ScoutJ and the AHEIA/Pheasents Forever Calgary Youth Shoot Day aka "EPIC DAY!!!!"

 ScoutJ had the excellent opportunity to join in on Youth Shoot Day put on by Alberta Hunters Education and Instructors Association and Pheasants Forever. This was a great way for these two groups to train youth on firearm safety and conservation. While ScoutJ was able to try out a variety of firearms, he also received great training from the instructors and learned how to most safely behave on a range. By the end of the day with all of the one-on-one training he received, he was able to destroy all of the targets they launched for him.

A perfect fall day

Thanks for all of the education and fun memories AHEIA ( http://www.aheia.com ) and PF (http://www.pheasantsforevercalgary.com/ )!

PULL

 

LV Fashion Show Night at Holt's

The luggage made into the Eiffel Tower

I had the opportunity to take in the Louis Vuitton Fall 2013 fashion show that was hosted by Holt Renfrew. It was a fabulous chance to hang with AuntieC, the FabC and effervescent HangbagJay, all while drinking champagne and viewing exceptionally well crafted clothes and handbags. Although I did not leave with any new LV items, I can honestly say that the best part of the evening was delightful group of people there.

 

 

Thanks for a great night everyone!

ScoutJ turns 12! Zoinks, where did the last dozen years go?

For ScoutJ’s 12^th birthday, we let him and GuideJ skip school so that we could head up to the lake for our last weekend of boating for 2013.

Since the camera he wanted was too new, the long paper is the pre-ordered paperwork!

We spent the early part of the morning opening presents. With ScoutJ receiving some new Airsoft firearms, we needed to test them out across the street before we left home. Needless to say, it was a great way to start out his day by taking down some targets! “I’m out, cover me” Thankfully the neighbour who drove by was quick to realize that despite our paintball masks for safety and large firearms, we were only using airsoft and neither DaddyJ nor I got a visit from the police! (Can you imagine that as a birthday story?!!!!)

 

Once we had fully tested out all the toys, we were off to Sylvan Lake with our Jelly Modern sandwiches and donuts for lunch on the boat. Between the water being a bit choppy and it being a school/work day, we enjoyed the very quite lake. Much laughing, tube antics and swimming fun was had by all. I would say it was a great way to spend the day. Skipping school to celebrate on the lake, now that’s what every 12 year old wants.

 

Yummy Yummy Jelly Modern Sandwiches!

That evening we stayed in Red Deer, where there was a little bit more water time on the hotel water slide, we had a late dinner at Montana’s and ended the day on a Menshi’s frozen yogurt high note. Happy 12^th birthday ScoutJ, we love ya!

The good news, since we stayed in Red Deer, the fun was not over. The next day we tested out our second tube which is a sit up style. This proved to be a very good thing as the weather was perfect for sailing which means a great deal of wind and choppy water for a tube. Had we been on the flat tube, I expect we all might have been as green as it is! It was a great last day of the season on the “BabyJ aka the Lab” and the best way to stretch out ScoutJ’s birthday into two days.

 

Montana 2013

 

As has become the tradition, it would not be summer vacation without a trip to West Glacier. This year, we managed five days of fun! We wisely used this extra time to add some new activities to our repertoire.

Walking around Whitefish and checking out the lake

 

I love the mosaics of the town and watching life on the lake.

 

Visiting the Hungry Horse Dam where the highlight for DaddyJ and me was using the word “dam” in as many different ways as possible. One could say it was a "dam" good visit! LOL

 

We enjoyed a picnic lunch looking out at the massive lake created by the dam. Note the eagles nest in the trees.

 

So about 15 years ago, I found out why the “Trail of the Cedars” walk was one of the worst regular events of my childhood summer activities. It turns out that cedar does not make the rest of you cough incessantly, make your eyes burn and water until you can hardly see one foot in front of you and smell like urine.... My whole life I thought cedar smelled like pee! Turns out I am wildly allergic and that with the aide of Reactin and an Advil Cold and Sinus that the "Trail of the Cedars" is really rather lovely. I finally understand what the big draw is. In fact it was so nice, that I figured that we should carry on and hike up to Avalanche Lake. It was lovely five mile hike where we gained nearly 600ft of elevation. The kids and DaddyJ made it like troopers without any complaints and were rewarded with spectacular views at the top. I must say, with the aid of allergy medication, I greatly enjoyed this hike. Great job TeamJ!

