Shaw's Point Getaway

The girls and I were able to get away for a couple days and visit some friends who were camping at Shaw's Point. It was so fun to relax at the beach and enjoy the sun! It sure made us anxious for our family holiday! I got a few wonderful pics of the girls playing in the water. This was supposed to be the night that we just went for a beach walk, as it wasn't so sunny. The girls ended up going in the water with their clothes. They were all trying to get Mckenna in the water, and she did a pretty good job of keeping her distance from them. Just when they would almost catch her, she would put on a burst of speed. I knew that she would never be caught until she wanted to be caught. And, sure enough, she eventually let them push her in.

Dad's Half Way Day

To begin the celebration of Bill's Half Way Day, the girls were treated to a facial at the junior spa here in town. Step one- pull the hair off the face with a head band.

 Step two- wrap faces with a hot wet towel. Cute noses!

 Step three- brush on the brown mix and relax with the cool pack "cucumbers" over their eyes. Well, our girls didn't relax for long! They were poking and elbowing, half sitting up to peak at what the others looked like, and giggling, giggling, giggling!

 When the mix was wiped off, their faces were massaged and they had cream applied. Here they are showing off their smooth faces. I wanted to feel, but Kota said, "Just a little, cuz my pores are still exposed."

We then headed over to the mini golf and had an ice cream cone and golfed a round. I chose the black ball and played "for dad". I must say I got a few holes-in-one and actually parred the course (44). I should pretend I'm Bill more often!

Here is Ains posing beside the Eiffel Tower. Someday, my girl, you will visit the real one! We had a super fun day together and are now super excited to begin the count down til Bill is home. I must admit that I like the count down from the halfway mark far better than I like the countdown from the start!

18 days, my love!

Bill's Second Hitch

 Bill left on June 26th for his second trip over to Africa. It came with tears, but we are crossing off the days with excitement because then we are on our month long family holiday! The first photo is a view from the airport in Frankfurt, Germany. He flew a little bit of a different route this time. He had very long lay overs but he arrived safe and sound. During one of his lay overs in Algiers, a driver took him to the Halliburton compound so he could try to get a little rest. Bill said the room they let him rest in was one of the rooms that the Halliburton big wigs stay in when they visit Algiers. YOu can certainly see how different the room is compared to Bill's room in Hassi.

 This is a photo of the freeway that is right outside of the Halliburton offices in Algiers.

Bill said that when he got bak to work he was swamped with all of the crossover notes and work that carried over from Kelly's shift. After that died down, it has been business as usual. Extremely hot temperatures right now...he is always telling us mid 50's. Yikes! I will not complain when it reaches 30 here. He hasn't been sleeping well this time 'round. He was battling a cold when he left home, so that has worn him out. As well, there is a flu bug going around right now, so unfortunately he caught that too, and is battling that. He is eating what he can from the cafeteria, but he did bring over some rice pouches and tuna snacks from home, so he has a little food on hand in his room. He has met a few more people this time and has been visiting with a few at supper or at BBQ's- I was glad to hear that! The girls and I really miss him, but we are almost to the halfway mark! I sure hope he starts to feel better soon!

Grade 8 Prom

I could not even begin to tell you why I can not move these two photos over...I guess they are so special that they want their own special place on the blog page. Unfortunately Bill had to leave for Algeria just a couple days before Kenna's prom, so I asked him to put on a nice shirt and Kenna dawned her dress so I could get some photos of the two of them. They look fabulous together and Bill looks so proud! Of course I had to get a shot of the pj pants that were never supposed to "be in the shot". I love these daddy/daughter shots!

This is Mckenna's good friend Victoria. They are so excited for their evening to start! 

 Victoria, Courtney, Kelsi, and Kenna

The theme of the prom was Japan...a very fitting theme, seeing as they stud that topic in Gr.8 Social.

Mckenna getting her certificate from the principal. She also received an engraved key chain because she earned honours in every subject. She is keeping the key chain for her car keys...I say house keys...

