Can Summer last Forever?

Summer is really a perpetual state of bliss. You care a little less about the budget and a little more on adventures and memories. I care a little less about the schedule and a little more in just doing what we want. Looking through our summer so far is satisfying that we actually made an effort to just spend a little more time together and got some great memories packed in.

Second week of July we got to go on 4-H horse camp. It was seriously amazing. 

Ellie left for 4-H camp so the other kids and I took off for the creek with Cherlyn and her kiddos.

A little Wallys beach

I was actually at all these places but I think this might be the rare photo of me! 

Dusty and Ellie got some cow chasing in with our friends Tara and Ally {and Austin and Mike}

More moving cows.

My happy place. We tried to put in an effort to get to "the lake" as much as we could. I am hoping to find another few days down there but it was heaven while it lasted.

Playing at the beach at the lake. Andy may love the lake as much as I do.

Annual fort Steele trip!


So much cards this summer! The girls are all finally old enough to really start playing cards. They learned how to play rook and bugger your neighbour and hearts. Andy tries to get in a few rounds of go fish in between.

BC is on fire this summer and the smoke has been an issue we've had to contend with at the lake and at home but it has made for some amazing sun shots. 

All the kiddos tubed this year. Ellie is hands down the champ. She has really stepped out of her shell and put fear aside. It's helped all the other kids too. 

Our cousins from Manitoba came and visited and wanted a rural farm experience. It was an awesome visit and the kids loved hanging out. Ellie, Kyle, and Penny were the only ones that managed to sleep outside all night!!

We did put them to work! We got the chicken coop partially painted and a loaf of hay stacked!!

We also are one kitten short in the barn. Miko the cat will be living the high life in Manitoba!! 

It was an awesome visit and we have to do it more! Thanks Aunt Jean for the snow Bobs!

This might be one of the biggest highlights for Lucy. She struggles with nervousness while we ride. She has come leaps and bounds this year on her pony but sadly she was outgrowing her. The universe smiled on us and the stars aligned and we found her her unicorn. Meet Reese. She wakes up every morning and begs Ellie and dusty to go riding. 

This has been Ellie's highlight. Kneeboarding. Hopefully we can get back to the lake because she is determined to ski this year!

We have 2 more weeks left of bliss! Fingers crossed we have a few more adventures!

July

It's hard to believe that it is already the END of July!!!

We have filled July with lots of memories.

We had our last lamb of the year....

Check out our farm blog for that exciting story!

www.cattailcoulee.blogspot.ca

and we did summer games

(see below post)

and we ACTUALLY FINALLY made it out to our favorite spot

(besides our home)

And mixed into this was a family reunion 

and 

our regular duties.

I can't wait to see what August brings....

First day of Freedom

The kids have been dying to go boating and since our CRAZY schedule hasn't let us get to our most favourite boating/camping spot we just loaded up and headed for the nearest water. It was a great way to finish school and start summer!

Ellie still doesn't love the tube but Penny was a little insaine- it makes me scared...

And please notice the sky-

They have been calling for rain- it never comes! 

It came- a lot- with hail.

The kids hid in the front of the boat and dusty and I took cover under the tube. It had a few leaky spots! (Understatement!!)

Andy did not enjoy being trapped or the noise!

We managed to get the boat loaded after it blew over us- but then we followed it all the way home. 

Good things it's hot today so it can dry out!

Home in the Summer

We decided to come home..

Well the weather helped that decision 

But

It was a good thing we did because our garden needed some tending!

We got our beans and peas harvested and stored away!

And this little monkey was making it as tricky as he could!

And when we finished the girls got to go to the ward picnic for a waterslide.

First Horse Show!!

So the beginning part of our summer has been super busy!

Super busy because

we decided to be apart of a horseshow!

The girls practiced and practiced....

and it totally paid off!

The girls all LOVED it 

and

Dusty is totally a "show" dad!

 

Ellie-

English Pleasure- 4th

English Equitation- 4th

Hunter Hack- 2nd

Command- 4th

Handy Horse- 1st

Walk/Jog western- 4th

Western Pleasure-  2nd

Western Equitation- 2nd

Reining- 2nd

Command- 2nd

Barrel racing- 2nd

Trail- 2nd

 

Lucy

English in Hand- 1st

Walk/trot- 2nd

English Equitation- 1st

Command- 2nd

Showmanship- 3rd

Walk/jog- 3rd

Western Equitation- 3rd

Command- 4th

Barrel Racing- 3rd

 

Penny

Lead line English- Red Ribbon!

Lead Line Western- Red Ribbon!!!

Family

What a girl.

We have totally enjoyed our time at the beach

And

Getting to visit with family.

So many great memories here!!!!

So thankful I get to make some with these kids!

Bob

We have this thing.

It's icecream in a slurpee

It's called a snowbob

They are summer

And 

That is how we celebrated today.

And a little ride 

But not at the same time

That's dangerous.

Old Habits are hard to Break

The first part of summer was vastly different than previous summers

but

as August came in

we got back into some of our old habits.

Lucy was the exception

what was supposed to take 4 weeks 

has turned into

7

so she coloured

and did stickers

and read books,

I hope that she doesn't feel like she

missed out on too much.

 Ellie and Penny in the water

Penny had a slow start 

but now I put her in a life jacket as soon as her eyes open!

Ellie started swimming WITHOUT

her life jacket.

A HUGE accomplishment for 

a daughter

who holds dearly

to any of her safety attachments.

the supervisors.

and my little fish.

Who just might be into synchronised swimming...

Besides stickers she did make it on her quad a few times.

thank goodness for dad's.

and this is where he spent most of his holidays.

cleaning the boat...

from the children to the dogs

he had a full time hobby.

Only 10 more months.....