August 14, 2005

Last weekend we celebrated Grandma Wolff's 90th birthday. On Friday evening we loaded the kids in the van, and made the trip to Southern Alberta. The trip started and ended with Matthew screaming -- with lots of screaming in between. Erin finally got in the back seat with him, as it was the only way to keep him straped into his carseat - he still screamed nonetheless. Graice did quite well -- given the noise, to just sit and watch Winnie the Pooh for most of the time. I find it amazing that Matt is totally uninterested in watching movies in the van (or anywhere else for that matter).

We decided to stay in Hill Spring, on the farm with Grandma and Grandpa Gibb. The kids love the farm - and we don't get there as often as we should. When we arrived it was too dark to explore the farm, so we stayed inside with Grandma and Grandpa Gibb. We put the kids to bed in the west bedroom... I slept with Gracie, Matt slept in the crib, and Erin slept in the South bedroom (while she read Harry Potter).

The farm is filled with noises we aren't accustomed to in the city. We awoke at about 6:00 AM to the sound of uncle Larry's combine having it's blades sharpened. The sound was slightly more quite that the engine of a 747 jumbo jet -- but not much. Interestingly enough, we could also hear the sound of birds chirping -- I never would have believed how loud chirping birds can be at 6:00 AM when they're right outside your window.

Needless to say, we were up had breakfast and outside exploring at about 6:45 AM. Mom was kind enough to delay her trip into Cardston to help us entertain the kids while Erin got ready for the day. Mom, Grandma Gibb, Matt, Gracie and I went to see the loud noise coming from the big farm imlement, then to see the cows. The kids love the cows. Along the way Matt came across the feeding tractor (used to feed the cows), and mom loaded him into it. He had so much fun. By the time we were done exploring the farm Erin was ready, and we packed up and went into Cardston for the parade.

Dad entered his Model-T, and drove Grandma in the parade for her 90th birthday. As usual, his car won first prize. I'm not sure if the Model-T has won before, but one of Grandpa Wolff's cars wins every year for as long as I can remember.

The kids loved the parade -- the weather was great. Dad parked his Ford truck along the parade route (very close to the top of the hill), and Kevin and I sat in the bed of the truck with Mason, Matt. The truck proved to be an excellent corral for the kids. Gracie sat with mom on the stree and collected candy throw by the people on the parade floats. I think this is the first parade that Gracie has been old enough to really enjoy. She was completely enraptured. When dad and Grandma rounded the corner to come down the hill, I jumed up with dad's camera and snapped some photos.

After the parade, we went to the Loin's park for a family lunch. All of dad's side of the family was there, along with Ken and Judy Hawthorne, Jen and Bruce (and the kids), and some of the Hendry's. We each brough our own meal, and we visited and played with the kids at the park. It was so hot.

After the park, we went back to Grandma Wolff's house and had a small surprise reception. Many of Grandma Wolff friends and family came, and dad made Tin Lizzie Lemon ice cream with the Model-T, by removing the rear driver side wheel and hooking the old-fashioned ice cream maker up to the axel. Everyone was very impressed -- and the ice cream was fabulous.

Grandma Wolff had a very nice time.

One other thing of note: I went to Halifax Nova Scotia this week -- my first time to Nova Scotia, (in fact my first time that far East ... anywhere). My company is opening an office in Halifax (Dartmouth actually), and I went out to oversee the computer network, phone system and Internet connectivity. The jet lag made the first day tough, but other than that it was very enjoyable. Halifax is a really nice city -- I think I'd like to take the family there for a vacation sometime.

I ate more seafood these past few days than I've eaten in my whole life. Since Wednesay, I've eaten halibut, muscles (of three kinds), calamari, lobster, salmon and scallops. I don't really like seafood -- so I think I'll take a break for a while.