More guests at Archies "B" n "B"

How fun was this to have weekend guests from Saskatchewan. My two sisters and one brother-in-law. Having soup and salad (Jarle and Judy also came) before heading out to Innisfail for the wedding reception for Grant and Debbie's daughter and her husband. They had their wedding in Mexico on the beach in Jan. and then the reception at home on Sat. night. It meant alot to them to have Gramma Vivian there. The only jewellery that Jennifer wore was a locket and in the locket were pictures of her Grandpa Howard and her other Grandpa who had also passed away. So thoughtful of her. She came over to our table to show us and made us all cry.

Cute little Sydney (Aunty Viv's great-grandaughter) with Chris's girlfriend, Holly.

Aunty Viv's grandchildren, Chris, Jennifer and Carmen at the reception.
Dancing with her daddy.

Stopped at Heather and Duane's Sunday afternoon on our way out to Jarle's.

With Uncle Roy and Auntie Joyce. Nate with Aunty Viv.

Jarle has fixed up a room downstairs at their house to look like Gramma's kitchen. Old cupboards, stove, lanterns, cans, etc. that he found at Stupstead's farm and in our old house, also some things from Gramma Berge and he has spent many hours cleaning and redoing the old furniture. He has done such a good job. It is just fun to go down there and reminice.

Having coffee and apple pie at Jarle and Judy's on Sunday afternoon. It was such a fun weekend and now the house seems abit empty.......but just for awhile. This afternoon, our friend Elda from Edmonton comes to stay the night and so it goes............

Guess what we found!!!!! This one's for you, Nanc!!

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS GUY DOING?

Yup, you guessed it........... ENJOYING "TIM TAMS"

Found them at our friendly, neighbourhood "Superstore"!!!!!!

I miss it..........

I miss it.......I miss the drive, the smells, the pine trees standing so tall and majestic, the water as it cascades down in it's own direction, dancing with joy and abandon over the rocks, the grey whiskey jacks sitting......waiting.......patiently.......then swooping down to steal the last bread crumb sitting on the picnic table (if you hold out a piece of bread in your hand, they will get that too!!), the wind whispering in the trees at night and best of all.........the millions of twinkling stars that one can actually see because of the darkness!! (I remember one time walking back from the shower with my friend Gerry and telling her that "you haven't lived until you lie flat on your back for a time on the ground and gaze up into the heavens trying to count the stars" So that is what we did!!!! Brian came walking out to see where we were and he too lay down flat on his back on the ground and the three of us looked at the stars!!! What an experience!! Very humbling to say the least and realizing again how very small we humans are.) I miss waking up in the morning to the tune of chickadees, and other birds, perhaps even a raven or two, I miss the smell of wonderful, strong coffee on the fire (that my husband has made by getting up earlier than me, going out to chop the wood, then starting the fire, and watching it smolder abit, then suddenly burst into flames and get hotter and hotter (how mesmerizing is a fire in a firepit!!), the sizzle of the bacon in the frying pan (the smell wafts it's way into the trailer), the kids slowly waking out of a deep sleep and excitedly asking each other, "what shall we do today?" or "Let's eat, I'm hungry!" I miss the sun as it climbs up higher in the sky dispelling the chill of the mountain air , warming our faces as we sit in it's sunbeam on the our comfy lawn chairs. The majesty and beauty of the mountains gets into your blood and you can just feel the calming effect down deep in your soul. I miss sitting at the Lakes, drinking in the absolute breathtaking scene, a canoe out on the bluest of blue water, the occupants putting out their lines to catch that fish, the sound of the waterfall in the distance as it makes it's way down the mountain from the ice and snow high above and my whole being wants to shout "This is our God that created this just for us!!!!!" This was our experience many, many summers as we would head up to the mountains for our vacations with the girls and often times their friends. What good times we had together, laughing, biking, walking, playing games especially Boggle, hiking up Mt. Indefatigiable and almost being blown away by the wind but the view was awesome and I really can't describe it in mere words. We would sit on the grass partway up and have our snacks all the while drinking in the beauty. Never once did we encounter a bear, that of course was on our minds and we usually would make alot of noise as we were hiking.
And so, my friends, as spring and summer approaches, the mountains call and beckon .......
I SHALL go home to my mountains.....
I SHALL step from my car into mountain stillness.....
Noise of the city and tired faces, ringing phones and busy places
Will fade far behind
I SHALL stand tall among them and all the weariness of the world will slowly disappear.........and I will feel blessed beyond all measure.

