March

And out like a lion.

Except not really. March continued to bless us with great weather.

We were really starting to feel the drag of winter regardless of the weather, so we invited ourselves to Don’s sister’s cabin back in Saskatchewan. I think we were breaking a few Covid rules, but not sure. Provinces have yet to agree on that, being that the Covid changes when the physical border changes.

It was a fantastic idea. Not only did we have a great visit with Kathy and the rest of Don’s family, we got a bot of exercise in. We helped Kathy cut and pile 2 cords of wood, we also walked around the cabin community. It was so warm out we did the wood in our short sleeves!

When we were home again Don and I drove out to Abraham lake to see if we could spot the famous gas bubbles. Unfortunately it was not possible that day as the snow had blown across the surface, hiding all signs. But it was yet another beautiful sunny drive so never wasted!

Not much else was new this month – not even a photo to share. Still binging Netflix and beer.

Till next time!

February

This year the weather just can’t be better.

February is all about birthdays in this family!

February 3 – Mason turned 7

February 11 – Cal got older

February 16 – Emerson turned 12

February 20 – I got older yet

February 22 – Jeremy got older

February 28 – Connor turned 9

One of my all time favorite photos of the February birthday boys! And the birthday girl of course!

Lots of outdoor activities for us and lots of happiness and family time and friend amidst the pandemic. Can’t ask for more!

Somehow amongst this mayhem the girls and I were able to continue with our new tradition of a Spa date for our birthdays. It gives us time to spend as mother daughter, and truly is better than a material gift.

Also my friends Maria and Annie had a backyard hot dog roast with a few bevvies. Lots of laughs and memories.

One of the most fun days was a tubing date with the whole family for our February birthday people! We went tubing at Sunridge and it was so much fun! The weather co-operated, there was a rope tp pu; you back up, and we took some time to also share some birthday cookies!

If you are a family following Covid rules this is as good as it gets!

Don and I took another drive to the mountains, this time to Athabasca Falls and lunch in Jasper – nothing like the majestic Rockies in winter, so peaceful and quiet.

Lots of Covid friendly visits, tons of virtual meetings and sunshine in abundance – that wraps up February.

Welcome 2021

January Recap – This was a hard month for us, and I am sure we are not the only ones.

The pandemic is taking more and more of a toll on everyone's mental health. I feel a lot of frustration with the differences in how municipalities, provinces and countries are dealing with it. And people. I hope it doesn’t become too divisive.

Continuing on our December theme we have still been doing a lot of hiking in the area, and finally ventured to see the Bunchberry Meadows paths. It is so beautiful out there.

A dear family friend and cousin in law passed away this month. Marie Smith, wife of Don's cousin Doug who passed away last year, is finally at peace. She has been suffering form cancer for years.

And as life often does we were thrown a bomb when our friend Phil Stagg passed away. An absolute perfect “newfie”, best bud, ringette dad and camping friend. We have so much history, so many memories, that we will always have Phil in our hearts and memories but damn it will be hard not expecting him on a long weekend and those giant campfires. Cheers to you buddy.

So here we sit, trying to stay active, missing the old ways of life, and hoping we just might be able to escape south this year.

Sounds a bit depressing but we are a little more up than that!

See you at the end of February!

The Last Month of 2020

 So let's be real here - I can talk forever about COVID but who wants to hear all the negativity?

Let's talk about how great December was. In no particular order here are the great things we did. And I must say that the weather the whole month was AMAZING!!

When we were still able to do so we had an outside fire pit coffee with Paul and Mary - thank goodness they have a fabulous fire pit.

We went to the Stecyk cabin for sliding, quadding and tobogganing behind the skidoo.

We re-discovered Chickakoo Lake in Parkland County, and our love for hiking. It may not be southern territory - but it has been fabulous. It is so much nicer to hike some hills and paths than walk the sidewalks in town.

We went to Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park for the most perfect canyon hike from the Fifth Bridge to the Tea House, which was actually opened to get a beverage at. And we went to town for a quick pick up at Bear Paw Bakery!

We spent days and days baking and cooking, which we so enjoyed, and lots of evenings driving to see Christmas lights.

We created a special way to share our days with the grandkids. We made Christmas Boxes! There were 2 editions.

Box 1 was filled with Decorate your own Cookie kits for each kid, an advent calendar for each, Elf on the Shelf cereal, photo booth props and their individual ornaments. Oh and the Stecyks' had Zoominescence passes.

When it became apparent Christmas wouldn't be in person this year, of course we needed Box 2! This one had their traditional Christmas PJ's, Ginger Bread House kits that Don MADE!, a couple of family games for each house, nuts and bolts and a small ski gift card for the Camerons.

The houses will see improvement next year. Em's had rough edges and couldn't stay together and Blake's broke, but he went with a more unique structure, and Connor's, Mason's and Reeses's were good! Regardless of the construction part of them, everyone agreed the gingerbread was delicious!

We had so much fun making these and there have been conversations about a January box - we will see:)

On Christmas Eve we did porch drop offs with the presents, picked up ours, and dropped off cinnamon buns and buns.

We made a smaller turkey for ourselves on Christmas Day, but big enough for leftovers and soup.

And we had a great time opening our gifts on our virtual chat! Thank goodness the girls remembered to take screenshots!

We had a virtual chat with Mom, Kathy, Karen and Darlene on Christmas Day as well. That is something we had not done prior to COVID and hopefully we will keep doing.

We spent New Years Eve watching hockey, having a drink or two, and slipped out to see Stony Plain's fireworks display!

So there you have it - December in a nutshell

November?

 How is it only November when we feel like time is dragging and the world is weird?

We seem to find enough to do - walks and cleaning and cooking and baking...

But first - The family photos ARE DONE!! This was truly the gift of a lifetime - and they turned out so fantastic!

November is also Tracy's birthday! We had so many plans for her 40th Birthday. This woman is amazing and we are so proud she's ours!

Their house was on restrictions because Tracy's work has had some COVID issues, so Cal and Adrianna planned a drive by party. Lindsay had the most adorable cookies made, and at least we were able to see her.

And in the family list of birthdays on an yearly basis - Reese is last but not least! Our youngest granddaughter - a real character. She calls DOn and I Little Don and Little Donna from a family joke that's already a few years old. She is funny, unique, loving and all that you could hope for. And it is hard to believe she is 10!

We were able to take her for the traditional meal and shopping trip and boy did she shop. LOL And I borrowed this collage form Tracy to show off all the sides and ages of Reese.

We got through November and I will leave it at that. Don and I are trying to walk every day which isn't really a new thing, and we are dealing, as everyone is, with not seeing our family as we are used to, etc. I am getting worried about Christmas and we are talking about how we may see each other and what we will do if restrictions are in place.

See ya!

Some Sense of Normal??

 Oh this is getting tiresome. We never know where COVID is taking us. Wear a mask, go to a house, go for coffee, don't go for coffee, kids are masked in school, sports are ok, but not the same, no spectators, parents doing car drop offs, car dressing, etc., etc.

This is the month of Halloween and that seems to be a discussion focus with COVID.

But before we get there we need to get through Thanksgiving. Cohorts and limited visitation is still the topic, and this year I am cooking a giant turkey, but the Camerons are doing meal pick up. Their kids, although COVID negative, have been feeling down with colds etc., and precautions are important.

We also have family pictures booked and there is no way we want to miss those!

And Thanksgiving weekend is also Tracy and Cal's anniversary - this year is their 16th.

And - it's Don's birthday month.

So forget all the COVID crap, and let's live the month out in photos.

The month started with such amazing weather - we picked Blake up for a day of fishing before we winterized the boat. It was a beautiful day, like hot!! There were no keeper fish but we sure had a good ride.

Thanksgiving day came and we had such a nice day for our family photos. And as I said the Camerons did a meal pick up on their way home. 

And so far the kids are on the ice! This is Reese...

And Blake in his game day suit:) We are so proud of him for making the U15AAA (Bantam) team his first year. He spent so much time preparing for the try outs, and he has several games upcoming.

Here's Mason - you better keep a watch on this dynamo!

And Em all ready for her first skate...

And Connor - who likes being a goalie and will always do it for his team, which is so appreciated. 

Then later in the month we celebrated Don's birthday with the whole family at Lindsay and Jeremy's!

And now you finally get Halloween photos.

And that my friends is October in a nutshell - or a nuthouse.

September Traditions

 Don and I have been going somewhere in September for years now. When we worked traditional jobs it was sometimes difficult, but as we began our own companies, etc. we became better at going away and or working away.

This year we had to work it around my Co-op Board role. So we went to BC for 3 weeks, came home and unpacked the trailer, packed our suitcases, and headed to Saskatchewan. Don dropped me at the hotel in Saskatoon and went on to Tisdale to visit family.

But first - BC.

I just love the southern part of our province and the windmills, and after a summer of driving the boat around as we camped, I was happy to be a passenger again.

This year we decided to go to the Cranbrook area again, but to find a new boondocking spot. Again we lucked out.  As is our habit when scouting new boondocking sites, we spent one night at Kikomun Creek Provincial Park so we could unhook and find a spot.

Our first site for a week was Wapiti Lake Recreation Site. The first 2 nights we had this giant space to ourselves, but there was no surprise as the weekend approached that company arrived. No problem though as they were a long way from us, and 2 great couples that we are still in touch with. We spent our days exploring, and drove to Fernie to have lunch with the Paskos.

One of the most mesmerizing sites was at Surveyor's Lake, where you can view literally 1000's of Painted Turtles in the water. I have never saw turtles in this environment.

We found falls to explore as well. The first ones were Marysville Falls. The falls are right in town and just beautiful. And there was an ice cream shop at the end!

The second set is Meachem Creek Falls, again just stunning!

Our next destination was a site at Goat River Canyon near Creston. Yet another idyllic spot on the river. There were even some trails to walk and explore. This was a forestry road so there was traffic in the daytime, but nothing disruptive.

We did a lot of exploring on this trip as well. We actually drove to Trail to see my niece Jenny and her boys, and while there her and I had lunch while Don and Ivan went to explore. Oh I forgot to mention Ivan joined us here for a few days.

We weren't really sure when we were leaving or where we were going, but the weather or actually the smoke from the forest fires made the decision easier. We headed to Cranbrook and at the end of the day actually found ourselves back at Abraham Lake.

It was at bit busier than earlier in the season, but just a hint of smoke. We relaxed there for a few days, then headed home. 

I had a commitment to work at a golf tournament, then we were headed to Saskatchewan. 

This gave us a chance to do some yard work and laundry before heading out. 

By the time we got home September was nearing an end. 

It was a great month with more memories. Don had a wonderful visit with his mom and family and I made it through my first set of in person Board meetings!