More pics of the weekend.......

Extended family.......what a blessing.....

My cousin Juanita and her hubby.......so good to visit with them again........

Proud Gramma Darlene, Tenille and the little one all tuckered out.....

Darlene and Juanita were flowergirls at Joyce's wedding......

All my nieces and nephews are so special......Carolyn and I at the party.......So fun to visit with her again........

hangin' out at Rob and Carol's........

Breiden says, " This is my friend, Carol......"

They are here for a week!!!!!!

How wonderful it is to have our children come to visit when they live many miles away. And even when they live close, it is still a joy when the doorbell rings and here they stand! We had not seen Breiden since Jan. so he has changed alot. How fun it was this morning to get up and be able to cuddle with him abit, sing to him and yes, he went to sleep for his morning nap. Then they left for Okotoks via Erin and Derek's to introduce him to Derek. And Aunty Heather and Uncle Duane had not met him yet either so they were so excited to see him. The kids have been anxiously waiting. Nanc, Wayne and Breiden came up to Saskatoon on the weekend and I drove back to Calgary with them.

To our family in Fergus.......wish you were here!!!!

Trip to Saskatchewan!!

Last Thursday morning, Ron, Delaine and I took off for Joyce and Roy's farm arriving there at supper. She fed us Homemade chicken soup and homemade bread.......yummy!! She is an awesome cook! We had a great time with them in their cozy home and stayed with them two nights. We made the trip as well because our aunt had a special birthday on Sunday so we came for the celebrations.

Walking the bridge at Outlook on Friday after stopping for coffee. Joyce and I had gone down to the camp where we are going to have our Family Reunion to plan the menu and then took a different route back to Joyce's on the spur of the moment via Outlook. This bridge is part of the Trans Canada Trail. So fun!!! It was an absolutely gorgeous day in southern Sask. and so this exploring was just the icing on the cake. In the background is the southern Sask. river.

Roy came in from the field just before we were going to leave on Saturday morning. He had been out seeding his crop.

Their large yard is just like a park.

Having our coffee on the deck before leaving.

Stopping at Viv's apartment on Sat. afternoon. She took us out to lunch at Justin's which is just close to her place.

On Sunday morning, we got up and went up to Birch Hills for church. Then it was the "Come and Go" for the special birthday party at 2:00 P.M. and at 5:30, Ed and Marilyn and their crew put on a delicious supper for all the relatives.

Aunty Myrtle looked so good for being 100 years of age. She can't hear very well but she stayed right from 2:00 P.M. when the party started til after supper and did very well.

With her 2 brothers and sister. Uncle Arnold, Aunty Jewel and Uncle Gerhard (who just turned 98 in May).

Aunty Myrtle on her 100th birthday.

Aunty Myrtle's daughter Marilyn, her husband Ed, their four children and spouses and grandchildren.

There were probably 25 - 30 nieces and nephews of Aunty Myrtle's that attended the celebration. Some are not pictured here but how fun to visit with some that I hadn't seen in years.

Thank you Rob and Carol for the cozy and wonderful time in your beautiful home. We (Nanc, Wayne and I and Breiden) so appreciated your hospitality and the internal arobics on Sat. night made my stomach hurt!!!! The supper was delicious, the fellowship with you, Larry, Wendy, Ron and Delaine was delightful!!!! They say that laughter is the best medicine......well.....we got a good doze of it (as per usual when we get together). Our blessings just keep rainin' down!!

Excited to see Grandpa but all tuckered out from all that visiting. On the way back to Calgary Monday. Our sweet little Breiden.

Beautiful Saturday after another freak snowstorm last Thursday.......

This morning we took off for Okotoks and on the way, stopped at"Spruce it Up" which is so fun and interesting. Jim on his motorcycle and me in the car. I did get some plants. There happened to be an antique auction of cars at the Rec Center in Okotoks so Jim went there and I went to the Garden Center out on the highway and checked that place out. (Friday morning, my friends and I had gone to the Saskatoon Berry Farm. That is another interesting place, lots of plants, gift items, all kinds of garden stuff plus they have the best scones at their little restaurant..... and with it you get Saskatoon berry jam.)