Overnight guests at Archies "B" n "B"

Our guests from Hagen and Saskatoon.

Having a koomla supper with our lifelong friends from Hagen. Gary and Shirley Berge, Wanda and Gail. How fun was that. They arrived Sat. about 4:30 P.M. on their way out to Fairmont Hot Springs for a week and stopped overnight. They left this morning before church. I can't remember when the last time Gail (Toola to me, she was my roomie in Saskatoon before I was married) was out to see us. It was so much fun to have them here and visit. Gary and Shirley were down in Arizona for a week visiting Jarle and Judy a couple of weeks ago and Wanda and her daughter spent a week in the Dominican Republic in Jan. Gary, Gail and I were confirmed together at Hagen many years ago. I remember when we were little and visiting them on their farm. Thelma (their mom) baked the best cinnemon buns in the world and Gust (their dad) was such a cozy man who loved going back to his beloved country of Norway. Him and Thelma made many trips back there.

We were out to Okotoks this morning for part of the service and was able to attend the Appreciation dinner for Ed and Marilyn Sager. They have moved out to an acreage. Marilyn has been a rock in that church and they will so miss her involvement. They have many good friends there as well as in our church. It was so nice to talk to them again. We hadn't seen them in awhile.

Nate's Birthday!

The "almost three year old" with Grandpa and Grandma!

We had Nate's birthday party at our house last night mainly because we are having company this weekend so we couldn't have it then. Pizza, cake and ice cream - yummy!!! Then the fun stuff started with the opening of the gifts. There was one excited boy when he opened each of his gifts. He loved each one. "Thank you, amma and ampa for etting me my ight elmet" (my knight helmet) were his words. And his car had to be parked perfectly by his bed!! That was from mommy and daddy! His orange flipflops and 2 shirts came from Gramma and Grampa Danielson.

Nate's favorite color is orange!

Sir Nate - a knight in shining armor off to rescue the princess!

Close your eyes, Nate!!!!

Surprise!!!!

The Danielson Family!

Loved it and would like to go back!

How beautiful is this!!! Someday Jim and I are going to go back to Hawaii and explore some more, perhaps the Big Island or Maui. Just a little taste of what you might see when you go. And please don't forget to stop and smell the plumerias - they have the best scent - I loved them.

Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning!!!!!!

Today was the day to start getting rid of "stuff"!!!! I have already 3 large garbage bags destined for the Salvation Army or Goodwill!!! Old stuff, newer stuff, patterns, yarn, sheets, projects I have started and never finished in what seems like a hundred years (I am exaggerating of course!!) Is that how to spell exaggerating? Anyway one linen closet has alot less "stuff" in it than when I started. I am starting on the next one! I will get rid of things that I can. But what does one do with other people's "stuff"!!! We have our kids "stuff" like pictures and projects they did at school and at home, gifts they made for us, pictures and things they got when they traveled or were at Bible School, each one is so special and has so many memories attached.... Gramma's "stuff", her music, her books, her patterns........things that my husband made when he was in woodworking in High School and who knows whose and what else we have around here!!! A few summers ago, we built a shed and we have that stacked with storage boxes filled with camping gear and Gramma's photo albums. What do we do with pictures? I have, in the closets, albums, albums and more albums! How many? I have not counted them but there are ALOT!!!! I do not want my kids to have to decide what to do with them so do I put them all out in a pile and then cart them off to the dump? or throw them into the fireplace?..............I can't, I simply can't!!!! How can I throw away pictures of my children when they were little, memories just keep flooding back when we did this or that or went on that vacation or had this special birthday! Or pictures of their first day at school and I remember the mixed emotions I had when with tears in my eyes sent them through those big doors the very first time! I prayed "Dear Lord, please keep them safe"......... And how does one get over the sentimental attachment one has to things that we have received from family and friends? I have many doilies that my mom has crocheted and I have a very hard time thinking about parting with them - in fact- right now, I can't do that either!! As I look at them and the love she put into every stitch, I can't help but wish that she was sitting across from me in my living-room with a cup of coffee and her crocheting in her hand and we would talk and laugh and sometimes cry........No, it isn't just a quick, easy job to start getting rid of things that have been a part of our lives for so long and I guess that right now, I will keep on enjoying them. I just can't get rid of all my"stuff"........ simple as that!!

