The Big 3-0

Today was my hubby's birthday. I didn't take any pictures and the day was a little more hectic than he probably wanted, but I just wanted to let him know how much I love him.

And even though he thinks he's "past his prime", I think he just keeps getting better and better.

Fairmont

After all the craziness of this past week, we were worried we wouldn't be able to go to Fairmont this weekend. We had been up in Calgary on Wednesday, (picking up the vehicle) only to have a tire blow on the way home. It was a disaster. We left the truck about a 1/2 hour north of Crowsnest Pass and came back on Friday evening to change the tire and drive it home. We were sure the kids were so sick of being stuck in the car, but we really wanted to go, as we have been planning this trip with the Stevensons for quite some time. The drive to Fairmont really wasn't too bad, kid-wise. I think they have just gotten used to being in the car for at least 2 hours every time. Fairmont was so fun and we wish we could've stayed longer (Jared had to get back for work). It was so great seeing Brad, Kirsti and baby Skye again. The kids all got along great and we did alot of fun things - swimming, hiking, barbequeing, restaraunts, visiting.

Hayley loved this big bear - she kept going back to sit with it.

The condo we stayed in backed onto the golf course, with a pond and these ducks were eating out of Carter's hand.

We hiked up to the Hoodoos and the view up there was amazing. Plus, we had great weather. Carter kept us very entertained on the hike - giving us all titles (ie: " Walker in Front Person"), fighting imaginary bad guys with sticks, and holding a "map" while leading us to the buried treasure.

Unfortunately though, it wasn't all fun and games...

We also went and played by a little stream and the kids threw rocks in. And by kids, I mean Brad and Jared. They would throw a rock up in the air and then try to hit it with other rocks on it's way down. It had Kirsti and I laughing at them from the other shore.

It was a great weekend - thanks again guys!

And... I'm Spent

On Friday morning, we headed to Calgary bright and early. We pretty much shopped the whole day long - mostly looking at quads and trucks, but we also got a few new clothes and some home improvement stuff. We stayed overnight at a nice hotel downtown (for cheap, too) and visited my sister and her kids on Saturday. It was really fun to see her and I'm sure she enjoyed the adult interaction, as her husband is away at school and she is home with my two cute nephews. I loved seeing them and catching up with my big sis (hi Lisa!).

We drove home late Saturday and wondered where the weekend went. We were seriously so busy the whole time we were there. Two days almost didn't get everything done. We bought a vehicle, but I can't post pictures until we bring it back here next week. We're excited, though.

The trip to Calgary must've taken alot out of the kids, though because church today was... well... a gong show. Hayley just did not want to sit still so she kept crying. And this kid has mastered the crying thing. She knows how to cry really loud. She had had enough of church altogether and kept trying to walk right out of there. Then, Carter had to go to the bathroom, so we sent him off, with his arms folded reverently. Right before he gets out the door he trips, smacks his face on the floor and starts crying. Seriously? Then, the last speaker was finishing up her talk (bearing her testimony) and Carter asks (loudly), "Why is she crying?". I leaned over to Jared and jokingly whispered, "She's crying because you weren't being reverent, Carter". We had a silent, shoulder-shake giggle over that, mostly because it was so unbelieveable what a gong show it was in there today. I found myself wondering if there would be a full moon out tonight with the way things were going.

It doesn't look like things are slowing down any sooner, though. Next weekend, we are going to Fairmont with the Stevensons and the weekend after, we are headed to Edmonton for Gary (Jared's brother) and Allie's wedding. And we have to go back up to Calgary sometime to get the vehicle. Yikes, we are going to be busy. But I am so looking forward to everything that's coming up. We will be seeing you, you, and you all very soon.

Keeping Busy

(Carter may or may not have had help with these play dough creations)

It's Official...

We found a house and everything was finalized as of today. We are so excited to move in (mid-May) and start decorating! Well, maybe just I am excited about the decorating. Jared is excited about the garage and the mountain views. The kids are excited for the huge backyard (1/4 acre). I will post more pics later, especially once we get in and start painting.

Parenting Advice from a Four Year Old

This morning, Hayley was crying about something, so I told her, "Hayley, you need to stop crying or I'll put you to bed". She stopped for a second, but then started fussing again.

Carter, being his usual "oldest-child" self, then said, "Okay, Hayley, you're going to bed. Mommy said stop crying and you didn't, so now you have to go to bed. Bye bye."

I told him, "Carter, you don't need to be bossy. I'm the one that decides if she goes to bed, not you."

"But I'm just helping you", he replied. I told him I didn't need his help with something like this and he indignantly asked, "Well then, how are you ever going to learn?"

Exploring

On Saturday, we found a little lake at the base of a mountain called Grave Lake. It's still frozen but apparently it has a great beach for swimming in the summer. The little campground is right on the shore, and we spent a little time there, hanging out and enjoying the view.

We also did a huge hike with the kids. It's a hike that starts close to Elkford and follows the Fording River all the way up to Josephine Falls. The hike is 2.3 km each way so we initially planned on just going as far as the kids would allow, and then turning back - whether it meant seeing the falls or not. We ended up going the whole way and it was so pretty. The lookout point was qute a bit higher than the falls, so it was hard to get a good picture of them, unless we were crouching down.

There were these cute little benches made out of logs all along the way.