 

 

 

While on our trip, I became an “Instagram”addict (shocking I know for the Mommarazzi I am) and I got the following picture onto the KOA website’s “Kampstagram”:

Making the "KOA" a la "YMCA" and the Village People/Minions

The kids really enjoyed some down time in the pool.

 

Between the addition of new activities and the extra time to enjoy some just relaxing around the campground (including morning fires for reading and enjoying breakfast) it could be one of my favourite trips ever. Although, I think if I scroll back, I just might say this every year.  

 

 

Here’s looking forward to next year’s trip to Glacier National Park and the West Glacier KOA

Five great years at the West Glacier KOA

Enjoying Summer Vacation

Getting a quick visit in with AunAng, LincAng and SavAng and enjoying the beautiful weather!

Globalfest 2013

ScoutJ volunteered on “China” night of Globalfest through his Scouts troop. This is an internationally themed event which showcases foods, music, dances and basic information about a variety of countries annually here in Calgary. While we were enjoying the sights, BrownieJ took in the opportunity to get a henna design on her hand which was her absolute delight for many days.

ScoutJ gets braces

Well, the day was finally here, it was time for ScoutJ to get his braces. The whole thing seems to have happened with far less drama and pain than anyone anticipated. The highlight was these very memorable pictures I snapped. I must say, we have the best orthodontist ever, Dr. Cory Low. He and all of his staff are incredibly gentle, kind and entertaining.

Dinner and a Day on the Boat with the AFamily

The kids and I were off to Edmonton for a mini get away and the chance to see the Afamily before CousinL headed off to sleep away camp for the first time. While in Edmonton, we enjoyed a relaxing trip to the French bookstore, went to see the new Percy Jackson movie, did bit of shopping at West Edmonton Mall and had the chance to go for dinner with SunsanR and the AFamily. A fun time was had by all.

 

We also had the opportunity to enjoy a day of boating with the AFamily. They drove down from Edmonton to meet us at the lake for some time on the boat and lunch. I can honestly say that the most I have ever see UncleP and DaddyJ smile together happens when they are enjoying food, fun and enjoying some form of silliness! So as you can imagine, the day on the lake was non-stop smiles from those two which only made it even more fun for AuniteA and me.

 

 

It was a spectacularly beautiful day on Sylvan lake which was the perfect way for the AFamily to be introduced to life on the boat and tube. By the end of the day, even little CousinL and CousinN had found their groove and were enjoying the view from the tube. There is nothing like seeing your kids try something new and find their confidence to bring a mother's heart joy.

 

"No really, hang on tight UncleP and remember to let go when you are falling off"

 Now, for the record, my two are getting a bit too confident at trying out fun new things on the tube for my liking. I see some water skiing in my future!



The Dancing LittleJ's going about 15km/hr on the tube!
 

Thanks for coming out AFamily, we had a good time with you all and a GREAT big thank you to UncleP for talking me through getting the trailer in the water in only two straightening outs.

The pic that sums up the day!

Yum yum Dim Sum, United We Sit

As is the summer tradition, we try to get a family Dim Sum in while the GFamily is in town. This year, our time included AuntieLala and my cousin, CousinK and her daughter,2CousC in addition to our Aunt to all three of us, AuntieE. Major bonus, our favourite meal with a an entertaining visit with family. It was a great way to enjoy a fantastic new dim sum location, catch up with family and get a last visit in the GFamily before they headed back to Houston.

You will note from the pictures, that ScoutJ is finding it very entertaining to point out that he is now closing in height wise on everyone he loves. Oh what fun.

Thank you everyone for making the time to get together and for the wonderful meal GFamily! Remember, it is our turn next time as noted here. MUH HA HA HA

Boating with the Cousins, Auntie and Uncle

The day I smiled and laughed so much my face hurt for two days!

For our first trip out with visitors, we headed out with AuniteLala, UncleD, CousinR and CousinC! It was a fantastic afternoon of fun on the water. We spent the first two and a half hours on the tube learning that our niece CousinR is VELCO! I mean that girl does not come off of a tube when it is fly across the water like skipping stone, is airborne or anything else. It was amazing. I am seriously thinking of renaming her Velcro, lol.

We watched AuntieLala and BrownieJ enjoy a nice, fairly fast ride on the water. It was so hilarious to watch the facial expressions on my sister's face that I really needed to take a break from laughing and smiling as I my cheeks hurt too much. It is amazing how the mix of fear, adrenaline and fun can make for a good time while entertaining those watching you to no end.

