Wasn't sure I'd be able to blog during vacation, but we do have one cable modem connection and it's before noon so my daughters aren't awake to fight over it yet.

Can't even remember what we were up to before our trip, but I'm sure it was all about getting ready. We left last Tuesday, June 16th...

Tue June 16
•left Menomonee Falls at 4am
•drove 11 hours and stayed in Bismarck ND

Wed June 17
•left Bismarck ND again at 4am
•drove 11 hours and arrived at West Glacier MT

•stayed in awesome cabin!

Thu June 18
•drove and hiked within Glacier National Park
•Going To The Sun Road closed in middle, so couldn't drive through park - had to go around
•little rainy and cool
•drove 3 hours north, crossed into Canada (we got in trouble for getting out of the car to straddle Canada/US border before officially going thru customs!)

•stayed in Waterton Lakes, Alberta where mountain goats and deer roam the city streets
•went out for local pizza and shopped

Fri June 19
•walked through Prince of Wales Hotel - awesome view!

•2 beautiful hikes through Waterton Townsite/Cameron Falls and Red Rock Canyon
•drove through supposed buffalo roaming area (Bison Paddock Viewpoint) - dad said they were playing hide and seek
•saw a bear!
•drove 4 hours further north to our timeshare in Fairmont Hot Springs, BC

Sat June 20
•tired of driving, stayed around our place
•timeshare is beautiful and spacious
•sun-shiny day, discovered uphill trail to hot springs and we all took a soak

•grocery shopped - prices much higher: cereal $7/box, chicken $9/lb

Sun June 21 *Father's Day*
•drove into the town of Banff for the day - largest city we've been in so far (pop=2500)


•celebrated Father's Day having lunch downtown
•explored the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel - huge!!!
•shopped for souvenirs
•saw a bear and wolf on drive back

Mon June 22
•rainy, staying in, doing laundry, maybe a puzzle

Paige's birthday was Sunday and she had a grueling Little League game. They played the first place team and the game ended after 3 innings due to the slaughter rule (we were losing 22-2). Paige did not get a chance to pitch this game. Paige frosted her cake and we all indulged after our spaghetti and meatball dinner.


Bryn played in her last band concert of the year Tuesday evening. It was really pretty. Because it's the end of the year, a projected slideshow of all the graduating seniors in band is played during their last piece. I remember the photo we submitted of Abby for last year of her when she was about 5 years old blowing into Kristin's French horn. Abby checked out a college-age group at the church she's been attending while back here at home. She really liked it and will also be volunteering with the children's groups on Sundays. Bryn accompanied this girl on guitar Friday night while she sang "Heartless" by Kanye West - but the Kris Allen version - and "Everywhere" by Michelle Branch. The High School Student Council and Spanish Clubs co-hosted a benefit open mike Concert. Paige and Abby went to watch and remarked how good Bryn & Wendy sounded.

Then the Girls Track Banquet snuck up on us Wednesday night. Very informal. All the coaches did a really nice job bringing up each one of the girls and recognizing her contributions to the team. Bryn was noted for being such a great team player and versatile athlete because she was able to switch events and fill in wherever they needed her.

The Student Council Banquet/Potluck was held at school on Thursday night. Their club advisor is so great with remembering details about each and every one of those student members.

I'm still in my purging mode, and had a lot more to move out of the house on Friday. Trying to be green, I had several stops to try to recycle: cell phone store to say good-bye to my deceased iPhone, books to Half Price Books, clothing to Goodwill and used printer ink cartridges to the schools. My only refusal was the ink cartridges. Have to find a new spot that accepts them. The rest of the day I alternated between cleaning my fridge and baking bread for church.

Saturday morning Bryn reported to the Student Council Car Wash. Such a shame that they couldn't have had Friday's weather!! I think the kids still did OK because they pre-sell a lot of tickets so the customers are lined up already. Paige had another softball game and lost a close one. She went to see the movie UP! in the afternoon and finished the day by hosting a sleepover. Jeff and I stopped in at Carrie Borchardt's graduation party and had a lot of fun chatting with my cousins and seeing Dana and Ross's new babies! That night we had dinner plans with 2 other couples, so Bryn was kind enough to stay home and supervise the sleepover. We tried a new restaurant by Brookfield Square called Stir Crazy and it was delicious!! We all raved about our entrees! You can order a dish from the menu, or select exactly what you want by going thru a buffet line where the cooks stir fry it all up in front of you.

Paige played ball again today and pitched 4 innings and was terrific! She did suffer a few battle scars: hit by the ball under her right knee and sliding scrape on the other leg. My favorite moment of the game was when Paige was pitching for her 4th inning, and the opposing coach was cheering to his batter "Get a hit on her! She's (Paige) getting tired!" Paige immediately threw a strike and glared at that coach afterward. If you all know Paige, you can visualize that glare. But I give her credit, not much rocks her boat while she's on the mound. And she has quite a ritual before each pitch: with her back to the batter, she first swipes the dirt to the left a couple times with her right foot, then once with her left foot and then clears the pitcher's mark clean with her right again. Then she's finally ready. Whatever works!