A Year!

I realize it's been a almost a year since I last posted a blog entry.  Hmm.  I can't even say "where has the year gone" because I know where it disappeared.  To get back into writing I think I'll start with some pictures of the highlights from July 2012 to now.  I've heard it said "A picture is worth a thousand words" so let me share a few thousand with you!

 

Have you ever seen happier Grandparents than these two?  Our oldest son and his wife were blessed with the birth of their beautiful baby boy born last July.  Caleb is a joyful addition to our family!  A very special first birthday is coming up July 20!

After years of camping trips to Jasper we finally took the boat trip on Maligne Lake.  We managed to squeak into a campsite on the August long weekend WITHOUT reservations.  We took a chance!

 

In the fall we went to Boston.  Actually flew into Boston but spent an adventurous week further south in the Cape Cod area.  We even managed to do some family genealogical research.  Imagine spending a number of hours in a beautiful library that finds it's home in a building dating from 1644?

The Calgary Stampeder's football season ended rather chilly!  I honestly didn't pull down my scarf long enough for even a snack.  It was that cold.  But when you're a fan - you're a fan no matter what the weather is, or try to be.

Jump to December 2012.  Even though we didn't plan on being in Lacombe for Christmas it was still important to put up a small tree and have a special little girl help us decorate!  It was priceless watching her carefully hang all the ornaments - on the same branch!

We spent a week over the Christmas holidays in Fairmont as a family.  Lots of snow and cold completed our time together!  The only one missing was Kevin, but a call from our son in the Antarctic completed the day for Peter and I!

 

One of the biggest joys a grandparent can experience is babysitting their grandchild while the little one's parents get to spend some time together without their little one.  All kinds of fun adventures happen when Grandpa is put in charge.

Yes, that's our towels and bags on lounge chairs on a beach in the Caribbean.  In March we took the longest flight (so far) that we've ever had and went to Aruba. The sand really is white.  The water really is turquoise and warm.  And yes it is a fantastic place to sit on the beach in the shade and do nothing but read, read, read!

In April as a family we managed to pull off a surprise birthday party for Peter and Miss E.  He knew Brent and Kirstin and Miss E were coming but he had no idea that driving up from Calgary were Eric and Becky and little C along with Kevin and Jenny (from the UK).  The grin on his face was from ear to ear all evening and I'm sure well into lights out that night! 

This sums up a big part of the past year.  It's good to go through the pictures and pick out a few that capture the events that are special and reminisce.  Thanks for letting me share my few thousand words with you.

Calgary Stampede 2

This is the first time I have seen the Calgary Stampede Parade in person for many many years so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I certainly was not disappointed.  From the large Draft Horses to the bands from around the world there was a constant sense of amazement at the diversity in participants.  There are always favorites though!  Let me share mine with you ...

Budweiser Draft Horses

City of Lacombe

Draft Horse Town & Fort Steele

Canadian Forces

Mini Chucks

Mini-er Stage Coach (Western Financial)

Canadian Pacific

 

I missed getting pictures of some others.  Probably because I was so busy watching I lost track of getting a photo shot!  The Wild Women of the West was a wonderful collection of ladies on horseback or wagon acting the parts of women whose lives contributed to western folklore.  Women like Annie Oakley, Kissin Kate, etc.  The Helsingor Pipegarde from Denmark were a sharp looking group of young ladies focused on their music and precision.  Very Impressive.  The Calgary 'Stampede Queen's' Alumni were women of all ages and time periods who each at one time or another served as a Stampede Queen.  One elderly lady couldn't ride a hose anymore - but she shared with pride her past involvement with the 100 years of Calgary Stampede.  There was also a collection of Pioneer Descendants with names that rang with the history of the Calgary and surrounding area. 

It was a parade that reflected one hundred years of stampeding very well.  I was impressed.

Calgary Stampede Parade

Waiting to get going

Waiting for them to come

Still waiting

...  Waiting ...

And they're off!

Crowds from their perspective

 

Here they come!

There he is!

Beat the Heat!

Pour Water in a Pail

Pour Water on Grandpa

Make Waves with Grandma

Have a cool drink (with cookie of course!)

Arizona Sun

Abundant Saguaro Blooms

Careful Photography

Must have a hat

Looking for Gold

Stories in the Desert

Harris Hawk Sighting

The only way to travel out West

Saguaro Forest

Secrets of a Stealth

Decomissioned Mig 28

No - It is not a whale

A10 in Action

Could there possibly be any more adventures to check out?  There is a aircraft bone yard to explore in Tucson.  Also a early sunrise hot air balloon ride followed by a breakfast in the desert to experience.  To say nothing of more pool time and sunshine!  Probably should just leave the Quiddler and Rummikub  at home!

Before Coming Home

Before we came home yesterday we had lunch/supper at a place recommended to us called "Il Terrazzo".  It is a very unique but fascinating out of the way eatery on Johnson Street in Old Town Victoria.  It's not far from the waterfront and unless you knew where to find it, you would miss it.  The building originally was a warehouse.  Most of the buildings along the waterfront had that purpose when first constructed.  The courtyard has been enclosed and weatherproofed.  Apparently behind this former warehouse was numerous small buildings, each of which was a home/place of business for the local prostitutes.  Every seaport seemed to have warehouses and whorehouses.

Il Terrazzo serves incredibly taste-y Italian food.  I would recommend this place to anyone asking for a unique dining experience with no regrets!

February 14

My Sweetheart on Valentine's Day