And before you know it, it's August

School ends, summer gets going, and before you know it, it's August and summer is already half over!

I really feel the crunch thanks to splitting time with Lucas between me and his Dad. I look ahead on my calendar and we only have two weekends left together before he is back in school! It doesn't feel like enough some times...most times.

But when I look back through my photos from the past month, I can see how much we have done!

How do you combat the summer "FOMO" blues?
xo

Tell A Story - Mountain Climbers

And I'm not talking about that exercise. I'm talking about climbing actual mountains!

During our 5 day stint in Jasper, Lucas & I did a lot of hiking. In fact, we were off on our first hike within an hour of arriving at the campground! I thought if I was going to get Dude hiking with me, I would just have to throw him into it. He complained a lot on that hike (up Old Fort Point - highly recommended), but we made it through!

And that was just the warm up to the big hike I had planned the next day! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

We woke up, ate our breakfast, then jumped in the van and headed south on the Icefields Parkway. Destination, Parker Ridge. The parking lot was already starting to fill up by the time we got there, and I could see all ages (and abilities) of hikers unloading their gear. We laced up our hiking boots, grabbed our water bottles and a snack, and headed out.

I had a Winningest Mom moment on our way back down. Lucas told me he was really proud of himself for getting all the way to the top!

Summary
Parker Ridge
Trailhead: ~100km south of Jasper townsite (the hike is actually in Banff Ntl. Park)
Distance: 5km in total (out and back)
Elevation Gain: 289m (elevation at the top is 2275m!)
Time: We did it in just over 3 hours and that included a lot of breaks, and a snack at the "top" (we didn't make it to the official top, but we went as far as Lucas would go!)
What to Take: Windbreaker! It gets so windy up there, as there is no tree cover. Water. A snack/lunch. Camera. Hiking poles if you have them.
View: WORTH IT!

xo

Tell A Story - Beach Bums

Summer this year has felt really....out of sorts. So I was very grateful to go to Jasper for FIVE WHOLE DAYS with my Favourite Dude.

It is very smoky in Jasper right now thanks to the wildfires in BC and Banff, and it was most noticeable up at Maligne Lake and around that area. I mean, these photos should be filled with a beautiful mountainous backdrop. I am so surprised that they turned out so beige.

These photos were taken at Lake Annette. It was a chilly afternoon, and this is in fact a mountain lake. It was cold people, damn cold. But one thing you should know about Dude & I: you can't keep us out of a lake.

We had an amazing, giggly afternoon.

xo

Tell A Story - Board Game Cafe Confidence

Lucas chose Tabletop Cafe as our after dinner activity one night, so after dinner we jumped in the car and headed over. He had been once before with Russel & Heather, so I told him that made him the expert and that he would have to show me what to do and take the lead.

We signed in at the front counter, and got a bit of info from the staff there, found a table right at the front, and then Lucas was off to grab our first game: Exploding Kitties.

After a couple of rounds, we switched out the game, and ordered an orange slush. Everything you buy goes on your tab that you settle at the end of the night, including your games fee. It's only $5 per person, and you can play as long as you want. And there is no pressure to order food or drinks. We also ordered some soft pretzels, so all told, our night cost us around $17.

We played three different games that night: Exploding Kitties, Sushi Go Party & Blokus. The first two are great for two players, but Blockus is designed for 4 people, so it wasn't really a challenge. But Lucas likes it, and recognized it, so we had to try.

They have so many games! The ones you see behind us in the photos are for sale. The playable games fill the back wall and are organized by number of players (I think.). Lucas was in charge of getting our games, so I didn't really get to the back of the store.

If we had needed recommendations or help figuring out how to play a chosen game, the staff was on hand to assist.

I made sure to let Lucas order our pretzels without any help or interference for Mom. It's hard knowing when to step in and when to let your kid just figure shit out, but I think some sort of balance is totally achievable! It's nice going to a place where your kid doesn't feel left out, or is treated like a nuisance. I am hoping that the more we go together, the more comfortable he will feel to go on his own once he is old enough.

He was so happy, and I think we could have spent a lot more time there. Just me and my Dude, hanging out and getting blown up by kitties.

