Tuesday, May 14, 2013

IKEA!


I love IKEA!  It has been one of our get-a-way places that we've
frequented.   It's close, it's interesting and it provides a nice, inexpensive
dinner option.
After the temple, I had some errands to run and things to pick up,
so I started at IKEA.
I had a swedish meatball lunch and picked up some things for the mission
home and a few things I've had my eye on.  I could walk around there
for hours and I almost did.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Right on Target


Well, they are finally here, the first Target stores to open in Edmonton.
We've had to wait our turn, while they opened the first ones back east.
The openings have been highly anticipated, if by me alone.
I have been so curious as to how the stores will look, be run and
compare to the ones in the states.

The first flyer, yah!!!!
 Very nice.
  And cute things.  You can sort of get an idea of the pricing.
But this, this is something you won't find in the states,
at least in the Utah stores.  Let me explain.  Many of the 
Zeller's stores were two levels, so when Target bought them
out and redeveloped, they kept the two stories.  Making this
little innovation  very necessary. 
Somehow they have to get the shopping carts up and
down the two levels, so they put in this ingenious contraption.

You push the shopping cart, or buggy, as the Canadians 
call them, through the little doors, then the belt catches onto
the cart. . . .

and up it goes.  Then you hop on the escalator
and follow it to the top.
Then when you're done perusing the departments on the upper
level, you bring it down the same way.
On the opposite side.
Not a bad invention.   We were very entertained, sat and
watched people go up and down for several minutes.
We'd shop there for the entertainment value alone.
Not really.  We didn't buy much and didn't spend much time
there, too excited to get back and shop the ones at home instead.
Better prices and I won't have to figure out a way to get it home.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Wainwright



Today we drove to Wainwright, buffalo capital of Canada.
This is a statue of one of the mighty buffalo.
Isn't he majestic.
See, I told you.  Buffalo, bison, same difference.
We've been invited to speak in sacrament meeting in Wainwright,
on Mother's Day.  Yeah, happy mother's day to me.
We did get a picture of the building to add to our collection.
The meeting went very well, it's just a small branch, but we have 
the Jolley's, a senior couple from Idaho and two elders.  
Elder Campbell and Elder Smith.
The Jolley's left church early to serve us lunch.  They had a delicious
meal fixed for us and the elders.  Chicken, potatoes and homemade
rolls that were to die for.  I just have to get Sister Jolley's recipe.
They were sooo good, I wanted more but I made myself stop at three,
or was it four, so good!
We took a little detour to take a closer look at this amazing bridge.
It was beautiful and one of the largest trestle bridges in western Canada.
We would have loved to see a train go across, but we couldn't wait
around all day.
So I took a few pictures and then we were on our way.
It's part of the fun of seeing new places.  Seeing new things that we've 
never seen before and taking the time to enjoy them.
It was a good mother's day and we were able to Skype with most of
our children.  It's great being a mom, to all 345 of them.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Elder Bear!


When my boys went on their missions, Jason and then Tyler,
I went to build-a-bear and made them both a missionary bear.
So naturally, when we got our call to serve, I took the bears with us.
And they've served with us faithfully, the entire time.
I would like you to meet, Elder Bear, complete with white shirt,
name tag and Book of Mormon.  His companion is resting at the 
moment, please excuse him.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Forever 21!


I went shopping today, and all because of Sister Shelley.
Thanks to her, I want to look better, dress more classy.
She just joined our mission family and every outfit she wore
was adorable, I want to be just like her.  And with the weight
I've lost, I might just be ready for the change.
When I asked her where she got her cute things, she said
Forever 21, so that's where I went.  I spent hours, and had
a ball.   Tried on lots, came home with quite a few things.

Can't wait to wear them and look "classy".

The End!


Well, this is it, the beginning of the end, or is it the end
of the beginning.  This was signed and mailed to Utah today.
Chris' official resignation from DAKCS,
a little hard to swallow, no a lot hard to swallow.  This is a hard day.
We have had many wonderful years with this company.  A company
that Chris has been a part of from day one, building it from the ground up.

We have been on cruises, visited many different countries, and attended
some awesome conferences with these people.  All of which will stay with
us in fond memories, for many years to come.  We will always love the
people of DAKCS, dear friends, no,
dear and treasured family.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Transfer Meeting



I love the parking lot scene on transfer days.
See what our missionaries eat?  Lots of cereal and vitamins.
One of our poor mission cars, the results of a hit and run.
And this one, nothing that a couple of zip ties won't fix.