Dec 31 - Last Day of the year in Katy, Texas.
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Starts with a picnic on the pool deck
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Then into the pool for some fun. Grampa has the boat.
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The temperature outside was 19 C (67 F); in the pool 30 C (86 F)
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A couple of very cool dudes, Mike and Gunnar
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Gramma Judy, Gunnar, and Jenica...
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Brian, Deanna, and Mike, all enjoying the sunshine.
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And at night fireworks. These were just small but the big ones were WOW!
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Jenica, Dacy, and Kyra with Grampa Lutz sneaking in the background.
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Dec 26 - Merry Christmas everyone.
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It was -25, with wind chills of -35, so we left the snow behind and went south.
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To Texas where Brian and Gunnar are washing the pool deck and the temperatures are much higher.
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And in the evening when it cools a hot tub to relax in
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And people to help celebrate Christmas
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Dec 14 - Cold, snow, and more cold.
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It isn't bad enough that it snowed, what seemed like a foot of snow, but it went to -29 (-20 F) with wind chill -40 (-40 F)
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So Taffy decided to watch from the window. Much warmer.
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Dec 7 - Celestial, Christmas , and Visitors
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A rare spectacular alignment of a crescent moon, Venus (bottom) and Jupiter (top) occurred November 24. Probably not many took notice. This shot taken around 6 PM (MST)
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We put up a manger scene outside, albeit a blow up one. The donkey and sheep are sleeping in this shot.
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We put up the tree, the angel, and spared no cost, even a fireplace....
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Judy pondered if the angel's dress might get singed, but we decided not likely a problem.
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We had a couple of deer visit our alley...
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...and here's Judy in her house coat trying to corral the out of control dogs.
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Nov 28 - A Thomas Train Birthday Party.
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Gunnar get the first view of the new train table
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Party balloons and look Gramma a Thomas Engine balloon.
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Caden and Carter join the party. Mike has his glow glasses
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Jenica and Gramma prepare the cake
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And there it is, complete with a Thomas Tank Engine
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Gunnar says, "I blew real hard but only one went out."
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Nov 23 - A Master's Convocation, a special birthday card, Judy, and Abi.
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Our son Mike at his convocation from the U of A with a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature. CONGRATULATIONS!
Inset bottom Right: Mike's grad from Kindergarten 1976
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Judy made this card for Gunnar who loves Thomas trains.
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Gunnar with Henry the number 3 Engine
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And Happy Birthday on Nov 25. Gunnar is 3. How time flies!
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Yeah Stampeders. Judy is going to shut down the nay-sayers.
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Abi watches a football (soccer) match with Ade. Loves it
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Nov 16 - Holiday train, First snowman, New bed, and Taller people
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Gunnar gets a holiday train. YES!! Grampa looks on.
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"My new bed that I got from my buddy Koko. Thank you."
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First snowman of the year. Hey there wasn't much snow!
Gunnar, Jen, Dacy.
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A three generation picture, clearly showing that the new generations are getting taller. Judy, Rio, Deanna
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Nov 9 - Two birthdays, a wedding, and Abi update.
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Judy and Gem share Nov 5 as their birthday. Happy Birthday.
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Pre-wedding breakfast in Calgary.
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Our niece Lindsay Sandor and Mike Arsenault become Mr. and Mrs. Arsenault. Mike Perschon officiated the happy union.
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Abi smiles for all you Canadians - 7 Weeks
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Oct 26 - Autumn in Medicine Hat
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It's fall here and the weeping birch has beautiful gold leaves.
Judy is out with Taffy and Gem
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Judy is preparing her roses for winter and Gem says "think I'll go for a walk". Taffy says "think - I don't think."
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4 hours later it's snowing
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An hour later it's sunshine and calm. That's October in Alberta.
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Oct 19 - Finally a weekend to rest and Abi updates
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The dad is out and Taffy takes the opportunity to sneak up.
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And then she's out.
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Abi is gaining weight and size, looking good.
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Love those blue jeans.
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Oct 12 - A Surprise Party for Deanna on her XX Birthday
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Friends and family gathered in Katy to celebrate Deanna's BD.
