Canadian Trip Part Three...Camping in BC!

We got the chance to go camping with Dustin's family this year in Jaffray, British Columbia. With it being such a funny, wet summer, it was the first time I was hot! We stayed at this nice little campground with a little stream and swimming pond that the kids could play in, right outside the trailers so we could watch without worrying who was drowning who; and there was nice roads for bikes and a great little playground. And best of all...shower facilities...that's my kind of campin'!!

The big excitement of the week was fishing. I'm not much for the sport and neither is Dustin, but the kids were excited to go fishing with Grampa. The first stop was the Trout Hatchery...

Cooper and Gramma checking out the trout in the Children's fish pond.

Uncle Jamie helped each one of the kids catch a fish...Levi and I had the great pleasure of catching grasshoppers for bait. Never thought I'd run around after bugs again!

Daddy and Cooper in the Hatchery. They gave us a tour and explained to the kids all about raising the fish and everything involved with that. It was pretty interesting.

After the tour, the kids got to feed the GIANT trout outside. Some of those things were huge! And they really REALLY liked the food. When we went back to camp, the Men-folk took the kids to Baynes lake to fish. Its all catch and release, but I guess its stocked with some pretty stupid fish because you just throw in the line and they bite! The kids really liked it and they all came back with fish stories. And every time you asked them how many they caught, the answer got bigger and bigger as they tried to out do each other!

Like I said before, this was the first and only time I was hot on this vacation...it was lovely! And so how do you cool off? You go to the 'beach' at the lake. The water was a little cold for me, but the kids had alot of fun playing in the sand and water.

The boys had a water fight!

And Gracie even jumped off the floating dock!

No one would believe us about how crazy and silly Cooper could be. They really got a good look at this kid on this trip! Cooper earned the nickname, "White Devil" because, well, he's white, and he's slightly coo-coo! And in the moonlight, he actually glows!

This little creek was awesome. We could sit in the shade and watch them play in the water and not worry too much at all! Every campground needs one of these!

On our way back to Del Bonita we stopped by the biggest truck in the world! Its a giant mining truck and according to the kids, it will hold 2,000,000 golf balls. That's a big truck!

I have not been 'Camping' in a long time. It was nice to be peaceful and not have a schedule to run to and to just sit and watch the kids play. It was especially nice to have all the little cousins to play with as well. And they played so well together. It really makes you so grateful for the wonderful family we have. We are so blessed to actually get along with our family and enjoy each others company. I am forever grateful to my Heavenly Father for this wonderful blessing.

Candian Trip Part 2...Magrath Days!

MORE PICTURES!!

Sorry, but with my new camera I find it hard not to take pictures...and I just like having that visual record of what we are doing!

So the big annual Magrath Days...and this year we decided against having a softball team. We didn't think we'd have enough players, and its hard to watch kids and play ball, so we decided to just chill... And it was soooo nice!

We had a bonfire every night and a little fireworks display...no Tanner Spectacular, but the kids thought it was great that they got to hold the Roman Candles and throw the spinners.

The kids rode bikes and quads in the back parking lot (Thank goodness for that parking lot...)

But basically we just chilled. We rented the public pool one afternoon and all went swimming. That was alot of fun. And my kids got to see and play with their cousins...

Even Sloane and Aunty Lindsay came. UncleTanner had to work, but we got to play with this little cutie and Gracie thought she was pretty neat.

And of course, the crazy boys were everywhere...I actually think Gracie got a little tired of all the boys, because by the end of the trip, I would find her playing by herself more and more. Such a girl!

Then on Friday night they had a Mini Rodeo...With Muttin' Bustin', pig and chicken catching and Calf dressing. I missed pictures of the Calf Dressing, but it was pretty funny to watch teams of 4 try and wrestle a calf down and put pants on it! Here's Gracie when she just let go!

And here's Brody...I didn't actually think he would do it, but they said he was so ready and just jumped right on. I should have got in the arena to get better pictures, but to tell you the truth, I was a little afraid of the Sheep!

Then they had the kids chase a chicken and a pig. that was pretty funny. They even had the adults go for a pig...I think they should have gotten a larger pig for them, it wasn't nearly as funny to see them catch a little pig.

And this is a picture of a little Girl who did not want any part of the chicken or pig chasing...she's so funny.

Here's the cowboy...he told me cowboys don't smile...

And my cowgirl...i love their shirts. Aunty Lindsay gave them to them for their birthday.

And then on Saturday it was time for the parade...and I think the floats doubled up the candy this year because we had a ton...Cooper couldn't even carry his...he had to drag it around.

