Having Fun With Our Grandbabies

How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?  Actually Aunt Heather and Uncle Pete got Nathan a sweet doggie of his very own since he always wanted Clara's.   Nathan's little dog had the largest eyes ever!   So we called Nathan his daddy.  ( They both have huge eyes.)  Nathan  went over to thank Aunt Heather and Uncle Pete and sadly left his cute dog there.  We looked everywhere but couldn't find him.  We know he will show up and when he does, then they can be reunited .  On Thursday both kids wanted to go right away to Colassanti's so as soon as nap time was over we left for Colassantis.

We of course checked out all the animals and the play ground and finished up with donuts and peach juice.

Then luckily for us we got invited to eat dinner with Aunt Heather and Uncle Pete at their lovely cottage. Molly was there too and the children were so happy to see her again also.

On our way there we saw a lovely family of new goslings.

Papa and uncle Pete took turns cooking the hotdogs in the stove.  They were so yummy. 

The children enjoyed eating on the floor picnic style....until they left to get their hot dogs and Molly finished up their macaroni. Ha!  We had a great visit.

On Friday it was such a beautiful day we had  a picnic lunch on the deck.

After Papa cut the grass we set up the sprinkler and the kids has a riot running through the water.

On Saturday we went to feed the geese.  I forgot to take my camera.  Papa pointed out some huge mushrooms at Jack Miners growing on the grass.   Then we went to see his grave site.   There was another family there and Clara quickly took them over to the site and said this is where Jack Miner was buried.  They were amazed that this little girl was so imformed.   We finished our fun adventure with oversized icecream cones.  Clara's was almost as big as she was.  It was fun to watch them eat them.  We just kept adding more napkins to catch all the drips.

Every night was live entertainment with the kids playing together...giggling and having fun.  They especially loved their bathes and took most of their toys in with them.  We had a great time enjoying our grand sweets!!

Our Awesome Visit to Alberta ( Part One)

Right now Clara and Nathan are having naps...as we didn't get home til around 11 last night so I think this is a good time to do my blog.  These beautiful garden box containers are hand made by the Stewart family.  Contained gardens are truly the way to go.  Their whole family all helped build these lovely boxes . I was amazed that the girls used the drill  and knew the size of the wood as well at its thickness.  So now  I would like to try this project myself.

They made 2 square garden containers and one large rectangle one.

We had the great privledge of going to the Chamber Choirs last performance of the year in Lethbridge.  Parker is the youngest choir member and a great singer.  They just returned from Europe touring and performing.  Parker got to meet Carmen and she was so thrilled not only to meet Parker, but also to hear their amazing voices.

Forgive the photographer....for this one is a little blurry.  They were absolutely AMAZING!!!  They sang most of their selections...unaccompanied.  They would rival even the Mormorn Tabernacle Choir.  It was absolutely outstanding.

Their director was retiring and this was his last performance with their school.  It made you feel like you were withnessing  another Mr. Holland's Opus.  In the balcony were alumni students who sang as a surprise for the director  to honor this great man.  He lead them for this final performance.  There was not a dry eye.

We celebrated afterward with delicious cheese cake.

Parker looked wonderful in his uniform.  We are so proud of him....what a talented young man. It was such an honor to be present at this incredible performance.

The next day we went with Tom to see Clintons latest home project.  He purchased this home last Feb. and it was in terrible shape. They gutted it and made it into a beautiful show home.  Ben came to help and was a great worker along with Clinton Tom and others.  I was amazed at what I saw.  It truly is beautiful!!  I believe they move in some time in June. This picture shows the vaulted ceilings with a step down living room off the dining room.

Karri is demonstrating the amazing kitchen tap along with the marble counter tops.

The kitchen over looks the grand room and it's all open concept.  I  also love the tile floors as they have such a unique pattern.

Ben is demonstrating the tub fossit off the master bedroom.  It looks like Niagara Falls with the wide flow of water.  I've never seen one like this before. It was truly unique and elegant.

They  have heated floors throughout the home...as well as  in their theatre room.  The bathroom at the end has a step up entrance.   The room where Karri is standing is their laundry room.

Don't you love the square sinks off the master bedroom.

Their new abode has 5 levels and its a California style home in a great location...right across from the school playground.  Great job guys!!!!

On Saturday morning we went out to Waterton.  My it is a breath taking sight.  I just love being there.!!

The Waterton hotel looks like a castle amidst the mountains.

This just gives you a little idea of the height of the snow.

After shovelling snow at Cal and Annes we went out to eat at the restaurant that Jeff and Lindsey used to work at.   However we decided to eat outside as it was so nice and that way buddy could join us.

Cal and Anne's deck collasped with the weight of the snow this year.  So Karri and Dave and family were in the process of getting a path  cleared up to the steps .  They also removed the remaining snow off the deck . Now Stewarts Sr. were having a new one built  right away for this season.

