Conference weekend getaway for Mom 1

I had the privilege to go to Utah with my mom, sisters and sister in law.

They came to Raymond on Wednesday evening and spent the night here.

We were up early on Thursday morning so we could travel to Utah. Heather arrived at 5am and picked me up first. (She stayed at Grandma Chipman's. The rest were at Aunt Karen's.) We crossed the border without difficulty and was grateful for a nice friendly border crossing guard.

The drive to Utah is long. It's worse when you are sitting in the back of the vehicle.

Our first stop with Wifi!  Breakfast for some at McDonald's. 

We made a stop in Idaho Falls so that I could pick up milk powder that Camilla previously purchased for us from the home storage center. It was fun to see the kids that were home from school and new baby Enoch. Thanks for everything Camilla!!

He was sad when I told him I had to go!!

When we arrived in Utah, we did some shopping before the stores closed for the evening.

So glad to be out of the van. Stretching at Costco!

We had Cafe Rio for supper!! Such good food!!!

We stayed with Ron and Nancy Leishman in Provo. Mom and I shared a room downstairs.

I am missing my family. I noticed how much I keep in contact with them through my cell phone. I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Hmmm. It was difficult to feel so distant from them.

I am grateful to Jeff for being home so that I could go and spend a few days away. It meant a lot to me.

Savanna's birthday/Easter weekend 4

Monday morning Jeff took Devin and Aaren out shopping with him to get supplies to replace the plexiglass on the tractor door.

Jaidyn did Rebekka's hair. So cute!

After lunch we headed to north Calgary to shop at the sport consignment store and visit with Grandpa Moxley. The store was closed so we were able to have a longer visit. We had fun being with Grandpa. The bigger kids LOVED taking a turn riding the fat bikes and the littles had fun with the little wagon and plastic lawn ornaments. Tysyn, Savanna and Rebekka were so delighted when grandpa said they could take them home!!!!

Everyone found treasures from the living room boxes grandpa was taking to the thrift store.

It was so fun to be with dad and at his house. Many of the kids haven't been there before. Jeff and Brandon and Cassandra have stayed with Grandpa and Uncle Bob several times because of the close proximity to the Calgary rifle range.

I love my daddy!!!

After leaving Grandpa's, we bought Little Caesars pizza and stopped for gas and a bathroom break at Superstore before heading out of town. 

We got back to Raymond late. Brandon survived the weekend without us but he was glad to see us return.

Savanna's birthday/Easter weekend 3

Sunday we attended church with Karla and her kids. All our kids went to their classes really well except Rebekka. As Jeff went to leave Nursery, she didn't want to stay. But when Karla asked if she wanted to stay with her and her friends, Rebekka agreed to stay. When Karla later told Rebekka that she was going to check on Grandma, Rebekka was happy to stay in Nursery.

Most of the kids received some sort of Easter treat. Tysyn got a little bag (that he could color himself) and he has since carried with him everywhere.

After church, supper was prepared, some had naps and cousins played. We met together (those that could make it) as an extended family for Easter dinner. After dinner, the guys took care of the cleanup and the moms all headed upstairs to discuss the upcoming Utah/ Conference trip

We had fun talking and visiting together.

And in the night, Savanna looked so sweet while sleeping I had to take a picture!

Savanna's birthday/Easter weekend 2

Saturday, after a lazy morning, the Hardy's along with Holton headed to Grandma Moxley's house. Jeff committed to fixing/ installing a new water main shut off in mom's water line. It took Jeff about 3 hours. But it would have been shorter if he was working on a clock and hadn't stopped for a lengthy lunch break!

When we first arrived, everyone took a turn in the bathroom and some additional water jugs were filled before Jeff shut off the water at the sidewalk to the whole house. Thanks to Uncle Reece Allred for letting us borrow the water shutoff tool. Jeff was able add the new shut off to the line and other than a small burn and blister to his thumb where he touched the hot pipe, the job went smoothly.

It was a beautiful day. The snow that fell the day before melted and so we took the kids to Edworthy park to enjoy the weather. Jeff tended the three littles at the park and rest along with mom took a hike along the Douglas Fir Trail. Devin really wanted to hike to the lookout over the Bow River. Some spots along the trail was mucky and muddy but we all had a great time.

Devin

Aaren crossing a fallen tree bridge

Maren

Holton

Group selfie on Douglas Fir trail overlooking NW Calgary. 

