Girls weekend!

We have been planning this Girl's weekend for a few months now. The last time we did a girls weekend was 2 years ago August 2008 when most of us were pregnant. So fun!

So we thought it was time to do it again. This time Sheri Melanson, Melanie Stanford, Emily Stanford and I all went...the rest of the girls couldn't come. We decided to try out Kalispell this time as we went to Great Falls last time. The drive to Kalispell is way nicer, but the shopping was about the same. No better really, no worse than Great Falls...at least that is what I think.

Where do I begin...first of all, can I say I have THEE prettiest sister in laws!! They are all pretty natural too...darn them ha ha!! I am the oldest of all of them and let me tell you do I ever feel it and look it...they are too cute!

This is us...Barb, Sheri, Melanie and Emily!

Let me explain the hats...we were walking downtown Kalispell on Saturday checking out all the little shops. And we came across this place that had the neatest stuff in it. We had a good time trying on all these different hats from all sorts of different era's...so fun!! I love hats...I don't look the greatest in them...but they are fun!

Ok, so now I need to rewind a little bit and start at the beginning...we left Crossfield Friday, July 30 around 8 a.m. Sheri picked us all up. Emily stayed the night at Melanie's as she is from Strathmore and this just made it easier. It felt like Christmas as it was so exciting and I couldn't wait to get on the road.

The trip down was long as we went over Logan's Pass and there was lot's of construction on it. But atleast the view was pretty. We even got pulled over cause Sheri was speeding ha ha!

We arrived in Kalispell at our hotel around 4 p.m. I think it was. So we checked in (lets just say our hotel was dated) and then went and did some shopping before we had supper. We ate supper at Ihop and that was actually really good...but very filling!

Friday night we went and saw this movie.


Good movie...tear jerker for sure!

Saturday we did LOT's of shopping. And found some interesting stores and checked them out...like the hat place. Emily did the most buying and shopping out of all of us I must say. Our backs and feet hurt, but it was all good.

We went into this Antique store and they had these cool Knights helmets that we just had to try on. I am in the top left corner then Sheri, then Melanie and Emily. They were VERY heavy and stinky LOL!

The weather was pretty good..it rained one evening and a little part of one day. I have to say I was amazed with how many Cardston people I saw down there. We even ran into Kent's Aunt Ruth and her husband.

For supper we went to this Mongoli Grill place. I was hesitant as I have never ate at a place like that...let's just say it was DELICIOUS! I am so glad we went...I have been craving it ever since.

Our chef was showing off for us as we waited for him to cook our food.


Saturday evening we saw another movie...

Typical Angelina Jolie movie...Mission Impossible like.


Sunday was not our typical day...
Yes we were bad and went shopping on Sunday. We were at Costco shopping and we all got so tired. You can see Emily and Melanie sitting on the couches in the top picture. We were all just dragging and wanting to be lazy! We tried to pack in everything we needed to as this was our last day to get things done.

Sheri went and grabbed herself a bath mat and layed on a bed in the Costco. Melanie and I had been sitting on the couch for quite a while and then Emily joined us. We sat there for quite a while and it was funny to watch people looking at Sheri laying on the bed as they walked by.

We decided to go to dinner at this yummy BBQ place (Dave's BBQ or something like that).

This is my supper...it was A LOT of food...but ohhhh so good!

Emily and Sheri enjoying their meal...they weren't happy that I took this picture LOL!

After we were done eating we rolled ourselves over to the movie theater for one last movie...too funny that we saw a movie EVERY night. Going to a movie is something we don't get to do as often as we would like to having a little one and all. So it was fun to be able to do this!


This movie had us laughing and was pretty good. Our boys will like it for sure!

When we got into the theater we were the ONLY ones there. It wasn't a huge theater, but we were still surprised it was just us in there. Funny thing is is that we all went and sat in different rows and put our feet up. We were laughing about it and I said,

"too bad someone wasn't here to take a picture for us."

And then this guy came around the corner and said,

"I'll do it!"

We all laughed as he shocked us.

The picture isn't great but here we are. All 4 of us sitting in our different rows. I am at the top in the back row, Emily, Sheri and then Melanie.

