One thing that's a bit disconcerting about being up here is the number of bears roaming around. So I carry my handy dandy bear spray. Jodi and I are ready for anything:) Bring it on furry friends.
Isn't it ironic that the very next picture I took after the bear spray was this one in Waterton. We drove away from the ticket booth and I looked across the lake and saw something. I said, "Look at that fox over there!" Dad said, "That's not a fox, that's a bear!" Closely behind the first one appeared 2 little cubs. They started to swim across the lake. We followed the road to where they got out and they crossed it right in front of us!
First thing on the agenda was to hike to Crandell lake. Great little hike, beautiful lake. The kids had a fabulous time in the water (which was surprisingly warm for Waterton). Brooky loved playing with the rocks (had to watch that close, many headed straight for the mouth). Livvy almost instantly soaked her clothes through so we said what the heck and stripped her down to her diaper. She sure plays hard!
My best friend and I had a great time. Can't remember why we're cracking up here. Just lucky to have Rob by my side. They just don't come better than him.
Just hanging out with my gorgeous cousins, Jena and Michelle.
Of course there has to be a little rock skipping. Come on Brad, you can do better than that! :)
Our hike back was a bit traumatic. Livvy was wiped out and would only let me hold her, as you can see. My back started killing me! So I tried to gently transfer her to the big back pack that Rob was carrying, but she wouldn't have it and neither would Brooky, so after much tears and strife on both our little girls' parts, and Rob and I inwardly:), I ended up just carrying her anyway. Somehow we made it! It made me appreciate the pioneers!
Next on the agenda were the races at the park, though, we at first thought we might have to share it with a herd of deer. Sam and Megan took care of that:)
Following the races was the classic Cahoon program, all of the in-laws' favorite part. Mom spent countless hours on the song we sang. Grandma Cahoon loves birds and talks about them often. So Mom made up "The Bird Song," and changed the words to Johnny Cash's "I've been everywhere man" to "I've seen every bird kids." It was really creative. We sang it for Grandma, who of course loved it. Brooky is the darling little chicken Rob's holding. Sooo cute.
Saturday was the annual Heritage Days parade in Cardston. We took up almost half a block on both sides. Brooky is ready for some action!
Liv was funny. She had a bag for candy, but after the first few candies she was happy to just sit in her chair and eat them. We tried to get her to stand out where the other kids were and get more (something wrong with that picture, the parents trying to get the kid to get more candy)? But she just wanted to sit in her Canada chair. "What in the world?" What the heck kind of candy is this?" She bit into the shell of a peanut - it wasn't quite what she expected.
Had to get a shot of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police!
After the parade we all went out to 27 (named after section 27 on a land map). This has been a special place for the Cahoons for years and years. All growing up we would come out here and camp - catch minnows, swim, roast weinies and smores, build dams. I admit I was a little nervous fitting the whole Cahoon clan here, but it actually worked. The bank is much longer now, we just spread out all along it, it was so much fun. This shot is from the top on the way down to the swimming hole.
The cousins had a splendid time going up and down the creek with Grandma pushing them.
Uncle Renny pulled us in the raft for a bit. Hard to believe that we all fit here at 27. Pretty sure I'm not alone when I say that this is a special place and I was happy Mom included it in the plans (and that Aunt Kathy brought those amazing chocolate cookies for the smores, mmmmm!.
Hmmm. These men look quite pensive. What could they be talking about? Fish? The weather? Fox News?
Back at Grandma's. It was wonderful to stay with her. I remember these huge sinks growing up. Great for bathing! Liv and Brooks got a kick out of bathing in a sink!
"I think I'm having fun but I think I might also be stuck in this strange contraption!" This is the organ that has been here since before I can remember.
After the reunion, the Monson family camped in Mom and Dad's trailer in Waterton for a couple of days. We of course got Big Scoop ice cream everyday (at my insistence), played at the park, got penny candy and rented surreys at Pats, played at the lake, the usual Waterton activities. It was a grand time.
While we were riding our surreys, it started to rain and by the time we took them back it was pouring. We had to find shelter in Akamina along with buy umbrellas for the walk back to the trailer. I had Brooklyn in the hiking pack and carried Livvy and our umbrella and we stayed quite dry:) It was an adventure!
