end of season

Handsome....yes?

Another proud soccer moment....way to go Aidan!

proud

I am having one of those proud mama moments today.  Even though the soccer game was rained out...again, we did get to pick up the soccer pictures for Bree and Jenna, and they also received their very first medals.  I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled these two little ladies are about those medals.  Smiles cannot get any bigger today!  I'll post some pics of the gals with their hard earned awards, as soon as it stops raining!  At any rate, I am so thrilled about this year's soccer for Bree and Jenna.  It was a huge confidence builder for both of them, and just to watch them play, on their own, with other teammates was priceless.  I am sure they will want to play next year, and I could see this sport quickly becoming "their thing"!

Bree

Jenna 

I was so impressed with the photographer this year for soccer pics.  He took extra time (that he didn't have to) and took a whole bunch of Bree and Jenna together.  So awesome!  He was also so good with the girls (they are really shy with people that they don't know) and he had them giggling within seconds. 

We celebrated the day (once it stopped raining for a bit) with a bike ride and playground crawl throughout the neighborhood, and a pit stop for ice cream and coffee at my favourite place....Cafe Crema.  Here's to a great day! 

Interlakes

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.  Still a favourite...always a favourite! 
We kicked off our camping season this past weekend with a trip down to one of our favourite places....Interlakes.  Despite camping under mostly gray skies, and intermittent rain, (and snow one night at the higher elevations...ahem), we made the most out of every speck of warm sunlight, and every break in the rain clouds.  In no way did that rain hamper our activities we had planned for the weekend! 

It was mostly hiking that we had our hearts set on this time.  And hike we did.  And so did Bree and Jenna!  This was the first time that we hiked together.  As a family.  Seeing the same things. Telling the same stories.  No longer would Bree and Jenna stay back because they were too little.  These little ladies are strong.  And very determined.

This hike by far was voted by the kids as the "most favourite" this time around.   I mean what could be better than trekking through snow (yes....the trail still had lots of snow covered paths), mud, water, and more mud, just to get up close and personal with one of the prettiest waterfalls around?  And with a snack spot like this....it's kind of hard to beat! 

Another highlight, especially for the kids, getting to see a moose grazing in one of the meadows! Always a treat!

Marbles was popular...although there was a certain Snider kidlet who didn't want to play for keepsies!  I wonder who...?

Scootering was the activity of choice when we weren't scampering down the trails.  And yes...that is Jenna doing her best to keep up with her older brother.  

Thanks to the longer days, we were able to even get in a few short evening hikes, and a little geocaching.   

The Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Trail, marked the first "mini-mountain" for Bree and Jenna to summit.  I am still in awe at the determination of these two gals.  Smiles.  And lots of them. 

The summit!  And a break with some well deserved treats.  The view wasn't to shabby either! 

My crew....my little team of hikers....my kids.  And one very proud mama! 

The excitement of this crew pretty much sums up how much they love being outside, how much they love camping, and how much they love those mountains.  Just like their parents, I think these mountains have captured a few more little hearts.  Bree and Jenna had tears when it was time to leave the campground this morning.  They wanted to stay.  For the first time, I didn't mind the meltdowns as we pulled out of the campground.  Tears of joy I said.  And I smiled.

a pd day

First off....I do apologize for the amount of posted pics today.  You see...I went a little snap happy this afternoon.  It's been a while since I got this carried away with photos, but alas....I could not narrow them down.  They had me laughing as I was taking them, and it was a repeat performance as I was going through them this evening as the kids were sound asleep, exhausted from their summer like afternoon.  We lived outside today...all day...and it was fantastic!
As you can see, the weather was much warmer today, and we...ahem...the kids...took good advantage of it....

Hooray for a summery day!  Finally!  Looking forward to oh so much more of days like today.  Cheerio!

the National

An afternoon at The Nationals!  One of the first big tournaments this summer at Spruce Meadows, and despite the dark skies and threatening rain, we popped over for a bit this afternoon.  Once again so very thankful that this world renowned place is practically in our own backyard...a mere five minutes away!  It was also great to see the place decked out for the Queen's Jubilee!  A little taste of Britain here!

We managed to get in one of the first competitions of the day...a smaller event, but still great to sit for a bit and watch the jumping.  Love to see how excited Bree and Jenna get when the horses clear their jumps!

As the weather got a little more iffy, we headed on over to the Gallery on the Green building and took in an amazing interactive display by Agrium, just for the kids.  The staff here was fantastic and got the kids going on so many hands on experiments....including planting their own sunflowers.  The race is on now....with all four pots lined up in my window sill! 

Next up....it was getting a chance to see what's involved in looking after horses.....one of the main chores...cleaning out the stable.  Not to worry...they only had to dig up some cleverly placed golf balls in order to win a sticker.   

The kids loved it!

Just another fabulous day at Spruce Meadows.  Looking forward to more tournaments coming up later in the summer and early fall, including the Masters, which is always a favourite.  It honestly has nothing to do with the Dutch pavilion and the freshly  made ollebollen either....ahem.