Tabletop Board Game Cafe
Staff: Approachable, knowledgeable, friendly
Age Appropriate: ANY age
Cost: Depends on if you want refreshments. Game fee is $5 per person.
Food selection: They have alcohol (beer & wine), coffee, tea, pop & slushies. Hot food is along the lines of paninis, soft pretzels, grilled cheese. They also have popcorn and a variety of candy! Looks like they have also added fresh fruit and veggies to their menu.
A++ highly recommend for a fun and inexpensive night out!

Summer Adventure - Parks Day at Elk Island

The following photos were taken on July 16, 2016 in Elk Island National Park just outside of Edmonton & Sherwood Park, AB.

Astotin Lake, the beach. View from our picnic lunch.

Mom & Dude, the Adventurers

Canada's National Parks have installed these bright red double Adirondak chairs at points within their parks that have "great views". Well, we found one! And the view was great.

The View From The Red Chairs

There were SO MANY BOATS on the lake this afternoon! It was a spectacular site to see.

My main goal on this mini road trip was to get the NEW BIKES out of the city. The Parks gal recommended a good trail, mostly paved, and we were off. I got to teach Lucas about shifting gears to make it up those tough hills. It's his longest ride to date, and he did so great! I definitely recommend the Shoreline Trail, even though you don't actually really ever see the lake. Hmmm.

Before the ride vs. after the ride. As a reward for our most excellent bike ride, we treated ourselves to an order of Drift Truck fries! Mmmm I miss these fries.

Notes about Elk Island Park...
- It's about a 45 minute drive outside of Edmonton on HWY 16. If you want to avoid some of the Henday construction, I recommend cutting through Sherwood Park.
- Astotin Lake is the big lake we were hanging out at. There are boat (canoe & kayak) rentals, a small beach, and lots of picnic spots with fire pits and/or shelters close by.
- There are many great hiking trails in the park, so make sure you get a map! Most are easily accessible from the main road, and have their own parking lots. These are usually much quieter than the area around Astotin.
- You can buy a visitor pass from the Visitor Centre or from the drive up kiosk. For Lucas & I it was around $11 for the day.
- Please keep in mind that while this park is so close to the city, it is still a National Park filled with WILD ANIMALS! Apparently, it's mating season for the bison right now, and one of the Park's recent tweets was something along the lines of: "you wouldn't want to be interrupted would you?..."

xo

July Long Adventure

Last weekend me, Delilah, and the boys headed out to Kootenay Plains on the David Thompson Highway for a long weekend camping adventure! Happy Canada Day!

Kootenay Plains is a group campground site that is literally right on the highway, but a lot of the campsites are tucked beside a rocky outcropping (a cliff? a mountain fingerling? I am not up on my geology terms...) so it is quiet and lovely. I mean, look at that view!

Gran bought the boys some dollar store bow & arrows, which all broke immediately. But with a little duct tape, Gran had them all back in commission. Note: this was the most fun thing the entire weekend. Below, you can see Evan in his power pose.

Day two, we decided on the Siffleur Falls hike, which is literally immediately across the highway from us. There are some really steep sections, but the boys were champs! Eventually you hit the gorge, with the river running below. Again, spectacular views both above and below.

My parents! It's been a really long time since we went camping together, so this was a big treat for everyone.

Relaxing with some G&Ts outside the cookhouse. BFF was in Red Deer for work all week, so it was completely amazing to have him come out with us! Also, he is the only one who knows how to set up the tarps...so....

We got one of the campsites that is nestled up against the rocks at the back of the campsite. Popular with rock climbers, BFF, Dad, Lucas & I attempted a skinny little goat path and made it to the top! You can see our cook shelter tucked in the trees at the bottom of the photo.

My boys! They had so much fun this weekend, playing Catan (so many games of Catan were played!), colouring (Evan was carrying this colouring book + a pink felt around for most of Saturday afternoon), chasing each other, making a fort out of the firewood, climbing rocks, and wrestling with Grandpa.

It was my sister's birthday on Saturday, so Evan & I spent some time picking wildflowers to make her a little bouquet! He presented it to her so perfectly, and there were only a few bugs on it.

Amy brought her own cake because she is the smartest person I know.

