One Week's Activities:

We started last Saturday on a Temple Trip to do baptisms in the Edmonton Temple. We had a little 5-hour drive (one-way), but we did stop at Wally's for a snack. They have a milk shake menu that is over 20 flavors long. The experiences that the youth had were every bit as wonderful as we all have in the House of the Lord. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve in these callings (YM and YW Presidents). After the Temple, the stake held the Iron Rod Games for seminary students at our brand new stake center. Joseph was honored for having 100% attendance throughout the year. We are very pleased with him, his efforts and example. Even before the Temple Trip was completed, we received our first visitors to Fort McMurray. Yvette and Lane just dropped by for a few days on their way from Dallas to Victoria, British Columbia. It is kind of the long way around. We really enjoyed having them here. We took them to see some of the machinery we use at the oil sands sites to mine and refine petroleum. It is amazing to see some of the machines that are bigger than buildings and weigh more than 500 tons each. Who's next?
Then, just to get ready for the summer play days here, we went to teach the boys how to ride motorcycles. We have 2 dirt bikes in our garage, but we borrowed a small bike for the boys to learn on. Starting the bike, learning clutch, brakes, shifting, etc. There is a lot to remember on a motorcycle. It appears that they had fun, although the smile on Joseph's face seems to tell most of the story.
The concentration on Samuel's face tells the rest of the story. Concentration and determination.
Of course, the summer needs to include lots of other fun and games, including the weekly game of Ultimate Frisbee with friends and neighbors. This little neighborhood park is one of approximately 100 in this section of town. About half of the parks include a small lake or fountain. This one does not, so the Frisbee does not end up in the pond. Perhaps more importantly, the boys do not end up in the pond. By the way, this photo is taken at almost 10 pm. Today the sun set at about 10:40, but it will rise again in less than 6 hours. The summer is both short and long, short in number of days, but long in hours of sunshine.
We are looking forward to lots of activities all summer long. Girls camp is in August, the Young Men in the northern half of the province will have an encampment in the mountains (at a place between Banff and Jasper National Parks - look them up online). and of course Jacob will complete his mission service in July. We are looking forward to the summer fun. We hope some of you can make the trip to share a little time in a truly beautiful place.

Hugs and Kisses,

Michelle and Alan