First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school. I can't believe that Chris is a senior. I just don't know where the time went. I guess it is out there on a ball field somewhere....but somehow he grew from a little boy into a man. I must admit....I had a little tear when he left for school. He will be spending his first few days of school on crutches. He had knee surgery on Tues where they removed boney fragmentations. He has been in a lot of pain for a long time and I hope this surgery is beneficial to him. The first day he thought it was no big deal. Then the numbing medication wore off.....and he's been in quite a bit of pain. He's a trooper though. He wanted to go to school.....probably because he gets sympathy....and cookies.....ha ha. I hope this senior year doesn't fly by....but I'm sure it will. I hope he enjoys his last year of highschool and I hope he makes lasting memories and lasting friendships. Good luck with school buddy.

We went out to the Gorge for the Jack Johnson concert. The music was awesome. Even the opening acts were really good. It is so nice being able to enjoy the same music that your teenager likes. Chris got us hooked on Jack's music a couple of years ago. We all really like it. I highly doubt that my parents would have ever wanted to go to a concert and listen to the groups my brothers liked. It was a perfect night for an outdoor concert. Not to hot...and no wind. When the sun went down there were so many stars in the sky. It was just a beautiful night for an out door concert. I will say though that I smelled more weed there than I have at all the other concerts I've attended.

It was such a great night. I am so glad we went.

OH CANADA

We had an awesome time in Canada. Val was so excited about every little thing. It was like seeing a young child on Christmas morning. Our first stop was in Sparwood, BC at the home of the World's largest truck.

We stopped in Frank Slide. The slide happened in 1903 when 74 million tonnes of limestone crashed down from the east face of Turtle Mountain. The slide killed 70 people. The highway goes right through the middle of the slide zone.

We spent a day in Waterton National Park. It was just beautiful in the park that day. Not a single whitecap on the water. Val fell in love with Waterton. She said it was God's country.

Cameron Falls was as beautiful as always. My sister in law grew up with the Falls in her backyard. I don't know how she ever left Waterton.



There was so much wildlife in the park that day. We saw buffalo, deer, and Val saw a Grizzley and her cub but I wasn't getting out of the car to take a picture of that.

After a full day in Waterton we headed back to Cardston for a Pow wow. I grew up living right across the highway from the Blood Indian reservation. I had attended a pow wow when I was young. Prince Charles was at the pow wow I went to in my youth. I wasn't impressed. I thought he was stuck up. Val and I had a blast at the pow wow. The costumes were beautiful and the dances were amazing. At one point they invited non tribal members to join them in the circle dance. Not many joined in but Val and I jumped up along with 3 mormon missionaries and we had so much fun dancing with the Natives. It was something we could cross off of our bucket list.

I entered this picture in the Grant County fair when I returned and won a blue ribbon.







The best part of the trip was being able to see friends and family. I miss my Canadian family.

I am returning to the homeland for a few days. I am actually pretty excited about the trip to Canada. I am taking my friend Val with me and I am eager to show her around the old stomping grounds but mostly to take her up to Waterton Park. I think it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The view from the hill behind the Prince of Wales hotel is just breathtaking. I hope we will get to see some deer down in the park. I have such fond memories of Waterton. I had many picnics with my family there while I was growing up. Scott and I spent our honeymoon in Waterton. I hope to make new memories this week. I also can't wait to get slurpies. No offense....but slurpies in Canada are far superior to any slurpie you can get in the states. I am totally addicted to them....probably stemming from my days working at the Red Rooster and serving them for 8 hours straight. Here's hoping to a fun and safe trip as we head to the land of snow and ice. I think August is the only month I have not seen snow there....so I'm hoping for sunshine and blue skies. I wish I could see my nephew Elder Jackson as he is serving in that mission but he has not had the privledge of serving in Cardston yet. He's almost out of time. Can't believe Rory will be home in three months. I can't wait to hear his Canadian accent and to hear him say EH!