And of course we had to stop at Heather and Duane's to see the finished product, the kid's playhouse. Notice the hanging basket....that was their neighbour, Dora that lives just back of them that helped Siri and Jemma plant it. She had some annuals left over so she gave them to the girls. So cute. Duane had just finished building a sandbox when we came so they put that up too today.

Saying good-bye to the Danielson crew plus neighbour kids. Nate thinks it's pretty cool that his grandpa rides a motorbike.

Beautiful scenery on the way back home from Okotoks via Millerville! Yup, that's my hubby ahead of me. I am too chicken to ride on the back of his motorcycle. I would have to have my own!!!! Hey Larry and Irene, remember this road.....you drove it lots!

Stopped at the Millerville corner for dessert!!!

After the good cup of coffee and a butter tart, we headed home to work in the yard, mowing the lawn, etc., etc. It was a good day.

Snow again on Victoria Day Weekend........

Our waterfall at our lake and the greening of the grass!!! Looks so pretty when the red geraniums are put in......BUT.......
How crazy is this......snow again.......and this is our standard comment....... that is Calgary weather.....!!!!!! It was beautiful on Saturday so Jim and I worked out in the back yard all morning and part of the afternoon. Oooooh how our muscles complained but we accomplished alot!! We rewarded ourselves Sat. night with Chinese food at Ginger Beef House (jealous you guys???? Yes, we did have hot and spicy ginger beef and it was yummy!!!) Sunday morning was nice again and of course it is always so good to make our way to church. Our pastor's wife is still waiting to go in to have her baby. She looked great.....no, she looked absolutely beautiful.....her due date is this week!!! I didn't hear the sermon but as always it was good, my husband informed me. I was in the nursery with little Annie (Tammy and John's little girl) and we had such a fun time. She talked the whole time! Of course this was a long weekend so quite afew people were away, camping. I'm glad we weren't!!!! I have experienced too many times in the mountains waking up to snow on the long weekend in May. Sunday afternoon, I packed a little picnic lunch and we went to Heritage Park to ( I bet you could never guess!!! Think your father and what he likes the most!!!) a CAR SHOW showing classic, old cars fixed up!!!! Ran into Ray and Doreen there and so visited with them abit!!! Jim was glad for a buddy to talk cars with ( I am clueless - it is another language as far as I'm concerned!!!!!) and Doreen and I walked around and watched people. It was relaxing. Phoned Uncle Ron and Aunty Delaine from there to come for supper but they had just gotton home so they told us to come out there so after coming home from Heritage Park, I made a veggie platter, cut up some strawberries and pineapple for our ice cream and went out there for supper. Uncle Ron is doing good. He still is on crutches but his ankle is coming along really well. He had it fused in April (the ankle he broke many years ago when he fell off a house doing siding) We had such a nice time visiting with them. Then we stopped in and visited with Gramma in the evening. Full day but a good day!!! Sunday night it started raining and Monday (the day of planting gardens around here) it rained and SNOWED (in the north end of the city and towards Airdre) all day!!! What could we do? Of course......to the Mall we went........for good strong Starbucks coffee and dark!!!! chocolate-covered graham crackers!!!! That was our weekend. How about you, my family and friends? I just made some coffee.....would you like a cup???

Peace Airlines Flight #1975 is now departing from Gate 05/14/07.......... Please have your passports ready......

Every year the Peace ladies have an annual Mother/Daughter tea and this year it was just abit different. Yes, we went on a journey.........

The very first two people we met on this unforgettable flight was our Security officer Moench who spoke with confidence and authority and our captain, the suave and debonair Captain R. Cook who both provided us with alot of laughs, a safe journey (sometimes) and an absolutely fun time. Thank you guys. What a joy it is to be able to have so much fun and fellowship together.

Our first stop was London, England and we heard Big Ben and then met these two English typical English ladies, Peggy and Margaret who gave us a tour of the city of London. They reminded me of the Queen and her mom with their hats and white gloves. They were the cutest ever!!! They finished off by singing the song, "Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner."

Can you guess our second country, we landed in? Ya, it vas Norge!!!! And the first-class section was served "Lefse"!!!! And had their water and sparkling juice in real wine glasses, we got plastic, they had steaming towels to wipe their hands, we had paper napkins......I would say that was an "ufta"!!!!

" Velkomen til Norge" is what our tourist guide (Heather) said to us as we stepped off the plane in Norway. She could only speak Norwegian so she had her interpreter (Ardy) along to explain what she was saying. She told us about the hospitable people, the beautiful country filled with mountains and fjords. We experienced a little problem coming into Norway with one of the engines losing power thanks to our co-pilot, Jeff!!!!!

Peace Airlines Flight #1975 continued..........

While we were in the different countries, we were able to "Duty-free" shop at our Silent Auction!! There were lots of different baskets that we could bid on. So fun.

We listened to the Norwegian sisters, Olga and Lena (Karen and Sharon) singing the well-known song, "Ufta, it's hard to be humble, ven yer Norske in every vay!!!" Lena had a bit of a problem with her rhumitism, her enyoying poor health all veek and her memory not so goot. She even forgot her sister's name!!! However, they made it through!!!!

While in Norway, we also listened to the "Karmoy Gospel Choir" singing "Amazing Grace", two verses in the musical language of the country and two verses in English. The choir was dressed in the traditional and beautiful sweaters of Norway.

Peace Airlines Flight # 1975 continued..........

Bonjour, mon ami!! Our third country that we stopped at was Quebec, Canada and here is our Frenchman, Ernie singing a touching tribute to his mom (which he composed). Very appropriate for this occasion, honoring our mothers.

Landing in Mexico, our final country, beaches, flowers, spicy foods. We were served tortilla chips before arriving.

Our Mexican tourist guide, Hose (Linda Cricket) telling us all about the great country of Mexico. This is Becky and Darlene at the Mexican Resort in Cancun, making beds and waiting for the days work to end so they could hit the beach.

Lisa's Kaylina tried her best at breaking the pinata!

Jemma getting ready to whack it good!!!!

Siri trying as well!!

Finally the pinata (spelling, I hope I have it right!) broke and the kids were able to gather up the treasures!!!! After this stop in Mexico, we had an uneventful flight back to Canada. We were served strawberry shortcake and coffee on the flight back. Our wonderful stewardess, Kayla Ratz made sure that we were comfortable and relaxed!!! What a fun filled and great evening with the flight crew (who were all men by the way except for Janet who kept them in line!!!! They always serve at our Mother/Daughter teas and do such a great job!

Jemma's birthday!

Last Saturday around 4:00 P.M., we went out to Heather and Duane's for a barbeque for Jemma's birthday. She had had a fun afternoon with 4 of her friends and Siri, her sister, doing a craft, playing in their new playhouse that their Grandpa Danielson built and having cake and of course presents. She won't be turning 7 til tomorrow and on the weekend, they will celebrate with family in Camrose.

Kalle not too happy

They love their new playhouse.

New little outfit and new little monkey. How fun!!

In memory of my mother......

A HUMAN ROSE

One day long ago I saw a rose.......a human one I mean.......a woman who portrayed to me.......the beauty of a queen........her face was filled with character........that only years can mold.......her smile held real sincerity.....that shone as purest gold......her graying hair caressed her head......much like a silver crown.......the tenderness within her eyes......caused her to look renown......I marveled at the way she walked.......each step a work of art......old in years but all the same.....so very young at heart.....her countenance was that of "FAITH"......and hope in days to be......lined with a velvet sweetness....which fashioned Heaven's key.....and so I write this verse for her......in effort to disclose......the little things which made her seem........to me.....a human rose.

