Cardston Alberta

We spent our first day in Cardston at Grandma and Grandpa Russells home. Grandma fixed us yummy pancakes and sausage. We got to eat at the outside table in front of the home. Jena and I took the kids in the backyard to look out over the town. I loved the pictures Jena got of the kids. I felt something special watching TJ, Russell, and Amelia explore the same places I explored as a child. Cardston memories are so sweet for me.

Carson, Jena, G. Papa and I took the kids to the barn for some real country fun. We fed,brushed, and rode the horses, chased kittens around the barn, rode the Quad, and made a water hole. These experiences with their Great Grandfather alone made the long drive to Canada worth it. I don't know how much my children will remember of this trip, but I'll never forget it.

The kids and I overlooking the town from grandpa's backyard

(you can see the temple off to the left)Breakfast outside the Russell house

TJ up in the same tree I climbed as a girl

Baby Cowgirl

Amelia and Jena riding

G. Papa teaching Amelia about grain

G. Papa pulling Russell, Amelia, TJ and me around in a trailer behind his quad

Uncle Carson sharing one of his favorite past times with the boys

Feeding the horses

Amelia being grumpy while I ride around the barn

A boy made water hole. G Papa said next time we need to let the boys play in it.

Cowboys in training

Sullivan Lake

I did the drive up to Canada in two parts. I drove six hours to Spokane to say with Beth the first day. Early next morning, Beth and I drove with all our kids, two hours out of the way to Sullivan lake so we could spend half the day at the Russell unreunion. Then we caravaned with Mom and Carson eight hours to Cardston Alberta.

The detour to Sullivan was worth the two hours. We got the best of Sullivan, visiting with Russells, eating great food, raiding the white trailer for cookies, and playing at the lake. We missed out on setting up tents, sleeping in tents, cleaning up and packing up. I only wish we had more time to see everyone. Looking forward to next years reunion.

We did have a scare 10 minutes before the boarder, I realized I left my passport at home. Luckily I had all my kids passports, my letter from Trevor and my drivers license so they let me in.

Playing in Sullivan Lake

Grandma Kathy and Baby Oliver

King of the Log?

Amelia loved the water

Grizzly Uncle Carson (look at the facial hair)

World's Longest Post:

We spent the last week of July in sunny Corona, California. We were celebrating a triple missionary farewell. Tom and Andrea were called to Budapest Hungary, and Nathan was called to Dallas Texas Spanish speaking. Our 10 days there were unforgettable. This is the longest post of pictures. I usually break our trip up into sections but decided to just put it all in one big post. The post goes from our last day to our first day.

Russell, TJ and Simon at the Farewell

Aunt Lindy with Baby Espy and Amelia

Our family poster for the missionaries displayed for the farewell. Each person in the family decorated a few letters for the message. Lindy was the master mind behind the project.

Trevor, Amelia and me at the Farewell

Sunday lunch with family and friends

A worn out son before the farewell

Russell's favorite place at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Friday at Huntington Beach

Trevor covering the kids

I promise I feed my child

Amelia and Uncle Nathan

Russell "surfing"

Russell at Chuck E Cheese for a cousin birthday party.

The women at a day spa (this was Andrea's Mother's Day gifts we all got to enjoy).

Mineral Mud Bath (yes that's mud and no, I'm not that tan).

Grandma time

Slacklining at the local park with Uncle Tyler's equipment

My favorite picture of Russell and Uncle Tyler together

The cousin creation

Trevor built things out of these toys when he was a boy

Papa Tom's Gazebo for his beautiful backyard. I like Jackie's pose.

The lake at Mission Viejo

Papa Tom showing the grandkids Hungary on Google Earth

Sunday Smiles

Park time with Uncle Trent

Hungary Family Home Evening

Building...ever building