Back to School

On Monday, August 20th all 5 of us headed up to the school for Kindergarten orientation. How nice would it be to have a companion with you?


The first week of school is a staggered-start for the kindergarteners. Noe went for a half-day on Tuesday, and Kaleb did on Wednesday. They both went for half-days on Thursday and Friday. On August 27th they went for their first full-day.


Last year they were both in Ms. Paetzold's class for Kindergarten-A (pre-school), but this year they are in separate ones. Kaleb is in Mrs. Winter's class and Noe is in Ms. Yamazaki's. I think they're going to have a great year!

Love you, Miss you

We had a wonderful summer visiting with our Pittl, Reil, and Lee families. It's always hard to say goodbye though.


Gavin, Kaleb, and Noe getting some last minute snuggles in with Auntie Mandy, Auntie Eri, and Uncle Kris.




I'm sure Mandy, Erika, and Kris appreciated me taking their pictures while they were eating, but I just love these people and wanted one more shot of them. (Brent, I really wish I could have seen you, Whitney, & Isaac one more time too). When Len & I got married we spent the summer living with our Lee family. I remember the night before we moved back to Utah, I cried myself to sleep. Brent was 13, Mandy 11, Erika 9, and Kristopher was 7. I knew I was going to miss out on their lives (and I did), and that thought made me so sad. Now they're all grown up, and I have my own kids whose lives are being missed out by them. I am so grateful for Leonard's job- that he enjoys it, and that it provides for our family, but I hate being so far away from our loved ones. It's really tough only seeing each other once a year. I am grateful we get to do that though. I love you all, see you next summer!

I'm a Lee too

Growing up we had Lee family get-togethers once a month. I was lucky and went to school with my cousins from 4th grade until I graduated. Now we only have Lee get-togethers about once a year. I'm glad we were home for it. We ate yummy barbecue and visited with everyone.


Noe & Kaleb loved playing with all of their 2nd cousins.


The beautiful- Brianna, Erika, & Amanda.


Aunt Gretchen, Aunt Linda, & me.


Len, Mom, & Gavin.


Jason & Papa sharing a bite to eat and a conversation. Cute little Noe snuck in the picture too.

It was great seeing all of the families of Darrin & Jennifer, Alison & Cleveland, Linda & Don, Tracey & Tana, Ryan & Katie (the first great-grandchild to get married), Bryan & Gina, Troy & Susie, Benjamin & Allison, Tom & Gretchen, Jason & Bobbi, Adrienne & Scott, Kristen & Ty, Sarah & Shaun, Meredith & Tony, Elizabeth, Brianna, and of course Papa, Mom, Mandy, Eri, Kris, Len, Kaleb, Noe, Gavin & I.

Tuacahn take 2

Last summer, Mom & I took Kaleb & Noe to Tuacahn to see Peter Pan and we all loved it! We decided to make it a yearly tradition.


So this year- Papa, Mom, Len, Kaleb, Noe, Gavin, & I went back. We had their delicious dutch-oven dinner first.


The musical this year was Cinderella. We love the beautiful productions on the magnificent Tuacahn stage. I can't wait to see a new musical next year!

Farewell Canadian Countryside!

Farewell mountains, prairies, and Hutterite colonies...


Farewell horses, cows, red barns, and grain silos...


Farewell moose mounty. Until we meet again!

Friends for Life

Leonard and Jeff have been friends since they were 4 years old and they will always be! After we got back to Calgary we took Jeff out to dinner at The Olive Garden. I know this is McDonald's old expression, but it was an evening of good food, folks, and fun!

Lundbreck Falls

I love water! Maybe it's because Jennifer means white wave, and Lynn means waterfall. Lundbreck Falls is yet another beautiful waterfall in Southern Alberta.

This morning we said goodbye to Steve & Suzi's family. Noe cried her little eyes out when she said goodbye to Sydney. It was so sad, but sweet. They headed back down to Utah and we headed back up to Calgary. We had a great time with them and can't wait to see them again next year!

Bertha Lake

This morning Len & Steve set out before dawn to hike to Bertha Lake. I love how you can see the moon in this picture.


Len's a great back-pack hiker.


Steve brought along his fishing gear too.


I'm still sad that Len's parents are gone, but I'm so glad he has 3 wonderful brothers.


The beautiful Bertha Lake, and the end of our Waterton adventures.

I Scream for Ice Cream

Last night while we were on our date, Steve & Suzi took the kids out for ice cream. Well tonight while they were on their date, we took the kids out for ice cream again. I just can not pass up a chance to have good ice cream. Plus, this is our last night together. The kids looked so cute sitting on the bench eating ice cream. We got lots of big smiles from others and questions if all the kids were ours. We assured everyone that only half were ours and the other half were their cousins. However, this is my dream- The BradyBunch, 3 girls and 3 boys!







I had to get close-ups of each kid with their giant cone. Sweet Gavin doesn't know what he's missing yet, but little baby your love is better than ice cream!

Bloodsuckers

We went to Little Akamina Lake to let the kids play in the warm water for a change.


Warm water should have been our clue. Yep, they got little leaches all over their feet.


Izzie was sad for the big kids, but Gavin just thought it was gross. Me too!

Cameron Lake

My favorite activity at Waterton was our time spent on Cameron Lake. Now Waterton is on the Alberta side of the Alberta-Montana border. These mountains in the background are actually in Montana!


Kaleb rode in Uncle Steve & Auntie Suzi's boat with Max & Izzie, while Sydney came with us.


Uncle Steve was great and even gave Kaleb his first fishing lesson. And he caught a fish!!!


It was great for me to relax while Len did all the hard work. I liked watching him use his muscles.


The girls liked playing peek-a-boo.


Sydney and Noe are both just the cutest girls! (As are Izzie, Madison, Brooke, & Payton!)


I loved snuggling with my little Gavin in his adorable mini life-jacket.


"Peace out, girl scout!"