Happy Birthday Weekend

Well this is certainly not a vacation but I thought I would take this blog chance to wish my husband a wonderful happy birthday!
Officially if things work out the way we hope, Don is now one year from retirement from Alberta Transportation.  He started his employment with them January 1980 as a surveyor, and has been a prospector now since 1995.  Many bosses, many cubic yards of gravel, and many memories. He is not sure exactly when he will retire, and hopes to continue as a consultant, but it is approaching fast.
We had a nice but busy weekend.  On Saturday we went to Edmonton to watch Emerson swim and keep Blake company, as Cal was with Em swimming.  Tracy is the Vice President of the Therapist Assistant Association of Alberta and Saturday was their education day and AGM.  We went back to their house and then babysat Em while Cal and Blake were at hockey.  Blake managed almost the whole practice this time without the helping walker, and just his hockey stick.
After Cal and Blake got home we went to an 80th Birthday party for Lloyd Deslisle in Edmonton.  Lloyd was Don’s first boss with the government in 1980.  He and his wife were also great friends for us, Gloria helping me learn the ropes of parenthood (they had 5 children) as well as adjusting to being a wife of a never home transportation guy.  Gloria is great at getting folks together and hosted a wonderful party.
Then we were running back home as we had a surprise visit from my Uncle Michael and Aunt Doreen.  These are my closest and most special relatives I have.  They are a great positive couple and I love to hear of their travels.  Cannot believe they are 65 and 70 years old.  We went to Boston Pizza and had a great meal and visit.  It was nice to go out as we have cut back on that since I no longer work.
Then today we went to Warren and Cherie’s for a quick coffee and good bye to Michael and Doreen and back home to prepare for Don’s birthday supper.  Blake and Em said it was his party!  They were so very cute singing happy birthday to grandpa!!!  Blake could barely contain himself before the cake.  And Em was excited as soon as she saw the ice cream container.  After a bit more playing it was bath time and goodbyes!  I think Don’s highlight was Blake riding the quad with him, as they put them away in storage for the winter.
Have a great week everyone and I’ll drop a line again soon.

Happy Thanksgiving:)

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend!  On Friday afternoon we went to the airport and picked up Lindsay, who was in Calgary in meetings for the day.  Jeremy travelled down after work that day.  We haven’t seen them since prior to our vacation in September.  Sometimes scheduling just doesn’t work out well in the summer with everyone coming and going:(

On Saturday we went to watch Emerson at swimming lessons.  What a cutie!  She loves the swimming, and is SO cute walking to the slide and splashing down.  She really needs lessons because she is quite fearless.  Then we headed out to pick up a birthday cake for Tracy.  Cal and Lindsay had been working for almost 2 months planning a surprise party for Tracy’s 30th!  You can read about it on Tracy’s blog.  The white lies were getting numerous so I am glad the day arrived.  After a quick lunch we went to watch Blake at hockey!  Can you believe it?  It is pre-initiation and he goes every Saturday at 1:15 p.m.  He had a great practice and stayed skating almost the whole time. 

Don and I went home after that, we had to get ready to go and babysit that evening.  Tracy’s party turned out to be a success.

Sunday was a pretty laid back.  Don and Lindsay and I went for a late morning breakfast and a quick trip to Costco.  Lindsay and I found some time to sort through all my card making supplies and organize them (to some extent).  Then Lindsay was off to the Stecyck’s for their Thanksgiving, and I was ready to start our cooking prep for Monday.

We were joined by our family – Tracy, Cal, Blake and Emerson (and almost baby#3) and Lindsay and Jeremy.  Also my brother Warren and wife Cherie, and Kelly & Calvin.  Kelly has been a friend of Lindsay’s since junior high!

As always the house was busy and fun.  There was too much to eat for which we are truly grateful.

I may not write too much before Christmas, but have a great fall.  Here’s a smile for you:

Home and Life is Great

We have been home for almost a week now and so much has happened!

First – I cannot believe how much time I can use doing what is almost nothing:)  I know I haven’t worked our whole life, but I haven’t ever been home with no one to care for but Don and I – and he is very low maintenance.  I have used my days catching up with Tracy & Cal, friends and of course Blake and Em, as well as tying up loose ends with some volunteer work, etc.  I can’t wait to see Lindsay and Jeremy this weekend, it has been forever:)

I got some shopping in as well:)  My great friends at the Town had a farewell party for me last night, and it was like the longest best coffee break you will ever have.  Boy I miss those people on a daily basis.

