Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Happy 14th

Blake had a birthday last week.  His most wanted item was lemonade. And many people heard about it.  The lady he works for made a pitcher of lemonade for him at work and his Sunday School teacher gave him lemonade.  He also got money for his Nintendo Switch fund.  After he pays his tithing he puts 20% of each pay check aside for it.   
He enjoys working hard.  Last year he just did it because he needed to, but this year he said he actually enjoyed the work.  It is making him tough.  

He regularly shows us his growing muscles.  Much to Leah's delight.  Haha!!


He really is a good kid.   He is a hardworking man-child that loves fiercely.  I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for him in this life.

Leah said she looked homeless in this picture.  It was right after baptisms with wet hair and rushed out for pictures.  But still, I got great kids.  Happy Birthday Blake.  Thanks for being who you are and staying on the covenant path.  Stay strong, stay solid and don't' let others influence you.  We love you so much and are proud to be your parents.  Even through all the odd talent shows and the constant showing of armpit hair and mustache (peach fuzz) growing. We love your humor and kindness. Keep being you.

Welcome Home Grandma!!

Myrna returned from her 18 month mission in Montreal.  We went up early and Leah did some shopping and Dave exchanged his socks from Bass Pro Shop.  We then quickly ate lunch in the car as we drove to the temple.  Our kids had not been to the Calgary temple yet and I thought this would be the perfect time.  We invited all the cousins and parents that wanted to to come with us.  After baptisms we went to wait at the airport until Myrna landed.
We had made a banner to welcome back and so had some of the other grandkids.

The kids waited and played until it was time for her plane to land.



All of us waiting to greet her.



After her landing and hugs all around (it was fun to watch her hug Blake and Ashton, they have both grown up so much since she left) we gathered luggage and went to Atwood's for a delicious BBQ and catch up. It was so fun to hear so many stories and experiences that Myrna had.  They following weekend we all got together.  Everyone came in Thursday night.  Friday was raining and cold, so we spent the day indoors just hanging out.  Saturday warmed up a  we went to the pool for a few hours.  Leah had to work all weekend, but got to spend the mornings with us, and Cora called on Saturday to say hi to everyone.  Sunday Myrna spoke in church and did a fantastic job.  It was so well done.  That night she had an open house and floats.

What a great example Grandma has been to all her grandchildren.  Grandma did it and did it with honors.  Congrats on a mission well done.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

July

Every one has been busy working this month, but we have managed to squeeze in a few fun things.  Dave usually does not have to work Friday's.  By the time Friday rolls around he has most often worked over 44 hours that week. And Leah usually starts work between 1 and 3 on Friday's.  So we have been taking the boat out Friday morning for a couple of hours.  It is beautiful in the morning and nobody else shows up until around 11 and that is when we are pulling out.  It is peaceful and warm.  I have really loved these mornings.
Both Leah and Blake have gotten up on skis this year.  Blake didn't give it much of a try one day, so the next week he decided he was going to try as long as it took.  He got up first try that day.  His face was hilarious.  He was more shocked then anyone.  He got a nice long ride, but we are still working on his form.

Leah can get up pretty easy, but she goes straight left every time and falls going across the wake.  She has tried different pressure on her feet and stills goes that way.  We can't figure out what she is doing.  Because of this, she hasn't been able to stay up longer than about 15 seconds.  Last time she almost successfully got across.  If she can cross the wake then she will be great.  Still working on that as well.
But it has been really fun.  We take breakfast out.  Tube for a while, eat breakfast, swim, and either try skiing or kids tube again.

 Blake had a tumble on his dirt bike on the way to work a few weeks ago.  Shook him up quite a bit.  Won't' admit it now.  He thinks he was cool and collect.  I thought he had broke something so I took him up to the clinic.  But all was well.  Just very scrapped in the elbow, back, and head.
We got to go out to Kailey's homecoming.  She gave a great talk and we enjoyed hanging out with them after for dinner.







Also attended Alora's baby blessing.  Cute little girl and another fun day with family.  We drove two cars so Leah could attend and then she had to quickly get back to go work. (Leah has found the days she wears bright colors she gets more tips. Interesting!)

We finally got Leah out in a tractor.  Something seems to come up every year when it is her turn.  She was nervous, but after said it was not hard at all.  Kinda fun but at the same time very boring.  She took her headphones and talked to a friend that was also riding around in a tractor. :)

Blake and Gilbert went camping again.  This time they took their dirt bikes so they could ride in the coulees.  Gilbert has land in the river bottom.  They went swimming in the river.  Their food worked out better this time.  There is a fire ban on, so they took down the camp stove.  It was a very hot day.  They got all set up, swam, rode bikes, ate and played lots of card games.  Before they left, Blake kept saying he was sure he was forgetting something, but he couldn't think what it was.  We told him to just text us or make due without it if he did.  Turns out he did forget something.....the tent and sleeping bags. It was very nice of Arren to come back for them.  It doesn't make me so nervous anymore.  These boys have proven themselves very responsible and it is such a neat thing for them to be able to do. 

After a few tries of days that didn't end up working out, we finally got to Shakespeare in the Park yesterday.  We had let a few people know that sometimes come with us.  Just let them know we were going if they did or did not want to tag along.  As it turned out it was the same night that Leah's friends YW group was going, so all her friends she invited where there anyways.  Macbeth was the play this year and it was so good.  It is amazing what they can do with just a few props.  We did the whole traditional day.  Met Dave after work, Pizza Hut, play and frosty's at Wendy's afterwards.



It has been a great summer so far.  Leah works most evenings, but has managed to fit in time with friends.  Her boss is pretty understanding if she asks for a few hours off.  Our garden is growing lovely.  We are barely keeping up with the lettuce.  We have eaten a lot of salad this summer. Can't wait to harvest the rest of it.  Love fresh garden vegetables.  Haying is done, just need to finish moving bales.  Jared started on that last night. It has been very hot the last couple of days, so far our house isn't to bad. Dave has got the Jeep running and Leah enjoys driving that around. So funny story to end on: The Jeep is pretty beat up and old.  Definitely not in the prime of it's life.  Dave got it dirt cheap years ago.  Leah had a guy come into work and start grilling her about if that was her Jeep or not.  He proceeded to tell her that he bet she thought she was pretty cool driving around and that she really should not show off like that.  It makes everyone else feel bad about themselves.  She totally thought he was kidding, since it is so old and barely runs.  But apparently he was serious.  She thought it was so funny.  Especially since after he walked out and drove away in a brand new car.  Weird.