Finally, Our 2nd Canada Trip , , ,

Treyson - What a stud!

Our Little Kennedy Girl!

(Heather took lots pictures of the kids while we were there so I'm going to post them, in no specific order, throughout this post. Heather! you are amazing!)
Kennedy 'HANNAH MONTANA' Who?

Our Little Andie Mae

(The not so perfect pictures are ones I took but hey, how can they be bad when the subjects are all so great?)

Michael & Princess Clair Bear

Amy & Princess Alie Kae

We have had a great summer with two trips to Canada and a lot of memory builders with my family. I have the best family and we have so much fun when we are together. I can't wait until we do it all again. This time all of our family got to go except for Cyndi.

Women's Gab Session

I felt bad for her but she was okay with it and told me not to worry about it. Jamon just started a new job working with his brother out at Van Orden farms and Cyndi was booked up to work on those days that we would be gone so she said that there was no way. I felt really bad but she was ok about the whole deal, so the whole family went to Calgary except for Cyndi Lynne and her family. We really missed them.

Jeffrey and Emily with Jaycee and Jaclyn

Taylor & Blake - Two of my "JOCK" nephews!

We left at 12:40 a.m. so that all the kids could sleep. Alie is a terrible traveler and Andie's not much better, but this way they both slept the whole way there. Bob did all of the driving except the last couple of hours when Adam drove on the way up and I drove from Dillon to Blackfoot on the way home. Brooke and Kade traveled with us and their kids slept all the way too. It sure makes for a better trip when they do that.

Our Little Alie Kae

We got to Calgary on Friday morning around 10:00 a.m. and Bob and Kade took a quick cat nap. I had been cramped up in the back with junk under my feet so when I finally got a chance to get out and walk around I was so stiff and sore I could hardly stand it. I was that way for a couple of days which was really not a lot of fun but it did get better with time. All it took was the few days before we had to go home. Then I got to do it all over again. I sat in the front this time.

Cyndi with Jaclyn

Friday was my sister Cyndi's birthday and we had a lot of fun. Of course Cyndi did all the cooking for her birthday. It was absolutely amazing. She is a fabulous cook, I wish I'd got some of her cooking smarts. She spoils us to the max every time we visit.

Adam, Brittany and Pam

Heather took pictures of Alie, Andie, Treyson and Kennedy. She's so good with that camera of hers. She took some awesome pictures. She even took a couple of Cyndi and I when we were ready to leave. Of course I looked terrible. It was about 9:00 on Thursday night and Heather promised me that she will photo-shop it and make me look better than I do on a good day. I told her I wanted 50 lbs. off , a new hairdo, and my skin crystal clear. She promised me she would do her best so I'm gonna hold her to it. I haven't got the proof of that pic yet but Adam and Amy have some of theirs and Brooke just got a couple. The ones we've seen so far are amazing, I can't wait to see the rest of them.

Kevin and Bob

Cyndi and Kevin really spoiled us. Kevin had ordered a bunch of coats on the internet and was giving them all away. He gave Bob two really nice jackets that fit him perfectly. Cyndi had bought me a beautiful lantern for my patio. It has potpourri in the bottom and a candle on top of that. It's so cool, I just love it. Then I also got another lantern, a tray for my bathroom counter and a brown chest for my watches and jewelery. I really didn't need them but they are awesome and I love them.

We celebrated Grandpa Cameron's birthday (which isn't until the end of November) on Saturday at McKenzie Lake over in South West Calgary where Pam and Cherri live.

Adam, Brittany & Andie at Cherri's

Mom & Dad at the beach

Then that night we had a nice dinner at Cherri's house. Apryl came up with the idea of drawing out a family tree and each of us writing our family on the branches and then our grandkids on the branches as leaves. That way the kids could see where they came from and how they all fit into our family. What a great idea eh? It was a lot of fun and I think it helped the kids to understand a little better.

Dad at the beach

Then Grandpa talked to all of us about his life and the accomplishments and trials he has had throughout his life. He talked about his childhood, when he was first introduced to the church and how he met Grandma. It was so nice and it was so good to see him relaxed and enjoying his family. He has been such a great example to me in my life, and to my children. I'm very grateful for that. Whenever I've needed anything he has always been there with the answer to any question or concern. He's an amazing man and I love him very much.

A few comments

Kourtni, McKenzie, Holly & Grandpa

My girls all did a bunch of shopping and came home with some really cute things. Amy was worried about Cyndi Lynne so she made sure, though she couldn't afford it, that we had outfits for Lauren, Camryn and Griffen. She even bought Cyndi a shirt so that they all had a bit of Calgary. She's got such a big heart! She would do anything for anyone. I'm very proud of her and pray for her continually. We had such a great time. I just love my sisters and their families so much. I had a really hard time saying good-bye. I've been very blessed throughout my life. I was born into a family that loves and supports each other, with parents who care about their children as well as each other. A family who can be together forever if we try hard enough. Nothing worthwhile comes very easy, but I know it can be worth it. I look forward to visiting again soon. I love being home again, but a vacation is always a welcomed treat!

Our Family (all except Kendall. We missed you.)

Dinner for Twelve . . .

After all of the festivities involving grandpa's birthday celebration and after the weekend was over, all of my sisters (except Apryl, she'd already gone back to Edmonton) and I and our husbands all got together and went out for ginger beef. I love that stuff! Barb and Ryan, my niece and her husband, went with us. We had a really nice night with lots of laughs and good conversation. It's so fun to be all together. Some people think that we have a very large family and in this day and age that is not a common thing. I'm so grateful that our parents saw fit to have seven children and that my sisters are my very best friends. I love them so much and am grateful to each of them for the things I learn from them and the support they give to me. They are so special to me and I love them all so much!

Sister Cyndi & KevinSister Pam & RyanSister Julie & DougSister Cherri & MikeNiece Barb & RyanThanks to all you guys in Calgary who showed us such a great time. I love you all so much!