Tourist for a Day

 Last night my brother came to town with a friend from Chile (where he served as a missionary for two years). We woke up early, enjoyed breakfast together, and then headed out to Drumheller to show her "the bad lands". It was so weird having just Camilla, Fin, and Ollie with me. The drive was quiet and there was zero fighting.

We arrived at the Dino museum in the late morning and it was already packed with cars. The weather was hot and dry and I felt like I was baking in the sun as we walked in. We enjoyed walking around and seeing everything. Camilla couldn't wait to get to the gift shop at the end, and picked out a little stuffy.

On our way out we walked up the stairs to the lookout and stopped for water and snacks on a bench. We met a few friendly gophers (one of which climbed right on Finley's lap!) who were looking for food.

Finley fell asleep on the way to the hoo doos, so I opted to stay in the car with him and let him sleep. I sat in the back bouncing Ollie on my lap while a breeze blew through the open doors. It was a pretty cool place and Camilla loved scrambling up with Uncle Arland and Karina.

On the way home we admired the canola fields blooming and the vast farmland. I am so glad to call the prairies home!
 

(Thanks for the pics, Arland)

Last Day of School

We have been waiting for this day for a long time! It seems as soon as the calendar turns to June, I start counting down until the end of school. I look forward to the lack of schedules in the Summer months where we tell time by the sun, snack away the day, and swim at the lake.

Camilla's class enjoyed the afternoon at the spray park. The little boys and I picked up a box of freezies and brought them for her class to enjoy. It was fun seeing her with all of her friends!

In the late afternoon my brother showed up with a lady that he baptized on his mission in Chile. He snapped some awesome pictures of the kids playing in the backyard while we visited.

Camilla and Finley were so enjoying their time together. It was fun for Fin to have some one on one with his sister.

The evening brought us to kinsman park where we walked around the trail and enjoyed some time at the playground. 

I can't get enough of this boy and his sweet smiles. He's growing up so fast!

This girl was enjoying the break from her little brothers. It meant a little bit more one on one with Mom and less fighting and problem solving.

We are zooming into Summer vacation and looking forward to Daddy's month off work!

Art Award

I received an email a few weeks ago asking permission to frame and hang some artwork that Camilla did in school. Her art was chosen from everyone in her grade to be displayed at the elementary school for the coming years and they get to take it home when they graduate. Mr. Stannix was able to get the morning off work and Gramma drove down to see her two seconds of fame!

Camilla had no idea that all of this was happening, and the look of excitement on her face when she noticed us as the classes filed in was priceless. She was called to the front to hold her art while the audience clapped for her. It's funny how little things like this can make your eyes sting with tears of joy. We are so proud of her!

Gramma took the two older boys home to the acreage. They were so excited to go to Gramma and Grampa's all by themselves. She spoiled them with hard icecream at the corner store on the way home.

I got a lot of laundry and cleaning done while they were away and even squeezed in a short nap before Camilla got home from school! We headed into the city for a little bit of shopping and then met up with Daddy for a late dinner at Montana's.

These two got along so well! Finley wasn't sure what to do with all of the extra attention. He was so sweet and well behaved the entire night.

We got to Montana's early to wait for a table and Daddy walked in just as we were being seated. Perfect timing!

Fin drank a whole cup of chocolate milk and then took one bite of his dinner. It was such a quiet meal! The hardest part was keeping Ollie occupied at the table while we ate. We arrived home late and tucked everyone into bed. The last day of school is tomorrow and we are all ready!!

The Groomer

 Yesterday morning we took Reese to a new groomer! While she was there we went across and dropped the van off for an oil change. I put Ollie in the carrier and we walked around a few different stores and printed some pictures at the photo lab. By the time we were finished our errands, the van was ready and so was Reese. Even with the little bit of arguing and whining, I was pretty pleased with how well it all worked out!

 Reese was feeling fresh and happy! They did a great job and I especially liked the way they trimmed up her snout. The boys were happy to see her again.

Ollie learned how to stand yesterday afternoon and he was quite pleased with himself! He wobbled as he held onto the car with one hand and giggled. Camilla eventually put him in and he placed a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and refused to get out when it was time to go up for dinner. He seems to have a bit of a stubborn personality coupled with his Dad's determination. He is sure growing fast! Camilla pushed him around in the car and laughed so hard as he giggled. It was a sweet moment to witness!