Our beautiful girls

I got Victoria to take a shot of the 4 of us.

Ains and Kota just heading in to the gym. Can you believe these young ladies are entering Grade 5 and 6? When did that happen? They wored very hard this year and had an excellent report card that they should be very proud of. I know we are!

 A photo of the waterfall braid...

We are so proud of Mckenna! She worked so hard this year, both academically and athletically. She worked hard to find a balanc between school and sports. It is hard to believe that she is moving to the high school to begin Grade 9. Are we really on the downslope?

Pipestone Pals

 We ventured out to Pipestone Creek today to enjoy the sun! That is the first time I have ever been out there, and really can't wait to go back. It is the perfect swimming hole/beachy area that is close by us. The river is about 100 meters behind this little spot. This little spot is almost like a river overflow at one time that is now always there and replenished with rain water. Very safe and full of mud/silt, so therefore, the girls had a hoot jumping, swimming, and having mud fights.
The above video is the only one that was short enough to email from my phone, so it is the only one I can post.

 Kota and Ains each made a big mud pie when we first got settled.

 It took Mckenna a little longer to decide that she wanted to go in. It was a tad chilly, but once she got used to it, she enjoyed herself for a couple hours!

 While Kenna was eating, Kota started making a huge stalk pile of mud so that her and Ains could attack Kenna.

Mckenna then snuck around through the weeds and bushes and came out at the stock pile for a surprise attack!

 Middle sister is getting it...in the face...

The girls had so much fun! I did too! I started a new book- my usual summer Danielle Steele...this one is called "Five Days in Paris". I didn't get too far into my book because the highlight of the afternoon was listening to my squealing girls. They enjoyed throwing mud and attacking each other- I enjoyed hearing the happiness in their voices. They enjoyed using logs as their canoes and paddles- I enjoyed their imagination and am thankful they still feel free to use it. They enjoyed having snacks by the water's edge- I enjoyed preparing the snacks for our healthy, growing girls. They enjoyed the mud and water- I enjoyed the fact that there was no technology out there. They enjoyed spending time with each other- I enjoyed knowing that they were creating yet another wonderful sister memory. They enjoyed the sun and heat- I enjoyed the sun and heat. I am so thankful that Dakota was relentless in asking if we could go to that little spot. Who knew one little spot could offer such a huge amount of happiness!

Bill's Adventure #5

For some reason these didn't load with the others...anyway, this is the view of the the shop from the Landing outside of Bill's office. His office is up on the second floor. 

Again- another big desert unit with big tires.

Bill's Adventure #4

Bill moved into his new room a couple days ago and we (the girls and I) were sure relieved to see the upgrade. Below are some shots of his room. It sure does look a lot home-ier. I was a lot more settled once I saw all of these new photos he sent.

He also sent a coupe of his office. Again- WAY more modernized than I imagined. It is air conditioned and is much bigger than his office in GP.

Bill took a photo of one of the desert units. He said the tires are almost as tall as he is.

                                                        This is a shot of the outside bay.

                                                         Another shot on the grounds.

Somehow I missed adding this one with the room photos, but this is a shot of Bill being his cheeky self with his tongue hanging out.

Bill is still eating lots of chicken and had lamb one night that he said wasn't too bad. He usually has a half an omlette in the morning with a few french fries and then pasta or rice with a few veggies and the chicken. He tried a beef burger once that he wasn't too keen on, so I'm sure he will stick to chicken. He said that they are offered french fries during the breakfast, and hashbrowns will be offered for lunch or supper.

Everytime we talk to him he is sounding more and more settled- which is wonderful to hear. He has long days at work and then goes to supper and is usually sleeping by just after 8:00. That's good-it makes the time pass quickly for him.

May 4th is the halfway day and then we are on the down side. May 4th is next Friday- it is approaching very quickly!

On his trip home, his flights were changed a bit and he has to sit in the Algiers airport for 8 hours. He is not very happy about that, as this was the airport with the heavy police and military presence. Hopefully he can just find a corner and read his book. He wishes it were any other stop but that one.