backyard hiking

Last Saturday morning we took the whole family and went on a hike straight up our backyard! Adventurous Eric was our "guide" as he had done it before with Denali. It was steep and hot for the first half but Eric lured me on with talk of a neat tunnel made from trees. Well, I wasn't disappointed! Soon the pretty, green tunnel appeared and it was so cool inside that shade... by at least 15 degrees! So we hiked up the tunnel for awhile until we came to this little hunting shack that Eric had told me about. It is definitely kind of creepy to see it through the trees as you approach but once I was there it was fascinating to imagine it new. Whoever built it was very thorough with a brick fire area and old rain gutters for a chimney. An old carved board said it was built in 1974. I thought it was pretty cool, although I wouldn't spend a night up there for a million dollars! (Ok maybe a million but not a penny less!) Gabe was a happy little hiker, especially if he had an empty water bottle to bop Daddy on the head with! :)The heat was a little much for poor Denali but since she can't stand to be left behind she would run ahead then flop herself down in the shade of a few weeds until we caught up...then she was off again! She absolutely loves hiking with us!

Birthday puppies!

Gabe's cousin Wesley (Matt and Amy's baby) just had a puppy-theme 1st birthday party. It was so fun!! First there was Wesley's Grooming Station where the kids got puppy noses painted on, puppy ears and collars with their own names imprinted on the tag! They looked absolutely adorable! There were all kinds of games and competitions for the kids - like frosting dog bone cookies then eating them out of a dog dish with no hands (I wish I had a picture of that)! The adults played volleyball and mingled. It was so relaxing and fun. Of course we had hot dogs for dinner and puppy cake! It was such a cute party; the best-party-mommy-award definitely goes to Amy!

Matt with his little puppy Wesley...

Mom and Mel with a puppy named Cannon...

Here is the birthday boy eating his cake!

Two little puppies named Gabe and Coleman...

Daddy with his little puppy...Eric had fun throwing the football with Connor, TJ and Grandpa while Gabe kept them company throwing (and retrieving like a good puppy) his own ball!

And here is our little man dog tired after playing so hard! :)

Dance, dance, dance!

So you think you can dance? Well Gabe sure does!! I have this little radio on the floor in the kitchen and Gabe goes over every day, turns it on, and starts to boogie! He knows exactly which button to push (even how to change the preset stations) and when the music starts he gets a huge smile on his face. It is so adorable - I just love it!! Here is a little clip of him showing off his dance moves!

Surprise!!!

Eric threw a surprise party for my 30th birthday! And it really was a surprise...that sneaky guy! I was on my way home from the farmers market with Mel and Mindy when Mel said she needed to pick up Connor from football practice. We were so late to pick him up - she really had me stressing for poor Con all alone, waiting and waiting - that as I was searching the park as we drove up, the last thing on my mind was the possibility of a party! I was so clueless I even said to Mel "That is so weird...that looks like Eric's family!!" As we drove up closer and I saw Don at the bbq and Cheryl walking around I was still in denial that it was really them. I mean, why on earth would they be having a picnic clear down here and not tell us about it?! You can imagine my confusion when Eric all of a sudden appears and I realize there are lots of people I know in that pavilion! (Yes, I guess I'm a little slow!) Anyway, it was SO much fun being surrounded with family and friends all together! We had a delicious bbq with lots of scrumptious salads and I even got a personalized cake, thanks to my ever-thoughtful hubby. What a sweet surprise and fun party it was. Thanks so much, babe, for putting it all together and thanks to everyone for coming! You all made turning 30 a blast!!

Here is Grandpa R gently tossing Gabe up....and Daddy taking it to the next level!! My heart may have stopped but Daddy caught him

(of course) and Gabe loved it!

These pictures are actually from my birthday lunch that Mom, Mel and Mindy treated me to! We went to the Trellis Cafe at Thanksgiving Point and it was so fun and relaxing (despite getting pity stares from just about everyone who no doubt thought I was an abused woman...what an uncomfortable role for me)! I love being with the women in my life - aren't moms and sisters the absolute best?! :)

Magrath

Life has been crazy busy lately so I'm just finally getting around to posting the last of my Canada pictures! The last half of our time in Alberta, we spent in Magrath at my grandparents house. Growing up we spent every other year vacationing in Magrath, the small town that my mom grew up in, so I have lots of wonderful memories there! Traditionally everyone meets for the 24th of July at my grandparents house for Magrath Days. The whole town celebrates with a parade, a free breakfast and dinner (always "beef on a bun"), games, races, and all kinds of fun activities ending with a fireworks show, bonfire, and dance. One of our favorite things is the softball tournament. Each family can enter the tournament with a team that is mostly comprised of blood relatives, at least 2 women, and one person over 40. it is very competitive and so fun! We got to the finals but lost in the end - bummer. Grandpa was so upset he left partway through the last game... I wonder where our competitive nature comes from?! :) My most memorable souvenir of the trip was a nice, big shiner from getting nailed in the face with the softball!! Within about 30 seconds my cheek looked like I had a golfball stuffed inside - weird. Two stitches and a bruised ego later (did I mention I got hit during practice because I wasn't paying attention?), I was back at the game... as a cheerleader now! Brother. Oh well, all things considered it was a wonderful week with my family!

It's ironic that my first stitches in 30 years are on my face!!

One of our big family meals out in Grandma's backyard...

Here we are in front of Ciana's house to watch the parade. The kids were having so much fun ~ I can't wait for Gabe to be old enough to scramble after all the candy! Wait a minute...there seems to be more than just kids out there! Grandma, is that you?! :)

Sorry Gabe...it was just too funny! (heehee)

Here are the softball fans at the last, deadly game. We got scorched...literally and figuratively! Ouch!!

Swimming at Uncle Bob and Aunt Michelle's... Gabe liked it, sort of! It didn't take much for him to be screaming and clinging to me for dear life...like maybe someone swimming by too close!!

And last but not least, here is Gabe every morning at 6:30am! Rise and shine Mama and Daddy! Since this picture is taken from our bed, you can imagine what a sweet sight this was to wake up to! What a darling!!