Does Life Get Any Better Than This?

I love days like today. The kids wanted to have a bonfire for supper and as I sat there watching the kids cook their hot dogs, roast/burn their marshmallow and lick the sticking goodness of leftover marshmallow residue off their dirty little finger, I thought how lucky we are. Moments like this need to forever engraved in our memories and cherished.

I have countless good memories sitting in the swing in the Taylor's backyard as our family did this exact thing, then the kids would climb trees while Spencer and Dale threw the football or frisbee. Good Memories.


Today was also Jake and Nolan's last day of Basketball camp. All the family gathered at the Gym to watch as the boys played in the final 5 on 5 basketball tournament. We have great little ball players!

Red Rock

August 23, 24th and 25th we attended the Strate family reunion - my dad's side of the family. My cousins travelled from far across the land so we could all be together. It was so awesome to see most of my cousin again and grow closer to them and their kids.

Red Rock Canyon is our favorite place and pretty much any out of towners who come for a visit get taken there to enjoy the beautiful panoramic view as well as climb up the canyon and dip their toes in the glacial waters.

We stopped for lunch at Crooked Creek and the kids had a marvelous time climbing the creek. I've been there before but the kids were older this year and way more adventurous. We came across a pool of the coolest water you've ever felt (I think Nolan's faces pretty much says it all). There was a waterfall filling the pool, and since I think I've share with you before, that waterfalls are among my favorite things, I was excited to find this little gem. You must come for a visit so I can take you to our new little hide away.

After lunch we travelled up the road to Red Rock. The kids had the best time climbing up the canyon; but my absolute favorite moments was when with grandkids cheering her on my mom went down the water slide and into the freezing water. My brother has made a montage of everyone water sliding. Check it out.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Only at Grandpa's

I don't think I have to tell you have excited Nolan was to be trying out Grandpas' gun.

A couple of weeks after we arrived in Alberta, Noli went over to his friend Levis house. Levi 's brother used Nolan and Levi as targets while he shot at them with his pellet gun (I actually have no idea what kind of gun it was) I as his mother (and a city mother at that) was a little alarm, but Nolan thought it was the greatest time ever and has been begging to shoot a gun ever since.

Last night Nolan and his cousin Jake were given a lesson in the art of sharp shooting. Grandpa took them out and the boys shot at tins cans. I think Nolan liked it a little too much.

As a side note - we enjoyed a Strate Family reunion this week-end so I'll be posting about that soon.

Reese Reunion

Yesterday we went to Milk River to meet some of our relative (Spencer's side of the family) who are visiting from Germany. It was a fun afternoon spent, visiting with family and as you can see the kids had the best time riding the Go Kart. Nolan was a little nervous at first but quickly starting ripping up the trax. Jarom had no trepidations and immediately took off; we had to send someone responsible (thanks Amanda) along to make sure my wild boy came back in one piece. The boys had a great time playing in the rain, climbing in the fort and riding around the Reese Farm.

Indian Days

Rachel came down on Saturday and took Nolan, Jarom and I to Indian Days. It was so cool. I was totally amazed with all the costumes, the bead work and feathers. It was awesome to watch the dancing, hear the singing (not sure if that is the correct term, I want to say chanting, but that does seem right either) and listen to the beating of the drums. The men's fancy dance was my favorite as the costumes were unbelievable.

After the dancing was over, we took the kids to enjoy the rides. I was very nervous about letting Nolan on the rides, as he can not handle the tire swing at the park and I could envision an re-enactment of the Amusement Park scene from The Sandlot. But all was well.

Jingle Dress Dance

Ladies Fancy Shawl Dance

Men's Fancy Dance

Nolan and Jarom Enjoying their Umpteenth treat of the day

The Ferris Wheel, surprisingly was their favorite ride.

Happy Birthday Morgmyster

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Robin Hood

Auntie Patrice is very cool. Tuesday she took the boys for the afternoon and when Nolan and Jarom were returned to me, they were sugared up and the proud owners of bow and arrows. Jarom saw this hat and had to have it as he becomes Robin Hood every time he puts it on. Now my days are filled dodging arrows as they whiz by my head.

Patrice also took them to see Wall-e, which apparently is not as good as the kids had anticipated, but Nolan has just informed me that there were a couple of funny parts. Then she made coke bottle rockets with the boys and sprayed them with pop. Only an aunt would do such a thing.

Lake Francis

Nolan loves the mountains. I know it's been said time and again, but Nolan is almost a clone of Spencer; the only thing stopping him from being an actual clone, is the extra thick head of hair he inherited from me. The mountains are a part of him and anytime spent there is amongst the happiest.

Saturday Nolan and Grandpa, along with my dad's neighbours the Steed's, hiked to Francis lake. They started off in Waterton National Park and drove the boat into Glacier National Park, then began the hike at Goat Haunt. It was a 6 mile hike into the lake taking them 3 hours to hike into the lake and 2 1/2 hours to hike out.

Nolan was especially pleased when he caught 2 fish. Nolan is a catch and release man, but the Steed's kept their fish cooking up 3 of them. Nolan did not enjoy eating the fish, but apparently cutting off their heads, tails and gutting them was a good time.

