July 1 - 31, 2015

July 1, 2015

Is there a better way to celebrate Canada Day than in the USA? Ha ha. These two enjoyed some time in these little kayaks, booting around Echo Lake.

July 2, 2015

Bonding time on the tube at Echo Lake!

July 3, 2015

Dr. Northcott captaining his little "ship" as he toured everyone around the lake.

July 4, 2015

Using up some of the last color packets from Hues For Humanity with a color fight at the cabin.

July 5, 2015

I guess it will be a bit of a wait to get back into Canada. 

July 6, 2015

This girl is ready for an epic girl's camp!

July 7, 2015

This ward YW camp is going to be one for the record books - this group is great.

July 8, 2015

The girls have been growing spiritually at this camp - they are girls on fire!

July 9, 2015

While the older girls are away at girl's camp, these two got creative with some wood projects that they picked out and painted. 

July 10, 2015

A last minute trip out to Brooks to go boating with friends turned into a beautiful sunset and a girl knee boarding for the first time. Bliss!

July 11, 2015

You know it was a great girl's camp when the girls come home thoroughly worn out. 

July 12, 2015

Finding unique plants around our city always makes me smile. I love living in a place where we get such a wide range of climates and enjoy all kinds of floral and fauna.

July 13, 2015

Can you get any more fangirly than wanting to pose for selfies with one of your favorite singers? We were all excited to meet Andrew Allen and Cole, his partner in Hudson Station, their new band. They were so kind and accommodating. They even serenaded us. What a great day!

July 14, 2015

Our tire swan that my mother made for us finally got some of her own flowers. We love her!

 July 15, 2015

I am so proud to be a part of this amazing team - these three are the best  bosses anyone could ask for, and I was thrilled that they were featured on the cover of the Costco magazine for July/August. They deserve it!

 July 16, 2015

Somehow he thinks he's helping me work.

July 17, 2015

Welcoming in Stampede season with a pancake breakfast!

July 18, 2015

Impromptu family day trips often end up being magical. This was just such an occasion. We headed out to Writing On Stone provincial park and spent hours exploring the HooDoos and hiking along the HooDoo trail. We can't wait to go back.

July 19, 2015

No words.

July 20, 2015

It was time to stop fighting a losing battle against my dirty blonde/grey roots and go light again. It might have taken hours, but it was very worth it!

July 21, 2015

Time for some much-needed girl time! I just love the gals in our ward - we all get along and gain so much from each other. It's a blessing.

July 22, 2015

I made this twist on traditional Pico De Gallo by making the base out of cucumber and grilled corn, then adding some greek yogurt to the dressing. SUPER YUMMY!

July 23, 2015

Few things give me as much satisfaction as a completed crossword puzzle - especially if I was the one to complete it!

 July 24, 2015

Hanging out at Park After Dark Cinemas!

July 25, 2015

 Talk about surprised when my husband casually mentions wanting to go check out the stampede, then getting there and realizing that he actually got us tickets to the Martina McBride concert! Amazing!!

July 26, 2015

Childhood captured.

July 27, 2015

TJ and B headed, with Lyndon, to Leduc to help their uncle move his family in. It was a lot of work and lot of bonding time. Well done!

July 28, 2015

A new favorite - chocolate chip banana oatmeal muffins. Delish!

July 29, 2015

Handsome boy.

July 30, 2015

We spent the morning packing up school supplies to send with the next expedition to Ethiopia.

July 31, 2015

Off to Calgary, then on to BC for some summer vacationing with my parents!

June 1- 30, 2015

June 1, 2015

Time to play at a park we don't usually go to. 

June 2, 2015

Learning how to strip a pine pole for using in a teepee on a field trip to Cypress Hills with her class.

June 3, 2015

I spy a JJ learning about the archives in the Esplanade Art center - and learning how to safely handle old documents.

June 4, 2015

Moments like these make my heart happy. Sisters are friends for life. I love how they love each other.

June 5, 2015

Cuddle time with my little guy. He definitely is a lap dog.

June 6, 2015

Time to test out our new (to us) fire pit with a "bonfire" as our kids call it.

June 7, 2015

Celebrating the seminary students at a fireside. She loved her first year with her awesome teacher, Bro. Hyde. One year down, TJ - three more to go! 

June 8, 2015

 I hate photos of myself, but I'm glad Lyndon captured this VERY TYPICAL morning hair routine. It's lots of fun being a mother to daughters :)

June 9, 2015

Hooray for hot summer weather already! Bring it!

