Noah's birthday!

What a blessing it is to have grandchildren that want to come to visit. We absolutely love it. Our Noah is a treasure......thoughtful, kind, polite and so fun to have around. Today was his 11th birthday so here are some of the things that he did. The first thing was a ride on Grandpa's motorcycle.........then........

.....a bike ride in Fish Creek.

Having birthday cake, ice cream and presents in the Courtyard at the Beverly with great-gramma.

Just before leaving Great-gramma's. Having fun with Jemma, Siri, Nate, Olson and Kaelon.

Having smores and a fire in the firepit before going to bed. Grandpa and I hope you enjoyed your birthday. We love you.

Family Reunions are fun!!!!!

We had another family reunion last weekend at Hitchcock's Hideaway across the lake from Elbow, Sk. and here my sisters and my oldest brother are having their pre-breakfast coffee at 7.00 in the morning. This was a very special time to laugh, cry, look at Mom's albums, remember our parents, our brother Ed, our nephew Scott and our brother-in-law Howard who are waiting for us in Heaven, it was also a special time to tell stories and laugh til our sides ached and just have a wonderful time together......thankful for our Christian heritage and all the members of our Olson clan. We are so blessed.

Pansy the clown (alias Debbie) came to visit on Saturday afternoon. She painted faces and made balloon animals for the children (and adults!!!!!) So fun!!! Our beautiful Jehru (Steven's wife) with Pansy.

The four cousins, Sue, Nanc, Kirsten and Julene!

Of course our little Breiden was there.

Some people in our family are such characters!!!!! Eric (our son-in-law) and Ken (my brother) trying to outdo each other!!!!!!

All the siblings that were there........from left, me, Larry, Lloyd, Ken, Ron, Jarle, Joyce, Mac, Ida Gwen and Viv. Unfortunately Florence and Ted and Kay couldn't come because of illness. We missed you guys so much!!!
Sue already missing her son.

Just before Sue and Eric left for Fergus on Sunday afternoon. Noah came back with us and we are having so much fun.

Waving good-bye to the family that was left on Monday morning. Such a wonderful time together. We'll see you again in three years!!!!!

UNTO THE MOUNTAINS.........I WILL LIFT MY EYES.......

Psalm 121:1

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains, from whence shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth".

Now I can understand.......know why they wrote this record. On my peaceful mountain, cares and problems are minimized, remote, they seem small and distant as the houses in the valley far below. Earth's burdens are left behind and God becomes very near. The certainty of God's omnipotence and tender guidance fills my heart to over flowing and His love abounds in every blade of grass and mountain flower. His face is seen in the clouds and the sun that warms the earth. No wonder that Jesus when He was here on earth after a busy day healing, loving, caring for the people He created, felt the need to go back to the mountaintop to pray to His Heavenly Father. O that we would follow His example............

Supper at Jarle's Friday night!

Judy, our wonderful hostess making us feel so welcome. It was so fun to go out to Jarle and Judy's on Friday night for a lovely lasagne supper. A beautiful evening so we were able to sit on the deck and feast our eyes on their view of the mountains and river to the west plus a sunset. All these people came for the reception that was happening on Sat. night.

Mac and Ella, Ron and Delaine.

Roy and Jon sitting on their deck.

Fun to visit with Debbie, Hope and Ken.

Our excellant "host"!!!!

Garden Party!

Roy, Joyce and Delaine. We had a garden party in our backyard Sat. afternoon before going over to the reception. Jarle and Judy couldn't make it as they were helping to decorate the hall. It was such a warm day, we were trying to all sit in as much shade as possible.

Good to the last blueberry!!!!

My oldest brother Mac and Ella came with Joyce and Roy from Saskatchewan to attend the reception. So much fun to have family.

We were so pleased that Gramma felt good enough to come over for coffee. She enjoyed it so much.

Reception!

Saturday, we attended Val and Shane's wedding reception at the Midsun community center.

Mr. and Mrs. Shane Sokolan

The bride's parents.

Andre was not able to attend as he was flying. This is Lisa and Tony's cousin's special lady.

51 years ago on July 21st, this young couple was married. Happy Anniversary Delaine and Ron!!

