2nd Half of Summer

 I've tried to stay away from COVID talk, but who would have thought we would still be in the midst of a pandemic in August?

We were lucky that August gave us opportunities to be with friends and family. As I said in my last post we headed to Jim and Janice's farm in Glendon for a visit. We had a relaxing time, the weather was hot, and we got to see their new fifth wheel trailer. We made sure the fridge and air conditioning worked and had a great visit!

When we came home the final touches were done on the house and garage, we did a walk through and identified a few minor areas which were fixed on the spot, and the whole story ends with a freshened look of our house and garage. These projects gave us a focus over the summer and we are pleased with how our humble home looks now. We added finishing touches with a new mail box, outdoor lights and numbers.

After all that work and stress we escaped for the day to our favorite mountain get a way - Jasper. It was a great day as always, and the drive is never a bother.

If there is one thing COVID has taught us it is to appreciate all the time we typically get with our grandkids. We finally had a chance to have them for a sleep over! Everyone was a great sport about picking beds, etc. We had a blast and fit in a visit to the Edmonton Corn Maze. It was such a hot day, we finished it off with ice cream at Beach Corner.

The rest of the visit was spent watching movies in the cool basement, and some great food!

We enjoyed our last Alberta camping trip of the year at Moose Lake, with Paul and Mary. We haven't had a camping trip together for a year or two since they now have a lake lot. But they pulled their other trailer out for the weekend and it was sure appreciated.

The fish didn't cooperate this trip, but you can see the boating conditions were supreme.

We are approaching our September trip, so I will update you soon.

Why Not Build a Fence?

 Because it is a LOT OF WORK!!

We returned home from the infamous fishing trip and knew we had to get going with this project!

As much as I spent days and days and days painting the fence boards, it was nothing compared to Don and several assistants building the fence. Paul came and assisted with some strategic areas and measuring, Cory (the neighbor that shares the fence) added his muscle help, and we invited Blake out to try his hand at the air nailer, hauling wood, etc.  It was so great to have him with us in so many ways. First he is not a little boy anymore, he is the size of a man, and did a man's work every day he was here. That being said, he eats a lot too. haha He carried the old fence out, carried in new boards, nailed, painted, and was an extreme help to Don throughout the whole process. And it was also great to have him around for some one on one time.

The fence was completed on July 10 and then it was time to go.. you guessed it CAMPING!

This time we headed to Cross Lake, an old favorite, with the Camerons in their trailer and Lindsay and the boys trying tenting!

We were so happy we had this time with family, considering what a year we have had in many unique ways through the pandemic. We missed Jeremy, but he had an great biking adventure!

The exterior house and garage painting was started this month also. It was almost all done, but we left to visit Jim and Janice at their farm for the August Long weekend, so the final touches and walk through will be done the first week of August, so I will save that surprise reveal for them. 

A Camping We Will Go - and Maybe Catch a Fish?!

 June was an ideal month - it started with camping and ended with camping and who can ask for more?

We headed out to Abraham Lake for a few days, and decided to hike a few times instead of just laying around. LOL

The whole area is so beautiful, there were not many campers, and it was a great way to extend our anniversary celabrations!

On the ongoing saga of house renovations and repairs, we finished painting the east side fence. AND bought the fence panels for a whole new fence on the west side, and started the painting of those! But first a picture of the completed sidewalk repair from last month. Then combined with the freshly painted fence, things are looking up.

June seemed to go by faster than normal, but all the painting may be the reason for that. I am sure our neighbours are wondering what we are doing, we aren't much for outside work. LOL

Finally we moved on to bigger and better things and made a 10 day reservation at Calling Lake. June and Walleye fishing go hand in hand at Calling, and we were glad the park re-opened for camping.

Our friends Bruce and Keri joined us for the first 5 days. We were all excited to try our hand at fishing. We had the greatest time. The drinks were cold, the fish were biting like we had never seen, and the weather was on it's best behaviour! You couldn't wipe the smile off Bruce's face.

I finally perfected cooking the fish, but when you have 4 to clean and eat per day, it was bound to happen!

On Saturday Jim and Janice pulled in. Last year we joined them camping at Abraham Lake. We had not camped together since our St. Paul days in the 90's, although we have stayed in touch visiting and watching grandsons play hockey. So we made a pact that Jim would take time off every summer and we would meet somewhere.

Oh what a great time we had again! Don't take good friends for granted!!

Through this visit, Tracy and the kids drove up to see us for a day. The kids were excited to get out on the water and see if there were any fish left to catch. There is no way to describe this fishing expedition! Literally the hooks went out and the fish were there. Don and Tracy could barely keep up with the net, baiting, getting the fish off, etc. I am not joking - it was actually exhausitng. Suffice to say this trip saw everyone's fish stories and dreams come true!

May - In Like a Lamb?

Well May is certainly a blessing with the great weather and the fact that we can focus our efforts on the outside and our yard. Seeing the green come alive is so refreshing.

We are getting used to COVID regulations,and are lucky that restrictions have lifted somewhat so we can enjoy more things.

May was full of flurry and fun.

First off Blake's 13th Birthday!! How did that happen so fast? We were still in a distancing phase, so his celebration was a drive by party, no hugging etc. But we sat in lawn chairs in  the gargae and joined in a take out meal. I made a hugging suit out of recycle bags and gave away hugs to the kids. That was the first time since we left in February and boy did thse hugs feel good!

Next came Mother's Day. The Stecyks came by first, then the Camerons. It was a great day, and I enjoyed using my new patio umbrella. The chairs that Don had started were done, and mine is painted and in use. I just love it! The black one is for Lindsay and the yellow one is mine:)

May long weekend found us at the Stecyk cabin, enjoying the quads, fresh air, etc. Boy was it nice to be in the trailer again!

We also picked this year to get the sidewalk on the side of the house mudjacked. This time a local company, Stryder Construction, came through with flying colors. We are so pleased with the results, but find as we walk around the yard we have learned to anticipate the uneven spots, and take some funny steps that are no longer necessary.  Don't worry - this is the before photo.

Somewhere in all of this we painted the garage trim and installed a new window in the garage. This is all in preparation for getting the house painted. That comes hopefully next month. We have selected Student Works Painting. It was beyond frustrating trying to find a local company. Only one even returned my call, and their prices were very high.

In our family May starts with Blake's birthday and ends with Lindsay's. We visited with her but left the big celebrating up to her friends, who organized a bike tour around to their houses, with drinks and food at each one. A great distancing birthday idea.

The last installment of May is our Anniversary! This year marks 40 years. WOW  We had a great party planned, a hall booked, the menu made etc., but of course COVID...

What we did have that was so special and fantastic and full of love was a family day with all of our kids. The girls and guys went to extra lengths to make this a special day to remember. We are so lucky to have these great children, who make every occasion special. Thank you so much... And our gift was a booking for family photos - what better way to commemorate our 40th year!

And lucky you - I won't show off my baking and cooking from this month. LOL

So here are