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Ending 2011

Having our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. German Wieners and potato salad.

Playing our new Wii game "Gunslingers".

And as usual Judy "Oakley" is all too willing to get into character.

Highlights of 2011

Feb - In Edmonton for Dacy's 3rd Birthday.

March - Winter reprieve in Katy, Texas.

April - Trip to a beautiful resort in the Denver Area.

April - Last trip to Jones house in Katy, Texas.

June - Judy retires from School Bus Driving.

July - Perschons come for Canada Day + 9.

July - Buy brand new 2011 Chev Equinox LTZ.

August - Trip to Gloucester to visit the Cottles.

September - More birthday celebrations in Edmonton. Abi turns 3

September - Judy and I go to Grande Prairie.

September - Megan and Andrew's wedding.

October - Trip to St. George, UT to compete in the Huntsman World Senior Games.

October - Trip Baton Rouge LA, to a LSU Tigers football game.

November - Went to Calgary to watch Luke play hockey.

November - Back in Edmonton for Gunnar's BD.

November - Izzy turns one.

December - Lutz goes to Atlanta GA for the SEC College Championship Game in the Georgia Dome.

Dec 4 - Judy Works Hard and SEC Championship Game.

Caulking around the front door.	The secret to a good job is in the position of the tongue.
Deanna had 1 ticket to the SEC College final game in Atlanta, Georgia. Judy insisted I go. Georgia State vs LSU. Guess which team we are cheering for? On the train down to the Dome.	Here I am in front of the Georgia Dome. That's me in the lower middle of the picture along the rail. Purple shirt, white hat. Get out the magnifying glass.
We are in the Dome waiting for the game to start.	Celebrating the LSU win after the Game
Deanna and me. (Still wondering which team we are cheering for)	Rio and me
Rio sports the championship hat.	After the game we go to the Mellow Mushroom to eat.

Nov 27 - Izzy Turns 1 and a Ghostly Birthday Party as Gunnar turns 6

Ghosts and Goblins greet Gunnar (Skeleton) at the party	Izzy gives a serious pose for the first birthday
All the guests enjoying the food.	But it's getting close to Christmas too
Gramma at her best surrounded by children	Abi is Santa's Elf
Gunnar gets ready to hit the piñata	New dresses from Canada
The Cake arrives.	Gunnar opening presents at home.

Nov 13 - Fall Colours, LSU vs Alabama, Hockey Tournament,

A few beautiful leaves hang on late on one of our trees.	LSU was playing Alabama and Judy was ready to cheer LSU on.
We went to Calgary to watch Luke play hockey.	He is in the white uniform.

Nov 11 - Remembering all those who have fought for their Country

(Shown in inset) Left: Judy's dad Ed "Tiny" Thon,

Right: Lutz's dad Fritz Perschon Sr. Both have passed away

Oct 23 - Trip to Texas and Baton Rouge Louisiana, to a LSU Tigers football game.

After flying to Houston TX last Wednesday, on Friday we headed to Baton Rouge.	It all starts with tailgating parties. The game started at 2:30 PM, but we arrived on campus at 10:00 AM for games, food, and fun.
On the right Judy, Deanna, and Brian share stories with Kyra's roommate (back turned) and their parents.	Deanna, Judy, and Kyra - 3 generations.
This game is called Flip Cup. There is a team on each side of the table, in this case Kyra's swim teammates, versus, Kyra and family. Each person in order has to drink (Brian shown here) the contents, ...	then place the cup on the edge of the table, and flip it over on its rim, which Deanna has just done. While she gives high fives, Judy drinks her vodka (aka water)...
...and high fives just after Judy flips her cup and the family wins.	Lutz all decked out in LSU colors ready for the game.
Kyra and her house mates. L - R: Audrey, Laura, Kyra, Kaelee, Sally.	A little more about tailgate parties. It is estimated that as many as 200,000 people show up to tailgate parties. The stadium holds 93,000+ so the rest just stay on campus, party, and watch the games on TV's set up with generators and satelite dishes.

For the record 93,089 fans attended the game which LSU won over Auburn 45 - 10

Oct 10 - Trip to St. George, Utah to compete in the Huntsman World Senior Games.

