Jasper to Banff Weekend

We had planned to go to the Alberta Dental Convention in Jasper this last weekend with Lindsay. We left for Jasper on Thursday evening, stayed one day at the convention, and then on Friday afternoon we drove the four hours over to Banff, so Lindsay could meet up with James and attend a wedding reception with him their for their friends.

 

 

 

It was snowing on our trip up to Banff, but still very beautiful. We saw the Tangle Creek Falls in full force! It was so beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

As we continued our drive, we noticed alot of people gathered along the side of the road. As we got nearer, we saw a black bear just meandering along foraging for food. It was amazing to see how uninterested he was in all of us...thank goodness.

 

 

We stayed at our time share in Canmore, Banff Gate Mountain Resort, for two nights...Friday and Saturday. We love it there! The chalets are so comfortable and are nestled in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. That evening Linds and James came up and stayed with us after the reception was over.

Mark came up on Saturday morning and joined us. We went out Saturday afternoon for a lovely hike through the hills near the cabin. It was warm, but not really sunny...but at least not raining. We didn't see too much of interest, just the surrounding mountains, but oh... somrelaxing and refreshing to be in the mountains again!

 

We always have fun here and usually one of the highlights is the food we cook together. This weekend was no exception...we put together quite a spread. Lindsay made some delicious twice baked potatoes...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...and Mark cooked us up some delicious steaks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed a great meal and had fun just enjoying the food and the time together!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went down to the rec centre and went swimming and then had some fun playing a game of pool. A great way to relax!

Mark went home Saturday night, and missed out on our movie night...we watched movies 'til midnight! One about a deep sea diver named Carl Brashear, very good...and another about two men who climbed K2 and survived...an uplifting evening of movies!

Sunday morning we packed up and headed home and stopped by and attended Sacrament meeting at Mark's ward in Calgary. It was nice to see him, but he was very busy doing his clerking duties!

It was a lovely weekend. Always so fun to be in the mountains, especially with family!!

 

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Boat Dock In & 4 Wheeling Fun!

Well it was finally May long weekend and so it was time to go out to the cabin and put our boat dock in at the lake. It was nice this year because we has alot of help. Lindsay and James, and his brother Sam came out for the weekend and their friend John.

 

 

We had a lot of fun after the dock was in, playing Bocchi Ball and just hanging out. It always fun at the cabin when we get good weather.

Sunday was a quieter day, with some peaceful napping and some good eating!!

 

 

But come Monday we were ready to play again, John's wife Jennifer had joined us.

 

We decided to go on a quad ride to our favorite spot, a long road that leads up to a lake.

 

 

At this time of year it can be very muddy, and we got stuck so many times, James ended up with a bloody nose....but he still could'nt wipe that smile iff his face!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure who got muddier...James or his brother Sam. Sam really got muddy just helping everybody get out when they stuck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doug was not far behind in catching his share of mud! He loves hitting those mud puddles straight on and some times just having to be winched out...so fun!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After all that time getting soooo muddy, it was time to get cleaned up...and that's not so easy, even if you do have a lake nearby!!

It was a fun ride and a great weekend!!

 

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Mother's Day Love

I always love Mother's Day! Perhaps because it is in the Spring and the weather is warming up. Just as Easter symbolizes new life, it seems the same for me with Mother's Day! The beginning of outside activities, with all the fun that brings...BBQ's, picnics, the cabin, family and friends playing outside together! And life begins to open up to the warmth of the season!

After our Church meetings on Mother's Day, we went out to the cabin and enjoyed a BBQ of 'sliders', potatoes, watermelon, salads and beautiful weather! We were there with Grandma, Lindsay and James, Mark, and our friends Carolyn and her son Matthew.

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed a walk down to the lake and saw all the new growth and awakening that is happening down there.

Our cabin sits up on a ravine so we have a nice walk of about a half kilometre down to the lake through beautiful trees, ferns and bushes.

 

 

 

We enjoyed time just sitting on the dock visiting and laughing together. Of course Rachel was in the mix of it all.

 

 

 

Lindsay and I had a fun time taking a few pictures together...it was so tempting to push each other into the lake, but it was Sunday!! And I'm pretty sure that lake was still very cold!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this new I-Pad and it's camera features. Sometimes I just get a little crazy and take a few too many pictures!! This one I call 'Defiance", they seem to be thinking...

