September 19

Harvest is a beautiful time.........

Last Sunday Elaine and I participated in the Terry Fox Run to raise funds for cancer research. It was a beautiful day. Actually one of the best "summer days" we've had!
http://www.terryfoxrun.org/

September 17

September is flying by! Here are a few pictures of what is happening in our lives. We've been busy!

First picture: Barley Second and third pictures: Wheat The last two pictures: Veteran School and our new student created, clay mural.

August 22

Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park

Ever heard of it? It is located just north of Three Hills, Alberta along the Red Deer River. The cliffs provided a perfect place to stampede buffalo over the edge to their death in preparation of the winter supply of meat. In the early 1900's this area was an important bonebed find for the Albertasuaras.

August 19

Harvest is in full swing and going well. Here are a few pictures of combining peas at the Old Place, the original homestead.

August 7

First week: The Farm
Second week: Sandpoint, ID

Jodi, Marvin and I drove to Sandpoint for the Siemsen get-together. The harvest came early and Lawrence stayed home to combine peas. So much for scheduling the weather and harvest time!

We had a couple of beautiful hot, smooth water days and enjoyed the lake, water skiing and family time.

We also visited the Bird Museum - a museum featuring the inventions of Dr. Bird and other inventors. Dr. Forrest Bird's best known invention is the respirator. He also has many of his airplanes on display. An interesting and educational place to visit near Bottle Bay, Idaho.

Welcome to Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center http://www.birdaviationmuseum.com/

August 1

Jodi and Marvin flew in from Dallas, TX and it was great having them home. It was a busy week! We attended Laurel and Sheldon's wedding, visited with lots of relatives and completed the white fence project. The fence was more work than we had imagined! A big THANKS to Jodi and Marvin for all of their early mornings, hard labour and long hours! The fence looks great and will keep cattle out of the yard. Besides that: there was horseback riding, hilling Grandpa's potatoes and the Cereal Bullarama. The week flew by and we enjoyed every day - sore muscles and all!

July 25

Toward the end a hot, dry, windy day, the phone rang telling us of a fire a bit south of us. Grabbing shovels and water, we raced to the scene of the fire. A neighbour had been baling and his baler caught on fire. Fortunately Kevin arrived soon after the start of the fire with a water truck and the Youngstown fire trucks were soon to follow along with many neighbours with their shovels. It could have been so much worse. Casualities: One baler, two bales and ten acres of burnt hay land.


Jaren checking out the damage.

July 23

Bullarama in Oyen......

30 wild bulls, 30 brave cowboys and only 10 were successful in staying on the bull for 8 seconds!

July 22

Here on the prairie we are either too windy, too hot or too dry. So when the yard is green and blooming, one better record it. It may not last! So..... here are a couple of pictures.

Note: No white fence.

July 21

Monday morning we all gathered at the Hemaruka airstrip to send off the Texas bird. We were thankful for the beautiful day and the safe trip that Paul and Darlene had.

July 20

Grandpa Letniak turns 90! Paul and Darlene flew in from Burleson, TX and Bob and Ellen drove out bringing Grandma for the weekend. Sabbath we had family potluck in our yard, weiner roast Saturday night at Ron and Connie's and then Sunday, the big celebration. The Hemaruka Hall was decorated with balloons and flowers for the family dinner and the Open House. Many neighbours and friends came to help Grandpa celebrate his big day. So many memories to relive and share.

Grandpa's greatest surprise was his gift - a three day trip to the Oilsands with Darlene in August. Happy Birthday!

July 3-8

Lawrence and I flew to Baltimore, MD to see Ryan. We arrived with just our one carry-on bag filled with baking for Ryan. Later that night the other luggage arrived. On the 4th of July, we experienced the Nation's birthday party on Capital Hill. What a celebration! Parade, people, security and an incredible show of fireworks! We visited the highlights in Washington DC on Friday and Monday, visited Silago Church, Mike and Ruthzaly Weich and Gettysbury on Saturday, and Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy, on Sunday. Seeing all the historical landmarks, memorials and museums, witnessing the reenactment of the Proclamation of Independence and seeing the battlefields of Gettysbury, renews an deep appreciation for the men and women who helped create the USA. Lincoln's Gettysbury address remains moving and motivational........ so many years later.

The days with Ryan went by so quickly but we had a great time and were so thankful for Ryan's organization and expertise in getting around the Eastern cities.

One hint: When touring Washington DC, wear good walking shoes!

June 11

SunValley, Idaho -The ultimate winter ski resort and summer vacation land. Jan and I went down to do some painting and updating the condo that my parents have owned for years. On drive down we encountered a June snow storm in Montana and had icey, snowing roads for about 50 miles. Once there the weather was beautiful! We even met a shephard who had been moving 1600 sheep across Montana and Idaho for nearly 3 months via horseback and covered wagon.

Between power shopping, painting and redecoration, we had time to ehjoy the pools, ride bikes for miles and even ice skate! What are good friends for - other than to work and play together! Thanks, Janice!