Memories from My Youth

My 3 big brothers tickling me till I couldn’t stand it anymore (which is why I can suppress being tickled like you wouldn’t believe – except with Ian for some reason), the 3 of them fighting, and I mean fighting! There’s still a hole in the bathroom door to prove it. I remember Rob, Tae Kwon Doe chopping me and James and Mike ALWAYS fighting. I’ve seen all sorts of Manly movies thanks to my big brothers. Some memorable ones include Beastmaster and Red Sonya (which is actually pretty girly) and of course some wrestling. I remember sandwiches with Kraft cheese slices, Sonic the Hedgehog and Toejam ‘N Earl. Smelly boys coming back from Scout Camps and the time we all though James was about to be killed by Dad. When he says “Get in the Van” he MEANS it!

So things have changed a little. Somewhere through the years my 3 big brothers turned into some pretty great men. Two of them are fathers, all three of them are married. We had enjoyable conversations all weekend and there was no fighting. Some things never change... they did make me watch Ultimate Fighting Championship and there were still sandwiches with Kraft cheese slices but they’re such grown up, responsible men.

It was good to see the three of them together again.
L

Prize Winning Pie

have this reputation as sort of a Martha Stewart-ish figure. I like to cook, it’s something I think I do well but I’m not really a fan of having to prove it. So the thought of a pie competition was intimidating to me (funny that I came up with the idea eh?). People expect me to win; they expect me to make something sensational... what if I let them down? What if their image of me is shattered... who am I then?

I didn’t want to make a traditional pastry pie... everyone would do that. Luckily my brilliant Chef brother is in town. Together we came up with an idea for a Skor-Chocolate, Peanut Butter ice cream pie with a yummy corn flake crust, just like Mom used to make. It must have been enough because my reputation is safe for another day, Best Presentation is good enough for me :)
L

Mascara Lament

The day was bright, the sky was blue,
and then came the shock, it can't be true.

What to do? I think I'll cry
But then it'll smudge, it must be a lie.

They're gone from Canada, never to return.
But where will I get the mascara I yearn?

Calorie 2000, so thick and black;
I tried some Great Lash... Boy did it lack.

I want some drama, my tantrum will last
But my favorite mascara is a thing of the past.

So I'm forced to switch to some other brand
While I wait for Max Factor to return to my Land

So this is my Eulogy, I'll continue to cry
To my fair mascara, I bid you goodbye
L

By Invitation Only

I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine the other day. We were both going to the same wedding; he asked if I wanted a ride so I said sure. I was also giving my roommate a ride so I asked if that was okay. He asked where her boyfriend was. I said I wasn’t sure if he knew the Bride and Groom, maybe he hadn’t been invited? He then asked the most absurd question...

“Oh, is this wedding invite only?”

Invite only! Weddings are always invite only! That’s why they give out invitations!

I asked why he went if he wasn’t invited, “Well, there are people there I know.”

“So you go to weddings to socialize?!” I’m a little shocked! To add a cherry to this story, he’d invited someone else to this wedding that he wasn’t invited to.

I’ve been invited to a lot of weddings this year... 17 to be exact and the year’s not over yet. In general, I love weddings. I love how happy everyone is and how much family comes together.

I thought I’d share a list of the highlights of each wedding
Elise & Alex Andrews - The Hairspray Comment
Jeff & Shelia Smigel - Jeff’s Vest and the Men’s ties
Devon & Kimberly Tyers - Cookie’s by George cookies
Daniel & Teddi Lee - The incredibly over decorated gym
Kim & Jordan Wheatley*
Ricky & Chelsea Bennett - The on again / off again relationship that worked
Mike & Janeal Bullock*
Justin & Andea Morton*
Byron & Rosie Redd - The Food and the long tablecloths
Ed & Meagan Yu - Mllowing Meenah to live out her dream
Leticia & Ammon Christensen - The Picture Perfect Couple
Lisa & Doug Johnson - The letter from Clive and all the Pink
Mark & Kim Hughes - The Temple and how much I love them both
Leah & Murray Phillips - The honeymoon in Mountain View
Josh & Nicole Tagg - The Chopsticks and the instructional video and the bride and groom on the top of the cake
Brent & Jen Garner - The most classy, traditional wedding all year. They used simple, beautiful roses as table centers and they had actual toasts with sparkling apple juice. We actually ate the wedding cake (I love that)
James & Lucy West - The new Sister I’m gaining

