The Green Hills of Montana

Apparently there was a lot of rain and hail in Lethbridge last evening.  We missed it because we were in Raymond sitting on the deck of the Evans home and didn't get a drop of rain.

Today we left Lethbridge before noon.  We drove across Montana.  In Northern Montana the hills were beautiful and green just like around Lethbridge.  I have heard that a dry, not summer has been forecast, but it doesn't seem to be around Lethbridge.  However the farther south we went today, the hotter and drier it was.

Edmonton, Calgary, Taber

Last Wednesday we left Lethbridge in the rain.    The rain didn't last long and we had a good drive until close to Leduc.  Then the rain really came down.  We went all the way across Edmonton to St. Albert in the rain and when we got to St. Albert we were greeted with a sign saying, "Tornado Warning".  We got to Barb and Bryan's house and they were watchng the TV to see if there was any danger from a tornado but it had gone off to the south east.

Uncle Doug, Aunt Fran, David, Chris and their children gathered at Barb's and we had supper and an enjoyable visit.  We had planned on visiting Uncle Doug and Aunt Fran again on Thursday morning but Barb suggested it would be too stressful for them, so we left in the morning and drove to Calgary.

Nathan and Tara hosted us from Thursday until Sunday afternoon.  On Saturday Edward and Jeremy joined us at Fish Creek Park for a hike, but as soon as we started out the sky became very dark and there was lightning, so we all went to Nathan's for a visit.  It had cleared off by the time we got back but later on it began to rain and hail.

Mickey spoke in church on Sunday morning and Orson and Jackson were set apart in the teachers' quorum presidency.  After church we had a snack and then returned to Lethbridge.

It was Father's day and we were invited to Sue-anne's for supper.

Daughter and Father on Fathers Day

A Couple of Quiet Weeks

The week after we arrived home from Branson there was a lot of rain including thunder and lightning.  Before the rain really got going Bob was able to plant tomatoes.  On the week-end we watched several of Taylor's basketball games.  Harveys opened a new place in Lethbridge.  We stood in a long line up to have a hamburger after Taylor's Saturday afternoon game.

The past week was bright and sunny and the painters managed to get the outside painting done. On Friday and Saturday Langley played basketball and we watched several of her games. Sue-anne, Langley and Carter had dinner at our house on Saturday.  We were going to Harvey's after Langley's Friday game, but again there was a line-up so we didn't wait.

Other things going on:  visits to the dentist and doctor, visiting teaching, home teachers, club.

What can I say?  Life goes on.

Branson and Back to Lethbridge

Friday evening we went to a spectacular show called "Joseph".  It wasn't the Andrew Lloyd Webber version of the show and the music wasn't as good.  It was the theatre and the set that was spectacular.  When we went in there was a funny smell in the theatre and I wondered if they had live camels in the show and sure enough there were live camels, horses, goats etc that went up and down the aisle to the stage during the various scenes.

Saturday morning Mary and Jim drove us to the airport and we spent the day getting to Great Falls via Denver and Seattle.

We stayed in Great Falls over night and drove home this morning in time for church.

 Branson Airport

Our Lilac is in Bloom

Friday Morning - Another visit to Arkansas

This morning we took a  ride on the Branson Scenic Train through the Ozarks to Arkansas.  We saw many trees and some rock and went through two tunnels.   Later we had dinner at Shorty & Smalls.

Branson - Thursday

At ten a.m. we were at the theatre to see the show "California Dreamers".  They did songs from the 60's.

We had dinner at the Olive Gardens and in the afternoon hung out at the cottage.

The evening show was "The Cat's Pyjamas".  They were an amazing group - no musical instruments.

Stormy Point Village where we are staying is a gated community with a guard gate where we show a pass to get in.  There are gates both on the  entrance and exit sides.

Wednesday - Branson Belle and Eureka Springs

Today we went to Showboat on the Branson Belle.  We boarded at 11:00 a.m.  With our luck 200 grade four students on a field trip (ok it was only 60) boarded right behind us.  Luckily Mary had her jacket over the chair so the lemonade that was spilled 5 minutes after the students were seated only splashed on her jacket.

We were fed a beef and chicken dinner with a magician and a band entertaining.  After the meal we were able to walk around the boat and enjoy the scenery as we cruised by.  It was great weather.
There was a show later with a singing group and a girl who played violin, piano and also did acrobatics while playing the violin.

After the cruise we drove to Eureka Springs in Arkansas and checked out the town.  It was built up and down hills and was interesting.

We ended the day with Japanese Food.

It was Mary and Jim’s anniversary and they had both forgotten about it until they checked their e-mail in the evening and received congrats from their children.

 School Children in Green Shirts

 The Band

(The drummer had white glasses like Ericas)

 

 View from the Branson Belle

 

 Ghost Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

 

 Spring in Eureka Springs