FAREWELL TO OUR BELOVED OSCAR

How I wish that everything happening in my life was roses and sunshine. But I guess that is not to be. I have been planning to post about our summer vacation, but just haven't gotten around to it. And now something has happened that I need to post. Yesterday was a very sad day for our family as we had to say goodbye to Oscar. He was such an wonderful dog. He had some very quirky traits, such as eating his food in colour order (green, red, yellow, then brown) every time, getting frantic when he could see the bottom of his food bowl (that evil dog print pattern), only eating when Brian was at the table, the way he could manage to take over the entire couch even though he wasn't very big, and would follow Brian wherever he went. He loved to go on hikes with us and would look so disappointed when we didn't take him. He was so small when we first got him 10 years ago that I would put him in the pocket of my hoodie when I went into the bank. I remember how the kids taught him to swim by dropping him in the water and making him swim to shore. I remember how he used to walk into our neighbours homes in Kitimat if they left their door open, and how he wandered to a friends house in Ross River to track us down when we went to visit without him. So, it is with great sadness that we lay him to rest. He truly was an integral part of our family and will be greatly missed.

A TRIBUTE TO MY MOM

Well, we've begun our vacation yet again. Unfortunately the weather hasn't been very cooperative. We've been experiencing a deluge of rain, rain, and more rain. I keep hoping that the rain will stop and we will get some sun, but we are now in Fort Nelson and haven't reached the sun yet. Driving the Alaska Highway is always a fantastic experience. Yesterday as we left Liard Hotsprings I had my camera in hand. The problem is that there are so many spectacular photo opportunities that we would be stopping literally every 10 minutes to get a picture, so I did what any sane, middle-aged woman did, I snapped the photos through the window. I was sitting in the back seat, so couldn't always get a great view. After I snapped the first photo I started laughing as I recalled our family photo albums from my childhood filled with photos my mom had taken from the front seat of our Winnebago. So, this is my Northern Rockies tribute to my mom. (Excuse the blurry photos, that's what happens when you take photos from a moving vehicle.)
Part of the highway winds right along the edge of Muncho Lake. It's beautiful, but I live in fear of meeting large trucks on this section.




We did stop for a quick rest and managed a couple nice photos. The wind was bitterly cold up near the summit.




Notice the fresh snow on the mountains?

This is the area when you drive along the edge of a cliff. Usually there is an abundance of stone sheep on the road, but sadly we didn't see any on this trip.

This is on the way down the mountain towards Fort Nelson.

OUR PRE-HOLIDAY HOLIDAY

Brian and I decided that since we needed to go to Whitehorse to bring Josh back from school we would take a few days and have a pre-holiday holiday. This is only right and just considering we are officially on vacation from work. Of course it began to rain just before we left home, hence the extremely muddy trailer. We couldn't even see out the windows due to the mud. The pictures do not show the full extent of the mud splatter, but the mud on the truck is a pretty good indication.


Our first night we stayed at Frenchman Lake. A bit of a drive down a gravel road, but that didn't deter us. It had stopped raining by the time we had finished dinner so we sat by the fire and made some smores.




We stopped for the next night at Fox Lake. We found a beautiful spot right by the lake, but unfortunately, the wind was insane. The waves were rolling in like ocean breakers. But Brian found a empty campsite that was cut off from the wind, so we were able to sit by the fire and enjoy a relaxing evening.





It took us 3 days to make the 400 km drive. But it was so nice and relaxing. Definitely a needed mini-vacation.

19!!!

Today I am feeling a little shell-shocked. I can't believe my little baby girl is 19. Days like this cause me to reflect on the past. I remember anxiously waiting for her to be born and after it was over saying to my mother-in-law "why didn't you warn me it would be that bad?" To which she replied "what could I say?" She was such a quiet little girl. I remember when she was in kindergarten, grades 1 & 2 and refused to speak at school. We had to video tape her reading to prove to her teacher that she could do it.






She has grown into a beautiful young woman. The name Naomi means delightful, pleasant. She has definitely lived up to it. We are so proud of you, Naomi and love you more than you can imagine (even when you put the truck in the ditch).

HANNAH'S GRADUATION: THE CONTINUING SAGA

Hannah had her prom last night. She was so radiant. It was such an exciting time for all of us.







This picture has Ben's Auntie Betty, Ben's Grandma, his Mom, Dee, Naomi, Hannah, Myself and Mom.

HANNAH'S GRADUATION

After 12 long years Hannah is finally graduating. She is so excited. Last night was the cap and gown ceremony. She smiled all evening.









Congratulations Hannah, we are so proud of you.