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Gunnar checks out a very cool bike.
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And with temperatures at over +30C there was action in the pool.
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To see what the entire group has gathered to see, click on more pictures below.
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Dacy shows a big smile with Uncle Brian.
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Too soon we are back on the plane back to Canada.
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Oct 6 - Our second week in Gloucester
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Lutz helps Ade put a new lino floor in the kitchen. Not easy.
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Two very comfortable souls.
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On Friday we were off to London. Lunch at Garfunkels Restaurant just outside Paddington Station.
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 Then it's off to the stage production of Dirty Dancing. Note sign over theater entrance in the middle upper background.
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On Saturday Auntie Deanna comes to visit. She was on her way to Paris, but made a special trip to Gloucester just to see Abi.
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One last smile for gramma and then it's back to Canada.
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Sept 28 - Our first week in Gloucester and more Abi
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Jamie and Ade gave me a birthday party for my 61st.
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Gramma and Abi share a relaxing moment.
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First bath. Yahoo.
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Gramma Judy doing her other favourite thing. Some gardening.
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Grampa and Abi catch some zzzzz's.
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We visit the docks and have lunch
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Sept 21 - Abigail Corrine Cottle
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Abigail Corinne Cottle Born Sept 19, 2008.
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Abigail with proud parents, Jamie and Ade
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 "This is my Gramma Judy. Cool lady. Changes diapers too." |
"And who is this crazy looking guy holding a camera and trying to take pictures of us? Must be a grampa. Who else would so such a silly thing?"
A few more pictures here. We've only been here for a day.
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Sept 14 - Gem cuts her leg - Judy's Roses - Hurricane Ike - and Toe Nails
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Gem shows off her blue bandage after getting a gash on her leg.
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Judy shows off some late blooming roses from her rose bushes.
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People in the Jones neighborhood come out to see the eerie red sky as hurricane Ike approaches. After the hurricane the tree was a little tilted. The Jones consider themselves lucky.
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And to top off the weekend Judy went to the St. Michael's school bazaar to raise funds for the school. She got her toes air brushed.
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Sept 7 - A couple more pictures from the long weekend - Judy's back driving - Lutz's ball team.
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A family shot of the Edmonton Perschons
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About the only smile Gunnar gave when leaving.
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Judy is back driving school bus for her 21st year.
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Ball season is over and it was a good one. Here is the 2008 Schnooers Pub team. I'm the guy in the middle of the back row.
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Sept 1 - The Perschons from Edmonton come down.
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Mike, Jenica, Gunnar and Dacy came down to visit. We took Taffy and Gem (not in the picture) for a walk
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Gunnar wanted to see the "mighty machines" at Grampa's work, and went on a ride on one. Notice proper ear protection.
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Gunnar tries his hand at walking Taffy under Gramma's watchful eye. A rare shot of the photographer.
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Dacy gets up close and personal with Taffy. Taffy: "How am I doing? Am I behaving nicely?"
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And an early birthday party for Grampa. Train Cake - All Aboard! If you look carefully we all are. (Cake courtesy of Gramma)
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Gunnar tries to help Grampa blow out that last candle, but it just won't stay out. More Pictures Here
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Aug 24 - Death of a Barbeque and of course - Taffy
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Purchased April 4, 1978, this barbeque went through 2 replacement burners. Saturday the grill holding the bricks burned through and collapsed on the burner. That was the last straw.
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And so work begins on a new unit. Gem is on Yellow Jackets patrol. Any that come on the deck are generally toast, though one must have bit her before it died. She had quite a swollen jowl.
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All done! This one has no bricks and truthfully doesn't seem like barbecuing at all. Just an outside gas burner. But hey as long as it gets the hamburgers done, that's all that matters.
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Taffy says "I had my first hair cut and went from the picture above to the one below. Gives me less of a wild and crazy look, but don't let looks fool you!"
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Aug 10 - Visit To Montana Military Museum and the Heck's Visit
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The First Special Services Force had its beginnings in Helena at Fort Henry Harrison. In 2005 we visited the Fort (See 2005 Archives), but the museum was closed. We promised ourselves to return to find out more.
