Summer half over

 If you can believe, some how summer is half done. It’s been a very nice summer. Beautiful summer days. High 20s with a few days in the mid 30s. Little to no wind.  It’s what summer time is all about. 

With summer comes lots of swimming, camping, traveling and family. This past week Kalinda’s Brother Trent came up to Magrath for pioneer days. Magrath is one of the few towns that puts on a good time. 

Softball, parade, games, carnival, dances and fire works.

This year was hot, and the parade and fireworks were hard to beat. The carnival was pretty good as well. Kids and adults were well entertained.  

Glenwood Life

 It was busy in Glenwood this week.  Lots of weeds to pick. Over 7 wheel barrels full. The kids and I were very tired. Thank goodness uncle Perry came to the rescue and rototilled the big parts. This should give the plants a chance to grow.  

We also managed to have some fun. We hit the beach in the hot morning to cool off and catch some sun. 

We got in a beautiful hike at Beauvais lake provincial park and read white fang. 

 No screen time for us. Too busy. 

Michel family Reunion

Although I am not a direct descendant of Great UncleWalter, he was my Grandmas brother, and his 3 oldest 3 daughters who lost their mom when they came to Canada where raised by my grandma until Walter got remarried.

I took the kids for only one day and got to meet. Walters posterity. There were over 150 descendants living in Canada and the US  

The weather was beautiful and meeting cousins of all ages and joying in the story’s of old was wonderful. 10 children. A very unique story and even more unique people. 

They had a carnaval form the kids with many games and Even some great prizes. Macie was runner up at the ring toss and almost came home with a giant pink unicorn from Walter jrs game. She lost by two rings in the final to a teenage boy who kept the lovely unicorn. 

Wade enjoyed shooting an air soft gun from cousin Troy. 

Kansas made friends all over using her imagination with all different kids. 

Apple Trees

 Have you ever seen such a beautiful tree before?

Kansas just went outside and started climbing. She is almost 6 and has taken off with her climbing and monkeying around. She just started crushing monkey bars at every playground she goes. Growing up is amazing. 

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

As a 30 yr tradition, MES has done a triathlon for the kids. Each year kids either join a 3 person team or complete the event by them selves. This is Macie and Wades 2nd year competing in the event. This year the theme was " I can do hard things"

this year Macie teamed up with Emmeline and another girl and did pretty good. Wade did it by himself and got 4th. 

Kansas was there being chased by boys around the playground.

These kids are amazing.

Now the kiddos are done another year of school WOW. Where does the time go? There was lots of growth and many things the kids did and learned this year. Its safe to say that they are getting to be some pretty cool kids. 

For the final assembly, Macie got the Sports Aggregate award. Given to the girl and boy who attains the most points during track and field. This is her 2nd year in a row receiving the award.

Wade got a medal for competing in and finishing the triathlon.

They all have many talents and skills, determination, and mixed with hard work, they will achieve great things.  As they learned from the triathlon, they can do hard things.

We look forward to seeing and celebrating their successes.

Under the Sea dance

 

After weeks of basketball and baseball, it was time for a change, and these kids clean up pretty good. This is them just before the stake family dance themed under the sea. 

This is Macies first dance with a boy. (Austin Barfuss is looking pretty happy)

Kirby CNRL

 After 7 years at Jackfish I have been ask to move to Kirby. The plants are near Jackfish and they run very similar however there are differences a lot of challenges. I guess that is how we grow. This was not a move I was interested in, and it came as a big shocker but I have been at Kirby for 2 shifts now and am working to learn how things go. 

Travis was kind enough to see me off with some cup cakes. Some how he scraped up an old photo of me. 

He was super fun to work with. 

Kindergarten Graduation

 If you can believe it, little Kansas has graduated from kindergarten. 

Now this is the first time one of our kids has had a full out ceremony and I was not able to make it cause I had to work, but the photos and videos indicated that this was a legit grad. 

Gowns, caps, and tassels. The kids walked out to receive their award and sat as 1 large class and performed some songs. Frank Sinatra's New York New York but Grade 1 Grade 1. 

I am told that Kansas was a bit nervous to walk out on stage by herself as she dislikes having all eyes on her.  

Garden City Basketball BATTLE AT THE BRIDGE 2023

 This past weekend was Macie and Wades final tournament for U11 at the Battle at the Bridge.

It has been a well run tournament that brings teams from Calgary, Okatokes, and even Sift Current SK.

Macie's team was coached by Debbie Steed, and Mandy Baker and Wades team by Brant Hansen, and Kalinda (his mother)

Overall Macie's team only lost 2 games this season, both to Raymond teams. This final tournament  her team with the three best teams pooled on one side and the the 3 lower teams pooled on the other side.

Macie's first game was against a WIN a Calgary team who was very well rounded team. Macie found herself in foul trouble early in the first and the team was down by 13 points. 

From Macie:

"it was a mental and physical challenge but Coach Debbie said that we can't give up" It was hard for our team but deep down inside I knew we could win.  After I got my 3rd foul, i had in the first i had to sit out until the second quarter. Our team worked really hard to not get further than 13 points behind. Maddie Baker scored several baskets to keep us in it. When i back in the game in the second, i picked up my game by not fouling and making most of my shots. I was really stressed cause i really wanted to win. In my head i was like we have to win this game and i was able to keep composed and continue to make shots and defend effectively with out fouling.

By the 4th Quarter we were down by a few points and i knew i had to keep making my shots. we tied the game and pulled 4 points ahead, but they kept battling and tied it back up and then pulled ahead by 4 points with under 2 min to go. I was able to make 2 quick baskets to tie it at 40.When the WIN guard was bringing the ball down the court she picked her head up for just a second, and I instantly poked the ball to steal it and go in for a lay up. She ended up fouling me on the shot, to put me at the line with under 30seconds to go. My heart was racing and I knew I had to make 1 shot to get us the lead. I made my first shot and missed my second. The WIN team brought the ball back down the court and had a turn over with 20 seconds left. Maddie  was brining the ball out of our zone very slowly to run the clock and then she stopped and picked up the ball. I went to help at the half court line but ended up going over and back and losing possession with 9 seconds left. Coach Debbie told us to get in the key to defend the net. So we all went to the Key. The WIN team got possession and took the shot and missed giving us the win.

Macie scored 30 points had many steals and rebounds to help lead the team to a 41-40 victory. After the game parents from the other team congratulated Macie for her excellent playing, and one girl even compared her to Delaney Gibb.  This had to be the game of her life so far. She played outstanding, not giving up or fouling out. 

The Girls were able to win their next game and make it to the final against an Okatokes team. The final game was not easy but Macie, Jenessy and Emma played their hearts out and were able to win the tournament.  

Final thoughts from Macie: It was a hard tournament. Everyone had to play their best. It was an amazing feeling to win the final game and bring home the medals for a second year in a row. 

Wades team was able to win his final game for 5th place. Those boys played hard against some really tough and tall teams. 

Each of the team grew so much this year, and saw big growth from a few players. 

The summer will be a nice break but I am sure that there will be some basketball played all summer long.