A good sized chunk to move.  Good job guys!!

The fun part was eating outside altogether afterwards.

Take note Parker and Hannah are sharing fried icecream.  We each shared 3 in total.  It has to be my absolute favouite dessert now. (It even tops mincemeat.)  I couldn't stop pigging out!!

Now we are heading home to Lethbridge as Matt had a basket ball game.  What amazing scenery.

We saw lots of sheep and also some bears....but my camera couldn't capture the bears very clearly.

The deer here are tame and you see them everywhere.

A Wonderful Surprise

Today at 6:30pm I received a call from a dear friend I haven't talked to for 50 years.  His name is Elder Rust and he baptized me on Jan. 6 1963.  How neat it was to talk with this voice from the past.  He said" Happy Mother's Day do you know who this is?"  I said give me a minute....I knew it sounded so familar, but I couldn't put a name to it.  When he said Elder Rust I about fell off the phone.  He's married and has five grown up children.  He now lives in Utah about 3 hours south of Provo.  I told him I try to go to BYU Education week in Aug with friends.  So he said give me a heads up and we will try to meet you when you come.  It's tough to say thankyou to someone who changed my entire life.  Thank goodness to faithful missionaries for sacraficing 2 years  to share the gospel....they will always remain a treasure in my life as they gave me the greatest gift ever.  I feel very blessed.

First Ride Of The Season Was Longer Then I Planned

It's the only beautiful sunshiny day  we've had for weeks,  so I thought I 'd take Miss Blue on her first ride of the season.  Only one problem both tires were flat, so I walked her down to the corner gas station to get air. It of course now costs a toonie and I came without change.  Brilliant on my part.....so I went in to  the gas station attendant and borrowed a toonie.. I was having difficulty getting air into the front tire so he kindly came out and filled that tire and was having trouble filling the back tire when we ran out of air time.  He said wait until I have no customers and I'll fill it with the pump in my car.  So he did. Great to know there are still lots of kind folks out there anxious to help.  I thanked him profusely and got his name and then told him I'd ride right home and return with the borrowed change. I rode  home and  back to the store and then returned home  for the second time.
I then toured the whole neighbourhood on my bike.  . So I got lots more exercise then I bargained for. 

It really is a beautiful bike and I sure enjoy riding.

You're getting a repeat performance  and I'm not quite sure what I did.

It was a great day in the sun.

An Update On The Hills

I'm getting really excited about our trip out to Alberta on May 11th.  It will be so great to see every one.  Parker just got back from Italy where he met Carmen my best friend.  She went to one of the places he was performing . It was about 1 hour from Pisa.  She took the train there so she could hear the choir  and then got to meet Parker.  She was thrilled to meet him.  She brought him chocolates and gave him lots of hugs.  Then she wrote me for his email address.  She of course never married and so my grandkids are hers as well.   I 'm very excited to hear all about his adventures and learn more about his visit with Carmen.

Every month Bill goes to lunch with his Chrysler retired friends.  They are great buddies and they enjoy wonderful visits together.  They went out together a week ago today at their usual spot in Windsor.  That night Bill came home and in the middle of the night he was so sick.  I don't know if it was food poisoning but I have never seen him so sick.  In fact today a week later he's still suffering with bad headaches and eye infections....aching all over.  Yesterday being the day to cast our votes he said I won't be going I feel terrible.  Honestly ....you know he 's sick when he doesn't want to vote.  So I called the doctor while he went back to sleep and made an appointment for 11am.  In the mean time I went to vote.  I asked them  if I could vote for him by proxy as he was so ill.  They told me if I could get him to the parking lot they would close the poll and come to the car where he could vote.  So I came back and got him and told him we can just go to the parking lot where you can vote.  When we got there he dragged himself up the stairs and did his civic duty.  Then he got back in the car and we headed to Dr. Kelton's.  We just got down the road and he tossed his cookies.  So its been quite a week . He still is feeling pretty rough but he said he has alittle relief tonight.   So I'm playing doctor......and it's getting close to the 11th and we need to get him back to good health for our trip.  Last night Heather called me  to come get some delicious beef broth to try to settle his stomach.  I put in some other vegetables and he kept it down. He said it tasted good.  I forgot to mention that when I went to visit mom yesterday they let me vote for her by proxy.  So we really did  our duty yesterday. 

I continue to garden and I'm loving it.  My onions are going wild and the broccoli just came up 3 days ago. We will transplant these plants outside on our deck in the rectangular flower boxes before we go.

Nathan and Clara planted onions the same day I did, so hopefully theirs are growing well.      I gave Jesse a little onion plant as he was excited to get in on this project too.

I don't know if we over watered the spinach ...but they aren't doing as well as the others.

These are the new shoots of broccoli.  I feel like their mother...it is pure excitment!!