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The Heck's visit. (L-R) Tyler, Allan, Pam, Megan
To the right clockwise,
Megan plays with Taffy, while Pam and Judy look on.
Megan tries to coax Taffy down.
Tyler really enjoyed Gem
Pam was just licked by Taffy.
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Aug 3 - The Internment of Patches and Nala, and Taffy Gets Caught - on camera
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We wanted to inter Patches and Nala's ashes under a new tree. Lutz sprinkles some soil on the remains.
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Judy waters the planted tree, dubbed the Patches/Nala tree.
It's a Brooked Plumb tree.
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"Oh-oh, I'm busted." It was suspected that Taffy was sleeping on Lutz's recliner, and Judy caught her on camera to provide proof.
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"Oh well I'll just cozy up to Judy on this towel, chew on a treat like nothing happened, and everything will be just fine."
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July 27 - Canada's Armed Forces largest transport aircraft, the C17 Globemaster, makes a visit.
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Flying in low over Cottonwood
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Lights on, making it's run toward the Stampede Grounds
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Wheels down, but it didn't land. The amount of fuel to take off again would run your car for a year.
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After the Stampede it makes another pass by the world's largest teepee and then heads for the Lethbridge International Air Show.
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July 20 - Gramma goes to Edmonton
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Gunnar gets a first glimpse of what is in Gramma's car. It's the red bycycle Uncle Brian bought while Gunnar was in Katy, TX.
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And being safety concisious, we have to have a helmet, and cool sun glasses like Uncle Brian.
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And we went to the train museum.
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Dacy went too, but wasn't all that interested.
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July 13 - Ball Tournament and Update on Taffy.
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Lutz played in the Medcine Hat Senior Men's Slowpitch Tournament. It was hot, but fun as always. We went 1-2-1.
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And for those who are keeping track, Taffy is growing and just fine. Bad hair day today - well everyday.
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July 6 - Judy's done driving and we wind up in Texas - and love it.
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Let's start with Judy's year end. Only a part of the gifts in appreciation of driving the kids to and from school all year.
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To celebrate the year end, we fly to Texas where it's 95F (35C), and a pool to cool off
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The Joneses treat us to a major league ball game. Great seats and great game! Astros vs Dodgers.
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Pool volleyball tournament. Grampa and Rio (deep end) vs Deanna and Gramma (shallow end). More pictures here
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June 22 - An up and coming Sous Chef, Living on the edge, a hawk, and Thomas Train stuff
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For those that don't have access to this on Facebook, I just had to pull this picture of Gunnar in Texas in May. Spatula and topping, the master Sous Chef is about to do his work.
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This is a tough way to edge grass along the sidewalk, but Judy never shy's away from hard work.
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Caught this guy/gal sitting on a fence south of Medicine Hat. This shot is at about 24 X zoom.
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And Gunnar celebrates his new Thomas train comforter and calls Gramma to show his excitement.
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June 15 - Happy Fathers Day, Fort Edmonton Park, Dacy's Dedication
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Ed (1920 - 1977)
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Fritz Sr. (1915 - 2006)
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Lutz
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Brian
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Mike
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Ade
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The fathers in our lives - We remember and Happy Father's Day
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Gunnar sits on Gramma's knee as the train at Fort Edmonton leaves the station.
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Grampa and Gunnar pose in front of the steam engine.
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Always under the watchful eye of Gramma, Gunnar and cousin Carter check out the pond
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Dacy and Gramma
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At Dacy's dedication, a Perschon portrait.
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A typical scene, Gramma reads to Gunnar.
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June 8 - Taffy, Taffy, and Gem
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Recently Taffy stayed at a friend's house, and met Zoe, a Golden Retriever. They played most of the day.
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Taffy also met Keshia. "Yuk, a cat, and it's bigger than me. Thanks for taking care of me Pam."
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At home Taffy gets Gem by the tail.
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Decides it's safer to pick on someone her own size.
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"Out on the trail I get to sit on the Dad's back."