The guy who took our picture is from Grand Prairie but lives in Cleveland with his wife. So we visited with them and were cracking jokes before the movie.


Monday morning...

Trying to pack everything in the back of Sheri's vehicle. There was an older couple sitting on their balcony watching us get it all packed in. They said they weren't sure we were going to be able to get it all in there and had fun watching us figure it all out LOL!

We stayed at the Travel Lodge downtown Kalispell. It was OLD, but the location was good. The mall was right close by as well.



On our way home...

Emily wanted to stop at this cute market on our way home to get Gary some Huckleberry stuff. The market was called the Huckleberry Patch. It had lot's of random things in there. There was even a little cafe with ice cream and treats and food.

This stand of stuff made us all laugh and I just had to take a picture...

I was tempted to buy this for Kent (wink, wink)


There was all these HILARIOUS signs with funny sayings on them and this one was my favorite by far...

This sign is hard to read but it says:

Go Braless...
It'll pull the wrinkles
out of your face!
(bwhahaha...how funny is that!)



We each got some ice cream and treats and this is the view we saw as we came out of the market...so pretty!

We arrived back home around 7 p.m. on Monday. It was good to be back home. It was a great trip and we had some fun talks in the vehicle.

What was said in the vehicle STAYS in the vehicle...RIGHT GIRLS!!!

It was nice to come home to happy faces and so many hugs and kisses...even Buddy was happy to see me. I felt VERY loved and missed!

Thanks girls it was SO MUCH fun! I am glad we did it and look forward to the next time =)

Grandma Gayla's visit

My Mom decided to come up for a quick visit from Tuesday, July 20-Friday, July 23. My sister in law's (Melanie, who lives here in Crossfield as well) Mom (Rita) was coming up to bring back Melanie's 2 oldest kids back home that had been visiting them down in Cardston for a while. My Mom and Rita know each other very well so Mom decided to come up with her.

My Mom had me get this muscle therapy thing for her that we had been raving to her about. We had bought it from the Stampede and told her all about it. It is amazing!! It helps with sore muscles, arthritis, joint pain, cold sores, any type of sting, mosquito bites, sinus colds, headaches etc. We use it a lot and it has been SO helpful with all my neck pain. I was spending a TON of money at the chiropractor each week because my neck constantly was out. And since I have been using this and it works on the muscle I haven't had to go back to the chiro for almost 3 weeks now. Don't get me wrong...I love the chiropractor still, but this little machine will help!

Here is Mom, Cole and Tyson trying it out. It was pretty funny to watch them...cause if you have it on too strong it can really hurt LOL! It is the strangest thing how this little thing can make your muscles move the way it does...LOVE IT!!

I had my Mom pick up this mirror that I had my eye on that was down in one of the cute stores in Cardston. So she brought that up for me.

As you can see I have yet to hang it...I keep forgetting to buy wall anchors for the darn thing. It is super heavy! I am so excited to have this hanging on my wall by the front door...CAN'T WAIT!!

The frame around the actual mirror is tin...so pretty!



"Ma Ma"...Grandma!
My Mom is called a few different names in our family...all good ones of course =) Brynley calls her "Ma Ma" the boys call her either Grandma Gayla or G.G. which of course is short for Grandma Gayla. Kent came up with the G.G. name years ago and he was quite pleased with himself. At first I don't think my Mom liked it much, but now she is used to it.

Funny story: When Tyson was little and just starting to talk I will never forget when he was first was able to say Grandma...because he said, "Dama" ha ha ha! I of course called my Mom on the phone and had Tyson say "hi Dama" she was shocked and laughed and laughed and said, "well I never thought my name was going to be like a swear." And every time we were around her and he said "Dama" she would cringe and laugh...so funny!

The first morning Bryn woke up she of course forgot that "Ma Ma" was at our house.
Mom was down stairs getting ready and she could hear Brynley so she began gently calling Brynley's name as she stood at the bottom of the stairs. Bryn was in my room with me when I heard Mom calling her and so I said,

"Bryn, who's that...listen"

Bryn was quiet and she could hear my Mom calling her and her eyebrows shot up in her head and her eyes were huge and she smiled and I said,

"who's that"

Bryn jumped off my bed and went running and said,

"Ma ma!"


