Our Travel Blog

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Driving Miss Donna - what does this mean? Whenever I want to go somewhere, if Don is home he will usually drive. He always says he is driving miss Donna! This blog is for our travels, usually with our truck and fifth wheel trailer, but sometimes in our other wheels. When we are not vacationing check in for updates, although less frequent, about our life at home and our wonderful family:)

Sunday, September 1, 2013

August is here and gone–but what a month!

Well it seems like I just wrote a monthly re-cap, but August has met us and left.  As I said in my last post it is the end of summer for many, but we are extending ours by going away for September:)

First the big promised news…

baby announcement

That’s right – Lindsay and Jeremy are expecting! I’m not sure you are aware of the birthday stats in our family but this baby will be the eleventh member of the family and the sixth February birthday.  We are so excited to see our family growing again, and so excited for the Stecyk family to grow.

We were so lucky this month to see lots of Lindsay and Connor, thanks to Lindsay taking some time off and spending a little holiday with us.  They have had a busy summer with weddings, etc. so we have had other pop in visits and overnighters, but a week in Jasper with them and Tracy and Cal and all was so fabulous!

The new fifth was quite comfy in the mornings, even with Lindsay in the bed and Connor in a playpen.  This picture shows how well we fit in the sitting area, and there’s still the dining room to use.

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Sorry I digress.  I should try to talk about things in the order they happened!

The first camping trip with the new trailer was at Cross Lake Provincial Park for the August long weekend.  What a fabulous weekend it was!  We headed out Thursday and were excited to spend the weekend with Tracy and Cal as well as Lindsay and Jeremy!  Favourite times are always with the family in one place and all the grandkids together.  It sure is sweet having our own trailers.  LOL

The weekend was spent totally relaxing, hanging out with everyone, and enjoying the days and evenings around the campfire.  We missed having Paul and Mary at our gathering, but welcomed Jared and Kim and Donnie and Kristi and families. I must say I questioned my sanity at camping with 12 kids and their parents, but it was just fine!!  Great people, maybe they will join the May Long weekend crew?

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We went home for one night to repack food and drink, and headed out to Abraham Lake to join our friend Ivan for a few days of quiet R&R.  If you haven’t stopped there to enjoy the area, it is highly recommended.  Here is the view from our window…

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We had quite a quiet time, but did manage to get in one scenic hike to some waterfalls.

The other big highlight of the month was our week in Jasper.  We did all the things we love – exploring Athabasca Falls, Maligne Canyon, the streets of Jasper, and a visit to Jasper the Bear (which is an excuse for ice cream).  Great times with everyone together.  I must say though I miss Jeremy when he isn’t able to join us, but no one has unlimited holiday time.

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The rest of the month was filled with friends and family and other activities.

I started a Pilates program at a local facility, Core Movement.  Although I really enjoy the stretching and relaxing aspects of yoga, I wanted something that offered a bit more of a workout, and I’ve found it.  The owner Janine, is fabulous, and has set me up with an at home (or RV) mat and roller program.

We enjoyed a few visits with my mom, who lives with my brother in Edmonton.  She accompanied us to buy some bike parts with Blake, then a lunch.  As well we picked her up one Sunday and made a trip to the lake lot to empty it for the year, as we have decided not to keep the lease lot, but just the membership with the club.  We discovered we are too busy to use it to the full and may try in a few years again when we want to be in one place every weekend.  I also picked mom up last week and we went for groceries and supper.  I have really enjoyed visiting with her while Warren and Cherie are on a Turkish vacation!

Cal, Blake and Em participated in a Five Peaks run one weekend, and Lindsay, Connor and I went to Chickakoo Lake to cheer the kids on!  Sorry we didn’t stay and watch your 17 km Cal!

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Phil and Therza hosted a summer end BBQ, and that was a blast.  A night that I could have stayed and partied, but I said I would be DD.  Oh well…

We have made some more progress around our house as well.  We finally trimmed the front spruce tree about 5 feet up from the ground, allowing better lawn mower access.  As well we removed the lilac bush totally, and trimmed the cedars.  You can actually see the front street now!

Probably the biggest investment we’ve ever made in the house was this moth’s installation of new windows.  What an amazing difference to both insulation and aesthetic.  I love them!

Of course Don put some work time in, and he is really looking forward to September.  When we return in October he will likely be hitting the road flat out.

I know I have missed many good coffee dates and play dates in this summary, and they were all wonderful as always.  This says it all…

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