I found the above poem in one of my books and it so describes my mom. She was an incredible lady......she gave birth to 12 children, many of whom were born at home. My father would work from dawn to dusk trying to put food on the table for his family (we were poor as church mice in material things but so rich in the love, laughter and security of a wonderful home and childhood) so my mother spent most of her days washing clothes by hand, baking, cooking, cleaning and doing all the things for the children and with the children that had to be done each day. She was absolutely amazing and I so admire her and what she had to sacrifice for her children and what she went through in her life. But you know she was young at heart at 92. She was a fun person and such a sense of humor and I loved that in her. I also loved visiting her in her cozy little apartment in Saskatoon, she would always let me have her bed and she would sleep on the hidebed in the living-room cause she got up at 5:00 in the morning to get things done (in her words). She loved going out for lunch and shopping so we would go to the Mall, stop and have coffee, then pick up her groceries. She loved going out for ice cream and didn't like to miss anything that was going on. I loved her so much and miss her to this day.

Blessed be her memory!

Happy Mother's Day!!

To our daughters........who are now mothers.......

How we thank the Lord for you and your families, each one of you is so unique and special and our hearts overflow with gratitude that as you parent together, you are raising your children to be loving and kind, wanting to serve God, church, community and country.

But because this weekend is Mother's Day, we want to especially thank you, Heather, Sue and Nanc, for being the wonderful Mothers that you are.....It amazes us when we see how you interact with your children, how you spend time with them, how you play with them, plan special things for them, teaching them everyday to go to Jesus with their problems, pray about their joys and sorrows, and have joy and love in their hearts.........

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!! We love you!

Gramma's birthday!

Last Thursday was Gramma's 87th birthday so this afternoon, we took her to Swiss Chalet (her and Grandpa used to go there quite often) for supper. She enjoyed it.

Gramma wearing the shawl that Ida knit for her for her birthday. It is cozy and warm to put around her shoulders when she is cold. Because her eyesight is going, we got her a phone with large numbers on it so it is easy for her to use.

Happy Birthday, Gramma!

Siri's little dance recital!!

Last night we went to Siri's dance recital. She was so excited to have both her grandparents, as well as mom and dad and Jemma there to see her perform in their little routine. They were just the cutest!!!!!

Doing all her little dance moves!!! Great job, Siri!!

It was so fun to watch this youngest class perform. They did so well and they were all so cute!!!

Receiving her certificate.

Siri with her teacher.

"Snowflakes keep falling on my head!!!!"

Yes, this is what you think it is!!!! Snow on May 3, large white flakes coming down covering the ground out at Hannes and Margaret's. Bev and I go out there for Bible Study on Thurs. afternoons and this is what we were treated to this time!!! Sometimes it is deer, most times it is birds of all kinds, they even have had bears come down into their back yard but Thurs. it was this...........!

Vale's Nursery!!!

I tell you it is fun to go out to Black Diamond to Vale's Nursery. Last Wednesday, that is exactly what Ardy, Laura and I did. It put us all into the gardening mood. The gal that runs this place has so many different varieties of plants and we were kind've looking for something for the church plant pots. And after looking and looking and looking and ........ purchasing, we were ready for some good strong coffee. "Well," Laura said, "there is a bakery and coffee shop right on main street that we should try!" So we did and I bet you could never guess what we had for a treat with our coffee!!!!! KRANSKAKE!!!!! Can you believe it!!! Ardy said (in a very loud unbelieving voice and tone), " you have KRANSKAKE!!!!" The gal that was behind the counter was Norske!!! How fun was that......it made our day.....but of course we had some danish pastry as well........all our calories in one shot!!!! But boy, was it yummy!!!!!