Camping

The past weekend was glorious for camping with temps sitting in the high 20’s, few clouds in the sky and just enough of a breeze to whisk the sweet freshness of the Canadian Rockies across your face.

The kids and I jumped aboard the trailer and set out for some fun.

We had so much fun hiking, biking and making campfires.  We also went to the hot springs which I would like to say we enjoyed… but can pretty much be summed up as ... Parent’s don’t let your kids drink the pool water!  After only 10 minutes in the pool a kid (not mine) vomited everywhere from drinking the pool water and we all had to evacuate … $20 down the drain … the pool drain ...

As summer comes to a close, although we didn't get a ton of camping in this year, we sure had fun!  Hopefully next summer we can take a long camping trip down through the north of the US of A.! 

A Day With My Dad

When I moved back home last year I moved in with my parents.  They are giving me some time to stay with them to help me get back on my feet after my separation.  As difficult as it may be to move back in with your parents when you're almost 30, it has also been great to spend some time with them as adults and appreciate my parents more than I did when I moved out 11 years ago after high school.

Very shortly after I moved home my dad was diagnosed with cancer.  It has been a great blessing moving in when I think my parents needed us (the kids and I).  My dad and I don’t spend a lot of ‘quality’ time together but today … on this beautiful Sunday afternoon … my dad took me out for a drive through the prairies showing me the homestead of where his family settled and where he grew up.  He named every farm (for what seemed liked miles) and told me little stories along the way.

Cancer is scary stuff and even when they are doing well, it's still really hard on the patient, and also difficult on the family.  I have watched both my parents struggle over the last year but am happy to say that my dad has been so strong and is fighting his battle well!  I love my dad so much, he’s always been there for me when I've need him most.  It was so nice to spend time together and I will always be grateful and thankful for having such a nice man to call my dad.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you”

 Exodus 20:12

in need of an adventure

It’s rainy and dreary outside today which makes me just slump down in my chair, wishing I was curled up at home… in my bed… with a pot of tea... sigh

But since I’m not and I’ve been daydreaming of my next travel quest, here are my top three ADVENTURE destinations.

1.  The Glowworm Caves of New Zealand – seriously this looks amazing.  I’ve been caving before (which I loved) and these caves sound incredible

2.   Petra, Jordan – I wish to be riding camelback through the desert to this amazing lost city.  So much history! 

3.   Machu Picchu, Peru – Again, the ancient ruins of lost cities is fascinating to me.  Although it is an incredibly challenging hike, I would love the adventure and it is definitely on my bucket list.

I love a relaxing holiday, but this prairie girl is in real need of some adventure at the moment.

it's just around the corner

I’m getting excited, dance season is just around the corner and I can’t wait!  I love the summer months, searching through loads of music and compiling the next seasons song list.  I love looking through old costume books getting ideas and re-watching old recital DVD’s feeling so proud.

The past two years of teaching have been different not having my own studio and having to teach in different studios, but it’s still totally awesome getting to work with the kids.  And of course this kid especially…..

My heart explodes every time I look at Olivia’s dance pictures.  She just melts my heart over and over.  I just love teaching my own daughter (at least while she’s young).  It's so fun watching them grow and accomplish new steps and watching them try to do much harder steps as they watch the senior dancers.  I love watching them make friends and giggle through dance class.  Everything about it is so sweet.  

After a dance season and all the up’s and down’s it takes to get those kids looking their best on stage, its nice when June rolls around and there is a bit of a breather.  However nothing beats knowing that the upcoming dance season is just around the corner!