically skipped lunch just so he could right up and down them.  He should not be allowed in public) and the TESLA STORE! (John's dream store;)  These three highlights alone made the trip a success - and it had barely even begun!

2.  Arriving at our home away from Home

After prying my young, small town children away from all the temptations the city mall offered, we continued on our way to campground D41 at Tunnel Mountain Village.   What a great campground!

Jessica and Sam are great little campers.  Jess was a little worried about Bears and Wolves (a warden had warned us that they were experiencing some problems in the campground with both) but Jess smiled through her fears and always managed to enjoy camping just as much as the others, if not more even;)

After setting up our camp that first night, we hopped in the van and went for a drive.   The van was warmer than the campsite which made it the logical place to be.   At one point we drove past the Banff public library and saw a sign that said "Free Movie Night."   Sweeet!  Somewhere warm to sit for a couple of hours before bed!!!   We walked in and were greeted by some very kind locals and a man belting out ballads while simultaneously playing his guitar and harmonica.   He sang every song in French and we seemed to be the only ones in the room who didn't understand what he was saying.   Still though, we hung on, anticipating that promised warm movie soon.   After about 50 minutes, guitar man announced that he was playing his final song and then the movie turned on.  But guess what.  They showed it in French!    This was the final straw for my four sleepy kids and no matter how much I didn't want to face that cold night in a tent, we just couldn't pretend to understand what was going on for one second longer.    It seemed like a rocky start to our summer camp.

  

3.  Being Together
Um...perhaps Lego Stores and French concerts shouldn't have trumped the most enjoyable part of the week (this highlight list is clearly not in order of importance;) which was the chance for all of us to be together.   Together - and alone, might I add;)
No phone calls,  limited access to electronics/Internet and loads of TIME!
   That there is the recipe for a fun family experience.   

Nate (okay and many of us;) literally wore the same outfit for all four days.

Kinda gross, sure, but we had nobody to try and impress so why be anything but totally comfy, no?

(Just thought an explanation may be needed as every picture of Nate looks like it was taken on the same day.  haha)   

4. Touring the town site

The town of Banff has so SO much to do!   Because our first day there was a rainy one, we sought out every opportunity to enjoy some of the towns "indoor features."   We took the kids swimming at the Sally Borden Pool, explored the Museum of the Rockies, visited the Library, fished when the weather permitted and toured some of the downtown shops.   The kids (and I;) got a kick out of the crosswalks there, which are designed to allow pedestrians to cross the street in any direction they want, a system my kids often took advantage of just for kicks;) 

Jessica, Abby and I fell upon a cool store called EVOOlution.  

One wall consisted of assorted infused olive oils which could be matched and paired with deliciously flavored vinaigrettes located elsewhere in the store.   There were cubes of soft fresh bread for dipping and sampling.  I'm sure the goal is to help patrons decide which oils and vinegars they'd like to buy.  

We bought nothing - but the sampling was divine!

Speaking of divine - these caramel apples from the Fudgery have become a treat as connected to Banff for my kids as Big Scoop is to Waterton.   You just can not go to Banff without picking up some of these.   Delish!!

5. Beautiful Evenings 

After our cold first night there, the weather improved substantially, giving us a chance to enjoy some evening fun without feeling like we'd rather be hiding away in our sleeping bags.   John and Sam really liked fishing down by the river, right next to the bridge.   The other kids and I LOVED that the bridge was lit up at night which meant we were happy to let them fish for as long as their hearts desired.  (See, Christmas lights don't only belong in December!)

The kids always looked forward to their bedtime cup of Hot Chocolate.  Each night we'd try to add an extra treat in such as cookies, fire popped popcorn or s'mores! Hmmm mmmm.

Our last evening there even consisted of a very welcomed visit from cousins!!  (Jewel and Kendall's family had decided to go camping at the same location and our last night overlapped with their first night, giving us the chance to enjoy an evening visit together.)

6.  Visiting Lake Louise

Perhaps the biggest highlight of our week was the day trip that we took to Lake Louise.  Thanks to the advice from a kind lady we'd met the day before, we left early one morning in order to reach the village before it got too busy.   When we arrived shortly after 8:00am crowds were already gathered along the shoreline and we had to wait for our chance to stand right at the waters edge.  Lake Louise was definitely busy (ridiculously crowded even)  - but oh it was a beautiful place!!   

From the shore we could see the hike that we planned to take the kids on that day.   Agnes Lake is hidden in this picture, tucked away just above the tree line and below that bump of a mountain.  

That "bump of a mountain" is actually called the LITTLE BEEHIVE and after Jessica and I completed the 3.4km climb with John and the kids up to Agnes Lake- we decided to continue on from there - up  to the top of the beehive.   It is a hike much like Bears hump in Waterton, steep with lots of switchbacks, but once you get to the top, it offers a spectacular view!  

(The view of Lake Louise from the top of Little Beehive:)

(Jessica loved how close we felt to the snow capped mountain tops) 

(View from the head of Agnes Lake)

(The beautiful Lake Louise!)

7.  Going no where at all

Naturally, for me, one of the biggest blessings of a getaway is always the opportunity to do nothing and go no where at all!
FYI - I could lay in a hammock all day.   

8.  Fresh Trout!

This has to be mentioned, seeing as John's primary objective for the week was to catch a FISH! (Though I must admit I may have added some pressure to him to do so, seeing as "Fresh Trout" was on the menu for our last night there;)   Luckily, we found a great little fishing spot where Sam and Jess both managed to catch our supper.   

It was a fantastic time together, the only complaint from the kids being that we were "leaving way too soon!"  (Apparently they had another week of camping left in their systems;)

We left Banff feeling happy and fulfilled, yet (with so much left to see and do) absolutely certain that we'd be back before too long.