We actually were invited to be part of a larger group, connected via a friend of my Dad's. Kam (& his wife Jan) are avid mountain climbers, world travelers, volunteers, and just genuinely nice and smart people. I mean, Kam is "something else", but at least 92% awesome. We spent our last night sitting around the campfire with Dad, Kam and their friend Tyler telling dirty jokes.

Other info about this area...
- The closest town is Nordegg, and they have gas and most services. Next closest is Rocky Mountain House, which is larger, with more services. It's a good place to stop for a quick snack or rest on the way down. Saskatchewan Crossing and access to the National Parks is about 20km away. It's nice drive in to Lake Louise or up the Icefields Parkway if you are so inclined.
- This entire stretch is dark sky rated. We had a couple of cloudy nights (and also I was too tired to stay up past 11pm), but the star viewing is supposed to be very amazing here!
- It is BEAR COUNTRY PEOPLE! You have to be really careful with food storage, garbage, etc. Walk in groups, walk loudly, carry bear spray, that kind of thing. That being said I think it's been many years since anyone has reported a bear sighting in the campground.
- There are a lot of informal camping sites along the highway. In fact, you could pretty much pull over anywhere and set up for the night. And a lot of people do. The big lake (reservoir) just to the north of Koontenay Plains (Abraham Lake) is the most beautiful colour of turquoise, and there are always loads of people with their trailers and tents set up on its shore.


BFF & I are already talking about coming back in the fall...

Adventures in Scrapbooking

Still don't know what to write in these posts...I mean, I can't even remember the paper companies anymore. I am a terrible Design Team Member. Wait, I take that back. Don't fire me!

Photo taken April 16, 2016 at Medicine Lake in Jasper National Park.

Photo taken August ?? 2016, in The Magic Fucking Kingdom

Photo taken April 16, 2016 at Maligne Lake (duh) in Jasper National Park.

Lake Life

Editor's Note: This weekend was MONTH'S AGO! How did I not finish this post?! Argh, to say the least. Today there was frost on my car windows, so what better time to post a bunch of photos from a hot summer day?

Sometimes it can be hard to spend extended periods of time with your extended family. Personalities clash, schedules get confused, toes get stepped on, frayed nerves get shredded...

But you can either choose to get sucked into the drama and be miserable, and have a crappy time OR you can choose to do what it takes for YOU to have an amazing time.

For me that means beach, sandcastles, and pretending I'm one of the kids.

Our EPIC sand castle and moat! There were so many awesome sand castle cities taking shape on the beach, we just had to join in the fun. Immediately after we took this picture we destroyed the whole thing!

P.S. Who's the babe in the bikini? (wink...it's me!)

The heat was too much for poor Dude so Grandma set out a blanket in the shade, got him a wet cloth to put on his head, we found him a book and he got to snuggle with Mom for a little bit.

Isn't my cousin's little girl adorable eating her giant marshmallow?!

This doesn't even scratch the surface of the good times I had last that weekend. Not even close. And maybe I wasn't as sociable with the adults as I could have been, but...who cares?!

xo Lisa

Lately...Canada Day

This past week we celebrated Canada Day! It's kind of messed up to have the Tuesday off. Wednesday feels like the second Monday of the week, which is a sick sick thing. Not fair at all. But all in all, July is off to a damn good start!

Dude, BFF & I started the day with pancakes (Dude), pancakes & bacon (BFF), and "Lisa's Regular Order" at Humpty's. Then Dude & I headed out to Sherwood Park to meet up with the rest of the family.

This party has literally more stuff than you can possibly imagine doing. Little stuff, big stuff, fancy stuff, super basic stuff. And we love it all!

Dude gets overheated being outside in the sun too long, so the two of us headed back home early. We ate a simple McDonalds + veggies lunch on the deck, then wandered down the road to our little neighbourhood splash park! It's really tiny, but it's never busy and you get wet so it's just fine by me.

BFF biked over from his place and met us there. Dude raced him back home! We had burgers before I took Dude back to his Dad's. Dan & watched The Big Sleep (Great movie...I was equal parts confused and amused!). I was woken up by the booms of the fireworks and was lucky enough to be able to watch them from my bed! I'm so spoiled.

Happy Canada Day indeed!

#redanddudellovesummer