Gone Fishing ...

On Lake Koocanusa
July 29, 2011

We had an awesome day of fishing ...

was a bit windy at times though ...

there was one gust of wind ...

that took our fishing net ...

and tossed it into the water ...

only to sink immediately ...

we continued to fish ...

flinging our catch into the boat ...

only a few hours later ... we caught our limit

On our way back to the boat launch ...

sitting back relaxing ...

enjoying the scenery ...

the clouds moved in ... 

and all of a sudden ...

I spotted a "Turtle Cloud"

Mike thought I was crazy ...

but, if that was what I thought it was ...

he ... "as he should" ...

agreed with me ...

Back at the house ...

our catch of the day ...

was cleaned and packed into sealer bags ...

ready for the freezer ...

leaving a couple of Kokanees out for dinner ...

Handy Man Mike ...

Out With The Old ... In With The New 

We were having issues with the old set of taps ...
Mike decided we needed a new age faucet ...

So ... handy man Mike ...

was a plumber today ...

installing this new Pull Down Kitchen Faucet ...

I love how it looks and how easy it is to use ...

so shiny and new ...

although,  now I'm not happy ...

 with this scratched-up 25 year old sink ...

That will be the next project for Handy Man Mike ...

( this is what happens when you add new gadgets to my kitchen ...

he could have just replaced the seal on the old one )

:)

Getting Closer ...

To Moving Back ...
July 28, 2011



The last few days ...
I spent my time packing ...
starting with the kitchen cupboards ...

Boxes starting to be piled up ...

ready to be loaded into the Buick ...

While Mike was at work ...

I packed the boxes into the SUV ...

it took quite a few trips to the elevator  ...

and down into the parkade ...

last minute decision before I picked Mike up from work ...

 was to take the Microwave back ...

 and trade it for the smaller one we have at the house ...

That was a heavy one for me ... 

but I managed to fit it in ...

Mike did unload it for me ...

when we arrived at the house ...

For now the boxes will be stored in the garage ...

and I will take my time to unpack ...

there is another load at the condo ...

 for Mike to bring ...

when he returns on his next trip ...

As for our day Friday ...

not working ...

"Gone Fishing"

Christmas In July ...

Festivities Start Early

Christmas came early this year ...

in the Mayook Valley ...

July 23, 2011 to be exact ...

Eric & Sharon hosted this party ...

inviting the neighbourhood ... for a get together  ... 

which is usually held in December ...

A few were dressed in holiday attire ...

Sharon in her "Merry Christmas" apron ...

Van in his T-Shirt of Xmas light bulbs ...

Shelagh in her sparkly sequin outfit ...

A few braved the conditions ...

(masses of mosquitoes) ...

to enjoy the wonderful view of all the natural Christmas Trees ...

and ... I heard that there was still snow up on top ...

of

Baker Mountain ... !

As you can see by all the smiling faces ...
a great time was had ...
lots of food, fun, laughter and stories ...
along with many glasses of "good cheer " ...
toasting to old and new friends ...
for a lifetime of health, happiness, love and peace ...
and whatever else needed to be toasted ...

At nights' end ...
goodbyes were heard ... saying ...

"Merry Christmas"

Another Storm Leaves ...

A Beautiful Rainbow
July 22, 2011

This rainbow reached from one end of the field to the other ...

bright, beautiful colours ...

Our home is our pot of gold ...

Relaxing Day ...

Daigen & Friends
July 19, 2011

After lunch ...

Daigen had disappeared ...

we found him in the guest room ...

snuggled on the floor ...

with his blanket ...

and a few of our stuffed animals...

quiet time was needed ...

All rested up ...

it was play time ...

in the pool ...

Ian & Daigen playing ...

waiting for mom to come out for a swim ...

last day at grandmas...

Heading back home in the morning ...

July 20, 2011

Travelling with Daigen in the new Jeep ...

 back to AB ...

he was excited to have grandma sitting beside him ...

he pretty well held my hand ...

the entire way ...

reading books and watching DVD's

Let's Have Lunch ...

So Delicious ... !
July 19, 2011

Kendall made this delicious sandwich ...
rye bread, goat cheese, avocado, lettuce &  tomatoe ...
and for dessert ...
Huckleberry Pie made for last nights dinner ...

Meet Ian, Kendall & Daigens dog...

"Brutus "...

he is an Victorian Bulldog ...

5 yrs of age ...

and  93 lbs
He spent the time with us while the kids were travelling ...
and his sister ...
"Meatball" ...
(no photo of her)
is a British Bulldog ...
 2yrs ...
at 38 lbs
spent her time with Lorraine & Barry ...

Daddy giving Daigen a helping hand ...

picking up the toys ...

with my Reach Extender ...

that I got as a gag gift ...

Ian was quite surprised  ...
at how well this nifty gadget worked ...
took awhile to clean up the toys at the rate they were working ...
A job well done by both of them ... !

Morning Walk ...

On Betts Road
July 19, 2011

We were brave to go for a walk this morning ...

as long as we kept moving ... 

we could avoid being eaten alive by mosquitoes ...

I decided to head back with Daigen ...

Ian & Kendall wanted to go for a longer walk ...

I figured by the time I got to the top of the hill with the stroller ...

they would already be on their way up to meet me ...

(actually I wanted to give them some time by themselves)

Hand in hand they walk ... how sweet ... !

Made a detour to the neighbours that live by Edith Lake ...

we had heard that their son, Tag was home ...

Ian, Tag and friends shared a home in Vancouver many years ago ...
(it was a real bachelor pad)

Unfortunately Tag had left the day before ...

so we had a quick visit with Tom & Bonnie ...

Daigen loved the landscaping with a waterfall & pond ...

swarming mosquitoes and a storm brewing ...

we decided we had better head home ...

for lunch ... !

Our Last Night Together ...

What A Great Time We Had !
July 13, 2011

Dan & Teresa ...

one last hug before Jake takes Teresa home ...

Took pictures after dinner ...

before the twins went to bed ...

the two girls look so sleepy ...

and Arden was raring to go ...

The boys having just to much fun ... !

Bedtime stories being read ...

off to bed little ones ..

time for us adults to play some games ...

Dice ... Frustration ... and a new one ...

Apples 2 Apples ...

We had a lovely evening ...

hard to believe our time together ...

coming to an end in the morning ...

Roberts family off to Vancouver Island ...

for a couple of weeks ...

then Jake, Maren and the girls heading back up to Repulse Bay ...

and Dan going home to Wisconsin ...

Ian & Kendall travelling to the Slocan Valley ...

to visit her sister for a few days ...

What will I do with my time alone ... ?

Afternoon With Teresa ...

Thru The Screen Door
July 13, 2011

Teresa spent the afternoon with all of us ...

she was able to watch the kids playing ...

in the pool ...

thru the screen door ...

avoiding being eaten alive by mosquitoes ...

The kids loved being tossed into the air ...

and splashing into the pool ...

they were not to happy ...

when they would slip thru the guys hands ... 

(accidentally of course) 

down under the water ...

Ian fooling around ...

trying to sit on Ardens' Dinosaur float ...

it was definitely a challenge ...

success after a few wipe-outs ...

Bubbles ... bubbles ... and more bubbles ...

again Ian playing ... just a big kid himself ... 

brought out the bubble guns ...

the little ones had a blast ...

trying to catch them

Carys and Brynn ... enjoying the pool ...

so adorable ... !