June 10, 2015

The first annual Drive The Wagon charity golf tournament was a big success and a lot of fun to photograph. 

June 11, 2015

It's hard to believe that this beauty is graduating from junior high already. She was chosen to MC the grad ceremony, and was voted most likely to cure cancer. She did a wonderful job and should be so proud of herself. You are simply amazing, B!

June 12, 2015

When the youth dance theme is the 50's, do you don a poodle skirt and cardigan? Or do you rock the tough greaser look? Clearly, TJ was born to be a tough girl ;)

June 13, 2015

After a lot of work, planning, and preparation - and after having suffered a HUGE wind storm that uprooted full sized trees in the park - the first ever Hues For Humanity color run was a huge success!! We had so much fun - lots of laughs, and all in support of Canadian Humanitarian. Couldn't ask for a more exciting way to give to a great cause.

June 14, 2015

Dinner with the Gehmlichs. It was wonderful catching up. Strange that we see less of each other now that we live in the same city, but we love any chance to visit.

June 15, 2015

We drove around the view some of the damage from the wind storm on the 12th - enormous pine trees at the Junior High school were completely uprooted. Scenes like this were all over the city - absolutely nuts.

June 16, 2015

Do we have an engineer in the making? JJ designed this bridge using toilet paper rolls and a few other simple supplies - and it had to be strong enough to hold her weight. Success!!!

 June 17, 2015

 This might be the happiest set of photos I've printed - just look at all of that glorious color!

June 18, 2015

I might have the best visiting teaching companion ever. Suzanne is right on the ball and makes setting up our appointments each month really easy. I always look forward to seeing her AND the sisters we visit. We've got a great thing going on.

June 19, 2015

TJ is really loving her first "Real" job - working for The Park After Dark Cinemas. She loves the people she works for and with - lots a good times ahead for this summer!

June 20, 2015

It's always a good time for some white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Am I right?

June 21, 2015

A very happy father's day for this amazing man. These girls have it SO GOOD having a man like him as their father. He presides over our home in love and righteousness (and a whole lot of humor - thank goodness for that!) He always goes above and beyond for us, and leaves no question in our minds that we are his #1 priority. He is patient, kind, diligent, honest, hard working, and always ALWAYS there for us. He sets a wonderful example for our daughters of how a man should treat his wife and family, and I'm grateful (beyond words) for that. I hope he becomes the standard which they hold all men up to in their lives - they couldn't ask for a better one, and neither could I! And neither could I

June 22, 2015

Celebrating this boy's first birthday! He as brought so much joy and laughter into our home - we can't imagine life without him.

June 23, 2015

Oh, these guys. We are saying a fond farewell to Elder Bluth who is headed home from an honorable 2 year mission. He and Elder Malais were a fun companionship. Lots of laughs with these two. Best of luck, Elder Bluth!

June 24, 2015

Another excuse to put my "proud mommy" goggles on - JJ was awarded a very special award, the Dalton Jesse award, which also came with a $50 award. She was chosen for her enthusiasm for learning, being a good classroom and community citizen and friend, being a good example, and exhibiting everything that Dalton Jesse was. Her teacher told me, "It had to be Jayda - it couldn't be anyone else!". I couldn't agree more.

June 25, 2015

Sports day was a wet success, which was great because the temperature was in the high 30s! What made it more special was when BB was named as a house leader for next year - way to go, Baylie!

June 26, 2015

School is out and we were off to Park Lake campground for a Schmidt family reunion. Watching my brother's dog, Archer, race around, jumping in the water and having fun was so cool. What a great dog!

June 27, 2015

Here is the crew - we were missing a few who couldn't make it but it is amazing how big our group is getting. This is my parent's great legacy - their posterity. We love each other and are there for each other. I love my family!

June 28, 2015

Too soon, the weekend came to a close and people started off. It was great visiting with everyone and renewing relationships. The weather was CRAZY HOT, and it drained our energy, especially when it was time to pack up. I can't wait for our next reunion - to see how everyone has grown since then.

June 29, 2015

This is the lucky winner of the Global Youth Citizen Award for 2015. I was happy to photograph her for the announcement. She is going to LOVE her trip to Ethiopia with the youth expedition.

June 30, 2015

Time for an employee retreat to Echo Lake in Montana.