When she saw my Mom at the bottom of the stairs it was the cutest thing. Brynley lit up and was so happy to see her "Ma ma". She went down the stairs as fast as she could and Mom picked her up and this is what I saw...look at that face...she is one happy little girl!

Bryn gave Mom the biggest and longest hugs and kept saying, "Ma Ma". She was so happy to have her there and was gibbering away to Mom...so cute!



Hair Fun!

One of my Mom's most favorite things to do is hair. As a child I ALWAYS had my hair done so cute! We never left the house without our hair done and a ri bbon in it. She was always so creative with the hair styles she would come up with...and she still is.

Now it is quite a challenge to actually "do" Bryn's hair, as she DOES NOT hold still AT ALL!

We sit her on the counter with her feet in the sink and give her things to play with to distract her for as long as it takes to get'r done LOL! She usually likes to have a cup with the water running a little for her to play in OR a toothbrush and she likes to brush her teeth.


Mom did such a good job and Bryn looked so cute! I am not sure who is happier Bryn or Mom in these pictures...can ya tell they like each othe r juuuussst a little bit =)




Quality time...
Mom has ALWAYS been so good about spending time with the kids when she is with them. Cause really, in the end that is all they are wanting is time...time to play, time to talk etc.

She was out in the back yard with the kids most days. Here in these pictures her, Tyson and Brynley are playing with Bryn's ball. Tyson would throw it and Mom would lift and swing Brynley and have her kick it. They were all laughing and having a good time playing this game. So simple, but it means so much t o them!

Kids playing and Mom sat out there and crocheted and visited with them as they were out there.

One evening they roasted hot dogs over the bonfire and had chip s and smores and roasted Starburts as well. Kent was working and I was working as well so there are no pictures to show. But they had a great time and they were so happy she did this with them.


My time with Mom...

I wanted to take Mom out to get a pedicure and I needed my nails done. So we did just that. Cole babysat Bryn and I made Tyson go with us...he was NOT happy about that...but too bad for him, that is what he gets for always fighting with his brother when we are gone. Tyson was ticked, but once he saw there was a Dollarama close by he chilled out. I gave him some money and he walked over and checked things out to pass the time away while we were busy...it was all good! We had Donairs for lunch...YUMMY!! They were ohhhh sooo good...I have got my Mom hooked =) It was a quick outing, but fun to get away together and spoil my Mom a little bit.

Despicable Me Movie

We, (Mom, Tyson and I) went and saw this oh-so funny and cute, cute movie in the theater with Melanie and her kids. No we did not take Cole and Bryn as Cole didn't care to see it so we had him babysit Bryn so Mom and I could go...really cute show! The popcorn was awesome as usual ha ha!



Each morning Bryn would go downstairs to find "Ma Ma". Mom was usually in the bathroom getting ready. So Mom would sit her on the counter and Bryn would help herself to whatever she could grab...toothbrushes, makeup, combs etc...and she likes to do whatever you are doing at that time.

Bryn put on Mom's reading glasses and kept looking at herself in the mirror smiling...what a girl! She loves to be with her "Ma Ma"!

Mom's visit was spur of the minute and short but sweet...SO glad you came up Mom!

Love you and THANK YOU, THANK YOU for being you ;)

I hope you know how loved you are...we are going to miss having you around for the next couple of years while you are on your mission.

Cole's 1st Young Men's Camp!

Cole was excited to pack and get ready for YM's camp. He was leaving Wednesday, July 14 - Saturday, July 17th 2010. They headed about 50 minutes north of here...so they were to far.

Cole checking over his list and gathering everything he needed for his camping trip.

Kent and I had told Cole that he needed to pack lightly cause it all needed to fit into his hiking bag and he had to carry it. He of course scoffed at us and said it would be,

"no problem, it's not like all of this is going to be heavy."

Cole putting on his bag and realizing that is was heavier than he thought it would be and really awkward to carry. I didn't say I told ya so or anything...I just smiled and he looked at me and shook his head and laughed!

