Getting Braver...

So after last year's swimming lessons catastrophe


And Greg's refusal to repeat as human life preserver

I wasn't sure what to do this year for Cole. Because, I mean we do have a large body of water in our back yard (and a mother who is an ex-swimmer - can you be an ex-swimmer? - I mean in the athletic, I swim laps way...oh yeah and a father with a pool business...)

So, I thought really hard about it (not as hard as what I should do about preschool next year, but pretty darn hard) and then I sought advice on FB about private lessons, but so far I've been too lazy to line something up....

So, we have just been hanging out in the pool after work and every chance we get....and wouldn't you know the kid is getting a little braver (not brave enough to take off the life vest, but nonetheless a little braver).


When Greg suggested we pull Cole's slide to the edge of the pool, he jumped on the idea and I even got in the action too (not pictured - I've perfected the one cheek slide - don't ask if you don't really want to know). I bought him some water wings and I guess this little ex-swimmer mama will try and teach her child herself - Now how's that for private professional training? Ha! More progress reports to come soon.

I love my tongue!

Of all of Crew's adorableness, I love that he clucks his tongue. I mean how cute is he!
(I shot this pic on our way home from a Costco run on a Saturday. These are the simple memories life is made of.)

My Newest Hobby Addiction

I've been making these fun pendants for a few months now and its really starting to become an addiction.

I've mainly been just making gifts and doing a bunch for church girls camp, but I've had a few custom orders and I've really enjoyed putting them together. I wish I would have taken pictures of all the fun ones I've done so far, but here's some pics of recent ones... (If you have one already and could send me of picture, that would be awesome! thx.)

I'm Taking Custom Orders!
I'd like to start doing more custom orders, so if you'd like one or you know someone who does, please let me know. I've got to find a way to make a few $ back on my addiction. :)
I was thinking of starting an etsy website to sell them on, but I'm not ready to mess with all the shipping, etc.

(Next I need to work on my photography skills...some of these pics are a bit blurry...)

Glass Pendants


Wood Pendants


Soldered Pendants

Bottlecap magnets and pins

It takes a year...

Norm Shilling, our very own KNPR LV desert gardener, reminded me of a truth this morning. He was out in his yard reporting on the progress of several daisies he planted this Spring.

In the dog days of summer these little guys struggle and some - I think he said 4 out of 15 - have died - others are just barely hanging on, but if they can make it through their first summer they will usually be stronger next year and every year after. He advised planting in the fall because then they will have more time to establish their roots before the heat bears down on their little frames.

He walked over to a few of the struggling plants, examined their leaves and branches and determined that there was still some green life to be found and decided to make a shade covering for them. He also set the hose on a drip and put the timer on the kitchen clock for 1 hr. to soak the little fellas.

I started thinking about how long it takes to feel rooted. And of my experience. And I decided Norm was right. It takes about a year after you are planted from the startling adjustment of change and new soil to take root again. Sometimes you need to throw a little cover over yourself for a few months and just hunker down before you feel like exposing your full face to the sun again. But, if you can make it through your first summer, you become more rooted and ready to bear the next season of change.

Which reminds me, I need to go check on my lemon and lime trees, and perhaps offer some shade and an extra drip of water.

Voyage Oh Canada!

We've been back for a week and I'm already ready to go again.


This year we decided to fly to Kalispel, MT and drive to Fairmont British Columbia. Greg and I agreed it was the easiest, most pleasant way to get there in all of years we've been traveling from Las Vegas. Nestled in the rocky mountains of British Columbia, Fairmont is a beautiful valley of green and a cool place to retreat from the Las Vegas heat. The resort is surrounded by trees, golf courses, ski hills, lakes and streams, and vacation villas. Not to mention some really friendly folk. I found myself listening and smiling at the friendly Canadian accents of everyone around. (Man, I miss my countrymen sometimes. ;)

Cole was excited to go and kept asking when we were going to go to Grandma's house with the elevator. :) Two years ago Grandma patiently helped Cole get over his fear of the elevator and he has never forgotten. Now we just need to work on helping him understand that this is Grandma and Grandpa's vacation home not their "home home."


Here's a picture of where we stayed. Unit #2008 in the hillside resort, not too far from the outdoor pool, with a green water slide. Most days the day time high was in the 70s/80s so we took advantage of wearing the kids out at the pool. Cole was apprehensive as usual, especially when it came to going down the slide, but after a few runs with Dad he was a pro and anxious for his cousins to arrive.

I got a teensy bit obsessed about documenting our trip this year, so I took tons of photos. My family have never been real photo taking subjects, but for the most part they humored me. Here's a shot I took of the sunset from our balcony. The sun doesn't go down until almost 10:30 p.m. So our days were long, but so worth this breathtaking beautiful sunset.

Grandma and Grandpa scouted out a few activities for us to do, so we took in the first farmers market/fair of the summer, went to church at the Fairmont LDS branch (where you'll get asked to speak or teach if they find out you'll be there longer than a week) and then took a trip to see the new Invermere firetruck. All the fireman are volunteers and they were mighty proud of their $500,000 truck (that was the cost without all the equipment).

Us, after church, under a tree. (We love that they only meet for 2 hrs. And I especially love the idea of no Sunday school. Instead the branch just shares insights they gained from reading for the week in the last 10 min. NICE!)

Greg took a turn (with a little help) shooting the fire hose and Cole...well, he just covered his ears and cried - a lot. Grandpa scared some poor unsuspecting lady with the horn and got a good chuckle.



Grandma also had lots of adventures planned for the grandkids. When we first arrived we noticed the presence of two large candy jars filled and waiting....with muddy bears and crackers. We pretty much (all the kids - big and small) helped ourselves all week. Grandma also planned a fishing adventure (just in case the boys didn't catch any real fish - maybe they were jinxed from the start?).

Uncle Larry and Aunt Linda held up the "boat" while the kids cast their rods into the lake of goodies and made fishy faces.


We celebrated at the family unbirthday/birthday party for Becky and I. And the kids all got "warm buddies" from Grandma and Grandpa...(And now Cole won't go to sleep without his "Luck" dog, affectionately named after his babysitter's dog, "Lucky"... he begs me to take home Lucky every day).

Who knew cuff links were that exciting!

Cole and Caleb with their Warm Buddies.

Becky made me (and the kids) the cutest reversible hat and flip flops. Here's me modeling. I know, I'm a natural. :)

We spent time, lots of time just vegging and being goofy.

Went to Invermere Lake and threw rocks (and undressed...well, some of us)


And then to top it off, we all headed to the Canada Day parade and festivities in Invermere.

Local patriotic mountain man who the locals remarked "is really that weird all year around."

My flag waving niece, Maddie and Lexi (below)...I think she was cold...

My cutie Crew.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police - RCMP - unmounted

Greg's favorite float.

Miss Maddie (and the balloons we stood in line for an hr. for - but they were free!)

I made Canada stickers and pins

All of us, minus Ben

The grandkids, after a full full day!

...My Canada Day blooper showed just how little I know about fireworks (because they were illegal during my sojourn in Canada, but apparently now some are okay)...I saw these "sparklers" (they were labeled so) that advertised that they lasted 25 min. Wow! I've never seen sparklers that last that long...so I bought 10 only to discover (and later be mocked by my firework-loving American husband) that they really don't "sparkle" - you use these to LIGHT your fireworks!...so, ha ha ha...another funny on me.