A Time for Fun

I remember this day because it was the first day after Brad was finished school and we went for a walk in Prince's Island Park. I was so relieved while we were walking along. I felt like life was about to begin. And really, it has! The fun never stops these days! 

Here's me and Breanna playing at the playground at Prince's Island Park.

What a good Dad! Camping in the back yard.

Getting Ice Cream from Annie's

Another science experiment. This one is cool, you attach string or yarn between two chairs, put a straw on it, blow up a balloon (but don't tie it) and tape it to the straw. The kids laughed for a long time! As you can see my floor is a mess and the kids are in swimsuits. Welcome to my summer!

Out for dinner with my peeps. We have been friends for 18 years and they are amazing women who I admire and trust and love!

Afton: "NEEZE!"

Breanna the beach babe!

Brad's Stampede Breakfast is always a fun time. We love the face painting.

Brad and I have been making lots of time for each other lately, just the two of us. I think this is so important for a couple, or maybe just us I don't know, but we were missing it big time this year so we're making up for lost time. I love it. Lots of pictures to follow of our stampede fun and it was SO fun!

Waiting in line for the zip line.

This was way higher than I thought it was. I don't know how high it was but taking that first step off of there was a liiiiiiiittttlllle bit scary. After I got going it was SO fun I wanted to do it again!

Me and my friend Claire-we've been friends for about 14 years. Woe. I ate so much food, let's see: 

A fruit smoothie, a big burger, lemonade, a chicken pita wrap, funnel cake, deep fried oreos and pizza. So worth it though!

We got standing tickets to the grandstand show as seats were sold out so we had to stand and wait for a long time. But I would definitely say it was worth it. Amazing! 

I got a bit sappy while watching the grandstand show. Especially at the part with the natives. The eagle above was massive, I would say my favorite part of the show. There's a guy sitting on it too. I have so much respect for the Indians and their culture and I'm so glad that we try to celebrate it. Also I have been reading a book on WW2. I can't believe what we had to go through for our freedom. It's amazing to have it and because of it we can create beautiful things at will.  Also my friend Roxene died of cancer and it really hit me while watching this show, because I just thought, she should still be here. It's very sad to think of her in pain in her last days and her little family. Life is not fair, and it's hard, but it's beautiful.

Weekend Away

Bye-bye kids!

Hiking up to Rowe

Lower Rowe

These kinds of bridges make me happy!

Rowe Meadow-I wrote a poem here, how could you not?

Flowers up at Rowe Meadow.

Love this guy!

Cooling off at Cameron Lake

The drive down- a brown bear and a mama and baby mountain sheep.

After dinner by the lake- same green pants as in my last posts. How many trendy outfits can a girl be expected to have?

It's a good sign when you can skip rocks on the lake!

Campfire time! Let's iron out some issues...haha

Thank-you-we're very blessed!

Family Fun

We've spent the last 4 days with the Masons and I have so many cute pictures I don't know which to choose. It was just so much fun to have them here! Two of the best days were Lexi's baptism and Lucas's blessing. I don't have any pictures from those days so Rachel and Candace, if you do please share. I spoke at Lexi's baptism and it was such an honour. Seeing her big blue eyes looking up at me as I spoke I was awed by her beautiful, sweet spirit and that of her friend Chloe and felt a weight of responsibility. I know the Holy Ghost helped me. The next thing I will never forget is *shopping*. First of all it was hilarious because Rachel and I showed up at the mall in matching outfits- me in a fluorescent green sweater and Rachel in a fluorescent pink one! (Post the pic on facebook Rachel and TAG me! You know you want to!) Both with jean capris. Nnnot planned!  Rachel basically tore the lid off my close-minded fashion niche and I entered a world I haven't for a while, trendy. Yes I bought 2 pairs of brightly coloured pants, people. After that we went for dinner and it was great. I loved being with everyone, we laughed and really enjoyed one another. Again, photos please! Lucas's baby blessing was beautiful and I think hanging out at their little townhouse afterward was something like the miracle of the five fish and two loaves, except in terms of space, because somehow we all fit and comfortably ate delicious food. Impressive. That night I knew I was tired and my family was tired but now I know for next time: no stopping when the Masons are here. I'm glad I didn't stop because we had a great time at the fireworks. There was a sudden torrential downpour (not sure what that is so maybe I'm exaggerating but it rained a ton) We could see blue sky the whole time so we sat in our respective family cars and waited. As suddenly as it came it left, and so I had to laugh when I read the texts between Brad and Rachel:

I do have pictures from that so I will post them here:

Girls posing in their PJ's...

while the boys have a pillow fight downstairs.

Best Cousin Friends

Climbing Nana's Tree 

Waiting for fireworks

The next day we went on a picnic and a little family hike in the Kananaskis. Jesse said "I love this place, I never want to leave."

Breanna and Afton waiting for the food.

Not sure what is going on here with Uncle Derek and Aunt Katie but the girls obviously loved it! (ps more matching, yay!)

I loved seeing Hunter with his home-made bow and arrow. I know Hunter has some awesome toys but this has got to be a favorite, he never left home without it!

Just a cute picture of my beautiful boy. Him and Hunter were determined to catch a gopher. 

And my adorable dirty-faced girl-my favorite thing, she waves and says "HI!" now with the cutest smile whenever she sees someone important to her. Here she is saying "Neeeee!" which is her version of "cheese". She is such a trooper she hardly complained the whole time she was being dragged around and missing naps. She also walked the entire way down on the hike.

Nana: "Are you made of straw or are you made of bricks?" She tells the story to the littlest ones before every family hike, it's tradition.

These two were the "leaders" on the hike and they stayed in front the whole time.

Uncle Derek and Breanna climbing up, Evie is in front on Aunt Katie's shoulders. It's okay if we're a little bit made of straw, hey Nana?

Made it to the top, let's throw rocks!

Derek and Katie being cute.

Next day we went to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump-one of my favorite places on earth. I love the native culture and the way they used to live, I used to want to be an little native girl so that place always sparks my imagination :)

It's so windy there-the windiest place in Canada-FACT: it is only calm there 14% of the time.

Nana reading a Napi story.

This teepee was my favourite part and I think the kids' favorite part too-that and eating the buffalo burger YUM! I have to go back for another one soon!

Note my brightly coloured pants.

The girls putting on a play/dance. I have several pictures like this and I wish I could post them all. I also wish we would have let them finish the "play". Why we are always in such a rush I do not know.

Here was where we said good-bye to the Masons until Christmas. Can't wait to see them again! And now I have my last of 7 neglected loads of laundry to fold... but it was so worth it!!!