And the best news is I have received a contract to work with the 2012 Alberta Winter Games under the Promotions Portfolio.  It is not an intense time commitment and I really look forward to putting some old skills to work.  The part time will allow me to still keep up somewhat with all the other “stuff” I do in my life.

I really need to acknowledge the incredible support I have received form my friend, mentor, supported, etc. Maria.  Maria herself just completed her Master’s Degree.  So proud of her.

And of course, Don, who drives miss donna anywhere…  love ya:)

Last Days of Vacation

Today we are settled in Farragut State Park.  How many times can I say that one area or another is our favourite place?  But this place truly is a favourite and a spot we often stop at before we head home.  There are many reasons why.  First it allows access to the most tranquil city we have visited, Coeur delaine, Idaho.  Second the park is comfortable, feels like home.  Third it is just a few miles away form a wonderful little town called Bayview, which happens to be home to the coolest coffee shop, Ralph’s Coffee House.  I have sent many U of A assignments away using Ralph’s wifi, for which I am grateful.  Here is a link to a Bayview Blog, which I enjoy reading.

Have you had a chance to walk the boardwalk at Coeur delaine?  It should be on your list:)

Sorry I have resorted to so many links rather than posting our own photos, but I haven’t downloaded and organized our photos for a little while.

We are heading home tomorrow and I am happy.  I have missed the grandchildren and am ready to be home and try to find my place in the world again!

We’ll keep in touch though – till the next adventure.

Champoeg State Park

Wow – what an  amazing scenery greeted us when we pulled into this park.  It has been such a great part of this September adventure!  This park is located just south of Portland Oregon, which is not an area we have spent much time in.

In two days we saw so many new things I don’t even know where to begin.  On Tuesday before we reached the park we stopped for the day at the Evergreen Aviation Museum.  Howard Hughes Spruce Goose is at this museum.  I think Wikipedia best describes it:

The Hughes H-4 Hercules (registration NX37602) ("Spruce Goose") was a prototype heavy transport aircraft designed and built by the Hughes Aircraft company. The aircraft made its only flight on November 2, 1947. Built from wood because of wartime raw material restrictions on the use of aluminum, it was nicknamed the "Spruce Goose" by its critics.^[1] The Hercules is the largest flying boat ever built, and has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in history.^[2] It survives in good condition at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon, USA.

Don has researched and watched documentaries on the Spruce Goose and it was a great stop.  It took over 6 hours and I think a return visit some day would still be in order.

The area around the state park was such a scenic farmland.  Fall was out in it’s most splendid colors.  And the city of Portland is majestic to say the least.  We followed our usual pattern of shopping, eating and sharing a few beverages.

What a great holiday:)  Stay tuned

Beverly Beach State Park

As I said we did not move too far south.  The weather which I didn’t mention last (for a reason) has greatly improved.  The word dry could even be used somewhat.  Bev has taken some beautiful beach scene photos which I will download soon.

Between eating, drinking beer and walking on the beach our 2 nights here were exhausting:)

We explored the beautiful city of Newport.  The historical waterfront district is one of my beautiful places.  The sea lions were active as always, and the view for a beer on the waterfront was great.

We were finally able to have a fire last night, although the wood was still quite damp.  The fog sets in pretty heavy here in the morning and late evening.

Today we are on our way to Portland.  We will be stopping at the Evergreen Air Museum, where Howard Hughe’s Spruce Goose is located.  Everyone ois excited to see that!  It will be in the next blog.

Oh by the way the weather is now HOT!  Ha ha never happy.

Tillamook Oregon

Today we say goodbye to one of our favourite spots in Oregon.  As I mentioned before the Tillamook area is home to Tillamook cheese.  But it is also a beautiful area, lush farmland and dairy, still right by the sea.

We stayed at Cape Disappointment State Park.  I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful Oregon’s state parks are.  You can count on their consistency every time.  We were along the ocean, just a sand brim between us, and the waves again to put us to sleep.

I am saying this a lot but we didn’t do too much while here:)  Don and Ron visited the Tillamook Air Museum while Bev and I did laundry.  Imagine having to do such hard work on vacation!

As always we drove around, exploring and enjoying the ocean beached and coastline, and in general snooping around.  We seem quite good at that!

Off south, but not too far…