Nolan came home dirty, blistered, exhausted and happy!

Good Times

Tuesday my parents were headed up to Calgary to visit their good friends, the boys and I tagged along so we could hang out with Rachel. We Went to A&W for dinner and ate pretty much the best onion rings ever made. Yum! We order 3 helpings and still wanted more. Then we headed off in search of cowboy hats for the boys, but instead the kids ended up with another webkinz and soccer balls. Thanks Auntie Rachel! Then we headed off to the park to test out the soccer balls and played a highly competitive game of football.










Grandma Kaye invited to us to spend Wednesday afternoon with her. We went to a new fountain park. The kids had tons of fun dashing through the water - even Kaye got wet. So Fun.

My Uncle Mel came for a visit and quickly became beloved by Nolan and Jarom. Uncle Mel took Nolan fishing, was introduce to UNO and SKIPBO (showing no mercy to his younger opponents crushing them time after time in defeat)and engaged in many battles. The boys, and their mom, were very sad to see Uncle Mel Leave.

Rantings of an Overcharge Consumer

I totally feel the need to rant. In fact I don't think I will feel better until I have had many people listen to my rantings so I am posting in on my blog there by reaching more people. I'll try to keep it short.

Jarom is allergic to the protein in cows milk so he drinks goat milk. In Winnipeg I paid $5.49 for 2 liters which bothered me, but since I have no other choice I paid the money. After an unpleasant trip to Safeway on Monday I was informed that they were no longer carrying goats milk, but Save on Foods did.

Yesterday I made my way to Save On and found the desired goat milk when I got to the till it cost $6.49 FOR 2 liters - 2 LITERS! Is it just me or does that seem a tad high?

The Make Over

While the kids and I have been in Alberta"playing", Spencer has been in Winnipeg working all day and then coming home and doing all the repairs our house needs to be ready to sell. He has repaired, painted and poured a new front step as the old one was crumbing away and a bit of an eye sore. It was back breaking work mixing and pouring the concrete, but it looks amazing!

He sent me pictures this morning and I was so impressed with his work I wanted to share and express my appreciation to him for all he does for our family! Spencer is an amazing father and husband who always puts his family first.

We miss you and can't wait for you to join us in Alberta!

New Favorite Thing

If you are anything like me the thought of coming up with another idea of what to cook for supper is Pure torture!

I found this new site that sends 4 - 20 minute meal recipes every week. This was the first week I've been able to try out the recipes and they are so good.

I made the salmon cakes - which don't really sound appealing, but are so delicious - Nolan even ate them. Tonight we made the Chicken with Mango and Pepper Salad which was met with rave reviews!

Check it out and sign up for the 20 minute supper club

http://www.wish.ca/food/

New Beginnings

Ok, all those of you who are faithful followers of my blog may have noticed that when something is going on in my life I take a break from blogging. There is some weird connection in my head that makes me believe that it’s not really real until it appears on my blog.

So here it is... we are relocating to Southern Alberta.

This comes as a totally shock as neither Spencer nor I thought that we would ever return “Home”. We didn’t go looking for a change, but nonetheless we were ready for one and it found us. On a whim Spencer applied for a job, not really thinking he would even get an interview as he wasn’t qualified for the job. But want him they did and once we heard the offer we knew we couldn’t turn it down. So in the last two weeks we have been going crazy trying to get ready to move before we came to Alberta to celebrate my grandma’s 90th birthday.

Spencer will be the Assistant Director of ???? at the U of L. He is, as I understand it, over all the construction that goes on at the university. I don’t think that really does it justice, but I’m sure if you check back Spencer will have left a lengthy comment as to what the job all entails.

How we all feel about this move.... shocked, nervous, stunned, heartbroken, angry (Nolan) excited for a change – if you can think it we’ve felt it.

Saying Good-bye to Winnipeg and all the people we love there was harder than I ever thought it would be. How do you say good-bye to people who have become your family? How do you say good-bye to a place that helped you grow into who you are?

Winnipeg and our friends there were a blessing. We had so many people touch mine, Spencer’s and our kid’s lives. I’ve never been good at emotional outpourings and the last two weeks have been just that. Since I tried to be strong when saying good-bye to those I love, I would cry (more like sob) alone at 4 in the morning, so stupid. I am so thankful for the time our family spent in Winnipeg, the people there are amazing and we will miss them.

Here’s to starting new chapter in our lives

90 years

Under protest we planned a celebration for my grandma’s 90th birthday. Although grandma repeatedly griped about the event; she had a great time. Grandma was radiant all day basking in all the attention!

I had such a great time reconnecting with cousins I hadn’t seen in many years. I wish all our family could have been there, but there are plans in the works for a family reunion next summer so hopefully more family will be able to attend.

Strawberry Goodness

Canning in one of my favourite domestic duties, scrap that, it is my favourite. I love the way the jars look all lined up on the shelves. Unlike making supper, cleaning the bathroom, doing the laundry and the list goes on – canning is satisfying. After the meal is consumed, the bathroom is grungy and the laundry baskets are once again spilling over; I can go down and gaze at the beautifully arranged jars of goodness.

Now all I have to do is learn how to make bread to go with my jam.