He was happy to go and we were happy to have him go ha ha...love him!

He came home Saturday evening very dirty and tired. He had an ok time he said, but he was frustrated with a couple of the kids that were there. They were 2 brothers that fought the whole time and were swearing and causing problems for everyone...and it just changed the mood around camp a lot he said. He said Tyson and him fighting was nothing like how these 2 brothers fought...good grief, is all I could say!

Cole and I talked about how people act can affect the mood and the spirit that is there and ruin it for everyone. I told him that is one of the many reasons why we are here on this earth is to try to be a good person and live the life that Heavenly Father would like us to live. And be the person Heavenly Father knows we can be.

Now, I told him Satan works very hard on all of us and tempts us all at some points in our lives. How we choose to react to this is up to us...you can let Satan win...or you can fight to do what is right...the choice is up to you. But, if you let Satan win he is laughing. I told him when he goes on a mission he is going to have companions that he may not get a long with, but he will have to figure out a positive way to serve with his companion whether they like each other or not. Same way with people that we meet in our daily lives...be the best person you can be and don"t let others bring you down!

That Sunday (July 18) Cole was sitting in Priesthood when they called him up to talk about his YM camp. Cole was shocked he said. And then afterwards Cole was asked to speak in church that following Sunday to tell the whole Ward about the camp and what he learned spiritually.

Cole's talk...

When it came time to get Cole to write down his talk (click the word talk that is highlighted and you can read his talk) he did a really good job and did most of it all on his own. He wasn't nervous (or didn't let on that he was) and he did a good job giving his talk. His Aunt Melanie spoke in church as well that Sunday, so that was kind of neat. And then I was asked to give the closing prayer so there was a lot of Stanford's participating in Sacrament meeting on Sunday =)

The Lake

Boating on Glennifer Lake

Saturday, July 24 2010

We haven't had much of a Summer because of the horrible weather we have been having. So this past Saturday was the first time we all were able to go on the boat. The weather was awesome...FINALLY!!

Kent (our kids) and Jeff and his son Logan went up before Melanie and her girls and I. I had a hair appointment early Saturday morning in Airdrie (which was booked 2 months ago) and so Melanie waited for me to be done so we could go up together. That way we wouldn't have 2 of our vehicles up at the lake. Thanks Melanie, that was VERY kind and helpful! So yes, I had my hair done and then went boating...very backwards but what can ya do LOL!

Kent doing what he loves to do...drive the boat, be on the boat and simply having fun with everyone! Handsome isn't he =)

Brynley and I playing on the beach in the sand together.


Cute bathing suit
front view

Brynley and her oh-so cute bathing suit! The ruffles were the cutest part. As she walked they would bounce up and down...love it!

back view

As you can see there was sand/mud that she got all over it from playing on the beach. So the suit is ruined as I can get the brown out of it. Oh well, at least she has 3 others suits still ha ha!

The greatest Auntie's ever...

Aunt Sheri helping Bryn get water in the bucket to take up to the beach.

Sheri and her family were at the beach with all of us and she joined in helping the kids bring water to there big hole they had dug in the sand.

Brynley is funny when she sees Aunt Melanie as she always wants Melanie to hold her or be with her. Melanie is always good about it and Brynley eats it up =)


Aunt Melanie spent a lot of time with Bryn in the water as Brynley kept trying to kick at the waves as they came in. It is so fun to watch her! She had such a good time that day.


The tube...

Jade (cousin) and Tyson on the tube. They did really well and didn't fall off. Mind you Kent is careful with them to make sure they don't fall off.

Brynley was really good about wearing her life jacket on the boat. But it was funny to watch her as she literally could hardly move when she had it on.


Uncle Jeff, Kori (cousin), Aunt Melanie, Bryn and Avery (cousin)

Kori, Jade and Brynley

Bryn wanted to be with Aunt Melanie on the boat. And then when her Kori and Jade decided to come sit up front by me, Bryn followed.


Jeff getting ready to wake board behind the boat. Bryn loved to be right there watching whoever when they were getting ready to be pulled behind the boat.

