Tuesday, July 28, 2015

July ~ moments to remember

I know.  The month is not yet done and already I'm doing my monthly review.  But since I'll be away the next few days...I'm posting this a wee bit early.  I might just add a footnote later...should anything noteworthy happen before August arrives. :)


July began with a bang...as it always does.  Fireworks and Canada Day go hand-in-hand...and this year we actually joined the masses to watch our local display.


At the beginning of the month...we went camping with the youngest grands.  First...Maggie, Lucy and Micah joined us at Camperland.  They remember exactly what we did last year and don't like to change things up at all! We eat the same foods, hike the same trail, play the same games...and always buy treats at the general store.


On the second day...Ryder and Ranen joined us for a day at the water slides.  What fun...even for the oldsters!

Then the younger ones went home...and Ranen and Ryder stayed for night.  Like I said...some things never change!  One minute they are sitting in their chairs having a good time...and the next minute Ranen is on the ground.  Funny...but I thought back to their first camping trip with us when they were just three...and had a similar experience.


And I have the photos to prove it.  They found it a little funnier now though!


It was a good time again! How quickly these years are flying by.


Can our youngest grand really be four already?  We celebrated Lucy's birthday with a picnic at BenAnna Lake earlier this month.


Also in July...we celebrated the arrival of another grand-niece (a granddaughter for my sister Dot).  Teeny as could be and cute as a button!


And then there was a mid-week hike up Mt. Slesse with Heidi, Maggie and Lucy and some friends.  I figured if four and six-year-olds could do such a long hike, I should be able to make it.  We hiked up to the monument that marks the place where a Trans-Canada Airlines plane crashed into the rugged peak on Dec. 9, 1956...killing all 62 people on board.  Due to the remoteness of the area...the plane was not found for five months.  It was a six-hour round trip for us...with plenty of stops for snacks and 'reading breaks'.  I was amazed at the wee ones and their determination to make it to the top. It was a great day!



One night...we drove into Vancouver to meet up with Debi and Bob who were vacationing from southern California.  I knew Debi from her blog...Echo of My Heart...but how nice to meet face to face for the first time!  We rode the gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain...had dinner together...and watched as the sun set over the city.  It was such a lovely evening...with much to talk about and lots of laughs!  We plan to meet again one day...and carry on where we left off. Next time they will stay longer!



Last week we had a family BBQ at a wonderful local venue...a new RV resort that my brother-in-law has been involved in developing these past few years. Lots are now on the market...but we were there as guests of my sister and BIL and had a wonderful evening with all who could make it.


And then there was the 'just for fun' party at the farm of friends on the weekend...which included a wonderful BBQ dinner, great entertainment (Abba Again), many friends to connect with and a field full of antique tractors and pick-ups to check out.  I'm thinking 'just for fun' is a really good reason to throw a party! Did I mention that there was also a new barn to gather in...which turned out to be a good thing, since we actually had a few showers on Sunday.

We have had three very hot and dry months here...with little or no rain since the beginning of May.  The crops are parched...the lawns are brown...and we were in 'stage three' water restrictions. 

 

So...needless to say...we welcomed the rain that fell on the weekend. It can only help the grass and corn fields which are really suffering in the valley...and put a bit of a damper on the forest fires that are raging throughout the province.  

The sun is shining again...the Okanagan is calling...and we are off to enjoy the last few days of July with family in another part of our province.  

Here's hoping you are all having a wonderful summer!





13 comments:

  1. What a wonderful time you had in July! Thanks for taking the time to share your beautiful photos (I still think you must live on the most beautiful place on earth!) and your family adventures with us. See you in August!

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  2. Beautiful photos of your camping with the grands! The setting are so picturesque and I can just imagine the adventures and the giggles. Wishing you a safe wonderful time this week.

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  3. What a wonderful vacation. I think children love the security of things being the same, year after year!

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  4. Always a joy to see those growing grands! Love the header pic, too. Have a blast in the beautiful Okanagan.

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  5. Judy, I enjoy your monthly moments to remember. You certainly are a busy couple and family! I guess all that grandchildren activity keeps you young. Enjoy your visit to the Okanagan!

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  6. How those grands grow! Love all the fun you've had with them. Your fireworks photos are wonderful. Have a great getaway!

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  7. Your grands are growing so quickly. Wonderful collages capturing the highlights of your July moments together. The tipsy chairs had me giggling.
    Congratulations on the newest member of your extended family. She is a beauty and that hair... so pretty. Have fun on your next adventure.

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  8. Wonderful recap of July, Judy. Your grands are all getting so big. Isn't the the universal thing to say about kids! Have a wonderful time away!

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  9. And you can tell that you enjoy camping with the grands. They will have lots of stories to tell. Your youngest is four already and it feels like we're just beginning all over again. Enjoy your August month. Looks like more heat.

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  10. Such a wonderful recap Judy! Your header picture is just brilliant and the camping pictures are fantastic - what amazing memories you are creating with your sweet grands! Love the watermelon baby and the darling grand-niece!

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  11. It looks like you are enjoying a wonderful summer, Judy! I am still in awe that you and your little grandchildren were able to do a 6 hour hike up a mountain in one day! They certainly keep you young ;) Enjoy the month of August!

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  12. What a beautiful read, love all the photos of all the beautiful Grands.
    Glad to be a part of your July moments, truly wish it could have been longer.
    So thrilled to have met you and Elmer. Next time we look forward to seeing the farm :-)
    Hugs and Love,
    debi
    P.S. I received your "note" in the mail, thank you so much, would not have taken you as sneaky.... :-)
    Please let us know next time your in So.Cal, would love to meet up for dinner! Our best to Elmer!!

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  13. It looks like July was a wonderful fun time for you. I always enjoy the lovely pictures that you post.

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson