Apples Apples EVERYWHERE!

So far this summer Southern AB has gotten at least 2 really good hail storms. The last of which knocked quite a few apples off my in-laws apple tree and did some damage to the ones that still managed to hang on in the tree. They offered up the apples if we came and got them. I was a little hesitant because I have my own apple tree that's just about ready to pick. Then I figured eh why not. So we went out to pick and clean up the yard!

Lindsey and Brad and their kids came as well. They took all the really bad apples home to feed to their pigs! Lindsey and I loaded some up in boxes to take to my house to make into jam and applesauce and whatever else we could think of.

 We had to stop by their house after the apples and show Sean and Max the pigs and horse. Lindsey tells me they'll have a "funny farm" one day with all the random animals they will get.

Sean and Max were completely enthralled with the animals. Dan even showed Sean how to feed the horse apples and Max watched Kolton in how to throw the apples to the pigs. Once we convinced the boys to leave the animals they ran around the yard for over an hour or so while us "grown-ups" got to visit.

It was one of those perfect summer nights! The kids were playing so well so we just left them alone and let them play. The babies were content to just sit on our laps and Lindsey and I got to chat and so did Dan and Brad. Gotta watch the sun set. It was just a perfect way to end an evening.

After our quick weekend trip to Beauvais Lindsey and I got together and started our Apple mess. Once we got the juicer going we realized we had a ton of apples. So she found a recipe for apple pie filling. We're going to make more of that next time!

We were pretty skilled working our canning magic and somehow managing to take care of 5 kids. #momwin!
The only time, without fail, they all managed to need or want us was when we had to pour and put apple jam in the jars. we made three batches of the jam and EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. All 5 kids needed us. It was chaotic. And then of course as we were done and could help them they were all fine and didn't want us. It's no wonder kids drive us to the point of insanity.

It was a good day! A LONG day and a lot of hard work but so worth it!

Beauvias Lake Camping

We decided to bail on Magrath Days this year and go camping. A definite good choice. Gotta love the fresh air. We decided to go to Chinook Lake with my parents. Dan and I were able to leave first and got to Chinook around 2:00 only to find all the trailer sites full. LAME! My parents were still on their way so they stopped at the campgrounds before then and found some room for us at Beauvais Lake.
After a glitch of Reserved sites and space we had to move out stuff into the last site they had left. Luckily it fit our tent trailer and my parents 5th wheel. YAY! it was a pretty darn good set up!

this little man loves the outdoors

my three camping boys

 we went walking around and found the lake. the wind was a bit cold to actually swim in it but then again my boys are just entertained by throwing rocks.

 They had a good little playground to play on as well and Grandpa and the boys had a blast.

throwing rocks in the air.

bocci ball

 we went exploring Saturday down to the water again and had a good time. on the way back we saw an old log cabin and just had to check it out.

 Sean thought it was neat.

 We had to high tail it outta there though when Grandma or Grandpa disturbed the hornets nest. Luckily only Greg and I got stung. man i hate those suckers. They hurt

sean having quiet time while max, evan, dan and greg napped.

 Sunday we took my parents kayaks to the water. Max didn't want to get out.

 grandpa was attempting to fish and having no luck but Sean managed to sweet talk some other fishermen into getting fish. We ended up with 4. haha Sean held the first one but refused to hold any more after he saw them wiggling and squirming.

 We went to the fish cleaning station and ran into our good buddies the bennetts! Sean was so happy! We invited them over and gave Graz her first taste of Lake fish! She liked it so that's a win! The boys had a fun time playing paw patrol in our tent trailer. I love seeing Sean use him imagination and play with his friends! I heard a few things about Paw Patrol and Spiderman stepping in to save the day!

 Max was completely exhausted by the time we finished packing up and heading home. He fell asleep as I backed up the car to hook up the trailer and slept until we got home. These boys are sure loving their camping adventures!

