July

Dave's plant always shuts down the first week of July.  The last couple of years he has just done so much around the house and farm that he doesn't feel like he has had a break at all even though he loves that work.  We made sure to plan a few things this time.  On the first we had a few things to do and then went into the local Show and Shine.  Not worth it sadly.  As Dave said most of the cars there were newer than what we drive.  The next day we went on a hike.  We looked for a new one that neither of us had done before and found a cool one that ended at a ghost town.  It was a beautiful hike.  I definitely wore the wrong shoes.  I had gotten some knock off barefoot shoes and they have thinner soles.  Which for every other hike we have ever done would have been fantastic, but this one had tons of sharp jagged rocks covering most of the trail and I could feel every step.  I was very sore at the end and my calves hurt from stepping oddly over them.  It was a neat spot.  Sadly most of the buildings had been moved out in 1920's.  Dave took the drone and we flew it at the top around the mostly empty town site to see where things were.  The old fire hydrant was cool.

There was remnants of the hotel and lots of the coal mines and ovens.  We had a picnic lunch and walked all around. 

On the way home we stopped at Blairmore and had ice cream.  I have heard for years that their ice cream is amazing.  Not sure what the hype was.  But ice cream is always a nice treat. Next we stopped at Lunbrek Falls and soaked our aching feet.  Wow did that feel good.  When Dave stopped I thought we were just going to look around.  I didn't know you could climb down to them.  And to put our feet in that water after walking all day, heaven! 

Most of July I was filling in for other at the clinic.  Worked almost full time. We keep having rain, a few nice day and then more rain.  It is still green.  It is never green this time of year. We have been taking care of the garden, mowing lots and working.  

Blake is doing great.  He is really enjoying his companion right now and how they work together.  Still has the bed bugs even after 4 times being fumigated.  I have started planning how to take care of his suitcases so we don't get them in the house when he gets home.  He has had a few things thefted.  His favorite plastic chair and his tan pants to name a few.  

He says that is just life in Sierra Leone. Blake has had a lot of times that the branch president will tell him that he is speaking in 5 min, he plans a talk quick, then the speaker will show up. It's funny.  They are still finding lots.  It is the middle of rainy season.  He is soaked through most days.  Videos he sends us the water is just running down the street.  They roll up their pants and away they go.

One day I went out at lunch to find my tire a bit low.  I drove to UFA and filled it up.  When I got back to the clinic it was lower than when I started and by the time my lunch break was over it was flat flat.  I know how to change a tire, but did not know where to put the jack on this car and how to get the spare from underneath when usually they are in the trunk.  I called Dave and he said he would come rescue me.  He was able to leave early and was waiting for me when I got off.  I wanted to do it so I would learn how.  He said he felt like a bad husband just watching me.  We did it together.  It was a good thing he came because even with the instruction sheet I never would have figures out that spare underneath.  What a weird set up.  Then we went for Chinese after, because I did it. :)

At the end of the month the girls came and it was a blast. 

Jane is walking all over and starting to say a few words.  Being a grandparent just gets more and more fun.  Dave is often saying he doesn't want to put pressure on anyone, but he would like at least 10 or 15 of these little souls running around. 

All in all it was a great month.  Sunny and rainy and green, and busy, and blissful. 

Family Time

At the beginning of the year the girls got together and decided when they were going to spend a whole week at our house.  We put it on the calendar and excitedly waited for the day.  At Christmas we had way to much food.  This time I said everyone bring ingredients for one dinner they want to share, milk, yogurt, and fruit, because we go through a lot of that when we are all together.  Then we would figure out what we felt like and how big a meal we wanted each day.  I took most of the week off, Dave took it all off, but none of us knew this till a couple weeks before, and Leah's clinic was closed.  Saturday Leah and I drove up to get Cora.  When we got there we picked saskatoons and went to the beach.  We helped her get things ready.  Sunday right after church we left to come back.  As we were saying bye to Ammon I told him I would drive extra careful as I had all his precious girls.  He said yes all 3 of them.  Then Dave sent a text saying drive careful as almost all that was precious to him was in the car.  We thought that was very sweet and we all felt very loved.  I drove there and back without George's help at all.  I was very proud of myself.  (George is what I named my maps guy as he has an English accent :)) I had made a pasta salad with chicken and vegetables to eat so we just drove.  Jane did great and only got antsy a little bit.  We talked the whole way up and down.  It was so fun. 

As soon as we arrived we got out and picked raspberries.  Just fresh to eat and let Jane run around.  Grandpa was pretty happy to see that little girl. 

It worked out that Cora had a lot of appointments this week.  We will have to plan better next year.  Monday was off to the dentist.  Leah and I took Jane to the park during her appt.  Then we just hung out at the house, picked the garden, played 4 square volleyball, and Leah made us a lovely dinner. 

Tuesday I had to work and Jane had a Dr's appt.  I knew how much she hated laying down, I would need her height and our tape measures at work were not low enough, so we measured her at home before I went. The girls just chilled with Dave, did some suntanning and Cora made dinner that night.  Braydon came and joined us. 

Wednesday Cora had a midwife appt.  We packed some snacks and went to that.  Stopped in to see Grandpa and Grandma Smith.  Went to Leah's to do some dishes and pick up a package from her post office.  Dave met us at Leah's and then we went to Wally's beach.  It was quite low but lots of nice sand.  Dave then went to high council and we went back to watch my parents as they were doing a presentation on my Candy Grandma for the historical society.  It was neat to hear all the stories again about her. 

We spent a long time after chatting with Cannon, Nicole, McKay, and Levi.  The girls had fun seeing their cousins that they haven't seen for awhile. 

Thursday they wanted to do some shopping.  We were going to Shakespeare in the Park that evening.  So we went down early.  I hung out with Jane and followed the girls from store to store.  We had a picnic dinner that Dave and Braydon met us for at Henderson.  Then we went to watch the play.  It was the oddest play I have seen.  And sadly not as well done as the past productions in my opinion.  Not a great first impression for Braydon who had never been before. 

As we were pulling in the garage that night, Ammon surprised us.  We had not expected him till Friday.  It was good timing.  He arrived just after us.  Braydon had come back to our house after the play as well.  The four of them stayed up and played Five Crowns and had a blast.  

Friday was the first full relaxing day.  More card games, volleyball, sitting in the sun, chalk and bubbles, naps (Braydon had to work), getting the boat ready for the next day.  We were supposed to feed missionaries but they back out.  We had Grandma Puzey over to eat with us.  It was a fun day.

Saturday we all got up early, packed snacks and drove to the lake.  We got cover off and boat loaded and went to grab the plug only to discover that it was not put back at the end of last year.  We searched EveRyWheRe!  Cora suggested we go to the beach since we were there.  Ammon had brought a frisbee.  It was a bit chilly that early, it did warm up.  At first we were in the water, knee deep with sweaters on. Jane loves the beach. Dave had a stake activity he needed to be at all afternoon.  We came back and had a bite to eat.  He left and we did nothing the rest of the day.  More volleyball, naps, bubbles, bugs, chalk and card games.  I loved it.  Easy, simple, fun.  Leah made another great dinner that night.  More raspberry picking. 

Sunday Cora and Ammon left after church and Leah and Braydon shortly after.  It was such a great week.  We learned things we did that were great and things we will do better next year.  Not having set plans for activities and food was good.  Much more relaxed.  We just had a bunch of things available and whatever we felt like.  We got rained on a few times playing outside, but it was all good.  I love my family and having them home together.  We hope to make this a annual thing.  Where ever they all are to come home for a week each summer.  To just be together.