Snow in the Mountains

Yesterday it rained most of the day, and when we woke up this morning there was snow in the mountains.  This picture was taken after work so some of the snow is gone.  I hope this is not any indication of an early winter, because it doesn't feel like we have had any summer.  Maybe we will get our summer in September.

Happy Day!!!!

Well, I am finally finish  all my major summer projects today.  I started out the summer by sanding and staining the  boards on the front of our house.  My next project was to stain all the window frames on the outside of the house.   I was wondering how to accomplish this feat, as I have some pretty high windows and I am scared of heights, but Rod came to my rescue by hoisting me up in the bucket of the tractor. ( That is also a  great solution for washing your  outside windows that are high up.)  Then I decided that my front step, boardwalk, and deck all needed staining.  I stained them only a couple of years ago but they looked horrible. I have learned a valuable lesson,  in that I used a stain that was on sale and it did not last very long.  The stain that I used blistered in some spots and has completely come off where people have walked,  in other spots.  So I was down on my hands and knees scraping and cussing, scraping and cussing until I could get off as much as I could.  This time I used a high grade stain that  has a five year warranty.  I have been trying to stain  in between rainstorms, my days off  and after work until this project is  finally finished,  except that now I see that the picnic table need staining, but that will be for another day.  ( I must say it looks 100% better!!!)

I think someone should tell the power company that if they want to replace power poles that they should do it after nine o'clock in the morning.  I was in the shower before eight this morning and had just finished shampooing my hair and was ready to put on the conditioner when the power went off.  I had to get out of the shower soaking wet and have Rod hook up the generator so that I could finish having my shower, blow dry my hair and turn on a curling iron so that I could do my hair so that I could go to work.  I did survive and was able to arrive to work on time, but I was not very happy.  The rest of the day went alright so I am cheerful tonight.

I have been trying to get up an hour earlier each morning.  I just realized this morning that I have been missing out on the beautiful colors of the sun rise by sleeping in. 

I found this poem that I wanted to share.

"Father Where Shall I Work Today" by Meade MacGuire.

"Father, where shall I work today?"
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then he pointed out a tiny spot
And said, "Tend that for me."
I answered quickly, "Oh no, not that!
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done.
Not that little place for me."
And the word he spoke, it was not stern...
"Art thou working for them or for me?
"Nazareth was a little place, and so was Galilee."

As I was visiting teaching about 4 months ago, the lesson was on scripture study.  As we were visiting with one  of our sisters, she told us about  a 1000 day challenge  that one stake issued to their stake.  The challenge was  to  study the scriptures every day for 1000 days.  I went home and thought about the  challenge and thought to myself that I would like to undertake the challenge in my own life.  Some days have been harder than others to find time  but  the benefits have definitely paid off.  I feel closer to the spirit and have come to learn more about our Saviour Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me.

I was at the Cardston Public Library and I found a book "Always Remember Him" by Brett D. Benson.  Brett D. Benson is a seminary instructor and a principal for the seminaries and institutes of religion program of 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   This book is about Jesus Christ  - The Way, The Truth, and The Eternal Life of Man.  I totally recommend this book as it brings the life of Jesus Christ and his ministry to light.  I have been following along in this book as I have been reading the New Testament and I am understanding more of the teachings of Jesus.  Awesome Book!!!!

August 21, 2010 - Henderson Lake

I drove down to Lethbridge where I met up with Rob, Crystal,  and Samantha at Henderson Lake playground.   Jolayne brought over Alexis so that they could have some family pictures done.  Samantha and Alexis had a great time playing on the playground  but they did take a moment for pictures with the enticement of maybe  throwing some rocks in the water .   When we got to the water's edge there was no little rocks to throw into the water but they stayed and co-operated with the pictures anyhow. After Alexis  went home, Crystal and I went for a walk around the lake  with our camera's while Rob stayed with Samantha at the playground.  It was a beautiful evening and  it was a fun time taking pictures.   It really helped  me to  have a person give me hints on how to take a picture, what to look for, and how and where  to stand to obtain the picture that I wanted.  Crystal and I both discovered that we like to take pictures of trees.

These are some of my favorite pictures that I took when Crystal and I went for a walk around Henderson Lake in Lethbridge.  Crystal gave me some great hints  on how to achieve different effects in my  pictures.  I really appreciate her and all her kindness.  It was a beautiful evening to spend outdoors with people I love.

August 14, 2010 Rod's Horse Training

Rocky's first attempt with a bridle.

August 7, 2010 - Cardston Parade Day

We all had a fun time going to the annual Cardston Parade.    AG and CG were both on floats in the parade  as well as  Shannon and Crystal were riding on their class reunion floats.  The rest of the kids gathered lots of candy that was thrown out during the parade and so they all had a fun time .  After the parade Shannon and Crystal and their families attended their class reunion picnics while Scott, Mandy and family joined Audrey, Rod and I   for Chinese food at the restaurant.  We usually go to my mother's place after the parade for my side of the family  reunion.  My mother felt like she just wasn't up to the large family gathering this year and so we had a free afternoon to do whatever we wanted to do.  After the dinner at the restaurant Scott,  Mandy and family came out to the ranch for the afternoon.  When Crystal arrived she had a wonderful idea of filling the kids pool with water and the kids all went swimming.  Later Shannon, Steve and family arrived and we built a fire and had a weiner roast.  We had a great time visiting, eating and guad and motorbike riding.  Lindsey and Mar arrived later on in the evening from Calgary to join in on the fun.  I sure love the time that we enjoy as a family.  We sure miss Derick, Megan and their family but realize that they are where they are suppose to be at this time.

Lindsey and Mar showed us their pictures of the West Coast Trail hike.  They went hiking for nine days over some pretty rugged  terrain carry their heavy packs with all their gear.  I am very impressed with their perseverance and their sense of adventure  in trying new hikes and seeing new places.  Way to go girls!!!

Shannon - 20 year class reunion float -
Scott was pretending that he had a squirt gun to spray Shannon.
 I mainly have a picture of Scott's arm.

AG is on this float - C.E.S Senior Choir National Champs

CG was asked to be on this float - I am Canadian

Crystal's 10 year class reunion float in the Cardston Parade

Cardston Choir Captures Nationals

The Cardston Elementary Choir that Aidan participated in found out this last week that they placed first in the Nation. The choir competed in the Cardston and   District Rotary Music Festival in March and was recommended for the Alberta Provincial Festival.  On May 7th, the Choir traveled to Edmonton to perform there in the Alberta Provincial Festival and was awarded first place and was recommended to compete in the National Music Festival in Montreal, Quebec.  The Provincial Festival organizers submitted a recording of the C.E.S. Choir for the national competition in Quebec.  An adjudicator in Montreal listened to each province's c.d. and awarded first place to Cardston, Alberta.   Pretty impressive for a small town choir!!!

August 3, 2010 - Camping Fun

Audrey, Rod,  and I  went up near Waterton where Shannon & Steve and girls are camping.  The evening was calm with no wind or rain and we all enjoyed a wiener  roast and campfire fun.  The girls all had their bikes to ride and the place where they are staying is beautiful.  I believe they are also staying overnight tomorrow.

August 2, 2010 - Photo Session

Rob and I woke up early this morning (6:00 a.m.) and went for a photo adventure.  I now realize why you get up so early to take pictures.  We went into Cardston to take pictures of the temple and then we drove up to Waterton.  It was so much fun  and a great learning experience.  I found out different things about my camera and some different settings to obtain certain effects in your pictures.  I will definitely do that again.

A herd of elk up to Waterton.