Spring green and bobcats

I am loving this weather!! Spring just smells so good! And everything is that really pretty light green, with all the new leaves growing in. The sun is staying out longer and later which gives me so much energy. I went running three times this week before work and I had no problem waking up early. On Thursday while I was running I discovered a beautiful ravine and creek right by my place. It was pretty exciting. I ran down the big hill and saw a beautiful creek, there was a bridge and even river fog because of the early time in the day. The path led up and out of the ravine so I figured I go up and then turn around to head back to my house. I got to the top of the hill and was very winded. While I was catching my breath I saw something run into the long grass. I didn't think it was a dog bit couldn't see it very well. The animal came out of the grass and we stared at each other for a while and then it hit my winded self. It was a bobcat. No joke. A bobcat, right in the middle of the city. Crazy. I took a couple slow steps back, turned around, and ran. Luckily it was down hill so I could actually run. I was wearing neon green and the whole time I was running I was thinking about how I looked unappetizing in this color. Apparently I did cause I was safe and sound at home in no time. And I don't think I'll be running there by myself early in the morning just in case. Though I feel like bike rides would be kosher. I did go back on bike Saturday evening for some more exploration. I discovered a family of beavers, Canada geese, and a pond. All so close to my house. I had no idea. Pretty much the best thing ever. This summer is going to be awesome!

On Friday I got to go meet Pearl's brand new baby girl Cassandra. She is such a cute little baby! I loved holding her, she just slept the whole time. Beautiful! I'm excited to spend more time with her. Plus a visit with Pearl was also lovely! Afterwards I had a fun movie night with Christine and Nathalie. We made delicious skor cake and watched Easy A. It takes place in Ojai, a small city quite close to Ventura. So of course I was excited about that, having been there while serving in Ventura.

Saturday morning I got up early and caught the first session at the Temple. It was wonderful. Always so happy and peaceful. After the Temple I headed over to Val's house to chill with her and Macy. I saw Chris a bit too. It was nice being able to visit and eat food. My favorite things to do! Macy is such a cute kid, and she makes me laugh.

That evening I got to help out serving at a Stake dinner. I had fun getting to know some of the other ladies on the committee, and even though I was the youngest one by far I had a good time. And got to eat a lot of yummy food!

Sunday after my sacrament meeting I headed to Whitecourt for my grandpas birthday. We had a good time. After dinner I went out to their ark (yes my grandparents have a 2 level wooden ark in their yard, story next time) and I read whilst basking in the sunshine. After a while I ended up falling asleep on the ark. It was glorious. We played games and visited and ate. The recipe for a perfect day. Happy me. I stayed there that night since its the long weekend. Happy Victoria day to all! Much love!

Weddings, Waterton, and my Wonderful Mother

What a great week!! I had a short work week, which ended on Wednesday. I then drove down to Southern Alberta with my brother Dawson. We got to the Mountain View Inn around 10:30 and were greeted by lots of family members that were also there for the wedding. What followed was lots of fun family time. Its just so nice to be around them, especially when you don't see the family that often.

Thursday was the wedding in Cardston. It was beautiful! I am so happy for my cousin Tvae and her new husband Andrew. The weather was absolutely goregous and everything really seemed to be perfect. We had a delicious lunch at the Cobblestone Manor, a restaurant one of my best friend's (Ashley's) grandparents used to own. So I had many memories of going there after school and playing with her. Being in Cardston made me totally relive many parts of my childhood. Lots of fond memories. That evening was the calling reception. They had delicious chicken croissants, and I ate about a billion of them. Probably my new favorite food. Yum!

This is Tvae and I at the reception. She is such a gorgeous bride!!

Here are some cousin pictures outside the Temple, after the wedding. Siahna and I

 Nicole, me, and Shannon. :)

I snuck away a little bit early with my cousin Siahna to go see the Cardston Girls Choir concert. My alma mater choir. They sang beautifully and it really was nice to see Mrs. Dittmann again after many years. It was a lucky thing that the concert happened to be while I was in Cardston.

On Friday I spent the day with some of my family going into Waterton National Park. It was an amazing day! No wind at all, which if you know Southern Alberta is quite rare. The mountains were stunning, and I just loved being there. Here are some shots from the day.
Chief Mountain at sunset. The view from the Inn we were staying in.

 I had just fed this chipmunk and was trying to take a selfie picture of the two of us, but failed. At least my shadow made it in!

 Deer drinking from the glacier lake. We saw tons of deer and lots of bighorn sheep this trip. I didn't get a picture of the sheep though.

 The deer didn't stick around for the picture with me. Darn.

 Posing at the Prince of Wales Hotel. Probably the best view in the world. Ignore my face in this particular picture. Not sure what I was doing....

 This is better. Note the pink pants!!!!!

Good times in Waterton. I also got sunburned, yes my freckles have come out in full force and I am also pinker than my pants now. That evening I got to spend some time with one of my dear friends Ashley Ruttan who recently moved back to Cardston for her husband's job. They have an incredibly cute one year old named Kye, who was fun to watch and play with. It was nice being able to reminisce with Ashley, all the crazy things that we did growing up. She was actually my first friend after I had moved to Cardston when I was 6. We were friends all growing up, in the same ward, in choir and plays together, and then we were even roommates here in Edmonton. What a blast!!

I stayed with my grandparents in Stirling Friday night, then on Saturday I went into Lethbridge to spend some time with another dear friend Kaci and her two little rugrats. We had a fun time at the park and Kaci and I just talked the whole time. I went back to Stirling for dinner with my grandparents and my Aunt Coralee's family. We had a nice time, I ate a ton of tacos, and we played Phase 10. I was soooo close to winning, but Skylar took it in the end. I stayed at Kaci's house that night and we were up far too late playing games and talking. Good times.

Dawson and I went to sacrament meeting with my grandma and grandpa and then hit the road. It was a hot day, and his car didn't have air conditioning, but we somehow managed. We had a nice long phone chat with the Mom, and it was delightful. Nice to catch up. And plus I do have the most awesome mother in the world, so considering it was Mother's Day it was nice to think about all the wonderful ways I have been blessed by her. Thanks Mom!! I love you!


Mom and I when we were filming the Joseph movie. :)

What a good way to end the week. I most certainly have been blessed!

Summer is Here!!!

Summer is here!! I feel like Spring was skipped over and we jumped straight from Winter to Summer. Seriously, where else is it snowing one day and then 28 degrees celsius (82 F for the Americans). I welcomed it with open arms. Arms that did not have to be covered in a coat or even a sweater. Woohoo!!! It was a lovely week indeed. A happy week. On Saturday was a concert with Shumayela and Kikimasu, both of the children's choirs I volunteer with. It was Star Wars themed and the only way to describe the concert would be EPIC. The kids all sounded so great, they performed well, and the show was a hit. So many funny moments in the concert as well. I just loved it!!! It was so much fun to be a part of. I really am lucky to work with such a great group of kids. And also two incredible conductors, Kim Denis and Carmen So. Seriously I am learning so much from them!

Here is a link to the final number of the concert, Firework, man these kids know how to perform. Haha it makes me laugh every time!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOjGnMMLEec So epic!

Today we after church I had a Cinco de Mayo feast with Kaylee and Susan and their household. It was delicious! We sat outside and just soaked up the warm weather. I couldn't get enough (food and sun). It was followed by a broadcast by Elder William Walker, a church leader. It was so positive and made me want to be a better person. Loved it. Afterwards I went for a walk on the trolley train tracks, one of my favorite spots. Just enjoying the beautiful weather and the beautiful day. :)