Rhonda and Tony and Tony's cousin in the background.

Dave and Cherie.

Two beautiful young ladies, Erin (Melissa's) and Kimberly (Patty's). Kimberly sat at the guestbook table.

Two more beautiful young ladies......Janessa (Patty's) and Lorissa (Valerie's). They also sat at the guestbook table.

Patty and Melissa with Cory in the background. Darryl and Tim weren't able to make it as Matthew and Keegan were at their soccer tournament and both the guys coach.

Steven, Jehru and little Jarvin. He is 10 months old now and walks all over the place. He is a little cutie!!!

A bunch of the gals plus Dave doing the "makarana" (spelling is wrong, I know). They had so much fun!

Here is Jessica singing "karioki" to this one song. She knew it perfectly, did actions with it and was just hilarious - such a character. Melissa and Jim laughing at her.......we were all laughing!!!! She is hoping to go to Briercrest Bible College next fall to take some courses. She is such a fun gal!!

Stampede barbeque and a visit from Heather and kids!

We had our annual Stampede Barbeque last Sunday at our church and it was good. Roy and Stan were our guys that did the barbequing and they did a fine job. I think everyone enjoyed it. We had quite afew people that came from the Condos across the street and others too that we hadn't seen before. Good time.

Ron and Sheri standing in line. Another friend from the condo across the street.

Rhonda and Myra getting their food!

Karen and Don with Evan.

How Don loves the babies! He is so good with them.

Our youngest cowboy in our church. Yes, Evan is there under the big cowboy hat!!!!!

Heather and I and the kids went to Ikea yesterday for lunch. Honestly that place is so kid-friendly. We didn't buy anything there, then we toured the new Superstore over in that area and what a big, spacious store that is. I had to get some groceries for the weekend. Then our last stop was Christian Pub and while the kids watched Hermie, we got what we had to get there. How fun was that!!!! Came home and sat in the back yard visiting and Jemma and Siri deadheaded my petunias. That was a huge help. It has been so hot and humid (strange for Calgary) the last few days so sitting in the shade is nice.

Thanks guys for coming to visit us and great-gramma. She loved it as we did.

The mom and her girls sitting on the "discussion bench" under the lilac tree.

Random shots!

It has been just beautiful here in Calgary the last few days, today we were over 30 C so it was very warm. Lots of people at our lake and guess what we had tonight to cool off???? Yup, a SCREAMER!!!!! Now some of you might not know what a screamer is.......well, it is slurpee and soft ice cream in layers. We shared a lime and orange with ice cream! Soooooo refreshing!!! Whenever our family comes in the summer, we always have to have either a "Screamer" run or a "Tim Horton's Ice Cap" run!!!!! That is just the way it is here in Canada!!!!

I love my new arbor that my hubby and I put together. It acts as a privacy screen as well as a plant holder.

On my way to work the other night. Again the sunset was unbelieveable.

I looked out my kitchen window this evening and the sky was just beautiful. And two young guys waiting for the bus probably going down to Stampede.

Isaiah 40:31

Lord,

Our days are long

and our schedules are full

You said when we are weary

we can come to You

and You will give us rest.

So we come to You now

and ask you to:

Renew our spirits

Restore our strength

Refresh our hearts.

Thank you for being the source of all we need,

to do everything

You have called us to do

Wherever we go,

and whatever we face today,

may we live in Your presence

because that is the only place

we can truly be rejuvenated.

Amen

"Those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength...."

Saskatoon Berry Farm.......

This morning, Erin and I went out to the Saskatoon Berry Farm for breakfast. We each had a breakfast burrito at their cute little restaurant and then had fun looking and looking and looking and finally buying some plants. Erin wanted to get some stuff for her backyard and I wanted an African daisy. Pretty much everything was on sale so this is the time to go. First time for Erin to see this place.

In one of the many greenhouses. Hanging baskets all over the place.

Down at the bottom of the hill beside the river are the Saskatoon bushes and across the river is Uncle Jarle's place.

Sitting on a bench overlooking the Highwood River. (It is either the Highwood or Sheep River) It was gorgeous. We could see for miles.

Standing in front of a mountain of flowers. Beautiful!