Family Day Weekend!

This is Family Weekend Sunday and I wish for you, family and friends, a great day. Here in our city it is quite warm, the chinook winds have come again and we are enjoying sunshine. Heather and Duane took advantage of the nice weather and drove up to Camrose to celebrate Nate's birthday with the other gramma and grandpa. My brothers who live in this area are down in sunny Arizona playing (I bet you could never guess) - yes, you guessed it ........ GOLF!!!! But Ron and Delaine will have a cozy home to come to when they arrive back the end of Feb. We went out to visit them in their new place before they left and how happy they are to be this place finally. Both of them have worked hard getting it ready and we are just so happy for them. They have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living-room and dining area and kitchen. HAPPY FAMILY DAY FROM THE ARCHIES.

Christmas gifts delivered!!!

Ed, Marilyn and I drove out to Okotoks today and delivered the parcels from you guys. Thank you from the kids. They loved everything. And Kalle says hi too in her language.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to you - our daughters and your families. We love you. We wish for you love like a river, joy like a fountain and peace overflowing!!!

Winter Wonderland!

It is beautiful in our city right now and the snow is still falling. Our back yard is covered. I felt something like this driving home from work......

"It is a winter night in a little town in the middle of somewhere. There is a soft carpet of snow on the ground......just enough to cover the once brown earth. I look up above and about me and see the beautiful snowflakes (amazingly, not one the same) dancing in the night and see on the ground, diamonds sparkling in the yards. It is so quiet, I can hear the snow gently falling on my jacket. The freshness and crispness of the night bites at my face, but the warmth within me at this hour flames through my entire being.

I am alone in the world......with the majesty of the season all about me.......and the love of family, friends and God surrounding me like a fuzzy, soft blanket. A feeling of deep contentment fills my soul and I smile........a song of joy and thanksgiving wells up within my soul as I give thanks to the One who bestowed the earth with the beauty of winter......

Saturday night - Progressive Supper!

I had to chase Tony and Arlene to get a picture of them!!!! With the help of Janet and Lorrie!





Saturday night the "young adults" put on a Progressive Supper and can you believe it, we were included. How that happened, I'll never know!!! Anyway, we had appetizers at Rob and Rose's, salads at the Hofsetter's, main meal at Lisa and Andre's and dessert at Art and Ardy's. I don't have a pic of them or Dennis and Darlene. Anyway, what a fun evening but you know, we had to keep movin'!!!! And after having a wonderful dessert at Art and Ardy's, she sat down at the piano and we sang and sang!! Ernie sang "Thank you for giving to the Lord" and of course Ardy just follows and plays by ear - amazing! Anthony sang "The love of God" and by the end of these two beautiful songs, some of us with overactive tear ducts were sniffing and looking for a kleenix. What a wonderful way to feel the unity in Christ, no matter what age. Art read John 3:16 and shared how trials in life really show us how dependant we are on God and no matter what comes in our life, God is in control. What can be better than that!

Some random pictures of our time in Fergus!

Grandchildren and friends are so special. The first picture are my friends, Joanne , Candis and I at the baby shower. It was so good to visit with them. The second picture is Grandpa and our thoughtful Noah playing a new game while Erin, Breiden and Mikenna look on. Sweet Kaia at the mall with us. Next is our precious first-born grandaughter, Mikenna. She and I at Nanc and Wayne's on Breiden's baptism day. Then our two little cuties, Laci and Logan showing off their new angel birthstone necklaces that they got from Great-gramma for Christmas. This summer we will see them again at our family reunion and this time, Noah will spend some time with us in Calgary. So looking forward to that. Every time we get together, it just gets harder to say good-bye but how fortunate that we can travel to see them. In years gone by, that was impossible many times.