There's Uncle Scuba Steve showing us the goodness that is Tera's cinnamon buns, a must at the parade. Tera calls it her payment for letting them share our parade corner...but she knows we'd let her come anyways because we love her too much!!

Cooper and Ethan. Love this kid. He is such a fun 'babysitter' and he has enough energy to take on all the kids and play with them. Such a good kid!

this bubble machine ROCKED! It spit out this bubble foam and the kids rolled, smeared, threw and played in it for a long time.

Cooper wasn't quite sure about it, though!

We went to Matt's farewell on Sunday and walked over to the temple grounds and we got a picture of ALL the Godlonton grandkids this year because Meg and Levi were there, too. So fun to have them all together...a little noisy, a little crazy...but so fun!

Canadian Trip Part one!

WARNING...THERE ARE ALOT OF PICTURES!!

We had so much fun in Canada this year. Our first stop was my home town, Del Bonita and we got to see Gramma and Grampa and we finally got to meet this little angel..

This is Little Lauren. My little sisters daughter. Gracie now has a girl cousin on both sides and she really liked her. She wanted to carry her everywhere!

One day we went over to Warner to see where Grampa works. And I seen this field of Sweet Clover. I made Dustin pull over so I could take some pictures. This spring Southern Alberta got a ton of rain and everything was still spring like even in mid-July! There were wild flowers and standing water everywhere. Not so great for the farmers...kind of nice for me who hasn't seen green like that for the last 5 years!

So I got some cute pics of the kids though!

Even ones who like to be silly...

And ones who won't stand in the grass because its too long...he had to sit on Dad's shoulders and Dad kneeled down...what a good sport!

And even ones that my dad thinks looks funny...and when I tell him that its supposed to look like that, he says "Well, why would you want a picture thats out of focus?" Silly Dad.

We went to the little dinosaur museum in Warner. Its small but very interactive for the kids. they even have tours to see the Dig Sites, but it was too late that day.

The kids had alot of fun digging for bones and making plaster footprints, doing puzzles and seeing all the dinosaur stuff.

Then on the way home we ran into a T-Rex!! Oh no!!

And then we played on the little hoodoos around the tourist center to get out some wiggles.

I had to drive around and take some pictures of how green it was...because it just blew me away! This is a pic of the Henry Homestead which my Great Grandfather settled.

And I found this hilarious. the county has put up signs on the Range Roads and in front of all the farm houses and things so that if there was an emergency, the ambulance, fire, what have you, can find the proper house. Well, my parents don't live on a farm. They live right on the crossroads of the two main highways. Down town Del Bonita if you will. Well now they live on 'First Street', and the road that runs behind them...basically a glorified driveway...is now 'Ballpark Street'. Its too funny!

And last of all the view out my parents back yard. I miss seeing the mountains. Sorry Bakersfield, but your mountains will never compare!

Canadian Pre-View...

So I am a little behind in my blogging and one post could never cover the fun of an entire month of Canadian Adventures. A month filled with:

Camping and Capture the flag,

Reunions and Birthdays,

Bonfires and S'mores,

Sheep, Fishing and Parades...

So here's a little preview of some of the stuff we did until the rest of the posts are done.

We escaped from giant dinosaurs!

Went bike riding and quading with Auntie.

So much fun to have her at Gramma's house this year!!

We turned into Cowboys for a day...

and I've been told that cowboys don't smile for the camera.

Used all our strength to bash open pinatas and eat the goodies within.

And generally just monkeyed around...

Till next time!

Happy Birthday to my Brody!

Here's to the kid who is everything boy!

He loves trucks, trains, dinosaurs and superheroes. He loves his little brother and his big sister and really likes to play with them. He loves to cuddle and give hugs. He loves baseball and watching sports. He is so very smart and loves to read...

I can't believe he started out 5 years ago like this...

Oh, he was so cute. We were so excited to have a boy. We didn't know till the day he was born, and a prouder papa could not be found anywhere than his dad telling me "It's a Boy!"

Now he is starting to get so big. He loves to play road hockey and board games. He loves to play anything as long as you will sit and play with him. He is so soft hearted, one harsh word and it breaks it...I have to remember this as his sister lets everything just slide down her back. He likes to help out, but only if there is someone to help him. And he comes up with some really great phrases:

"Actually..." then he'll tell you like it is...

"My muscles need to get stronger...I better do some push ups!"

And he's famous for "Mom, I'm still hungry..."

So here's to my Big Boy! I love you buddy. Our family would never be the same without you in it. You keep us laughing, and loving, and wondering how we could be so blessed to have you in our lives. You are a very special little boy...I love you!