In the shade of my lilac tree.........

Golden afternoons of summer

When the sun is shining high,

And lacy little cloudlets drift

Like cotton in the sky.

Easy hours pass on tiptoe

As a soft and mellow breeze

Shows the silvery side of summer

Under leaves of lilac trees,

With coffee and book, I go to my chair

Reading as the hours go by

Listening to the chirp of sparrows

And a robin's lullaby.

Do I enjoy summer?? Yes, a thousand times YES!!

Welcome to my backyard........my peaceful place.....where I love to spend time working, watering, watching, reading, relaxing...... Will you join me?

Bikers at Archies "B" n "B"!!!

Dale and Darlene and their friends, Clarence and Brenda stayed with us overnight on their way out to the Radium, Kelowna and other points west. This is their annual bike trip that they do, camping along the way. Yesterday, being Canada Day weekend, I knew that there was no way they would get a camping spot anywhere around Calgary so we invited them to our "B" n "B". We enjoyed meeting their friends and hearing funny stories of experiences they have had over the years. Lots of laughter!! I asked them how long they have been doing this together and they said it would be 7 years this summer. Good for them!

Dale giving me a ride to the restaurant. I borrowed Darlene's jacket and helmet and wore flipflops!!!!!!!! It was so much fun. I think I could learn to like it!!!!

After having our pre-breakfast coffee at home, they treated us to bacon and eggs at Ricki's.

Darlene and Dale along with their friends........

Clarence and Brenda, all set and ready to go to Radium via Black Diamond, Longview and then to highway 40 through the gorgeous Kananaskis country, Canmore and Banff. If we could have, I think we would have followed them!!!!!!!

Happy Canada Day!!

Happy 140th birthday, Canada!!!

Showers and Sunshine!!!

Last night the Peace gals had such a fun time hosting a baby shower for Pastor Anthony's wife, Kim and baby Evan Bruce. Kim's mom Julie was able to attend as well. Kim's sister-in-law, Jenn was planning on coming but instead ended up in the hospital on Thursday having her baby - a baby boy, a little playmate for Evan. Little Evan received many wonderful gifts and what a good baby - he was smiling and trying to talk to Janet but just could not get the words out. Then it all got too much so off to dreamland he went and slept as he was passed from one gal to the next.

Just a few of the gals that came to the shower. Here is Lisa and Michelle.

Shirley, Laura and Myra, our new friend from Mexico.

Darlene, our capable MC and Ardy.

Anthony's aunt, Debbie who had a wonderful devotional, Judy and Louise.

Heather, Carol and Nicole's little boy who is turning 1 yr. old tomorrow.

Janet, Jen and I. Jen did again such an awesome job of decorating for this shower.

Delaine and Rhonda.

Just before Kim cut the cake to serve to the 45 ladies that came to the shower.

Is he reading the paper or IS HE SLEEPING????? Note the chairs.......it is Canada Day weekend, after all. We could not sit in any other chairs but these!!!! What a relaxing drive, first to Black Diamond for breakfast, then out to Cat Creek on a sunny, warm day in Alberta and of course we had to have our coffee and fruit along plus my camera!

As we were driving today, we seen the meadows that were covered with Alberta wild roses, Indian paintbrushes, these bright yellow beauties and many other mountain flowers. What a beautiful part of the world we live in and we so often take it for granted. "Help us to be thankful, Lord for our eyes ........ to see the flowers, trees, rivers and mountains!

.......for our ears......to hear the rushing of the river as it cascades down over the rocks, the birds that sing with such unique melodies, the rustling of the wind in the trees.......for the sense of touch.......feeling the wonderful warmth of the sun on our faces and the breeze that gently cools.......for our strong legs.......that lets us walk on mountain paths and helps us climb those steep hills. Help us to be thankful, Lord and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is You who created it all."

I love this view of this mountain at Cat Creek!

A beautiful day for a horseback ride in the mountains.

A little prune!

Here is Kalle being a little prune!!!!

Erin and Derek......the guy came and gave us a new modem and lo and behold, I can get into all my webpages, my address book and it is alot faster!!!! Even putting pics on here! We are still thinking about high-speed though. Thanks again guys for coming over!!!

A grandpa and his grandson!!

We are ready for the barbeque!!!!! The cap and shirt, he got from Heather and Duane and the apron and mitt he got from his mom, the huge flashlight he got from his sister and the new red convertible that I'm giving him hasn't arrived yet (Ha)!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bikes, Baptism and Birthday............

Last Thursday evening was absolutely beautiful so Jim, Laura and Glen rode their bikes out to Black Diamond for coffee and this "chicken" gal DROVE out to meet them. Glen was going to take me in his sidecar....... oooeee that would have been fun.....maybe one day!!!!!! No, actually I stopped at the garden centers on the way out as I needed more plants! Unfortunately the nursery out at Black Diamond was closed so I didn't get what I was going for there!! But it was fun and Laura, the courageous gal that she is, did great. Pretty soon she will be riding across the country! Baby Evan Bruce Heiraas was baptized today. It was a wonderful service as it is always when there is a baptism. God's blessings to you, Kim and Anthony and your precious little boy

What a gorgeous picture of Kim and Evan.

The proud mommy and daddy.

" The handsome birthday boy!!!!"

Heather and Duane and family came over for lunch and birthday cake after church.

I bet you could never guess what my husband wanted for his birthday....and this was ALL he wanted for his birthday......nothing else.......give up???? A SOUR CREAM PIE!!!!!! (just like his mom used to make!!!!) Well, I made him one and it turned out delicious even if I do say so myself!!! Happy Birthday to my best friend, my hubby......the love of my life! I hope you had a good day.

Wedding in Camrose last weekend!

First of all, let me introduce to you, Gunnar, Gramma Joy's and Grandpa Orv's first grandson.....born just 5 weeks ago to Kjell and Michelle. So cute and he looks so much like Kjell did when he was a baby.

Last weekend, June the 16th, we took off for Camrose to attend Joy and Orv's youngest son's wedding. Grandpa Arnold married them and Harold Rust had the meditation. It was simply beautiful as all weddings are! So fun to see these five Evenson boys that our girls played with when they lived here all grown up and getting married - handsome guys all of them and so fun to visit with them abit. Joy and I spent so much time together with our kids at our lake when they were just babies and toddlers - we lived for awhile just 6 houses apart on the same street - then they moved but not out of the community, just closer to the lake. Joy was a busy mom as I was but she went on to have two more babies. We have been friends for all these years and even though we don't see each other as much as we would like to, we enjoy the time when we do get together!!! And laughter is a huge part.......she is crazy..... and then I tend to get a little crazy too and we just have a blast!!!! But once in awhile we get serious and play scrabble!!!!!! Can you believe that!! Don't believe it cause it ain't true.....the serious part I mean.......

FRIENDS..... just another one of God's wonderful blessings.....

Gunnar, Kjell and Michelle's little 5 week old baby was ring-bearer and was pulled up the aisle in a red wagon by Amy's 3 yr. old niece. Honestly, it was the cutest thing ever!!!!!

Cody playing his guitar and singing a special song for Amy before she walked down the aisle. She was so touched.

Cutting the cake.

Mr. and Mrs. Cody Evenson dancing the first dance.

Here comes Joy and Orv with their dancin' shoes on!!!! It was a fun weekend seeing Cody and Amy on their wedding day and then visiting with Joy and Orv on Sunday for lunch. Thanks guys!!! You have a wonderful gift of hospitality!

Good-bye Nanc, Wayne and Breiden.....

Not fun to say good-bye but one thing, we will see them again soon.

Hangin' out with Daddy Sunday morning before church.

Breiden's godparents, Derek and Erin came over Sunday afternoon to say good-bye. His other god-parents, JP and Julie live in Fergus.

Sunday evening, they are on their way, driving all night back to Fergus. We can hardly wait to see you in August. Thanks for the wonderful visit.

Time flies by just too fast........

Friday night, Heather came in and we all went up to spend time with Gramma, then Heather, Nanc and I went shopping to find birthday gifts for the twins and Mikenna who has a birthday in June. And of course we had to stop for coffee at Moxie's. We were going to have their Mud pie but sad to say, they don't have that one on the menu anymore so we just had an appetizer. Heather ended up staying overnight at our house so that was fun for Nanc to have some more time with her. It always is tooooo short when the kids come home to visit, time flies by too fast.

First animal we seen on our way out to the mountains this morning!!

Unique log swing bench.

I had made a picnic lunch to take with us and because it was raining abit when we arrived at Lake Louise, we went up to the beautiful ski lodge and had our picnic inside. Here we are giving Breiden a ride on the log swing bench. He loved it.

I love this picture of Nanc and Wayne. We are out on the balcony at the Ski Lodge.

Walking around Lake Louise. It was abit rainy and cloudy but beautiful, nevertheless. No, this is not the "Kissing Rock" Susanne.......it is just Nanc and Wayne still on their honeymoon!!

"Aren't I a big boy?" In the lobby at Chateau Lake Louise. Grandpa was hiding behind the chair to catch him if he fell over!! He did good!!

All tuckered out from his big hike at Lake Louise. His little lamb that Great-Gramma gave him. It prays "Now I lay me down to sleep....." (both in French and English!!!)

Having a bite of supper at Athena's Pizza before heading back to Calgary. What a fun day. We missed having Heather and family with us but they were getting ready for company. Marv and Gwynne and kids were staying at their house tonight. Grandpa and I just put Breiden to bed while Nanc and Wayne went over to Erin and Derek's. We have enjoyed the little guy so much. He is such a good baby and a happy baby and we love it when he belly laughs. How we will miss them.......they leave tomorrow.