Nine Years

 Today Mr. Stannix and I celebrated our ninth anniversary. My sister kindly offered to watch the kids for us last Friday night so that we could go into the city and celebrate. We were able to attend a session at the temple and go out for a nice late dinner at the Keg. It was so great to be in that special place again where I could feel peace from the worries and cares of the world. Afterward, we walked the grounds and reminisced about our own wedding day and all of the great things we've been able to accomplish together over these past nine years. 

 The temple grounds were beautiful with flowers in full bloom and the last of the days sun reflecting from the stain glass windows.

 We arrived to the Keg well past the dinner hour and had the whole dining room to ourselves! I got to sit across from this handsome guy for a few hours as we talked about our hopes and dreams for the next couple of years.

 I decided to venture out from my usual steak or burger and try the salmon. It was good, but I will probably order what Mr. Stannix got next time.

 After eating a few appetizers and a whole plate of food, we were feeling pretty content. When our server learned that we were celebrating our anniversary she brought us this complimentary slice of ice cream cake. It was so huge, the picture doesn't do it justice. We sat there and wondered how we were going to finish it, but we did pretty good.

He had to work tonight, so I was glad that we were able to celebrate over the weekend. When he left work late tonight he called home and joked, "Are you contemplating a divorce?" I replied, "No, I'm contemplating a cheese burger." He laughed, "I knew you'd say that!" He knows that food is the way to my heart. I sure love this man of mine!

Trismore

Every year for the last four years or so our town has put on an amazing triathalon for participants of all ages! It has been called the Trismore and I think the name is genius. Hyrum and Camilla were so pumped about it and counted down the days all week. We picked up their race packets last night and they were so excited to wear their new shirts that they had them on at 6:00am this morning!

We got there nice and early to set up their bikes in the transition area and learn the rules (since we're newbies). 

Camilla was super excited about the new goggles she got as a door prize and wore them right away! They all counted down at the starting point and then they were off! Since they went by age I stayed with Camilla and Mike stayed with Hyrum.

They swam the length of the pool and then ran to their bikes...

It happened so fast I could hardly keep up with her. I had the baby on my back and Finley hanging from my arm. I barely saw her run through the finish line.

Hyrum started his run, saw me and circled around to the finish line. It made me laugh pretty hard, but they both "finished"! 

We ran into Hyrum's little buddy at the race too!

It was so sweet watching Cj and her Daddy chat about the race on their way back to the car.

Camilla thought this was hilarious and asked me to take a picture! It still makes me laugh!

We spent the rest of our afternoon swimming at the lake! This picture perfectly captures the joy and excitement. This Summer is going to be good!

Daddy had to give Fin a little courage to get wet. The rest of the time we were there he ran in and out saying "See, I'm not afraid anymore!" 

I sure love this spunky strawberry blonde of mine!

I can't believe how big these boys are getting. Life is flying by way too fast!

We are looking forward to many more chances to put our toes in the sand. After dinner, we took a quick trip to the grocery store. Everyone had a bath or shower and when Joe got out he was freezing! "I feel like I've been thrown in a snowbank!" He said. Once we finished our snacks and brushed teeth, the littles fell asleep the moment their heads hit the pillow.

Morning at the Lake

 Ollie slept all the way through the night and woke quietly at 5:30am. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it felt to get over six hours of sleep IN A ROW! The morning was slow and the big kids stayed sleeping a little bit later than usual. Camilla was the first to wake and enjoyed a bowl of cheerios while I put together the ingredients for Gramma Purdon's rhubarb cake. 

As the morning went on the littles woke up one by one for breakfast. The sky was blue and the sun was warm as I sent my little girl off to school. The boys and I had to run an unexpected errand which landed us near a lake. Before heading home we stopped by to run and dip our toes in the water. When life throws ya lemons, make lemonade. The sand had just been raked and was warm beneath our toes. Walking along the beach was so very good for my soul. 

 

 We were the only one's there so early in the morning which made it even more wonderful. I watched Ollie eat his first fistful of sand while the big boys ran around kicking and jumping for joy. It was decided that we had to come back here with swimming gear and buckets next time!

 The boys could have stayed and played all day long! And as I watched them I forgot about the piles of dishes, the sticky floors, and the chaos in the toy room. 

 I especially loved hanging out with this chunky blonde boy. His wrist rolls, his thighs, his oh-so-kissable cheeks. We all went home much happier than when we left! We are so looking forward to coming back many times this Summer!