* not attended

I’ve also come up with a rule for all my friends... NO MORE WEDDINGS THIS YEAR!The wedding gift budget is spent so if you suddenly get engaged you get NO GIFT :)
L

Fairytale Life

I always loved fairytales growing up, I loved princesses and castles and knights on horses, Fairies with wings and flowers in their hair. I love dresses and makeup and ribbons and lace… I like looking pretty and cooking and taking care of others, boys opening doors and fixing anything broken. In summary, I’m about as stereotypically a girl as it gets.

This has led to the discovery of Laura jobs and non Laura jobs.
Lifting a rolled up raft from the truck to the shore, that’s definitely not a Laura job. Making breakfast for the strong men that will do the above job? Laura written all over it.
Carrying tents and moving stacked chairs also fall into the non Laura category. Dinners and picking up wedding gifts I’ve got covered though.

I appreciate those who understand our distinct roles. Glad we came to an understanding so early in our friendship.
L

Feels Like the End of Summer

Today was sad. Today marked the last Sunday Dinner as we know it. A group of us have been getting together for dinner, sometimes there are wild card guests but it has basically been the same group of us. The host provides the main dish and everyone else is assigned items, it's worked so well and we've had some of the best laughs and food. But all good things must come to an end; Kim and Mark get married on Friday and move to Waterloo. Nathan is going to Lethbridge, Jenn is leaving the ward. It was time.
Hopefully Kim, Mark and Nathan will carry on the tradition in their respective cities and we can make Sunday Dinners a Country-wide phenomenum.

I really love you all, hopefully I can find some way to fill the void you're leaving behind :)
L

New Aunt

I'm an Aunt again!

Baby Gage Lee West was born on Thursday August 3rd. He is 21 inches long and a whopping 9 lbs, his Dad was the same weight :)

I added some pictures so you can see just how cute he is.
L

Summer is my Best Friend

So I've done it!

I walked by a waterfall, ate ice cream in a national park. Sat by the lake and went trail riding. I got bit my mosquitos, a little sun burned and let my hair blow in the wind. I ate BBQ Chicken and played catch in a park. Saw a chipmunk and a little fawn. I visited Monarch A.B. as my random Alberta visit and skipped stones in the Old Man River. What a great weekend!

So far my quest to live summer to the fullest has been successful! Stay tuned for more updates!

This weekend reminded me of how much I love the Prairie's, they're so beautiful. Coming to the top of a hill, looking out and seeing miles and miles of farmland and foothills is far more beautiful to me than any mountain range. The mountains make me clausterphobic, I can't breath, there's not enoug sky, there's nothing like a prairie sky. So big and blue and with clouds like today it's perfect. I'll take the prairie's over the mountains any day.

The drive home made me contemplate my city living, a good looking cowboy may be just what I need
L

The Good Left Undone

The inbox is empty… there’s nothing to do.

After an afternoon of reading other’s blogs I’ve decided that I’m not taking full advantage of this summer. I should be going on Road trips, hiking in parks… floating down rivers. Watching movies outside, embracing the mosquitoes, not letting them scare me off. I need more summer in my life.

Who’s with me?

Luckily for me I have a trip to Waterton planned for the weekend… no more sitting around waiting for summer to come to me. I’m going to get it myself.

I want to go somewhere in Alberta I’ve never been…like Stettler or Rocky Mountain House. It doesn’t have to be exotic… random is good. I’ve lived in Alberta my whole life and there’s lots I haven’t seen, so here’s fair warning… be prepared for day trip invites. Cause I’m bored.

I want more!
L

Ward Hike

What a successful day.

The hike turned out to be so much fun, not very hard, just nice. It was really hot but lots of the path was shady. Once we got to the lake there was lots to do, like swim if you're crazy! That's glacier water! There were people rock climbing and lots of people having lunch. We hiked down on the hard path and had such a beautiful view of Canmore. Once we got to the bottom we had some delicious sandwiches and juice and such.

I was pleasantly surprised with how well the day went. A few more people would have been fun but I liked that group that we had. Check out the pictures so you can see all the fun you missed.
L