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"Wow that sucker is hard to haul up the stairs."
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May 25 - Ball and dogs
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First ball tournament of the year. Forecast was for rain all day...
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...but it only drizzled occasionally so we had a good day.
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Now isn't this just the saddest thing you ever saw. "We want in."
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Taffy can fit in the shelves of the coffee table and uses that to attack and retreat from Gem.
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May 18 - The Long Weekend
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Now this is what you call one spoiled dog.
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While fixing the weed eater I thought I would sit on this box, forgetting for a moment there was nothing in it, except now me.
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And this is the new battery powered self propelled mower. Environmentally friendly and was in the box before I fell in.
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Taffy is introduced to the wild west walking trail where other legendary dogs have run and played. Did very well with those short legs.
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On a hot day after half the walk Gem loves to swim in the irrigation canal
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And of course it the alpha leader goes in so must the alpha follower, but Judy has a leash on her just in case.
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May 11 - Mothers, Taffy, Gunnar in Texas and Kananaskis
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Joyce (1926 - 2006)
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Dorothea (1923 - 2005)
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Judy
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Deanna
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Jenica
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Jamie
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The mothers in our lives - We remember and Happy Mother's Day
Taffy, the newest member of our family. Taffy is a 13 week old Cock-a-poo. More pictures here
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Mike, Jen, Gunnar, and Dacy are in Texas visiting the Joneses. Gunnar watches Uncle Brian real close to see how to do it.
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Lutz was in Kananaskis last week and this was his truck Friday morning as he went to pack up.
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The anniversary flowers are lasting a long time, just like the marriage.
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May 4 - A weekend of Achievements - 40 Year Anniversary and 2 Grads
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 Carmen Fairman graduated with a Bachelor of Christian Ministries at the young age of 71. Ceremonies were held this weekend at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary & College in
Cochrane, Alberta.
Congratulations Carmen!
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 Mike Perschon successfully defended his Master's thesis, which was the last step to attaining his Masters Degree in Comparative Literature at the University of Alberta.
Congratulations Mike!
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Apr 20 - Winter is back with Vengeance
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Winter came back this weekend with vengeance. It started Friday night and by Sunday 10:00 AM it looked like this. The weather forecast was calling for snow throughout the day and into Monday.
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Just for comparison, this was last weekend. Judy in shorts and T shirt, 25 C, and not a trace of snow anywhere.
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Gem was up to her belly in snow. Go get that flake! Shoveled the sidewalk, but the driveway can wait for the sun to shine!
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 A week or so ago we sent around a picture with the following caption: "I know you're thinking this is a long lost pictures of Patches. But it's not. It's a terrier/whippet mix named Lyra...
So as a comparison, the top picture is actually Patches and the bottom is Lyra. She is up for adoption in Chaska, MN.
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April 14 - Judy and Gem
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"Hi, it's me again. Right now Judy is keeping up"
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"Now I have to wait for her, but she walks a very fast pace and that makes a dog thirsty"
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"I don't like that bottled water. This water that's been sitting in the canal all winter is so much better."
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In order to keep up with me, Judy has to be an amazing woman. and she is."
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April 6 - Kyra at the Olympic Trials and Rio Does Volleyball
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Kyra attended the Canadian Olympic trials in Montreal. She swam 3 events, the 100 backstroke, 200 freestyle, and 200 backstroke. She did not qualify in any, but it was a great accomplishment just to be there. We are all proud. Her best race was the 200 backstroke.
See Race Here
It is a large file and even at that not that clear. It may take a couple of minutes to download. Kyra is in the lower yellow lane ropes.
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Rio was in another Volleyball tournament and in one game served up a 10 consecutive points. WOW!! We are so proud of her.
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March 30 - Out Like a Lion, Happy Birthday Brian, and GO KYRA GO!!
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Don't remember if it came in like a lamb, but March went out like a lion. At least 3 inches fell Sunday evening.
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And while we didn't like shoveling, Gem loved the snow.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN
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Good luck Kyra at the Olympic trials in Montreal!!
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March 23 - Happy Birthday Rio and Mike, and Deanna and Rio meet Dacy.