We only saw one train. But it blasted the horn in response to our arm signals as it went past. Devin got closer than my liking trying to video it with his GoPro.

At about 4:30pm we drove back to the Miguel's stopping at Safeway to pick up groceries for curly noodle dinner. Back at the house, I quickly made supper and after eating fast, Cassandra Maren and I rode with Karla, Mateya and Jaidyn to the 17 Ave chapel for the General Women's broadcast. The meeting was wonderful. I was grateful to be surrounded by my family. Sherilyn and her girls met us there too. Krista and her daughters had a previous engagement and didn't join us. Heather stayed in High River with her family.

This is the third meeting in a row that I have been able to spend with my side of the family.

1st- Fairmont (at a girls getaway)

2nd- drove Sheralee to Calgary to be with Jared after surgery. 

3rd- Easter weekend

(I guess the next one we should watch at home in Raymond with the Hardy's....)

I love going with my daughters. I love them dearly.

After the broadcast, mom's stake had a small treat of giant cinnamon buns and fresh strawberries. They were yummy.

Because we traditionally go to Dairy Queen after the meeting, and none of us could resist the pull of icecream, we also went to DQ for treats. I got a mini turtles blizzard. So much fun!!

Karla drove us back home and then we visited until it got late and went to bed. 

Savanna's birthday/Easter weekend 1

We headed to Calgary on Friday for the weekend. Brandon stayed home by himself for Show Choir choreography on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Almost everyone fell asleep on the drive. I caught this picture of the kids sleeping and sent it to Devin's friend Halli.

We left late and arrived in time for supper. Thanks to those that prepared it. After dinner our kids quickly decorated the few remaining hard boiled eggs. I iced and decorated the cake generously made by family waiting for us. All the cousins were gathered together for an Easter egg hunt in the Miguel's backyard.

After all the treats were found, everyone went out to a hill to roll and catapult eggs. Justin has a catapult and from the top of the hill the little kids launched their eggs. It was a nice evening and all had a great time.

Rebekka

Savanna

Family selfie. (Plus 1) Missing 6.

After the eggs were all destroyed and everyone was cold and tired, we headed back to Miguel's for Savanna's birthday cake. Happy 6th birthday!!

We also sang and celebrated Jay's birthday.

Cousins picture minus the oldest and youngest grandsons. (Brandon and Cullen)

Pheasant

Over the weekend, Brandon, Jeff, Joseph, Grandma and Grandpa Hardy took on the task of another pheasant cull.
I'm grateful for their hard work. This time I just gathered bottles for processing.  Thanks to those that put so much time into it.  It is appreciated by me!!!!!
We got 20 quarts of bottled pheasant.

Report cards and Magic Shell

Report cards for the Elementary kids came home today. Academically and socially all the kids are doing well.

Lots of morning lates reported....

But Evan is still a little behind in Reading and Writing. He really dislikes reading out loud and resists every time I ask him to read. More often than not, he grumbles about it, I get distracted and then he doesn't read. He doesn't like following along in the scriptures and hymn book either. He loves to listen to stories read to him. 

I need to work on new strategies to get HIM to read.

Savanna also can use more help with her letters. They have begun blending simple sounds at school and she is also behind. Like:

s-a-t

m-o-p

m-a-t

Maren and Cassandra are doing well. 

After family home evening we had ice cream with magic shell chocolate sauce.

Like the stuff that you get on a dipped cone at Dairy Queen......

The kids were enthralled with it and despite giving them plenty of topping, they all kept asking for more, and more, and more just to witness the magic again.

Here is the recipe:

1 cup chocolate (I used Callebaut chocolate chunks)

2 Tbsp coconut oil

Melt chocolate and coconut oil together. (I used a glass measuring bowl over a pot of boiling water.) Stir until smooth. Pour over icecream. (We doubled the recipe)

Yup. That's it. 

So yummy. So fun. 

Oh, so much chocolate!!

(Devin took the blurry pictures)

New Beginnings

Tonight was New Beginnings for all the new Beehives. It was wonderful to transition over to Young Womens and join Cassandra as we look forward to her growing up years.

I love the youth scripture and theme for this year.

2 Nephi 31:20

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

This actually is my personal favorite scripture. 

It was a lovely evening. I loved the messages from her Beehive leader Dana Kanyo 

Like the children's story Going on a Bear Hunt, we find ourselves in situations and trials of life where can't go over, can't go under, we must go through. It is then that we must draw close to our Savior, the things we know to be true and press forward.

