And just like that summer is over...

PREPARE FOR PICTURE OVERLOAD!!!

Joseph's birthday is in July. For his birthday this year he wanted to go camping. So that's what we did. After breakfast we loaded up and headed out to Mabel Lake. It's hard to believe but our baby boy is 11 years old now! 

Joseph is a remarkable young man. He is so very clever, kind, compassionate, good humoured, well mannered and such a great example for all of us. He has the ungrateful job of being first born and has to bear the brunt of most of our poor parenting. Without a doubt, this boy will do remarkable things!

We spent a lot of time biking this summer. 

...and hiking. 

I had to post this picture first because Greta is adorable and second because she finally kept the curls in after I put rags in her hair!

We spent a leisurely day out at a friend's cabin on Mara Lake.... 

Spent a little time fishing on Echo Lake.

We took a spontaneous trip to Whistler with some friends one weekend. 

I am constantly in awe of the beauty of where I live... I feel so undeserving of my blessings. 

We had snowball fights and scrambled over glaciers. 

Edwin even went SWIMMING in a glacier lake! 

Ryan and I both work with the youth in our ward. Throughout the summer we had some really fun activities. We went old school one night and took the kids ice-blocking. 

I'm still working on getting these stains out.

My sister Jennifer came to visit with 4 of her children. We have been waiting for this for over a decade. We had such fun together and wish we lived closer. 

While Jennifer was here we took the opportunity to get all 7 sisters together. Definitely one of the highlights of my summer. We have never been all together like that before. It was such a treat to bond over tears and laughter. 

We took in the attractions at the Armstrong Fair. This is one of the traditions I grew up with...but I didn't get to go on the rides. I had to spend all my time looking at prize winning zucchini and award winning heifers.  Don't worry, I made my kids do that too. :)

Ryan had a chance to do some downhill biking up at Silver Star. 

Of course we spent everyday at the beach as well as several enjoyable days floating down the river. 

All too soon summer was over and the kids had to face the gruelling prospect of another school year. 

Greta is now a kindergartener!!! She adores it. I miss having her home but I am also excited for her and this new era of our family life. 

Ryan and I ran another 1/2 marathon early in September. I was able to get my best time yet! I've realized the key is to: not train, don't eat anything before the race and run a race that is mostly downhill. 

Funny story... this race was a Destination Wine Run. This is the first one in Canada. So the run starts at a winery and ends at a wine tasting festival. Of course we don't drink but wanted to run the race anyway. Because I hadn't had any breakfast I was really looking forward to the drink stations hoping for some gatorade or something to keep my energy up. At the halfway point there was a transition area for people that were relaying the race. I saw the water station and another station right after it. I was so excited for some electrolytes and sugar energy. I grabbed the cup and tossed it's contents into my mouth. All of a sudden a nasty, fermented taste struck me. This was NOT gatorade... it was WINE!!! I began to laugh and discreetly spat the wine back into the cup and threw it in the garbage. I was spitting the nasty taste out of my mouth for the next mile. 

Ryan and the boys have started the Cross Fit program. They all LOVE it. Here are a couple of pictures of Edwin... sorry for the poor quality. 

And now it's Fall.