Summer 2018

Hello Family and friends! ☺

   It has been an action packed summer for us again this year with LOTS of camping, both with family, starting in Pasqaw in May, Waskesiu in July,  and then our own, to our favorite spots in Banff, Surveyors Lake in BC, as well as one new spot south of Cranbrook called Moyie Lake.

  The girls have also all learned to rock climb this summer! It is quickly becoming our family sport with an amazing new indoor facility on the edge of Calgary about 15 minutes from our home. We have also been outdoors a few times around Banff with the excitement in our minds to check out a few more climbing spots starting next summer! Anni has REALLY excelled at it and is always excited whenever we decide to go for a climbing date. Helerin is showing no fear and did her FIRST climb to the top of the wall last week and is pretty pumped about that feat! Kärolin is really enjoying it as well and is progressing quickly too as the strength in her hands and arms increases. She also passed her belay test at the climbing gym so she can go now on her own with the girls. I'm and so proud of all of them and especially their lack of fear for heights. It's truly amazing and exciting for me!! as climbing has been such an integral parts of my life for many years.

  This fall we also entered into a new phase of our lives with Annika starting kindergarten at her new school in Fireside. She LOVES it! Catches the bus every morning from basically in front of our house, and then gets picked up at school @ 10.50 by either Kärolin or Janelle (our attached neighbor) since her son Gavin has also started kindergarten and is in the same class with Anni. Not a day goes by when I don't at some point appreciate the location of our home in Cochrane, and am SO thankful to have such good neighbors in so many ways. It has really worked out well for us on a lot of different levels.

  As for me, I will be starting some more helicopter training in Texas this time beginning October 14th. The first course will be one month long, and then a 3 week course, also in Texas, beginning November 24th. I will return to Cochrane December 15th at which time Kärolin will go to Estonia to see her family over Christmas, and the girls and I will be coming to Saskatchewan for Christmas and New Years until Kärolin returns from Estonia.

Enjoy the pictures. Hopefully this finds you all doing well. ☺

Anni learned to ride her bike this spring

Taking a break at the Wishing Well tree house

Heading home to Nana's house

Anni's first climbing day

Anni invited Elizabeth, one of her best friends

Bouldering

Helerin's first climb

Anni took a picture of her dad doing some bouldering. The old fella still has a move or two!

Co-pilot Helerin

My girls paid me a visit on Father's day since I had to work.

Future flight nurse?

The girls friend Kasia. We were in Kelowna for a visit with our friends Scott and Dominika

Picking cherries

We ate as much as we were picking

The smile says it all!

Pretty decent haul. Total bill was $16. Incredible!

Tubing with cousin Julia. Waskesiu trip in July

Tubing with cousin Brynn and her friend



The Paignton beach crew

More floating fun with cousin Brandon

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It's not a trip to PA without a hot tub with Nana

Camping at Two Jack lakeside with our Estonian friend Sven

Hot chocolate every morning by the fire

Marble Canyon hike

Family picture Marble Canyon with the Kootenay River behind us

Helerin painting her feet at the Paint Pots hike

Lunch break

Rundle rock climbing

A brown bear strolled by us

Mama's first climb outside

Anni trying out her new climbing shoes

Bouldering break

Goat Creek bike ride between Canmore and Banff

Family selfie

Lunch break



Moyie Lake campground

Swimming in Jimsmith Lake

Train tracks picture during our interpretive hike

Floating in Moyie Lake



Floating in Moyie Lake

Our shade was our savior. It was 35C and well over 40 in the sun

The newest addition to our toy box

Maiden voyage to Engineers Lake to see some turtles

Girls and their silly face picture

Mama and Anni soaking up some rays thru the smoky skies

Boat trip over to Gilligans Island on Lake Kookanusa

Lunch break at Rundle Rock during another climbing session

Anni's first rappel

Sven and I on our float trip down the Bow River from the Ghost Reservoir down to Cochrane

Drying out after being almost swallowed by this hydraulic wave

Cool island in the middle of the River. It's called the Wildcat Island Natural Area. We are hoping to camp on it next year

Just coming into Cochrane

First day of school!!

Anni and Gavin on their first day of Kindergarten



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Waiting for the bus

Quick prep talk from mom

And away she goes!

She's been waiting a long time for this moment!

And Helerin started Pre-K school as well!

Here is our proud new student