We arrived to +30 C temperatures so right to the pool. Unfortuately the hot temperatures did not last and we played in as low as +10.	Lutz's cheering section. Judy, Rio, Deanna. Three generations. Deanna commented, "Gotta love those sporty hats."
The Medicine Hat 60 -64 Team at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George Utah.	Judy came to watch me play, but was picked up by a women's 50-55 team from Utah because at the last minute 4 players were unable to come. We were tickled pink that she had an opportunity to compete as well.
On the way to Bryce Canyon, we go through Red Canyon.	Here we are at Bryce Canyon, Rainbow Point. We are at 9115 feet (for comparison Sulphur Mountain in Banff is 7402 feet), it's 3 C (38 F), the wind is howling, and we are in shorts.
Help I'm falling!	And this is really the essence of the Bryce Canyon. Thousands of formations over millions of years.

More Pictures From the Week Here

Sept 11 - More Edmonton and Ball Tournament,

Gramma plays in the pool with Dacy and Gunnar	Good old fashion wiener roast for supper.
Although it wasn't Lutz's birthday, we celebrated it in Edmonton on the long weekend	Dacy and Gunnar help Grampa blow out the candles
Lutz and Judy share a moment by the camp fire.	Gramma plays with Gunnar and Dacy
A good swing brings a good single	Waiting before the pitch.

Aug 28 - Lutz in MH/Judy In Edmonton

On Friday Lutz played in the 7th Annual Redcliff Support Services Golf Classic. Anyone who knows about golf, knows this swing is anything but classic, but we all had fun on a beautiful day.	And then came Sunday and painting the deck. Judy had worked so hard sanding and scraping it all, Lutz thought he should contribute by painting, and Lutz strongly dislikes painting.
Gramma and Dacy colour. So what's new?	Gunnar eats a Sponge Bob popsicle
And Dacy would not take those boots off - even to sleep.	Mike and Gunnar paint a - well see insert.

Aug 21 - Edmonton/St. Albert

Went to Edmonton to play in the St Albert Senior Men's Slo-pitch tournament. Won C Division. According to the locals best weather of the summer and it was great.	One great hit about to happen
but that means running.	Grampa, Dacy, and Jen cool off in the pool playing HOT
Dacy and Grampa duel with light sabers	Gramma and Gunnar play The Magic Labyrinth.

England 2011

On the day we departed we had lunch at Annemarie and Carmen's, and Fritz and Shirley-Ann joined us.	Shortly after arrival Izzy shows off her new sunglasses supplied by great aunt Karen.
Gramma and Abi make cup cakes	Grampa reads Five Little Monkeys to an attentive Abi.
We visited the Country Adventure Park, Berkeley Heath Farm	Gramma and Izzy go down the slide.
Gramma and Abi do the Zip Line	Izzy is the English LSU Tiger. Geaux Tigers!
Abi squeals with delight as the waves from the Atlantic tickle her	Grampa does a self portrait with Izzy

More Pictures of the England trip here.

July 31 - Stampede Week

Judy watching Lutz play ball at Holden Park	Judy at the Stampede Parade
And here is the Cypress County Float	A couple of the County's summer students chillin' on the float.
Judy at the Stampede grounds	Judy's first ever cowboy (girl) hat.
Our 2011 Schooners Pub league team	2011 Schooners Pub Summer Games team. Gold Medal 60 - 65

July 20 - Just a Few Things and New Wheels

First some fun with Taffy. Just laying with her toy bunny - the grey thing. (actually had her eyes closed before the camera came out)	Then Lutz tries to move the toy and Taffy gets up and keeps a wary eye.
After Lutz let's it go, Taffy bring it in closer to protect it. Such a funny dog.	For those of you who may have missed it on Facebook, a vehicle ripped through Jamie's back yard backwards, both fences
and smashed into the house next door, just missing Jamie's.	And finally the new wheels - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ
Judy enjoys a laugh with her niece Megan at Megan's Wedding Shower	Annette and Judy share a laugh at the shower.

July 10 - British Canada Day, More Fun with Edmontonians, Southern Alberta Summer Games, and Medicine Hat Seniors Tournament

Although we are a week late, we love to show off our British Grandchildren wearing Canada Day Stuff. Izzy and Abi.	Mike flies his fancy kite with Gunnar watching closely. 70 k winds
Gunnar and Dacy boat in the swimming pool. Got over 35 C a couple of days this last week.	The pool was a life saver in the scorching heat. Here Gunnar is airborne into the pool.
We went to a petting zoo at a green house and found this goat.	Gunnar and Dacy show off their cycling skills.
The grandchildren come to watch Grampa play league baseball.	High fives for grampa from Gunnar after scoring a run.
July 6&7 Lutz played slopitch in the Southern Alberta Summer Games and the team (Schooners Pub) won the Gold Medal.	And on the weekend (July 9 & 10) Lutz plays in the Medicine Hat Seniors Slopitch tournament. The team wins the 60+A Division.

