Back to School

We had a great end to summer.  The Puzey's had a few days together.  Myrna did some fun meals.  I booked the teenagers to do baptisms together.  

Blake started grade 12.  It truly has gone by so fast.  His last year.  He is a great kid.  I am so grateful to his friend Gilbert.  High school would be so different with out their friendship.  The two of them stick together and are partners in all their classes together. 

Blake tried volleyball for a few practices and decided it was not for him.  He has a really heavy course load this year and since it isn't a great love, he thought it best not to use his time on it.  I did a throw back to when the kids were younger and did a back to school dinner with the rolo pencil and school paper placemats.  Except I couldn't find rolos anywhere for some reason so had to use something else. 

It was fun to do again. 

Blake has been doing more farming with Bach's. He has been driving the grain cart and loving it. He was showing me the app that he has to calculate the bushels and when to dump.  He does a lot of hard quick math in his head.  Pretty smart kid.  He says he gets in a routine were it is like a well timed dance.  Dave is worried, but glad, about how much he is loving it and that he won't be able to continue.  Dave misses it all the time, and wishes that he was able to have his son to do it more than we do. Very thankful for the great people around us that have given Blake the opportunity to work hard and do what he loves.

The girls are having some fun.  Cora and Ammon are in Montreal.

  It is fun to hear of all they are doing together and see the pictures they send us. 

 Leah got to go sky diving.  The videos she sent were crazy,  she had no fear and such joy on her face in all of them. 

 She is still looking into further schooling and thinks that she has found what she wants to do an what feels right.  Leah is just trying to get things organized so she can do it. The kids all seem to be thriving and doing well.  It is great to see and nothing so wonderful to see as a parent. 

Fall has always been my favorite season.  I love the cooler nights and the warm days.  The colors.  I love the rows of combines in the fields and watching them work.  We sat on the porch the other day and watched them for a while.  Then laughed at how entertaining it was to us.  Love the smell of the fields being cut and the perfect rows. The moon and the fresh garden vegetables that are coming out of the garden.  Autumn is such a beautiful season. 

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.

FSY and Another Ski Day

Blake got to go to FSY last week.  He wasn't super looking forward to it, he usually gets nervous before going places.  Monday morning he was joking about just not getting on the bus.  I later learned that FSY was for all of Canada, some of the kids flew in.  I thought each province/area was holding one.  Very thankful it was so close to us.  Blake had kids from Saskatchewan and Manitoba in his company.  But I'm getting ahead :)  I got a picture of all the kids from our ward as they were setting out. 

I had asked Blake to take just a few pictures and assured him that he would want some for memories. He was not down. He roomed with Avery and was across the hall from Jack and Joey.  He later told us that he knew that God had definitely hand picked his group to be together.  He loved every single one of them.  

Blake had so much fun.  He misses the kids in his company and said it was the strongest he has ever felt the spirit.  He loved all the classes, didn't even mind the dances.  Said he felt like they truly were all his brothers and sisters. Said his leader was the best ever. (Turns out Leah knows him, not a shocker) 

He came home declaring he was a changed man and was feeling the love of Christ for every person. We had talked about his mission on the way to the bus Monday morning as we often do, but he sent a text during FSY  and said he is so excited to go and share the gospel with everyone. And he had got a lot of pictures. Even kept a journal. 

It was so neat to hear his stories and see his excitement, even though he was exhausted, when we picked him up.  I am so glad he got the chance to go.  Later Cora and Leah were talking to Blake about how they still refer back to their EFY journals and the experiences they had there for talks and Cora has used on it her mission. He had a blast and made wonderful friendships.  One of the great things of social media is that he can keep in contact with them too. 

Leah had planned to come down and switch back cars.  I was very happy to switch as it is the only car with A/C and I wanted it back.  Haha. Leah also wanted to go out on the boat.  They brought Cora with them, which was a very fun surprise.  We had lunch and then just hung out, Dave was out in field and Blake had gone up to the smash-up derby with a friend.  When everyone got back we packed up our picnic and got the boat ready.  Off to the lake we went.  It was very windy and Dave was a little worried about going out on the lake. We said a prayer and it ended up being absolutely beautiful.  Answer to prayer.  Lot of tubing, waterskiing, wake boarding, swimming, and a great picnic on the boat. 

And yes, in case you were all wondering, Blake did go waterskiing with his broken ankle.  He skies so well I wasn't worried about him falling, crazy kid.  He said it was just fine. 

We stayed out until the sun went down and we had to turn the lights on on the boat.  After church and a quick meal, the kids played a round of spikeball and then headed home.  Cora started work very early in the morning. 