It was a really tough hike and I was so impressed with Carter. He walked the whole way there and most of the way back, only needing a piggy-back at the very end. I still can't believe he did a 4.6 km hike - what a trooper! Hayley got sick of being in the backpack at the end and got a little ticked, but I was thankful for her wailing to help keep the bears away.

This is me, trying to look exhausted. Or handicapped. You be the judge.

We have also been meeting our neightbors. In our cul-de-sac, there are quite a few other young families just like us. I met 3 of the moms and they all have kids exactly Carter and Hayley's age, so we have been playing with them lots. One girl even brought over a huge tote full of toys for us to borrow, because I had mentioned most of our stuff was in storage. Jared and I were so surprised at how nice they were after they had only just met us. I am loving the new toys because my kids were getting sick of the few we brought with us. Plus, what does a kid love more than toys that aren't theirs?

And you'll never guess what was in the tote...

Carter is in HEAVEN.

Cranbrook

We've had a busy week. On Thursday, Jared's parents came for a visit on their way back from Oregon, Utah and Lethbridge (the "Loop", as we call it) visiting 5 of their 8 kids. They only stayed one night, but it was fun to visit and show them around our new town.

On Friday, Jared, the kids, and I decided to go to Cranbrook for the day, just to check it out. Cranbrook is really pretty. It's fairly small, but it has every store you could need. After shopping, we did some exploring. We got a little lost (apparently trespassed onto a native reserve) and drove right past these crazy hoodoos. The pictures don't even do them justice, they were so cool. I really wanted to get out and try to climb them, but... ya know... the whole trespassing thing...

After finding our way back, we went to the SPCA in Cranbrook and played with all the animals. Hayley loved all the kitties. She was so excited:

"Mom! Kitty...seeping...shh..." "Kitty...oh, tute (cute)!".

It was so fun watching her - Jared and I were just laughing because she was being so loud, squealing with delight.

We went and saw the dogs, too. It's on a big piece of property, and they encourage you to take the dogs for walks. It was kinda sad, because when we came in all the dogs got so excited and wanted to get out and go for a walk, too. I wish we could have walked all of them. Poor little guys...

We headed back home in the late afternoon. The kids needed naps after our busy, fun day. I think Cranbrook will be seeing more of us, though.

This Can't Be Good For My Reputation

Yesterday, I took the kids to the Library. Carter spotted a book and stated, very loudly, "Hey Mom, this is the same book you read! You know, that "Hairy Bottom" book!".

"Whaaaat?", I said, turning around to see which book he pointed to - half horrified at what I might see.

"Ooooh..." (laughing), "...HARRY POTTER", I corrected him loud enough for everyone to hear.

Never a good thing to move to a new town and start people thinking you read books about excessively hairy rear ends, right?

Nephew

Last week, we got a new little nephew born on the Whidden side. Baby Kessler. Isn't he just the cutest little thing???

Congrats Ben, Andrea, Alivia, Cooper, and Bauer - We can't wait to meet him!

Elkford

Well, we got here in Elkford this past Wednesday. We spent the first day or two going for drives and exploring the area. Our company house is great - it has everything we could need. It backs onto some trails through the forest and literally, about 20 feet from our house there is a sign that reads, "Caution - Agressive Moose in the Area". I think my face must've went a little white reading it because Jared just laughed at me. Ever since living in Lethbridge, I have this irrational fear of being "hoofed-to-death" by a deer or some other seemingly harmless wildlife (I know, I know - go ahead and have a laugh at my expense). I'm sure I'll be forced to abandon that fear quickly though, as there are deer everywhere. They just walk across the road, hang out on people's lawns, etc. It reminds me of Waterton.


The next couple days were filled with house-hunting. We looked at most of the houses for sale in Sparwood and Elkford, and quickly made the decision to buy in Elkford for a few reasons: #1. Jared works near Elkford, so the commute is way shorter living here. #2. Houses are a bit cheaper in Elkford, so we can get more bang for our buck, ya know? #3. Unlike Sparwood, Elkford allows quads and snowmobiles to drive right through town, and is surrounded by miles and miles of trails just for this purpose. We are big on the quad/snowmobile thing.

This little town has been fun. Living in a small town is so much different than living in a big city.

That being said, I have come up with my very own list of "Top 5 Signs You're In a Small Town":

#5. Anytime you pass someone, they smile and wave (Carter keeps asking, "Who's that, Dad?" as if it's a good friend of ours). And, if you happen to be with a resident of said small town, they will proceed to give you a background history of the person who waved, as well as know where they are headed and when they'll be back. And how they're related.

#4. When people give you their phone number, they only say the last 4 digits.

#3. People don't even bother to ask why we moved here. They just ask, "Which mine are you at?" Then, when the find out as much as they can, they proceed to tell others about "the new family in town".

#2. Whenever a siren is heard, it's the talk of the town for the rest of the week.

#1. Believe it or not, the lines at the grocery store take longer than in busy Edmonton stores. Not because there's alot of people shopping, but because each customer has to have a little chat session with the cashier; asking how their Easter weekend was, when Sharon's bringing the kids back up for a visit, and how Aunt Betty's doing these days.

It's hilarious and so different than what we're used to. Stay tuned for a house-hunting update. That is, if I haven't been hoofed to death before then. I guess that's the price you pay for a view like this: