Southern Alberta

We've been having a great trip visiting my family.  Get prepared for a WHOLE LOT of pictures because we've been up to:

A lot of shopping.

Playing with uncles and aunts and gifts from family. 

Playing on new parks. 

Reminiscing with old friends.

Hitting the rides at Calaway Park. 

(And having a Whac-a-mole tournament which Cassy's stellar boyfriend Jarom won.  Yes, totally funny that I married Jaron and Cassy's dating Jarom.  Hey, I have a sister-in-law named Becky Brunson for heavens sake!)

Riding the craziest ride ever!

And just plain having fun!!

Canada Trip - The Drive

Last week the kids and I embarked on a journey by ourselves to go up to visit my family in Canada.  I was nervous to make such a long drive by myself (8 hours to Alberta and then 7 more on to Saskatchewan to visit my sister) but the kids were amazing.  Maybe it's because they're used to it but they have really become good little travellers.

As we drove through Montana, I couldn't help but think that everyond needs to do this drive at least once in their lifetime.  It is sooo beautiful, even on a cloudy, rainy day!

Pay no mind to the big ole' windshield wiper swiping through this one but I had to post it because I think this is the valley I want to live in some day - Amazingly GORGEOUS!!

In the past two months, my kids and I have gotten to be in the Caribbean, have flown across the continental United States, and now have driven through prairie and mountainsides.  I feel very lucky that we've gotten to see so much of the diverse beauty of what God has created for us.  It's really amazing that all these landscapes can be so different and all so beautiful! 

We stopped in Butte for breakfast and then Great Falls for lunch.  Our last stop was at the Alberta travel center in Milk River, right after crossing the border.  The kids had a blast here.

 And the front walk was filled with wisdom for our journey:

It was fun to get to explore inside the center.  Sorry Jaron, the deer didn't get a second glance from the boys but the skunk sure got some attention!

I turned my back for ONE SECOND and look what I found:

What a busy girl!  And, lastly, the theme of our trip:



A Walk in the Orchard

This weekend was one of two weekends a year that our church gathers for a General Conference.  It is broadcast in many forms, including over the internet and over Jaron's parents' local TV station.  Conference weekend is AMAZING and wonderful.  We get to hear the prophet and our leaders speak on many applicable topics and it just fills me up.  Our church leaders are so full of wisdom and insight - I count myself very lucky to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  If you care to listen to or watch any or all of this weekend's session of conference, go here.

Jaron's siblings often bring their families to his parents' house to enjoy conference together.  After this afternoon's session, we all headed out to the apple orchard to enjoy each other's company and to let the grandkids (8 grandkids ages 4 and under) run a little energy off.

 Gracen sure loves being outside!

 Alden and Eli get along famously with their cousins, especially with Piper and Katelyn, their two closest-in-age cousins.

The only missing Brunson grandchild in this picture is Jaron's sister's baby.  There are two more grandkids due to join this brood early next year.

It was such perfect weather today - we've really been enjoying the warmth and sunshine.

 Jaron's 12 year old brother, James, chose to take the path less traveled.  Alden loves to follow in his footsteps.

 These delicious honeycrisp apples are going for $5 a bushel if you come and pick your own.  So come on down!

 The flatness of the Idaho skyline still stands out to me.  SO different from Saba's incredibly steep terrain!

 Unfortunately, it's been windy and a lot of the apples, peaches and pears have ended up on the ground this year.

 Alden and Eli would follow Grandpa Brunson to the ends of the earth and that's fine by me.  Grandpa Brunson is a wonderful example for them.  They love to tag along behind Grandpa as he goes about his yard chores.

 I was sad that little Eli would no longer be bringing me flowers all the time after we left the island.  I guess I shouldn't have worried!  Although they're not as brightly colored here, these still do the trick!



Free Fun Day

This past week I've had time to re-fall in love with American Amenities.  We had a day of free fun at the Mall this week.  We hit Petco and the kids were in love, especially cute little Gracen who "oos" and "ahhs" at all things animals.

Then we went over to Barnes and Noble to play on the train table - something the boys have begged me to take them back to every day since.

And where was Gracen during this train fest?

With the stuffed animals, of course.

Lastly, we played in the Mall play area.  I love a good fun, free day!  You can believe this is how we're going to spend our winter!!