Dave has had this picture on his desk for years.  It is one of his favorite.  I have been wanting to recreate it for a few months.  When Cora came as well, I knew I had to do it now.  I don't know when they will all be together again at the farm to do it.  And it turned out pretty good. 

September 2010

July 2022

I love it.  My kids are such beautiful people, in their souls and outwardly.  Blessed with the best. 

Summer Begins

Blake made it through his final exam.  He was very glad to be finished his last day of Grade 11.  One of the exam days he went to lunch with friends and finished his construction project.  He has a cool chest he made.  The size of what used to be called a Hope Chest.  

We took ward pictures one Sunday for the ward history.  I don't even know the last time they did that.  I got a quick family (with those at home) picture since I had actually dressed up.  

I have worked a lot in June.  I was covering for a lady that had surgery.  I made it through doing the referrals.  Didn't mind it, was fun, but wouldn't want to do it all the time.  I zipped out to mom and dad's place one night after work.  Natalie was up for a few days and it was fun to see her.  

We had no big plans for July 1st.  Our town was having their 111th and was celebrating.  We had all signed up for the 5k run in the evening and knew there were fireworks.  Thursday morning Cora called to say they were on their way through and could they use our hotel and borrow a tent.  We were happy to have them.  Decided to take the boat out since Cora didn't know if they would be back before they go to Montreal.  It was a perfect day for it.  Weather was ideal. 

Ammon had never been before.  He got up fairly quick.  We had put the wrong size boot on the skies and he was up but had to really fight to keep his legs together because of the boots. Later we changed to smaller ones and it was much easier, but he was already sore.  Cora a few days later said she thinks he was confused about the activity he participated in cause he kept saying he felt like he had ridden a horse all day. 

Blake had gone to drop in ball a few day before and came home barely able to walk.  He was in immense pain and his ankle was swelling up.  Had come down wrong after stuffing a guy.  He had to run to meet Leah, more on that later, and then I had him come up to the clinic to get an x-ray.  He should not have been driving but we had no choice. He got there later than planned cause of Leah, so we went for lunch then he saw the dr after lunch.  It was determined the he had torn 3, possible 4 ligaments and was going to have a 4-6 wk recovery.  The boy is NOT happy. He missed a beautiful ski day.  At first he thought he would just give it a try, but after swimming around a bit he was in so much pain, he sadly realized that he really couldn't ski.  We got home from boating and had a call from the doctor saying that the X-ray had been further looked at and it was determined 'most probably broken'.  We were asked to return in a week. 

 Cora and Ammon were supposed to head off to their family reunion, but found out we were moving cows and wanted to stay for that as well.  It was nice to have their help.  Blake drove the truck back and forth since he couldn't run or even walk on the uneven ground. 

It was a fun day.  In the afternoon we found out that the town celebration was a 2 day event.  Right on top of things we are :).  

Dave and I went into the 5K and left Blake at home.  We came back and got him and went back for the fireworks.  The next day we did pancake breakfast, parade, looked for air boot for Blake, back to other events and then Dave and I came home.  Blake stayed in town with friends.  We ended the day with ice cream.

Leah went to Coeur d'Alene with some friends for the 1st.  We had applied for her passport renewal back in April and were checking the mail every day to see if it would come in.  As we got closer and closer we tried to call the passport office and sent in emails.  Nothing.  Finally I called the border and they said as long as she had old passport, birth certificate, drivers license, and the receipt to prove we had applied they would let her in.  Thursday they left Edmonton and Blake meet them out on hwy to give her the stuff she didn't have.  Then we tracked her and waited hours to see if she would get through.  She did and they had a blast. 

She chilled on the beach a few day, cooked some fun meals, go-cart, and bumper cars.

Last night there they all went out for a fancy dinner on the pier.  It was a really great, quick get away for Leah.  After the stress of wondering if she was going to get through the border, she had a blast.

She had a blast with the people she car pooled with, they are good friends and it they had a great time the whole weekend. 

Blake had a recheck.  He definitely has torn ligaments and it is 'for sure a probable break'. Which I find a very funny diagnoses.  The doctor even took us in to look a the X-ray because she didn't think it was. But later we got a call and they said, yep boot it for 4 weeks and come back in.  Dave and Blake don't think he needs a boot since it is weight bearing and he has been back to work all week.  Walking around.  It is tender, he is keeping it in a tight tensor and Blake said he wouldn't wear it at FSY next week anyways.  So I just hope that doesn't come back to bit him in 10 yrs. 

Dave has had the last week off work.  He didn't get to hike or ski with Blake like he had planned because of the ankle, but had some rest and did some things around the yard.  I loved having home. 

Summer is off to an ok start.  Hopefully Blake heals fast and can do some skiing. But we have had lovely weather and some much needed wonderful rain.  Things are actually green around here.