Summer Bliss!

Okay. So here's a quick little update as to what we've been up to. We had the family reunion, which was fairly fantastic! I was fun to catch up and visit with my dad's side of the family, some of whom I hadn't seen for 7 yrs. (that's when we only had 1 daughter...the way in which I gauge my life!). We played LOTS of bocce ball, ate LOTS of good fun, and had LOTS of good fun. I loved it! Thanks to everyone who came, and for all the help with getting food on the table!

After the family reunion, my parents took Hannah and Abby (along with 2 of my sister's kids) to Kelowna for the week. My sister stayed here for an extra 4 days, and we had an amazing time just hanging out and visiting. It's not often we get to talk and connect, since there are usually 9 kids around, but with just 3 kids here (1 of hers, 2 of mine), it was nice and quiet and relaxing....although I must say, I felt a little bit bad for Braden, who is 14....he was stuck here with 2 toddlers. Let's just say, he mowed the lawn....a lot! Trenna left on Thursday, and then on Saturday, we headed down to Calgary to meet up with my parents and pick up the girls. We had a little stop in Airdrie for a quick visit with one of my cousins (her husband has a shop, and he wanted to show it to Art), and then we checked into the Sheraton (thanks, Aunt Rhonda, for your family & friends discount!!) and waited for the girls to arrive. I must say, I missed them lots! At one point during the week, I called my parents to say hello to the girls, and I hear Hannah say, "I don't want to talk to my mom....then I'll get homesick again!". It was so great to see them running towards me and to hug them again. It's the first time that we've been apart for so long. They had a lot of fun at 'cousins camp', though, and are looking forward to it next time (too bad, mom and dad....now you have to do this every year!!). I must say, as a mother, there is something to be had for having all my little chicks together...it makes my heart happy! In Calgary, we spent the evening at the pool in the hotel. The older 3 are getting braver! Hannah & Molly loved the slides, and Abby actually would jump in the deep end of the pool (with a life jacket) repeatedly....yay!! The next day, we headed over to the Calgary Zoo for the day, which we all loved. It was perfect weather, and was great to walk around and see the animals. Here are a few pictures:

Let me explain this picture.....we had adjoining rooms, and so after we put the girls to bed in our room, we headed to my parents room and hopped into their bed to watch a movie. This picture looks a little odd, but I promise you people, nothing to see here!

What is a day with Nana and Grandpa without ice cream?!

All in all, it has been a great few weeks! Now that we are home, we've been relaxing and hanging out, having bbq's, and floating down the river. It is summer BLISS!