Trip to Calgary 2011

We started our trip at 5:20am with our van and Josh and Rebecca in tow with the car. At 2:00pm Alberta time (YEAH, we gained an hour :) after stopping 2 times (once for gas, and the other time to see the movie set where "Corner Gas" was filmed (Josh and Reb needed pictures to make a "certain someone" jealous :)) we arrived in Medicine Hat, Alberta. 

We checked into a hotel, where we had my birthday supper and some time to relax. Poor daddy was sick, so he could not join in with the celebration, but it was fun anyways :) 

I thought I'd put another picture of my YUMMY cake.... just to make you all drool. Man, I'm starting to drool just looking at it!! LETS MOVE ON!!! 

After breakfast we hit the trail again and drove the remaining three hours to Calgary, checked into the hotel... and the fun began :)

This lovely little contraption's name is Wendy. She helps us.... lots.

First came some swimmin'....

After the kids were in bed we found some comfy couches and did some catching up on missed years.

After a "good" (ahem... rather short) nights sleep, we went to a Fort/museum that told the story of the beginnings of Calgary.

Ker, Jade + Becky

Cousin Zoe and Mikaya

Uncle Dave, Andy and Dad (don't they look like brothers??? :)

Believe it or not, this picture was taken in the windows of the museum... we were not all there, but it was to fun not to post :)

Jes liked the truck/car. 

So did I.... it was a Ford.... nuff said.

I LOVE museums. Looking at all the stuff makes me wish that I could go back in time!

I was REALLY hoping that this saddle had some stories that he wanted to tell, but alas.... he remained silent :(

I tried out the whole "Royal Canadian Mountie Police" getup.... let me just say that it didn't suite me so well..... maybe it was the pants, ya, I needed the pants :)

After lunch it was off to the MOUNTAINS!!!!!!

After about an 1 1/2 hours of driving we arrived at a place called Kananaskies Country. It was SO beautiful!!!

Then it was Pauls family picture time!!!!

Back Row (Left to Right): Aunty Karen (Dad's sister), Aunty Lisa (Uncle Dave's wife), Uncle Dave (Dad's brother), Josiah, Dad, Joshua, Grandpa Pauls

Middle Row (Left to Right): Megan, Kerri, Jora (Dave + Lisa's daughter), Caleb, Me, Mom, Jaden, Rebecca, Andy, Uncle Jason (Dad's brother), Grandma Pauls

Front Row (Left to Right): Jesse, Nathan, Zoe (Dave + Lisa's daughter), Mikaya, Brooke and Zachary

Brothers and sister....

Left to right: Uncle Jason, Aunty Karen, Dad and Uncle Dave

Now, the reason that there are no more pictures of the rest of our day is simply because we were having to much fun!!!

When we got back to the hotel we all jumped into the pool and began a game of keepaway (with a ball), it was boys against girls with Uncle Dave.... we had a blast :)

Aunty Karen took some of us to see her apartment, on the way back we stopped for ice cream at DQ, then it was back to the hotel.... laughing all the way. It was a happy ending to a happy vacation :)

Come 7:30 the next morning, we were on the road and headed for home.

We had a great time, although it would have been nice if it was a tad bit longer.... we all agree that it was worth it.

I got to see where my Calgary Flames play as well as the Calgary Stampeders, got my fill of Italian food, saw enough Mustang Convertible and Ford Super Duty 's to last me for the next couple of weeks, and last but not least... we had a great time just being together as a family.

I was SO glad that Josh, Rebecca and Andy were able to come along with us!! It's not very often that we all are able to go on vacation together, because usually someone has to stay home to take care of milking the cows and feeding the chickens.

Thank you to Gary for milking for us as well as Teresa and Sheri for taking care of the chickens while we were gone!! We appreciate it bunches!!!

Yuppers, so that is about it!

The very next day after we came home, Dad and Josh started swathing canola. And harvest is nearly upon us! We also need to put up 2 bins before we start combining, so the next couple of days are going to be CRAZY. 

Hope you all are having a great summer!!