July 2 - Final Day, Missoula Tournament, and Canada Day

Judy with the bus she has driven for the last 10 years.	One more run and it's all over.
Year end BBQ and retirement recognition for Judy's 23+ years	Judy and Marilyn, one of the few originals.
June 25 weekend our 60+ Huff And Puff Team won a Gold Medal in the 2nd Division in Missoula, Montana	Lutz with the medal. Judy faithfully did the score keeping.
Here we are in Kin Coulee Park for Canada Day festivities	Gunnar jumps up to get the goofy blow up guy.

June 19 - Ponies, Lougheed House, and Spring Scramble

One of the things Judy enjoyed most about her job as a school bus driver was seeing the new animals in spring. Eventually there were 9 colts in this field Judy sees each morning.	Judy and Karen (right) took Pam (left) to lunch at the Restaurant at the Lougheed House to celebrate Pam's birthday.
Judy and Pam share a laugh in front of the Lougheed House.	Judy and Karen
We played our spring scramble. It was a cool day with intermittent light rain as you look out from under Judy's umbrella	The scrambles are where we mix the players from the league teams for a fun day. 2 games for each team and a BBQ.
A hard swing with the Miken Freak DST produces a double	A throw to third was not in time. We won both our games.

June 12 - Judy Prepares For Retirement

So on Friday her work colleagues took her for breakfast	Lot's of people
Smiles	Some colleagues from the past
Lots of laughs	And a puppy for Judy.
More friends	and more.

May 28 - Dreaming about Texas

Just dreaming

about Texas

May 8 - A Trip to Edmonton, Texas, Our Anniversary, and Mother's Day.

We went to Edmonton to share Easter with Mike's family.

We spent time spreading snow so it would melt faster.

By Tuesday April 26 we were in Katy, Texas and +30 C weather.

Rio invited us to coffee house at her school. About 20 members of the grade 9 choir sang songs. Good times.

Joyce Thon

Dorothea Perschon

And here's a picture of our mothers, Judy's left, Lutz's on right.

And though we couldn't visit them, we love sharing our English granddaughters whom we miss greatly.

There are more great pictures here

And we celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary.

April 11 - A Trip to a Beautiful Resort in the Denver Area

At the Great Falls airport we saw a number of F-14s take off.	In Broomfield (Just west of Denver) we stayed at the luxurious Omni Interlocken Resort. I worked, Judy just relaxed.
Fifteen minutes west from our hotel is Boulder, Colorado. Every one encouraged us to go because the city has a unique downtown street. We thought it was a bit like our Banff. Buskers, unique shops, and restaurants. And you see guys like this --->	Who make you ache just watching. And he was quite elderly.
It was warm enough for sitting out enjoying a book. Judy read a lot, but fell short of her target to read 4 books.	And warm enough to be in the swimming, and hot pool.

April 03 - Early Birthday and Pool in the Sky

Visited Mike's family. Building a train crash ramp.	And we got to have an early birthday party for Mike.
Stayed at the Sutton Place Hotel. The pool is on the 26th floor	so you see this...
...and this...	...and this. Cool.

Happy Birthday Rio, Mike, and Brian.

Mar 13 - New Neighbour and Wildlife

Looks like this little gal is our new neighbour 2 houses down.	Look a little guilty. She was chewing the tree.
The ice on the canal was thin and the deer just broke through...	and then they walk through the water on the hard pack below.

Mar 6 - Texas Feb 19 to 28

Daily walk the dogs around the lakes	Ducks, dogs, and warm weather
Brandy in the water????	Gramma and Brandy.
Rio struts her stuff with Diesel.	Reading a good book by the pool.
Definitely nice enough for the pool - heated that is.	Judy enjoyed the float mattress.
The dogs enjoy Gramma's company. All very relaxed.	Taking in the sun's rays on the last day.
Enjoying a Granny Smith apple at the Houston Airport.	And this is what we came home to. +25 to -25 in one day.

Feb 8 - Dacy's 3rd Birthday

Early morning present opening.	It's a puzzle and we may as well start on it right now.
The guests arrive in Knights costumes.	Gramma and Dacy decorate the princess crown
There were girl guests at the party too.	And here's the birthday cake.
The piñata is broken.	Watching TV the morning after.

Jan 9, 2011 - Back to the Snow

The wind has calmed enough to get the snow blower out	Helping the neighbour who has often done our driveway.
It's not as easy as it looks. Practice is required, and Judy shoveled the slag and tight areas.	But it's so nice not to have to shovel it onto the pile.