17 Years Old!

Holy cow! Blake is 17.  He is definitely growing into a very awesome young man.  My man boy.   Such a weird thing. He really did not want anything for his birthday.  He said he was good, just wanted to hang out with friends.  I ended up not getting him anything until the morning of his birthday.  We really had no ideas.  Blake kinda had a week long birthday.  Tuesday night he met some friends in town and went to Get Air, grabbed some dinner and walked around them mall.  Wednesday he went with friends again and golfed 18 holes.  Blake said he terrible and held them all up, but he had fun.  Friday, his birthday, I went to get groceries and a gift, Blake and Dave had a few things to get done before we took his friends boating.  Blake's day started early with a call from a neighbor saying our cows were out.  Blake ran down and checked it out.  Later, while I was gone, Blake sent me pictures of the water truck turned over.  I was concerned to say the least.  Later I got the story.  Blake said they had filled the tank and were driving back, they had gone around another truck in the yard and hit a small dip  Just barely big enough to tip the water truck sideways a bit.  With this momentum, and the heavy water, the whole truck started to go over.  Blake said he looked up and saw Dave waving at him to get off  quick.  He looked back and the truck was going over.  Soon to take him with it.  They said it a was a very James Bond moment.  Dave said if there had been flames behind Blake as he jumped just as the truck tipped completely on its side, it would have been amazing.  Blake was disappointed that no one got a video of it.  In reality they both said they were very lucky that no one was seriously hurt or worse. I could have been bad.  They got it all right side up, banged out all the dents and miraculously found no holes. The boys then ran up and switched insurance from the orange truck to the Jeep and treat Blake to A&W.  We all got back and got ready to got boating.  Blake picked up Gilbert and Autumn in the Jeep and then we had a grand time at the lake. 

When we got on the water we discovered that there was no stop in one of the tubes.  Dave beached and sent them all combing for a rock that would fit to plug it. 

Lots of tubing and swimming. 

Picnic on the boat and water skiing.  Gilbert got up first try and did an awesome job.  It was fun to watch.  He stayed up for quite a while. 

Blake was very impressive as he skied.

We pulled them in and they had fun with that. 

Back at our house we had cake and ice cream, then they went down to have a Mario Kart tournament. 

I'm so grateful for the friends that Blake has.  He is not really interested in making a big circle, just a few great friends.  He was missing some on the boat as they had a camp and couldn't come, but was glad he had spent time with them the beginning of the week.  They are all great people and we enjoy having the around.  I think Blake had a nice birthday.  He thought Cora's gift was funny.  She transferred him 99 cent and then another 99 cent.  Told him it was for a frosty.  One for him and one for a date. Blake kept saying it didn't really feel like his birthday, but hopefully he had fun anyways. 

Saturday Blake and Dave hiked Crowsnest. It has a been a few years since Dave did that one.  He said he they accidently took the sketchy way up.  When Blake got home he said they did not go for a hike, they literally climbed a mountain.  Parts they were crawling on all fours to stay save and roped up together.

They did it and had a blast.  Both were pretty sore and tired when they got home.

Dave took his boots off and threw them in the garbage.  They needed to be replaced a long time ago, but after that hike they were full of holes and it was time.  Blake should have done the same with his but he doesn't have extra. 

Loved the view and loved the time the got to spend together. 

Summer's Rolling Along

We have been having a nice summer so far.  Some hot day, some rainy days, and some cool days.  Blake has been working lots.  His mission is almost paid for and he is very excited. We got the baling done.  Dave and I went out early one morning, I was raking and he was baling.  We started as soon as the dew was dry enough.  I had lots of water and lots of Dateline and conference talks downloaded and was set for the day.  Blake was anxious to get to work and get done so he could rake.  He loves it and couldn't wait.  Everything went very smooth and by the time he got off I only had 10 mins of work left.  Blake was disappointed, but then he drove the semi and trailer and hauled the bales with Dave.  Sorta made up for it. 

Last weekend we went and saw Shakespeare in the Park.  This year they were doing Hamlet.  We have missed the last few years when they didn't do it in the park because of Covid.  I am a loyal park fan and it was great to be back.  I love that my kids enjoy going as well.  We got a small meal at Popeye's before, grabbed some groceries and then off to the park.  It was great weather, even a little chilly, which is much better than to hot. 

Dave and Blake had planned to go hiking Saturday.  They asked me to come along.  I am not a good hiker, to out of shape, but they persuaded me to come. I think Dave may have trick me a little :).  They decided on Rowe Lake.  To the Lower Lake it is 4.2km, not to bad of elevation.  More than I usually do, but it was fun.  Then another 2.5 to the Upper Lake. Last km being quite the hike up, for me at least.  Dave kept saying we were just going to the lower lake then we would see how everyone was feeling.  Me with elevation and Blake with his 'broken ankle' 

Of course we continued on.  And I did make it.  There was a point that I was moving very slow, I looked at the trail and it just kept going up, no end in site.  I knew if I stopped I would not keep going.  Dave and Blake were very kind and encouraging, never pushed, just kept telling me to take it slow.  If I wasn't so scared of bears I think I would have sat right there and waited for them to come back.

I am very glad they encouraged me along.  Upper Rowe was beautiful. It was worth it.  We sat and ate our lunch.  Blake went wading and skipped a bazillion rocks.   We walked around the lake and a bit more.  Found a cool little water fall and followed it down and back. 

Then hiked back down.  Total we did about 18km with all our detours and wandering. I was exhausted and could barely move, but very proud of myself for doing it.  Also felt very blessed.  I don't do well in the heat.  We started very early and every time we came to a burn area or a meadow, there would be cloud coverage.  Even a little rain at the end.  So I never got sick, truly watched over. There were a ton of raspberry plants lining the trail. If anyone is going hiking next week, go to Rowe, they should be ripe by then ;)

After we drove past Cameron Falls.  We were to tired to get out of the car and it was crowded, but Blake hadn't seen downtown for a long time, so we drove around and then headed home. I always want to see a bear after my hike, once I am safely back in the car.  This year we did.  We saw two, just as we were leaving Waterton.  They were pretty close to us as well.  Crossed the road one car ahead of us.  I like them from a nice safe distance with my car protection. Dave and Blake plan to do Crowsnest next week. I will enjoy a nice book at home. 

I have made Blake two hair appointments and he keeps saying maybe not yet.  It is getting pretty long.  I have been trying to get updated pictures for my wall of the kids.  These are some they have sent me so far.  Dang I got good looking kids. 

Cora and Ammon are now in Montreal.  They have started on the temple out there. They love these projects and adventures.  Cora has been sending us little videos which we love.  They have a nice airbnb.  Should be about 10ish weeks then they move on to Halifax. Leah is doing great at her job, just got a bit of a promotion.  She is lamenting the fall as most of her friends are going away for a few months. She will keep Ammon and Cora placed cleaned and plants watered and has some institute classes to take. But Leah always find friends and fun things to do, so I am not even worried.