Random thoughts(SO MANY...no particular order)......2010!

not complete......I'm just getting started! (LOL.....this may be my Christmas letter)

thinking of Baba & Mom.......Gido and Jeep(super rough year for both of them)!  (I know you are probably wondering about how I grouped the names.....but this year that's how my thoughts are(not necessarily the order).

Kim & Dustin as they wait for the safe arrival of their 1st child!

Ryan and his family.....just lost their dog yesterday(hit by a vehicle on the highway).

Thinking of cousin Ashley.....his family, and his Mom & Dad(and sister Bonnie), they've had such a hard year!

Since a HOME Christmas with Mom is no longer....I am thankful to be included in the Knapp Christmas...thanks for the invite Betty!

I think tomorrow will be the annual, sleep by the Christmas tree sleepover with the girls.....Tyson(2) might join us this year!

Matt Costa - Astair

now for the real thing......I think Daylan does a pretty good job(sorry for the poor video quality on Daylan's take)!

Daylan pops by for a visit.....and sings this(Astair by Matt Costa)!

if you stop by the new Starbucks in Camrose tomorrow you might be able to catch him singing it........Self Titled playing at the grand opening!

1 year

today it's one year since my Dad passed away......at this moment he was very near the end, passed away peacefully just after 9.

I have missed him.......it feels strange! When he was living I only seen him once in awhile, and never had much communication with him.....so I wonder why......feels strange!

If you knew him........think of him now and again, and smile.....that would be nice!


Thanks for the pictures Betty....taken in July 2009!

last picture of him with his two sisters......he was so happy to see them, and had a pretty mean handshake(and wouldn't let go)!


One of the very few picture of us.....taken on the same day as the above picture!

this song was played at Daniel's friends Mother's service.....she had Alzhimers(died after she had a stroke)! Very touching.....close to home!

part of the reason I love this place(our home)!

click to enlarge

To HECK with all the RAMBLING.......how about a few picutres!

Banff candy store......enough said!


This little bird house made me think of several people......isn't it cut, great crafting project for those that love the woods/bush!


someone turned 30!


Favorite spot in Banff......Bow Falls!


Poor Oscar....Poor Dana!


Love this picture......


great time.....except for my stomach...round and round we went waiting for big waves from those on the ground, that did me in!


in Banff, thought of Daylan & Daniel when I saw the name of this store!



on the SU cruise......5 generations of SU demos earn cruise, quite the accomplishment!



I put them in, I got to take them off!

SO BAD......I can't believe what a BAD BLOGGER I've turned into!!!

catch up.......where do I start?

things that come to mind....in no particular order

1. Dana moved to B.C.
2. Auntie Doris & Uncle Mike's Anniversary
3. Mom
4. Ashley need stitches
5. Our neighbors lose their infant Granddaughter
6. Great visit at Wolf lake(family & A BEAR)
7. Wipeout audition for Daylan
8. someone turned 30
   
9. Friends of our find out their 6 year old Grandson has a brain tumor.....thinking of them as they wait for surgery, and recovery!
   
10. Daniel wins the pair tournament in Camrose, qualifies him to attend the Canadian finals in Comox B.C.
11. BVJ
    
12. Got to go flying with my nephew Andrew......wanted to do this for a long time, happy I got the chance!
    
13. Canada hosts the Olympics.....I miss all the excitement!
    
14. My visit to Salt Lake City....Stampin' Up! convention
15. Earning the SU incentive trip to Alaska......very excited about this, it was A LOT of work!
16. Mom
17. Two babies on the way......Daniel's side!
    
18. Visit to Saskatoon, family engagement party.
19. Tyson starts walking
20. Dana lost Oscar
    
21. Quick trip to Banff..........it was GREAT!
22. We are now landlords!
23. Mom
    
24. Natasha passes grade 1
25. We went on our 1st cruise....Southern Carribean(SU), LOVED IT!
    
26. Annual Family Campout.....started in 1998! Because of another family gathering one year we did not have a campout.......that makes 2010 was our 11th!
27. Daylan is moving it out, very excited for him.....it's time, he's a big boy!
28. Daryl & Lori work their asses off at Danica & Adam's being forman's for the fence project.....there is no other way to put it! They had help yes, but they did the majority of the work.....and it was LOTS!
29. Emily gets her learners!
30. Daylan cut his dreads off.
    
31. We enter into the Empty Nest part of our life!
32. Auntie Theresa has heart surgery......happy to report, after several complications she is now doing fine.
33. Danica rode in the MS bike tour.....and did a mighty fine job!
    