"OK Mom....you can take our picture AGAIN...but we're not going to be happy about it!!"

But what a great picture of the sitting on the dock, which we haven't put in the water yet.

 

 

After our walk down to the lake we went back up to the cabin for some dessert of apple crisp and ice cream, compliments of Lindsay. It was so delicious!! And then time in the hammock for Matthew, he loved it! You can tell by the "I'm staying right here" look on his face.

As evening approached we had to head back to Edmonton and leave the cabin behind. That's always so hard!! But it was wonderful to come home and call Jon and Tiff, and Cam and D, and have fun visits with them. They have such cute families. It was fun to wish Happy Mother's Day to my sweet daughter-in-laws. They are such wonderful mother's!! It was a great day full of love, I will remember it for a long time!

 

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What a Life For a Dog

As I sat down to do my blog, I laughed at how many pictures were taken with our dog, Rachel, over the past few weeks. She really is part of our lives! Lindsay will often go out of her way to come over and give Rachel a hug and some attention. They both love it!!

 

 

 

 

Last weekend, Jon brought Ava up on Thursday evening. He dropped her off and grabbed Doug and they left for a skiing adventure. Ava and I had a fun time, we read stories, had snacks and visited as we fell asleep together. The next morning Ava loved just being with Rachel, sitting quietly on grandpa's hot tub. This is Rachel's favorite spot to enjoy the sun and it was so cute to see her sharing it with Ava.

 

Doug and Jon had a great time skiing together on Friday. They said the snow was awesome, but the wind was a little too strong at times and some of the lifts were shut down because of it. I'm glad they were able to have some fun together and to make it home safe on Friday night. Tiff drove up after work on Friday and so did Mark...we had a fun weekend together!!

We went out to the cabin on Saturday and it was so wet and muddy out there. Tiff finally just let Ava and Josh run around and play in the wet sloshy grass.

They had a blast! It was so fun to watch them play, Josh would just laugh out loud with joy...he reminds me alot of Jon at that age!

 

On Sunday we invited Grandma and Lindsay and James and his family over for a 'graduation party' for James. We also had our friend, Bruce Murray there as well. It was really fun, we had about 17 people gathered together for a dinner of lasagna, and James favorite...an ice cream cake.

 

This was a moment I couldn't miss...It was so funny...a boys gathering!! So when I requested a picture, they all groaned and covered their faces, except for James and Bruce! The covered bandits are James three brothers, Dan, Zachary, and Sam, and, of course Mark. Mark is moving back to Edmonton in July and he and Sam are looking for a place together. They are the two bandits on the right.

Grandma was so relaxed after dinner that she just used Rachel as a foot stool, and the funny thing is, Rachel didn't mind a bit! Grandma doesn't usually like dogs, but she has sure learned to love Rachel. (And Rachel loves grandma, as you can see.)

 

 

 

 

 

Jon took Grandma's scooter out for a spin with Ava, that's about as big of a bike that Jon dares to ride. He was gone for a long time, so maybe it's time to get him one!!

It seems Jon is thinking, "Man, I wish I was in my safe jeep!"

 

 

Tiff took our friend, Raeline, for a ride, somehow I think Tiff is ready to move up to a Harley!!

It actually looks like they both are!!

 

 

We had such great weather on Sunday that we were finally able to be outside a little bit. It is so wonderful that Spring is finally coming to this cold country!! Josh wasn't so sure what Rachel was thinking, but all Rachel wanted we're some hugs and cuddles!

Josh stands about as high as Rachel's head, so she can seem a little scary at times.

 

 

 

On Sunday evening it was goodbye's all around, but Rachel didn't want anyone to leave because she just loves everyone so much!!

We love everyone so much, too, and it was so wonderful having time together with our family.

We got to Skype Cam and D today and get some pictures and say hello. Brynnlee was sleeping, but we had some fun with Brookie and Mckinley, hard to believe that in a month they will be with back in Edmonton.

It is Brooklyn's 5th Birthday today...an exciting 05/05! She is sure growing up!

Mckinley and Brookie have matching talking puppies...Scout and Violet! They'll have to be careful not to let her new pet alligator eat them up! Looks like it was a fun day!! Brookie was sad today when we showed her the back yard and all the snow was gone...she loves snow!! But I wonder how long that will last when they get back??

 

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