A Farewell to My Beloved Canada

Considering that all 5 kids and all of the grand kids are down in Utah (except Kev, who will most likely also end up there), and that it was the will of Heavenly Father, my parents have sold their beautiful home overlooking the majestic Rockies and the rolling prairies of southern Alberta. My siblings and I went up to help them pack and to say goodbye to the home we grew up in, the home and the people that will always have a tender place in our hearts. This is not to say that I will never be back, because I definitely will, along with my family. We have a great deal of family we'll be able to stay with when we visit. Even so, it will be different, and that is okay with me. As much as it saddens me to lose our little spot on the hill, it thrills me to think my parents will be close enough to be a large part of my children's lives, like Mom's parents were to us. So goodbye southern Alberta as the way I have known it, and hello to a new way of experiencing your endless possibilities!


The photo above is the view from Aunt Marilee and Uncle Mark's (across the highway), so it's pretty close to our view but without a wind fence:) The pic below is where the prairies meet the mountains (both borrowed from Aunt Marilee - thanks!) Hands down, one of the most gorgeous places on the earth.


This is where Rob and I were married for time and all eternity. It is also where I overcame a very difficult period of my life. I spent hours and hours with my grandparents during a summer going through session after session, trying to receive answers to my prayers. And I did. What incredible power we are given when we go to the temple. It truly is where our Heavenly Father and the Savior dwell.


Waterton National Park is about 30 minutes from our home and where we spent many summers, camping in our trailer, playing tennis and catch (500), riding bikes, eating Big Scoop ice cream - Mmmm maple walnut, so good, hiking, pedaling a surry, as shown below:) Oh, so many memories of this great place.


This is a view of the town from Bear's Hump, a short steep hike when you first come into town.


Waterton Lake, where we have thrown many a skipper, and will throw many more:) We had a favorite camp kitchen where we would always go when we brought up a picnic like hot dogs, Mom's potato salad, all kinds of Old Dutch chips, and Big Scoop for dessert. In front of the kitchen was an open field where we'd play 500 or toss the frisbee around. Then off to the lake on the opposite side to find flat rocks and see who could skip them the farthest. (Dad almost always won, though Steve or Kev will likely fight me on that). And as we walked about, several deer hung around like they owned the place, (and they do), as well as chipmunks, mountain sheep, and if driving up to Red Rock Canyon, nearly always a bear or two, often with cubs.


So there's my walk down memory lane and now here is my last trip to our home in Canada. Kev, Jaime, and the kids dug a snow cave in our enormous drift in front of the wind fence. They hollowed out a nice long tunnel, wide enough for them all to drag sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows and sleep in it. It's too bad I have to get up with Brooky or I would have so been there:) It was brought up that that was something everyone in Canada does at least once. Sorry, haven't had that opportunity. Actually, it looked really cool and everyone said it was warm, but pretty uncomfortable. That's the cave - looks pretty ominous eh?


Don't know how we missed Kevin and Jaime, the true builders of the cave. Oh yeah, they were actually working, packing and cleaning in the house. What would Mom and Dad have done without them? Jode and I were there to take care of kids and the food and for moral support:)


Cute sisters. I love this woman. Well, of course I love Mom too, but I'm so grateful to Aunt Karen for just having such unconditional love for our family. So supportive and interested in our lives, so enthusiastic about life, just a great person all around. I look forward to staying at their house sometimes when we come and visit:)


Livvy and I in front of our home.


Uncle Mark and Aunt Marilee had a party for Mom and Dad at their house for the Cahoons that were close by. Mom is holding Brooky and Aunt Karen has Jonah (KJ's baby). I think they're just a few days apart? I could be wrong.


All the kids except Ty, he came a couple days later. Steve, me, Kev, Jodi, and Mom.


This is the sole picture I had of my wonderful Dad, as he was always scurrying about, trying to get as much done while he had all of his helpers as he could. Dad is from Idaho and has had a hankering to move back down to the States for quite some time now. He was the one scouring through the realty magazines and happened upon their beautiful new home in Birdseye, Utah for super duper cheap. It is a really pretty place and I've noticed it each year on the way to Young Women camp. It's out in the country, big clear sky like Alberta. Tyson says he's going to build an observatory out there. Boy, it'll be so nice to have them down here.


This was the day Jodi and I left to go back home. Our last drive down the hill. We both stopped our cars and just had a last look and saw that we were both crying. I know, sentimental, but it's quite a strange feeling, knowing you'll never return to the home you grew up in. I'm sure many people have experienced this, but it's sad just the same. Ty joined us the last few days. We walked to the top of the hill like we used to but it was so cold, it didn't last long. Like always, Ty lightened things up by saying, "It's a good thing we left now when it's frigid and brown and windy."


The only time Brooky was outside, although I did start to take her up the hill, wrapped in about 4 layers, but a couple of times the wind would catch her and it would take her breath away, a bit scary. Decided against that idea.


We stopped to see Grandma Cahoon before we left. This remarkable woman has been a tremendous influence on me and my siblings. Joyce Broadbent Cahoon is one of those angels that Elder Holland has spoken of on a few occasions. She and my grandpa Lervae had 11 children, my mom being the 3rd. My mom cannot remember a time she heard them raise their voice at each other. They taught their children love, service, hard work, and so many other things by their example, and in turn, they taught the same to their grandchildren. They served several missions, two being in Africa. All of their kids, my aunts and uncles, are just cream of the crop, kind, genuine people. I can't say enough good about them.
Music has always been a huge part of Cahoon life and my testimony was strengthened each time we got together and sang hymns and other uplifting music with Grandma and Grandpa, my own family, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My grandma was rarely seen without her tape recorder, taping anyone who was singing or playing an instrument. Grandpa was the high school band director and so all of the children played an instrument or two. A lot of great memories of music and the Cahoons. Thanks for being our angel Grandma!