Brynley was cute cause after listening so many times to us saying,
"are you ready" (to whoever was in the water) she turned to us and said,
"eddy, et, go!" (ready, set, go) and pointed her finger like go...

Jeff did really well and got up right away. The water was really choppy that day cause of the wind, but he still managed to get up.




Brynley fell asleep in my arms on the boat while we were out.

I love that quiet/snuggle time...it is the best! After a while we just laid her down out of the way and continued to drive around and have fun on the boat. She slept for about an hour =)



Cole, Logan (cousin) and Tyson on the tube coming back in.

Jeff and Kent were in the boat pulling the boys. I am not sure who was happier the little boys on the tube or the men on the boat. We were all so happy to be at the lake!


Brynley and Avery (cousin)

Avery is 4 months younger than Brynley. They both had a lot of fun playing in the sand and getting COVERED in it.

Kent wake boarding...

I had a hard time getting a good shot of Kent because of the glare from the water and the sun.

It was fun to watch him do it and try new things while he was out there. The water was VERY choppy, but he did really well. Brynley was sitting on my lap on the boat facing Kent as he was out there and she kept waving at Kent and saying, "yeah!" She was very proud of her Daddy!



Jade and Tyson...
how cute is Jade eh?!

Jade and Ty had fun playing in the water. It amazes me to watch all of these kids...they seem to be getting so big so fast! I love that they all get along so well.



The 4 boys...Cole, Taylor, Josh and Tyson!
I wasn't out on the boat when the older 4 boys were out being pulled on the tube and jumping off the boat. So of course there are not many pictures of them...DARN!!

Cole and Taylor (cousin)

But, from what I was told they had a GREAT time out there. Kent always stops the boat out in the middle of the lake and then they play games...like who has the best dive and so they all dive off the boat and Jeff and Kent are the judges. They do this with all sorts of things...all 4 boys ALWAYS end up being first with something they do =)


Being typical boys they had a mud fight out in the water.

Tyson and Taylor began making a big mud ball on the beach. Tyson then decided to cover himself with the mud...and much to our surprise the mud almost was greenish in color. Melanie teased Tyson and said, "you look like Hulk"...so then he started acting like Hulk and flexing his muscles ha ha!

I bought some sand toys from the dollar store and they had these cute butterflies. The kids really liked them. This was Bryn's first time doing all of this...well, that she can remember anyways. She was in her glory!

Jeff, Tyson and Barb

So Tyson begged me to get on the tube with him...and I caved...even though I was scared to death! When you get thrown off of the tube it can hurt something fierce!

All 3 of us got thrown off at one point and I was launched over top of both of them...I thought for sure I had broken my neck with how I hit the water. So when I reached up out of the water to try to figure out which end was up I ended up punching Tyson in the head LOL! I didn't realize he was so close to me in the water.

We all got back on and tried it again. We had just got going when the tube hit a wave just right and it literally bucked me off of the tube...I went FLYING!!

As I am in the water I could hear Jeff and Tyson LAUGHING their heads off as they never fell off...somehow they managed to hold on. So I was the only one in the water this time...it was FREEEEEZING!!

Me trying to pull my sore aching body onto the boat was not the most graceful thing ha ha...I was exhausted!

Barb in the drivers seat!
Kent and Jeff wanted a turn on the tube so Kent gave me a quick lesson on how to drive the boat. I couldn't believe they were actually going to trust me to pull them on the tube ha ha...revenge was sweet...mwhahahaha!!

It was really fun driving the boat...Tyson took this picture of me.

I quite enjoyed myself...hearing the shrieks of my brother in law and husband screaming like little girls was AWESOME!! LOL

Actually I didn't torture them and they said I did a really good job and gave them a fun ride.



Barb, Brynley, Kent and Jade


It was near the end of the day and we were heading back into shore. So we piled onto the tube with Bryn and Jeff ever-so-slowly pulled us. She enjoyed it and had the biggest grin on her face. I will be honest...I was a nervous wreck the whole time she was on there LOL!

It was such a fun day from beginning to end. I am so glad we were able to go boating FINALLY!!