Family Fun Camp - Belly River

This year we planned a Family Fun Camp out and it was a blast! Tons of friends were invited. Some we didn't know but still actually did know in a round about way. Its a small world. We went to Belly River Campground which is just outside of Waterton. 

We left Lethbridge while it was still under a Tornado Warning. There were even some pretty intense spinny/funnel clouds right outside our house. We even got a bit of hail! We checked the weather and where we were going there was no storm so off we went. Sure enough true to southern alberta fashion as soon as we got further over to the south side of Lethbridge the storm was gone and just beautiful blue skies!

We got to the campground later than we planned but still not the last ones there. We set up and just waited around till others showed up. That night was mostly spent getting settled in and kids to bed. We chatted around the fire for a bit but the rain showed up and we all ran for cover and to our beds.

Saturday morning we ate breakfast and lazed around. It was still kinda grey and drizzly out but nothing to wet. 

Built a little play pen corner for the babies.

Max wanted in.

Dana pole dancing.. haha

 After Breakfast and lunch we loaded up and hit the road to Waterton. We really wanted to do a hike but it was just POURING. So we scratched that off the list and went into the town by Cameron Falls. It wasn't raining down there so we hiked up that little trail they had. Sean, Max, and Kolton had a great time hiking it by themselves.

This picture cracks me up

 After Waterton we talked with Lindsey and Brad and we went to Some ghetto little place and ate the best mexican food I have had in a while. Oh my goodness it was great! Definite ghetto building but so so good.

We got back to our camp site and the Sun a shinning and games a playing! This one Dana and Carl brought was a hit. Sean had a great time cheering Chelsea, Dana, Sara and Kalina on.

Campfire fun

Sean is so sweet with all the little kids! 

Sean showing me how to play

SOFT TACO!

 That night was a fun one! Kids went to bed and we got to sit around the fire visiting. As we sat around visiting we could hear kids screaming and crying but couldn't figure out which kids they were. Lo and behold they were mine yelling and standing in the window screaming let me out!!! Quite hilarious. Got them back in bed and then got to enjoy a good time around the fire. Someone counted and I think there were 20 adults or so. Great times.

Sunday we all got up and a few people decided to go to church in Waterton. There were a few of us "heathens" who didn't go and instead went and hiked Blakiston Falls.

feeding the little birdies

 Blakiston is a good short hike (1km). It was nice because the older boys hiked it themselves and Max did a little. But its easy enough that those of us carrying kids aren't dying either. Though a part of me still wants to do a bigger hike. :)

enjoying his time in the corner 

Max was having fun making him laugh

 After dinner and things settled down we went and found the River behind our campsite. It was beautiful. A little cold for me though. Only Dan and Harlen jumped in. Crazies. The rest of us just laughed at them as they tried to convince us it was nice. HA!

these boys could throw rocks in the water all day!

Max sat in the mud and had to have a little bath of his own.

 Sunday night the majority of people had to pack up and leave. So the fire that night there were only 4 families left. We saw a storm coming so we packed up and chilled in the camp kitchen that night. Even though we didn't get that much rain. It fooled us. Carl made us some mountain pies and we just relaxed and finally went to bed when some of us started dozing in the camp kitchen.

Monday we all pitched in the last of food for Breakfast. Dan and I made it while everyone else packed and then after breakfast everyone helped us pack up. It was a pretty good arrangement.
It was a fun campout we had and hopefully we can make it a kind of annual thing. well worth it!

our view from the campsite

everyone that came.

Kalina&Brad Fleming(soon to be), Lindsey&Brad Prince, Sara and Lane (missed the last name), Amy&Dallon Martin, Chelsea&Ryan Barfuss, Laura&Harlan Lenzen, Carl and Dana Holland, Kai&Katie Yee, and US!

On our way home we had quite the adventure. This black thing came right at our window. I ducked (even though i was in the car) and it smoked us. and got caught under our topper.

 Nice big Crane like bird. Poor thing..

So much fun and can't wait to do it all again another year!