Happy Birthday Amanda and Peter

Amanda with her nephew Solomon on her lap; Ms Hazel (Bob's mom) and Peter with nephew Ethan on his lap

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA!!!

Solomon helps his Aunt Amanda blow out all her candles on her ice cream cake as her nieces (Casendra, Journey and Sierra) look on as well as her sister Sara and friend Bob. I am glad we had the second cake as Peter didn't want to share his birthday pie with anyone. Amanda's cake was yummy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETER!!!

Peter's nephew Ethan helped him blow out his candles on his homemade strawberry/rhubard pie. It was either his mom Char or his sister Amanda (the other birthday girl) who made it for him.

Enjoying the party - (L - R) Casendra, Journey, Sara, Sierra, Bob (Amanda's friend), Solomon and Amanda

If you fall off, you need to get right back on

The photo of all 3 girls on Sgt Pepper (Journey, Sierra and Casendra) in my below entry was a couple of moments of happier times - a few minutes afterwards, Sgt Pepper showed his displeasure of carrying 3 people on his back. It happened in such slow motion for me. Sgt Pepper bucked and the 3 girls seem to slide off him just as they rode him - 3 in a row. I picked up Casendra within seconds of her hitting the ground (frightening for me to say the least). Gratefully - no injuries, just dirty. It took some time, but with holding her and comforting her - her crying stopped and we had our cuddle. It was a long day for her too (missed her afternoon nap).

To make sure she doesn't develop any fear - her mom Sara got her to sit on Sgt Pepper - knowing her mom was right by her side, we got a giggle and a smile out of Casendra - what a smart mom!!! An observation though - I think Casendra has inherited her mom and sister Sierra horsewoman skills too - another natural on a horse.

Journey's Ride

As one of Journey's birthday presents, is learning how to ride Sgt Pepper (Sierra's pony) - she has a very good instructor - her Aunt Sara. When Journey received the call (via her mom) that her Aunt Sara was wondering if she wanted to ride Sgt Pepper to her house - total excitement!! I had the pleasure of driving her to Wanda's house (where the horses are stabled) - she talked all the way there - so excited about riding Sgt Pepper - she already had 4-5 lessons already. The above photo is of Journey leaving Wanda's with her Aunt Sara and cousin Sierra. The photo below is Journey's Aunt Sara leading her down the road towards her house.

Here is Journey with her cousins Sierra and Casendra in Journey's backyard.

Drive to the Hills

There is this part of my ride to 3 Hills where you have to drop your speed to 80 clicks as you drive through this farm that is on both sides of the secondary hwy. I went up on Wednesday afternoon - the sun was shining and they must have put on a new coat of red on the barn - so couldn't resist, I pulled over and snapped a shot of it. I thought it was beautiful with the vast field behind it.

I drove Journey to Sara friend Wanda's place were they house Sgt Pepper (Sierra's pony) - while waiting for them I saw this nicely rolled bale of hay of the tack house - you see them throughout the fields along the drive to 3 Hills - it must have just arrived - being I had an up and close look - I snapped a shot. I am sure the horses here will be very happy with their new hay to munch on.

I think I can see what is a "must" in Alberta gardens - Hollyhocks - as you can see they come in various colours - absolutely beautiful. I love the shades of pink on the below hollyhock.

Walking along the Bow

Today, the sun was shining with a small wind that was appreciated. So after work, I decided to drive down the hill to do my walk today. I had my water bottle ready - sunglasses and cellphone too. My goal today was to walk to my second landmark - the Crowchild bridge. Along the pathway, other people were out enjoying the summery weather with their dogs, children, on rollerskates, plenty of bicycle rings going off to let you know they were behind you. You also heard the voices coming from the Bow River - the river-rafts enjoying the strong current as they head into the downtown core on their rafts.

I am happy to say I reached my goal - I added another 30 mins to my last walk on this path - that is the other aim through this - build up my stamina/endurance - the longer I can walk, the further I am walking which is my main purpose.

As I was heading up the pathway to my car, there was a bit of excitement of sorts. A lady had collapsed after having a seizure (before her friend yelled out she was an epileptic, I had thought it was heat stroke as that sun was strong today). A couple ahead of me was stopped by a passing cyclist asking if they had a cellphone to call an ambulance. This lady's friend seem to be doing all the correct things to comfort her and protective too (basically told the crowd - in a sense - party is over you can leave now - I can appreciate that). Scary thing to happen upon though - just glad someone was there for her. (wow - good reason shown why having a cellphone is handy to have on walks other than tell me the time).

My next walking goal is to walk for 2 hours (that could be to the 14st Bridge or even downtown Calgary from my 29th street/Shaganappi corner). I think I will need to bring a packsack that way I can bring my camera but also some klennex (my nose loves to run).

Casendra

I absolutely love this photo - I was clicking merrily away on Friday night - wasn't until tonight when I saw the photos on the computer that I saw Casendra's facial expressions and her thumb. She's giving me one of her smiles and a "thumbs up".

Casendra sure is one active gal - seems she is always on the go. She is also into making all these different facial expressions that either make you laugh or at the least put a smile on your face. The popular one is shaping her lips into that "O" position - priceless. She has a great laugh too.

Rosey

I took this photo from Sara and John's kitchen - this was taken prior to the patio door being installed - Yes that is a horse in the backyard - It is Char's horse Rosey. She had a terrible accident with a barb wire fence in June so has been receiving daily TLC from Char, Sierra and Sara as the accident left her with a large gapping wound above her leg - to me it looks like it is healing well and the size of it has shrunk a bit too. Char is hoping to take her home next week.

Ethan & Casendra at the Park

This metal skateboarding ramp was the highlight of the evening at the park. Casendra had so much fun going up and down that metal ramp (of course she could go down better on the metal one than on the wooden one). Ethan was there cheering her on - the last photo had him going down with her. I definitely got my arm lift exercises in that day - I lifted Casendra up onto that metal ramp multiple times.

Casendra gave us our hint it was time to go home - she showed us that she wanted to get into her stroller. A surprise for me, as Sara and John got Ethan and Casendra ready for bed - Sierra and I enjoyed a walk around the block - she chatted the whole way - it was a great way to end a rather exhausting week at work.

Every night, Sara and John pray with their children asking what was the best part of their day - mine was definitely spending some time with each of the Sara and John's children. Thanks Ethan, Casendra and Sierra for a great day.

Come on Casendra!! Come on Casendra!! You can do it!! - I can't tell you how many times Ethan said that to Casendra - he wanted her to have just as much fun at the park too.

Casendra at the Park

Casendra pushing her stroller

Casendra finding the perfect hiding space under the ramp

Threw the small ball around that we brought to play with

This was one thing she loved - the wooden and metal ramps for the skateboards

Ethan showing his biking skills

Ethan getting ready to go over a jump with his bike

He did it!!

Last time I was in 3 Hills, I had promised Ethan that I would take him back to the Skateboarding/Basketball court near his house. Well, after supper Ethan wanted John to go for a walk or something - seeing John was exhausted, I piped up asking Ethan did he remember my promise to him. Of course he did - being Sierra was off with Grandma Char on an errand I took Casendra too. We were at the park for like an hr. Ethan showing off his biking skills (he really has improve since I last saw him bike). Casendra seem to make do with little that that they had to play for her age.

Here comes the Door

John and Sara had found the patio door on like Kijiji - it fits great - unfortunately it was too big to go from the garage into the utility room - so John with the help of their student Brian (??) had to walk all around the house and come through the backyard to install the patio door. They did a great job putting it in. It will be so nice on my next visit - I won't need to go through the garage to get to the backyard.