Still Here :)

Basketball continues on strong as we get close to the end of the season.  We had our home tournament and ended up in second place.  Which was nice.  We had a two players on crutches and two that were going between basketball and hockey.  Everyone had fun though.  The morning of the first day, the school opened up to all spectators.  It was awesome to see the gym so full again.  Blake played well.  I wish I had clear pictures because he can really jump, it is so cool to watch.  

We were just on our way out the door to Blake's last game Saturday night when Cora called.  There had been an issue with the job in Calgary and she was wondering if they could bring some co-workers and crash at our house for the night.  We were so excited they would come.  Ammon and Cora had planned to quickly stop in for dinner Sunday anyways.  It was Super Bowl Sunday.  We always do the game day food and watch a sports movie.  Ammon called as they were leaving Calgary to see what food they could pick up since our store was closed at this point.  Blake's last game was close and a great one to watch. We cleaned up the gym and got everything put away and then rushed home to straighten our house for guests.  They arrived just before midnight.  My parents also ended up coming Sunday so we had a crew.  We loved Ammon and Cora's co-workers and they were easy and fun to be with.  Dave took them out to feed cows and we watched a movie, they played Mario Kart and other games.  I am glad they came, it was fun. 

Blake had had a bit of a runny nose Sunday afternoon, and it got a bit worse Monday.  That night we decided we should do a Rapid test just so if anyone asked we could say he did.  I was certain it would be negative.  Haha nope.  Blake tested positive for 'the Covid'  He can't say covid, its always the covid.  Makes me laugh.  I picked up his books for school on Wednesday.  Not much help from teachers.  I was pretty surprised that there was nothing set up for all these kids that are required to miss so much school.  He barely had a sniffle and would have totally gone to school.  Now he is behind on tests and notes and he is going to have to bust it to catch up.  Especially with his last two long basketball tournament coming this week.  Dave and I never got it from him.  This is how Blake let Dave know he was positive.

Under the second paper is his positive test.  

I am really enjoying working at the clinic.  It is just a few day and Blake is hardly every home by himself.  They are really good about letting me off a bit early when I need to get Blake to a game.  I love being back working where I started years ago.  Different clinic, same fun. 

Dave's job is also going well.  They have hit some amazing targets and he has gotten some fun perks lately.   They have not got many ski days this year.  But getting in what they can. 

Things are also good for the girls. Cora is getting her house organized and working on projects in Edmonton.  I think it has been great for them to be in their own house for a few months before they go east.  Get to settle in a little.  Leah has been looking into going back to school.  Has some ideas of what she would like to got back for.  She has been getting a lot of stomach aches we have been trying to figure out, but has been having lots of fun with roommates and friends. 

Life is still great and we feel really blessed.

Marmot Basin

Cora and Leah did a lot of skiing at Marmot Basin last year.  They had wanted us to come up and ski with them.  It is a 7+ hour drive and so we weren't really keen, but Dave does love skiing with his family.  And this year since we are trying new places, we decided to go.  We booked hotel rooms in Hinton Friday night.  Cora, Ammon and Leah meet us there after they were finished work. Dave and I picked Blake up from school and left then.  It was a long drive, Blake had some homework, we listened to some Dateline.  Stopped for dinner and arrived only an hour or so ahead of the kids. We had brought games to play, but just ended up chatting until it was time for bed. Next morning we had breakfast and the skiers all hit the road.   They had a grand time.  Dave kept saying how fun it was to have all the kids together.  Ammon just gets right in and skies, not afraid of anything.  Cora took most of the pictures for me, so she didn't get in many.  I am very thankful that she took them. I love that Leah still needs Dave's help to get her boots on.  She can do it by herself when he is not there, but I love that she still needs her dad.  And they are tough, I used to wear them and they are tight, especially trying to bend with her knee braces. 

Love my skiers.

After they left, I did some crosswords and ate my breakfast.  Next I went for a long walk.  There was a place called the Beaver Boardwalk about 2 km away from the hotel.  I walked to it and was very excited to walk the other 2 k around the boardwalk.  Turns out it was not a round walk, it had lots of connecting boardwalks, many different places.  With a few dams in the middle.  There was a lot of construction being done on it, so I had a lot of back tracking.  At one point it went up through the trees and there was a notice for bears.  Well, if you know me, you know I have a deep fear of bears on walks.  I turned right around and hi -tailed it out of there and back to my hotel.

I think it would be really neat all fixed and in the summer.  And with someone so I don't get attacked :) I then read and prepared my seminary lesson. When the crew got back they packed up their car and we all went to Boston Pizza for dinner.  The Edmonton kids then headed home.  We had a good night sleep.  Breakfast and watched church online.  Check out time was same time as church was over.  We got all ready to go so we could walk out as soon as Amen was said. We then started the long journey home.  It was a fun weekend.  Blake and Dave enjoyed skiing a new hill and being all together. Beautiful sunset on the way home. We were all so tired when we arrived back home, but worth it. 

Birthday, Basketball and Anniversary Oh my...

End of January is always full for us.  The morning of our anniversary was beautiful and sunny.  It was a Saturday, so we were all home. Dave and I decided to go for a walk.  Blake was coming with us, but he did the 6 mile loop and ran.  We planned to meet him along the way.  It was such a warm day that we went much farther than we had planned.  

One the way we meet Jared in the tractor and after some discussion it was decided to band the calves in the afternoon.  I also got a lead on a free bed.  We went and picked up the bed, had a quick lunch and then over to do cows.  It was amazing how warm and not windy it was. Also on the way home fromour walk we saw something in the air way off in the distance.  I thought it was the shape of a hot air balloon, but we never seen them this far and we couldn't figure out what it was.  When we got home we got out the telescope and it was a balloon.  Pretty cool.  Haven't seen one for a long time.

At the end of the day we were commenting how we didn't do anything on our list, but is was a still a great day.  Time spent together, beautiful weather, fun times.  It was a great anniversary. 

Blake is doing awesome at basketball.  His team is becoming more positive with each other and it is fun to see the team work that is starting to come together.  

It is funny though.  He either has a really amazing game or just a good game.  He doesn't know what makes the difference, but seems to play better when he is tired and not looking forward to playing.  We are loving watching him play.  Restriction have changed back and forth and number of spectators numbers have gone up and down.  They have let parents be the scorekeepers, so we have so far been able to attend the games.  Dave also has been going to drop in ball with Blake.  They really enjoy playing together. 

For my birthday it just happened that I didn't have to work that day.  Blake was on semester break and home.  We went for a walk together, had lunch, did some chores, played some games and then after Dave got home and dinner we went to Blake's game. Great to watch in person.