Camping at Tulabi Falls Nopiming Park

Our last big hurrah! The "big kids" went to the boat with Grandma and Grandpa and we really wanted to try out Tulabi Falls.
Back in the day when Jay and I were just dating we camped out at Black Lake and it was beautiful. Now Nopiming Park is really situated in the middle of nowhere. There are very few services and no running water or real toilets. Because we were only going for the weekend though we were pretty sure we could rough it for a couple of days ;)
We pulled in on Friday in the dark because of course it is dark by 7:30 now :p Jayson was doing such a good job setting up our big tent by himself and just as I commented one of the poles broke. Totally crappy but what can you do? Jay being the creative and handy guy that he is found a temporary solution and here it is


With the tent being erect we were in business. We had great fire and put the kids to bed. It was a beautiful evening and the stars out there were incredible.
The next morning started like any other morning when you are camping. A big fire and making breakfast. We were going to hard boil eggs instead of scrambling because it is a way easier clean up. However on the way from the cooler to the picnic table our eggs dropped everywhere. So the ones we could save ended up scrambled ;) No big deal breakfast is served. After a while we figure we'll go do some exploring. We grab a map from the office and head off in the van to some hiking trails etc... we figure the kids will nap while we drive and then we can enjoy the rest of the day.
As we are driving down the most gravel and bumpiest roads ever and winding round and round Matthew pukes everywhere. Give it 10 minutes after we have cleaned up as best as we could and it's Jordyn's turn to get sick. Another stop and clean up and Matthew goes again. By this time we are an hour and a half from our campsite in the middle of no where. Obviously we turned back and hoped the puking was done.
Luckily they both fell asleep and we got back to camp.
Had some lunch and continued our day. That's when I broke my toe! I could not believe our luck so far. It was time to pack up and head home.

Oh Yeah... Banff

So I kind of forgot to update about our Banff trip again and to be honest, at this point I really don't remember what days what events happened.
I will summarize it this way. I had a wonderful time. We saw tons of wildlife. There was a bear in our campground. We stayed at Two Jack Lake Main and it was perfect. We drove the Icefield Parkway to the Glaciers, We saw lots of waterfalls including Athabaska. We hiked lots of trails Moraine lake and Bow Falls. We went and toured the Cave and Basin which was really neat.
We went to Lake Louise, Canmore, Jasper, Calgary and even stopped at Drumheller and went to the Royal Tyrell Museum.
We sat in the hot springs at Banff,shopped,swam in cascade pond (it was freezing)

Anyway, it was wonderful and I could easily and happily go back and do it all over again. Maybe next summer ;)

Summer in September

I for one am LOVING this hot summer weather we are finally having! I know some people whine and complain about all this heat but my family is eating it up and savouring every single second we can get.
The backyard kiddie pool is being used daily and we have another camping trip planned for this weekend!!!

Poor Corey-Poor Goldie

I never grew up with fish or little pets. My brother though had hampsters and gerbils galore. We had a dog and I remember when she died but it was a dog.
Well poor Corey has experienced his first death.
His fish Goldie has gone to the big fish bowl in the sky.
Corey bought Goldie with his very own money after saving long and hard at the age of 7 years old. He had his own tank and fed him (when he remembered) ;)
Of course out of all the times for this silly fish to die it had to be when Jayson was away for the weekend.
I waited overnight to decide how to handle this death and talk to Corey about it. He wanted to bury it but could not find a good enough shovel. So we discussed it and I put Goldie in the toilet. Corey flushed and that is when he broke down.
I felt so bad for him and just had to give him a hug and hold back my own tears.

September 11, 2001

It is amazing to think that the tragedy of 9/11 was already 8 years ago. I know for me it is still fresh and just think of ALL the major changes in the world since then.
A tragedy that has affected us all and yet every year it seems to become more and more a distant memory.
I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the news hit and what crazy, heart stopping news it was.
I have a heavy heart today for all the families who lost their loved ones on this horrible day and my thoughts and prayers go out to those families :(

Back to School

Today was the day that most parent's have circled on their calendar. It is bittersweet as today is the day that the kids "get out of my hair" and back into routine. It also means it is that much closer to the end of summer though which is a horrible thought :(
I just realized I forgot to send their kleenex boxes to school with them so I suppose I will send them tomorrow.
Kianne was nonchalant about the first day of school and shot me down when I asked her if she wanted me to walk with her. I guess that is what happens when you go into grade 5 ;)


Corey was excited to ride his bike and see all his friends. The only reason he wanted me to walk with him was so I could help him carry his stuff. I guess in grade 3 it is still acceptable. When I realized that he just wanted to use me as a donkey though I sent him on his way ;)

I am really looking forward to this school year and have high hopes for a great year. Corey has a really good teacher that I know he likes and Kianne's so far seems nice. Unfortunately she will always be the guinea pig with teachers as she is the oldest.
So with the first day being done and only 9 more months to go... here's to a Happy Back to School Day for students, parents and teachers :)

Best Long Weekend Ever

Due to a change of plans on the Edmonton side we ended up being in Manitoba. As dissapoining as it was to not be able to be with Michael this past weekend we had a great time anyway.
With summer weather finally arriving we took full advantage of it! We booked a campsite at our favorite place and did lots of hiking and swimming and wading and sightseeing etc...
Of course there were a few bumps to the trip including deflated air mattresses, a big rock in the windshield, a broken ignition that Jay was thankfully able to fix and banana on my most favorite mei tie among other "little bumps" that seem to happen when you go camping with little kids. But the weather was amazing, there were almost no mosquitos and the kids actually slept really well.
The "big kids" didn't want to come so they stayed with their Dad. It's to bad though because I think they would have had a blast with all the kids there. Plus it would have been fun to have them along.
We only stayed two nights just because it was too hard sleeping on a bed of rocks. We got home late Sunday night and then on Monday spent the day at Hecla Island and Morton Park.I still like Opawpiskwa way better but at least we know :)
We are hoping that we'll be able to get out one more time this year for some fall camping seeing as how my September is open!