The bishop, Greg Smith taught us about the scripture. Press forward always steadfast as we go through our daily lives. We must hold to the rod, continually doing the best we can so that as the mists or challenges of this world come to us and we continue through them, we will be able to still remain on the right path when the mists depart from us. 

When we have reached the goodness of the gospel, we must remain strong as we partake of the fruit and not question its deliciousness as we see others mocking the blessings we have before us. If we are swayed by those telling us that what we have isn't of worth, then we are in turn led away.

Both messages touched my heart.

The best part of the evening was hearing the beautiful tribute that Jeff gave to his daughter Cassandra. He shared how her name was chosen, her talents, her loves and her abilities with the rest of the ward. It was a tender, touching moment for us and Cassandra stood proudly beside her dad displaying her deep dimples the entire time. Then he presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

We are grateful for Cassandra. She is a delight in our home. We look forward to watching her grow and develop her talents and skills as she works her way through the YW program. 

Welcome to Young Women's Cassandra. 

Space Fair

Cassandra, along with the Grade 6 students held a space science fair on Thursday.

Cassandra's display was on the phases of the moon.

She worked on her display both in class and at home. We gave her very little help. (Which pleased her teachers!!) 

In the afternoon I attended the fair held in the school gym. In all the years that I have had kids at RES, I have never attended a science fair. Really. No joke. 

The gym was bursting with energy and enthusiasm in relation to all things "SPACE".

Lots of creative displays and ideas. It was fabulous.

Students in the other grades were invited down to the gym to see the science fair. 

16

Happy Birthday to Devin!!

16 years today.

Black Forest was the cake of choice.

Of course.

With red cream in the middle because red is his favorite color. 

 hbd means happy birthday. It was too difficult to write it out the long way with coloured sugar. Some might say it means  a girlfriends initials, but it really doesn't. 

Devin received a new bow tie and a necktie. (Both from Bill Arbouthnot. Grandma Moxley got them after he passed.) 

Aaren gave him a pkg of gum. He also received money for a trip to watch boys 4A basketball provincials on the weekend.

We love you Devin!

Ski Trip

We decided to go to Norquay to go skiing Wednesday.

We packed the van and drove to Calgary to stay at Calgary overnight. Sherilyn was good enough to to let us stay at her place. 

Most of the Moxley family was there. We were delighted to see dad skiing also although I never got to do a run with him. 

The lift tickets cost .90 cent day. It is in honor of their 90 years of business. 

It was so much fun. We love skiing!!! (Well except Jeff)

It took a long time to pack the van. The boys were unprepared and procrastinated until late. Thus at the last minute we were all still trying to gather and pack. 

We had a late night drive to Calgary. Thanks to Jeff for doing it. Sorry to Sherilyn for arriving at your house so late. We hope we didn't disturb you too badly.
Late night drive to Calgary for a day of skiing with the extended family.

Family in the van on the early morning ride to Mt. Norquay in Banff. 

Savanna got to ski!!!!  We were not planning to have her start but Evan's skis were too short for him. We found another pair for him. That then freed up the pair of 80cm skis for Savanna. I was at a thrift store last week and bought a pair small boots. Karla, and I was able to teach her. She followed instructions well and displayed a lot of confidence. She hardly complained about the effort it took to learn. She loved it. It was so much fun to be with her and watch her. I was so pleased and so was she. She totally did a hard thing but her efforts paid off. By afternoon she was controlled and skiing totally on her own on the bunny hill. Savanna was a quick learner!!!

We were so sad about Jaidyns accident. She fell mid afternoon while snowboarding and broke her wrist. The day was great, the weather perfect. The hill was so great! It was sad to see it end as the last run call came at 4pm. 

As usual, it took a long time to pack back up to go home. All were so tired. But it was a super Fun day!!!

Our family stopped in Cochrane on the way home to see new cousin Cullen, Jason, Stephanie. The littles all were totally freaked out with the dogs. They were too absorbed in monitoring the dogs to enjoy the new baby cousin. And as usual, Jason had to agitate them fully before putting the dogs out.

Cullen is adorable. Thanks for letting us visit.

Cassandra and Cullen. Aaren and Evan in the background looking at the bird.

Savanna and Cullen

Tysyn was super tired and totally freaked about the dogs but he really wanted to hold Cullen. 

We had a late supper in Calgary.
We arrived back home in Raymond late.

It is so not fun to unpack the van when you are so tired. We took out all that we needed and left the rest til the next day.