Needless to say, UnlceD, the same man who sent us on his homemade clothes line, aka zipline over the creek only the week before enjoyed a very rambunctious ride on the tube. The most entertaining part was as he climbed up the extended dive platform and needed to rest as his legs were to wobbly after being through the blender like experience. I am not certain that we will be able to get him back on the tube at the speed again but they say that time dulls the memories!

ScoutJ and CousinC had many a good laugh together on the tube. They certainly did well hanging on through all that DaddyJ could dish out. My favourite part of the day included my ride on the tube with CousinC. We were chatting about things and then ....the boat sped up an UncleD started cackling with DaddyJ! That was the point that I looked over at CousinC and said "you know there is not other time that I would ever allow you, your sister or your cousins to be dragged behind a motorized object, let alone at 15+km/hr! Also, just in case we die, I love you, you are a great nephew!" Once we survived that section and had relaxed a bit we were back to chatting when it started to speed up again and CousinC asked me "AuntieJ, do you have any last words?" LOL you know you are having a great time with your family when you are laughing so hard you can hardly hang onto the tube anymore.

We headed in to have a late lunch on shore while UncleD and DaddyJ checked out the beach at Sunbreaker Cove and had a floating lunch. They negotiated getting the bimini top up on the boat and collected the shore people for a nice shaded cruise. We spent the last of our time on the water touring the lake, getting some last tube rides in and packed her up before the rain set in. Fabulously, UncleD and the boys took the boat back to storage while the girls vehicle headed into town! Thanks for all of your great help UncleD and your cheering on AunieLala as I attempted to back the trailer into the water.

To cap off our fabulously fun day we enjoyed a PAINFULLY slow trip to the ice cream store in Sylvan before joining up in Calgary for dinner at Wendy's. Major bonus, I got to ride back with my sister where we chatted non-stop for the entire hour and a half! The boys in the backseat also chatted non-stop for the entire ride. Kind of a wonder we did not run out of oxygen....

I must say as our first passengers, they were spectacularly fun. Thanks for an amazing day GFamily, we can not wait to do it again next year. Y'all come back now, y'a hear!

Announcing BabyJ aka "The Lab"

 

Well, we did it, less than one year after the kids and I went tubing for the first time on Bear Lake UT we bought our own boat! I can honestly say, we all love being out on the water. Whether we are swimming, lazing on the boat chatting or on the tube we LOVE it. After a few rentals, you do some quick calculations on the benefits of owning verses continuing to rent and you quickly see the value in having your own boat. Thus our plan going forward is to use BabyJ the boat in central Alberta as much as possible all summer long for years to come. With that said, I present BabyJ our boat!

ScoutJ sizing it up at the dealership, Renfrew Marina and Quentin are great if you are in need here in Calgary.

 

DaddyJ putting in the copper drain plug for the maiden voyage, the all important piece to the whole operation!

 

Enjoying the boat on our first of many Sunday’s at the lake to come.

Mini-Baker BrownieJ and ScoutJ goes to the Crowsnest Pass

 
 

We had an exciting week of BrownieJ at SAIT for a Mini-Bakers Camp. These are fantastic camps where the kids get to do some great themed activities, make new friends, play games and do some sports like swimming. The theme of BrownieJ’s camp was introduction to baking.

During the week she made:

An Apple-Spruce Pie which is an apple pie topped with a mixture of spices and sugar. Think of it as a crumble without the oats! It was wonderfully tasty.

Raspberry White Chocolate scones that kept us well fed for breakfast for the rest of the week.

Challah Bread that was to die for, cupcakes with hand piped chocolate decorations and chocolate chip cookies:

Pretzels, both sweet and salty

 

Cinnamon Buns, truffles and cake pops

Needless to say, it was a yummy week full of amazing treats. BrownieJ seemed to have a GREAT time, learned a bunch and created wonderful memories.

 Meanwhile, ScoutJ made a trip down to the Cabin to hang out with his cousins, AuntieLala and UncleD for three days. It seems to have been a crazy good time between trying out the homemade “Clothes Line” aka Zipline, driving the quad and have bonfires! Now all of that is heaven for an eleven year old boy. DaddyJ even got in a ride on the zipline, some quading and a round of golf while picking up ScoutJ on Saturday. Epic summer memories were made this week.

 

 

It was a great week for all! Thanks for hosting me, DaddyJ and ScoutJ down in the Crowsnest Pass TeamG. it was a zippy good time.