Banff

We finally made it to Banff.  I have been trying to go for a few years now and it never seemed to work out.  And it turned out to be the most perfect weather that we could have asked for.  Not to hot, but not rainy or windy.  When I asked the kids what they most wanted to do in Banff, Blake said he wanted to do a hike.  I mean really if you are going to go to Banff you really should hike.

I looked up a few easy hikes.  After such a long drive there and doing the things that the rest of us wanted to do we weren't going to have tons of time.  Johnston Canyon looked perfect.  It was 5.2 km with not a lot of elevation.  My idea of hiking is a beautiful stroll through the mountains.  There were two falls, we hiked to the upper falls.  When Dave looked up how to get there we discovered that apparently it is the most popular hike in Canada.  We ate our lunch in the car when we arrived and then hit the trail.

It was indeed beautiful.  It was paved most of the way and had walkways, which was kind of weird for a hike, but still very neat. We were literally hangin out over the canyon.

After the hike we drove into the town site to walk around and try Beaver Tails.  Something I had heard about forever.  Dave tried apple pie, Leah brownie bit, and Blake nutella banana.  Then we all tried them all.

Well worth the hype.  

We walked around some more and drove around the Banff Springs Hotel.  Then headed home.

In Canmore we stopped to try Red Rock Pizza.  

It was seriously so good. Dave said it was the best pizza he has ever had.  

It was a late night getting home.  Leah had done homework on the drive, so we all got to read part of Hamlet :)  An excellent play.  Love Shakespeare.  I am so glad my kids enjoy it and understand it. It was a wonderful day.  I am so glad we finally made the trip. Hope to go again in a few years. 

The kids are getting into the swing of school.  Blake is not loving getting up for seminary. ( Leah never did so nothing new there.)  He is working hard in school and doing well.  Volleyball has started for him.  They won their first game.  He has some fun song in band that he is enjoying.  Leah is busy doing lots of homework every night as usual.  Going to every football and volleyball game of her friends' that she can.  Her teachers are great and are always willing to give her extra help if needed.  She applies to college soon.  We are going on college tours in just 3 weeks.  Crazy! Cora is still in Lichfield.  She has a new companion.  Her name is Sister Hunt and she is from Samoa.  Cora said they were in the MTC together and had a blast, so she is anticipating this will be a good companion as well.  She has been so blessed with her companions.  They have a great number of returning members that they are working with.  Dave's work is going well.  There is so much down turn in the economy that we are thankful every day that he has a job. Life is good, we  are blessed.

Back to school they go.

August went by to fast.  We had plans to do things and most never worked out.  But we are keeping them on a list. Lots of work for Leah and Blake as well as Dave.  We got lots of Friday morning boat time in.  Blake can water ski.  And he absolutely loves it.  One morning we went out Dave would not let them tube until they had had both skied.  Blake got straight up and went until his arms gave out.  Then a few hours later skied again.  Leah still pops right up with no trouble, but her, what was bad knee, is now to strong and over powers the other.  She goes straight left.  Most she stayed up was about 30 seconds.  Dave has given her the assignment to do lots of squats this fall and winter and practice standing on the balls of her feet.  Fingers crossed for next summer. The kids avoided getting ready for school as much as possible.

One day Blake got out all the knives.  When Dave got home they talked about and scrutinized each one.  It was kinda fun to listen to their discussion. Second from right is a woodend one he made and the one in his hand is a metal one he made.

Blake started with this thick piece of long metal and has had carved/sanded this knife all summer.

He has a little more work to do, but it is coming along nicely.

Blake passed her learners test and has been driving a little.  He drove all over the gravel road before with different vehicles and tractors, but now that he is legal he is a little nervous.  Highway I understand, but thought it odd he was nervous around here.  He was so proud he got it first try, since his sisters definitely did not!!

We had plans to finally go to Banff yesterday.  Then it was forecast to rain most of the day and was supposed to be really busy.  We decided to head to town instead.  We had lunch and went to see Yesterday.  It was a good movie.  We had a great time together, until the way home.  Dave took the teasing a bit to far and Leah was ticked.  We hadn't had much of a chance to do things together as a family this summer with everyone's different work schedule and I thought it was important to get away and do something just us. The last 15 mins of the drive home was silent as all were not pleased with one another.  As soon as we got home everyone went a different way to get school bags packed, laundry folded, car wash, etc.  For the next hour I thought about how we were going to resolve this.  I finally thought of some things I needed to say, things to help everyone see each others point of view. Dave was in our room reading at this point, I gathered Leah and Blake.  Leah still pretty ticked and didn't want to come.  We all squished down and laid on our bed and as I prepared to say what I had planned, I suddenly felt like I shouldn't say anything.  We all just laid there for a few moments, then Leah quietly started talking.  We stayed there squished and uncomfortable for over an hour. Hearing stories from work, laughing, talking about what they were and were not looking forward to about school starting up.  Nothing ever came up about the ride home.  We all came down and made dinner together, Dave gave the kids blessings, and then they finally got bags ready for school. I know this is a long boring story, and not the direction I had intended when I started this post, but I wanted to remember.  I thought we needed to do something as a family, I thought we needed to get away and spend some time together. As it turned out we just needed to spend time together doing nothing.  No Netflix, no texting. Just us squished on a bed. Those are the moments that were best this summer. Early morning boating without a soul around, late night talks after everyone got home, Saturday morning breakfast before everyone took off to different jobs. I'm glad the Spirit told me to be quite and listen. Dave and I have great kids with high standards that they are not willing to lower for anyone or anything.  I hope they can stay strong and sure through out this next year with everything they will face.

Blake in his last year of junior high, Grade 9 and Leah's last year of high school.  She is so excited to return to school. ;)

We also had a wonderful call with Cora yesterday.  They have so many appointments and returns that they are hopping.  She is loving every moment of her mission. It's hard exhausting work.  She loves the English people, the country, trying new things and especially loves growing closer to the Saviour every day.  She said the other day that reading the Book of Mormon on her mission and studying every day so intently was like she was reading a whole new book then the one she had read a gazillion times growing up.  We are always learning and always growing. hopeing

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.

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.