34. Family member is hit by a drunk driver.......thankfully no one was seriously injured!
35. Georgette breaks her ankle.......recovery has been difficult.
    
36. Shirlee & Amanda go shopping for a wedding dress.......I cannot wait for this wedding(July 9th, 2011).

there's more I know......it will come to me as I start to update!

My lack of updating comes from the fact that I am still feeling like a grizzly bear. Sometimes I sit and wonder why, then I think at the year we've had........not the best!

1. Last October I lost my Dad.....although we were not close, it's been tough! Being with him when he passed was comforting and difficult at the same time...........so many memories surface during these times, many of them are not pleasant. As I type this I am relieved to say the process of his estate is VERY close to being final......I'm not much for paper work, legal stuff........will be glad when I can say it's over!
   
2. Just before Christmas(Dec. 18th to be exact)Mom became a resident of the Vilna Lodge. A VERY difficult time which caused HUGE issues in our family. This coupled with many other related happenings has caused tons of stress(and still does). We have become a very dis-functional family. Sadly, I don't see things changing anytime soon........hence I have basically lost my Stepfather of 40ish years.
   
3. Although Mom is still with us, she is not.....I really feel like I am morning her while she is still alive.
4. Add to this, in March we lost Baba after many times of nearly losing her. She was such a pilar in our(Daniel's)family.......miss her so so much! Without her, we of course often think of Gido(nearing 94). What is he going through...........the lose of his partner of 69 years is beyond what I can comprehend......poor guy, although he seems fine.....he is not the same, how could he be?!

Throw in the mix everyday excitement/stess......and you have yourself one Mama Grizzly Bear.....what can I say!

As you can see the good for sure out weighs the bad.......but the bad is much heavier......must keep chin up!

Have Kidlets....check this out....it is the season!

http://bubbleblowers.com/homemade.html

This one is for Ashley & Natasha(and anyone that likes to dance).....Grandma would like to see you dance to this song!

Mother's Day Post #2(on the lighter side)

To those that are regular visitors, you know I have posted this for the past few Mother's Days......and here it is again, hope you get a chuckle!

Mother's Day Post #1(first two pictures taken yesterday, day before Mother's day)!

I want you both back.......I know we don't always get what we want!

The BUTTERFLY FARM....I forgot how hard it is to get decent pictures of BUTTERFLIES....they don't land often and when they do it's just for a second!

this blue butterfly was amazing(picture does not do it justice, not even close).....but wouldn't land anywhere! The butterfly guy caught one for me, and held it so I could get a picture(he said they rarely land during the day)!

THE CRUISE! (where do I start).....still working on this post!

IT WAS FABULOUS....as I think back, it's hard to decide what was the best(on board or ashore)? BOTH were great.....take a look! It seems I have WAY more ashore pictures(many taken from on board, from our balcony(thanks Stampin' Up!)).......

our home for the week!


this was my favorite beach(St. Lucia I believe).....BEAUTIFUL! Bonus for me......there were trees along the beach......I could be in the shade...LOL!


we snorkeled here!

The beach where Daniel got this(back full of blisters.....yes, he should know better).....he was not in the shade as much as I was(we were there for MAYBE 2 hours)

he did go and visit the ships medical office(two days after the burn)......by that time it was blistering so there wasn't much they could do!

had lunch in the shade............breathtaking view!





dessert......on board!


taken from our balcony!


us with one of the great drivers we had.....it was his idea to take the picture.....very nice guy!



these flowers were EVERYWHERE....beautiful!


taken on board!


in the casino....on board!


taken from our balcony!



Johnny Rockets(on board)






this lady was wringing wet, very hot......she was dancing out in the middle of a walkway.........on concrete!



this is were we ate our dinner for the past week.....imagine!


Did you know the Captain's of the ships were not allowed to bring the ships in, dock in foreign countries? Each country supplies their own Captain, and they bring the ships into the docks! The countries Captains are brought out on a small vessel......then they take over......interesting!
so here is the Captain climbing on the ship......see the gap between the two boats? He has no life jacket on, and is on a rope ladder.......what the hey!

CRUISING TIDBITS!
Our rooms were cleaned(beds made)twice a day!
We went to a nude beach(did not participate.....didn't leave the cab, but got my zoom lens out....won't post pictures)!

FUNNY(taken from Danica's blog)!

Our very own Chris(Amanda's boyfriend)live on Sask. radio CKOM!

http://www.newstalk650.com/audio/john-gormley-live/20100409-john-gormley-live-april-9-2010-hour-3

Chris's story starts at 11:57 of the broadcast......GOOD JOB CHRIS!