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Rio's Birthday dinner at Montana's in Edmonton, with the horns
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Happy Birthday Mike. He's actually more than 1 by a few.
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Dacy says "this is my Auntie De...
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...and this is my cousin Rio"
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March 16 - Gramma and Gem
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Gramma reads with her eyes closed, but she's not napping.
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Out on the prairie, "I know there's a gopher in there".
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All that running, "I need a drink".
"But if you want to run in the mud...
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...you get a bath. Can you believe it?"
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March 9. 2008 - Flashback, Dacy, Gem, and the Jones Family
You tell me. Is there a resemblance or not?
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Latest Dacy
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Spring is here and Gem loves sunning herself.
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The Jones Family were on National US television on a program called Sunday Morning on CBS. It was part of a story on sleep, or not enough of it as the case may be.
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March 2, 2008 - One spoiled dog, Mickey & Minnie, A snowman that won't melt.
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Gem and Judy out on the trail where other legends have run.
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Spoiled dog.
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This has got to be Judy's SB kids favourite one of a kind shirt. Unfortunately it's becoming thread bare.
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Gunnar (with help from his mom) made a snowman from things Gramma sent, that won't melt - because the one on the lawn did.
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Feb 24 - More Dacy, Gunnar, and the Texas State Champ.
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Gunnar, Dacy, and Gramma together in the "Tunnel Tent".
They spent last week together.
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Mike and Judy (with Dacy) share a light moment.
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The arrow points at Kyra. If you look closely you can see the other swimmers in a 'V' beside her, much like geese fly.
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In the 400 Medely relay - Gold medal.
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Kyra retained her status as the Texas State Champion in the 100 Meter Backstroke in Austin, TX on Saturday.
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Presentation of the 400 Bk Strk
The three medals are for
400 Medely Relay (gold),
500 Freestyle (Silver),
100 Backstroke. (Gold)
Congratulations Kyra!
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Feb 17 - A visit to see Dacy
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And here she is, warm and snuggly in her car seat.
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And this was Dacy's position for a good portion of the weekend.
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and with grampa but not nearly as much.
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But it wasn't just Dacy. Here's the snow man crew.
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More Pictures of the Weekend Here
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Feb 10. 2008 - Something New and Wonderful
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This is Dacy Mae, born Feb 6, 2008
She was 8 lbs 3 oz and arrived about 11:05 AM
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WIth her mother Jenica
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and with her father Mike
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with a very pround brother Gunnar
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WELCOME DACY!!
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Feb 5, 2008 - Something New
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What we were hoping for this week was for Jenica to have her baby, but that didn't happen yet, so....
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...we bought a 2007 Chev Impala to tide us over to the really big event. Unfortunately the sun had gone down so the colour shows darker than it really is. See inset for better indication.
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Jan 26, 2008 - GEM
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Hi, my name is GEM. I'm the newest addition to the family. Probably the best looking too, but hey that's just my opinion.
I'm a 6 year old German Shepherd and I've been hanging around the Lethbridge and District Humane Society shelter for the last 4 months.
And speaking of hanging around the Haven, I want to thank all those nice volunteers who looked after me there.
But now to tell you a little about my new adventures.
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This is our trip from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat. Long car ride but lots to see on the way.
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This is the lady of the house. She loves brushing me.
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And this is my new back yard, lots of space.
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And for you dog lovers click here for more pictures of me
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Jan 20, 2008 - Celebrating 20 Years of Driving
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Judy in her current bus 785.
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Certificate from TRAXX (Tot-em Transportation)
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Close up of the veteran driver.
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One of the older buses. There have been 6 buses over the 20 years.
Thanks from all the students that got to school and home again over 20 years.
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Jan 8, 2008 - New Year's Eve In Texas, New Year's Week In Edmonton
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Happy New Year - Fireworks
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The whole gang was there to watch.
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After arriving in Edmonton we have Christmas all over again
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Gunnar and Jenica unwrap Winnie the Pooh stuff
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Of course Gramma gets crazy with Gunnar
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This is our version of Rock Band - real drums
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