7canzers

Kent had to go home to work.  Bummer.  When I planned this a few months ago, I thought he wouldn’t be able to come at all, so the day he got to spend with us was a bonus for sure.  I think I am all brave and strong to do things on my own, but when the rubber meets the road, I’m really not.  I am grateful for his help and companionship, and I miss him when he’s not here.

Our plan for today…..Bear hump hikeAll of my family, minus Kent and my brother.The kids were wanting to go higher and higher.  It’s always so hard to hold them back.Upper Waterton Lake, and Waterton Township.The view further down the lake towards the States.  Halfway down there somewhere is the international border.It was windy windy windy!And because of the wind, we spent a lot of time in this shelter trying to escape it.  We noticed all the shelters are built this direction, most likely for a reason.  Afterall it is the windiest place in Alberta.The girls are on dinner duty.  Fancy!!The boys spent most of their time playing soccer.  The bikes are set-up in a semi circle for the goal.

We have been so blessed since we have been in Canada by a large number of NZ visitors, both family and friends.  It’s not like we live on the main drag, and are easy to get to.  It takes commitment for people to travel to see us.  We are so spoiled that they make the effort.  My sister and her family have just completed a 6 month RV road trip, that began in April from our house, and ended just now at our place. We wanted to do a trip with them and my parent’s to Waterton National Park before we put all our camping gear into hibernation for the winter.

I am going to do a few different posts, because I have lots of pictures!  We drove in last night, set up our campsites, only to move in the morning to a more sheltered spot.  It was crazy windy.  The days plan was to hike and bike, and we had only gone a couple of km’s when our bike rack broke.  Lucky we were only going about 30km/hr and we could stop quickly, before much damage was done.  It makes me feel ill to think what would of happened if we were going full speed on the highway.

We went and checked out Cameron Lake.and then walked to a little lake really close by – Akamina I think.  I love how the kids have no problem having fun together, and without the need for artifical props.  They were all intrigued by the spine we found.And crossing the creek without getting their shoes wet.
Grandma with her chocolate bars were a hit!But even that wasn’t enough bribery to try and get 9 kids to co-operate for a cousin’s photo.  We tried…..Next up, was a hike n’ bike to another lake.  A couple of bikes got bent rims from the bike rack breaking so some of us were on foot…..

Some of the older kids carried on a trail that ran paralell-ish to the road, and then finished up on the pavement, having a hoot all the way back to the villageAt camp they ran like a pack, just enjoying being together.
At dusk the light got so awesome!!  It was very eerie and cast a really deep orange glow, not just in the sky, it was like the atmosphere was on fire too.

One of the neatest things about raising kids is seeing personalities emerge.  I like her’s a lot!  She is silly, thoughtful, sensitive, hardworking, responsible, enthusiastic and just at such a sweet spot for just being a really great gal.  Happy birthday beautiful girl.  We love you to the moon and back 🙂

Her New Zealand cousins rolled into town just in time to celebrate.The day after her birthday we had another party up a mountain with some of our favourite family friends, and NZ family.It’s been a while since I have made birthday cake’s for the kids.  The last couple of years they have mostly been courtesy of Dairy Queen, but she made a specific request for a real cake this year.  I saw this simple but pretty idea online, and she loved it.

Birthday’s in the outdoors seems to be our favourite way to celebrate.  Keep smiling girlie! We love you.