Alberta Vacation 2010

We had so much fun out west this summer.

We flew to Alberta this year for the first time in seven years. Our kids loved the plane ride. Scott and I loved it too. Especially the part where we didn't have to pack our kids and bags into the back of our minivan and spend 30 hours driving across the country.

We almost missed our flight as the power went out briefly the night before and our alarm clocks were reset. Luckily Jesse had a nightmare at 4:30 AM, came into our room crying, woke us up, and we were able to make it across town to the airport in the nick of time for our very early flight to Calgary.

Here are some highlights worth mentioning:

My cousin, Kennedy's wedding to an awesome girl, Nikki. It was beautiful.

Jensen family reunion. My Mom is the oldest of 9 children and we had 57 family members at our 2 day reunion. Some activities included the Barnwell parade, games, rope-making, huge family meals, a fireside, and enjoying time together to get re-acquainted with cousins, aunts & uncles.

Trip to Waterton with the Samhuri family. Hiking Bear's Hump and trying to avoid the rain that seemed to be following us. We saw a black bear just outside of the park.

Jesse and Samantha learning to roller blade and ride two-wheelers at their Stewart cousin's house.

Meeting our dear friends at Peter's Drive Thru for lunch where Brett ordered a one-of-a-kind milkshake.

Many walks around the lake with several children following behind some combination of Buddy, and /or Pepper and /or Copper. Scott's siblings like dogs. So do our kids. Jesse told me yesterday he is saving up for one.

Hill Siblings gathering for a huge Sunday dinner complete with roast, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, the works. We appreciated Kim & Mark traveling quite a way to come see us!

Cookout in Taber park where we got eaten alive by mosquitoes but were having too much fun eating dinner, roasting marshmallows, playing Frisbee and baseball to leave early.

The men went out to shoot guns. It's becoming a Barnwell tradition with Uncle Eric. Jordana and I skipped out this year because we didn't want to show the guys up two years in a row.

Seeing Mona & Jarom who flew all the way from Singapore and are expecting a baby girl this winter!

Seeing Sami too, which makes twice in 6 months. That's definitely a record.

Seeing one of my BFF's, Robyn, for the first time in so long. I miss that girl!

I love visiting my Grandparents. My Grandma will turn 78 this year, and is still quilting. Her memory is amazing. She loves her family so much. My Grandpa is turning 87 next month and still rides his bike almost every day. He has an amazing vegetable garden and raspberry bushes our kids are addicted to. He loves his family so much that he weeps tears of joy every time we visit.

I think Scott would probably want me to mention the night he went golfing with Parker, Matt & Jeff. They had a lot of fun together and some good uncle-nephew bonding time.

The kids? Would probably say the best part of Alberta was seeing all of their COUSINS!