Arriving home!

Monday morning Jeff took us to the airport and we left Fargo at around 9:10 A.M. We changed planes in Salt Lake City and this is what we seen as we landed. Utah is a beautiful state and it was bright and sunny in Salt Lake. The flight was so smooth and we could see so much. Loved it. It was a beautiful day in Calgary as well, about two degrees less than Utah. Heather, Siri, Nate and Kalle were at the airport to meet us. Thanks for everything you guys. We loved being with you.

More pics from Fergus!

At Nancy and Wayne's on Sunday afternoon enjoying visiting with each other.
Out for supper in Fargo on Sunday night.
It was hard to leave our kids and especially our little Breiden.

Computer guy..........

I am so excited about our computer. Derek has been showing me alot of stuff this afternoon. What a guy!!!! So much to learn but it does my brain good!!!!

Our newest member of our family!!!

Breiden Douglas James

Already over a week has gone by.....

Time flies when you are having a good time....already a week and a day since we arrived in c-c-c-c-old Minnesota. But according to Erin, it wasn't the nicest weather in Calgary either today. Nancy ,Wayne and Breiden were going to go up to Fargo to meet Erin but because of the cold and blowing snow, just Wayne and his friend Andrew went. We went over and spent some time with Logan, Laci, Kaia and Susanne (we got to see Eric too which was nice) and then tonight, we took Mikenna and Noah out for supper at Applebee's and of course Susanne was our waitress! She took care of us very well. We then went shopping abit. And I am ever so thankful for a warm house to come to after being outside for awhile. Tomorrow morning, we get to go to Breiden's baby shower with all his new friends. He is blessed and so are his parents.

What a great day!

I am sitting down here in our bedroom. It is about 11:00 P.M. I think and we have had such a nice relaxing Sunday. We went to church this morning for the second service, heard a wonderful message from Pastor Foss, heard Mikenna and Noah's choir, sang some great praise and worship songs and then to top it all off, had barbequed beef on a bun and yummy brownies for lunch which the youth put on right after church in the fellowship hall. It was so nice. Wayne had a meeting up at the school so Jim, Nanc, Breiden and I came home and relaxed. Nanc was able to have a two hour nap with Breiden so that was good. Actually Jim and I dozed off too. Then we went over to Susanne's for delicious taco soup with cheese, sour cream, salsa and cilentro on top with taco chips on the side. Susanne had also made a delicious chocolate cake as well. And of course it is always fun to be with all the grandchildren.
We haven't had to make one supper meal cause the ladies from this church are bringing meals for Nanc and Wayne - Christ's love in action is what I call it and I think they are bringing for a few days yet. Bless them! They do it for all the young moms. Breiden is doing so well and so is Nanc, she is feeling good. Breiden was to his first basketball game last Friday night at the school and he was very popular. He slept through it all!!!!
I am starting to yawn so I will bid you goodnight.

Finally in Fergus!

We are here and it is so good to see the new parents and brand new baby! Susanne, Nancy and Breiden were at the airport to meet us and that was exciting!! We had a good trip down, we were an hour late out of Calgary due to the fact that the plane had to abort once it got started and that was due to miscommunication from the tower!!!!! There was another plane crossing the runway. So they had to apply the brakes hard and then we had to wait til the brakes cooled off!! The fellow sitting right in front of us had his glasses on the seat beside him (we were towards the back of the plane) and they went skidding all the way up to the First Class section. Other than that it was good! Nanc and Wayne have been busy renovating their house. It is a huge job, painting, staining, putting down tile, etc. so we are helping where we can with the finishing stuff and cleaning. It takes time - reminds Jim and I of our first house we had in Saskatoon which was alot smaller than this one and I wonder how we did it. All for now, I hear the baby crying.......