Canada Trip: Part 2 - Garth

I was able to check something off my own personal Bucket List while in Canada.

The second night we were there, I went to....wait for it, waaaaaiiiit for it...

a GARTH BROOKS CONCERT!!!!!

 

There was a time in my life, so long ago, when country music was a big, HUGE part of my life.  It was all I listened to.  I dreamt of cowboys, listened to all the sappy songs and LOVED it.

And I. Loved. Garth.  LOVED him. Like loved him so much that all I wanted for Christmas one year was a black silk tour jacket with his signature embroidered across the back.  Didn't get it...still not happy about that, but we'll leave it in the past! :-)  Anyways, then I moved to the big city when I was 15 and country music wasn't as cool there as it had been in the small town I'd lived in.  And even though I still loved it, it slowly faded in importance in my life.  I rarely listen to it now, partly because me Mister isn't a fan, like at all, but mostly because I don't really enjoy the new stuff that's out there now.  I like the good stuff, from 20 years ago...the stuff that will always hold a special place in my heart.

Soooo...we had found out several months back that Garth would be performing during The Calgary Stampede this year and I wasn't about to let this opportunity pass me by.  My sisters and I bought tickets and I have been looking forward to this day ever since!

 

Katrina, Benita and I all westerned up for the big night!! :-)

 

 

On our way there and sooooooooooooooo excited!!!

 

My other sister, Tausha also had tickets with her husband and two of their kids...but we were all sitting in separate parts of the arena.

 

I could see Katrina from where I was sitting.

 

I was behind the stage and to the left of it a bit and it turned out to be such a fabulous seat.

Just waiting for the concert to start!

 

And waiting for Garth to take the stage!!!!

 

Aaaaaahhhhh....a dream fulfilled!

 

I don't think I stopped singing or smiling the entire concert!  And when he sang Unanswered Prayers, I couldn't help from crying.  For reals, I'm not ashamed to admit it.  That song meant something to me during my growing up years and it's even more poingnant now...I'm so eternally grateful for the way my life turned out, for MY own unanswered prayers, that my Heavenly Father knew what was best for me even when I so badly, so desperately thought I wanted something else at various times in my life.

Then Trisha came out on stage (yes, I am on a first name basis with these people!!).

They sang together, which was amazing. 

 

 

And then she sang She's in Love With the Boy, and I couldn't hold back the tears again.  I know, I'm such a sap.  But, again, this song really, truly meant something to me as a vulnerable, fickle teenage girl.  There were definitely a couple times when I was soooooo SURE that I was in love with this boy or that boy.

Anywho, just love this song, love Trisha and loved having her perform it live!

AND, I got her to wave at me.  No. Joke.  While she was on stage, the two women sitting in front of me had left to go get another beverage and so that left a straight shot from me to the stage, with no one blocking my view.  Both Trisha and Garth came to the back part of the stage quite often and so it was quite up close and personal.  Well, during this particular song, when my view was unobstructed, Trisha started walking my direction and I immediately put both hands above my head and waved them back and forth....and lo and behold, she looked RIGHT at me, and waved back the EXACT. SAME. WAY.  Truly!  It was so fun!

 

And then they sang together again.

 

What an amazing experience.  Garth did like 3 encores, even coming back out in the Flames Jersey he had been given years earlier when he'd performed in Calgary before.

It was just such a fabulous concert!

 

Now to work on the rest of my bucket list!!

Canada Trip: Part 1

Our trip to Canada will have to be documented in stages.  We packed so much into the 6 days we were there, and I tried to take as many pictures as I could to document everything along the way...but since there was just so much going on, I'll let you enjoy it in segments!!  It'll be easier on you, me and everyone!!

 

Our trip began nice and early the morning of July 11th.  Thankfully, we had a straight flight from Phoenix to Calgary (the only way to fly with kids), but we still had to drive from Tucson to Phoenix, park our van in an off-site parking facility, take the shuttle to the airport and wait for said flight.  It made for a long day, especially since Bubba decided to not take a nap.  I almost, ALMOST, got him to sleep on the flight there and then made the mistake of scratching an itch on my leg or something and that was it...that tiny little movement ruined any chance of a nap.  Bummer!

 

 

Payton and Alexa both enjoyed a siesta during the 3 hour flight though.  Kevin definitely got the better end of this traveling deal! Next time, HE gets to have Barrett on his lap!! :-)  Oh and this was Payton's FIRST trip to Canada.  The last time we went as a family, I was pregnant with her...so doesn't really count, does it??!! :-)

 

 

And then within minutes of getting settled in our rental van, we turned around and found THIS...the poor lil' tuckered out duder! 

After we made it to my sister, Katrina's, where we'd be staying for the first couple nights, we had a fun little BBQ with some family and old friends.  I wish I had gotten pictures with everyone that came...but trying to keep an eye on 3 kiddos in new territory AND visit with everyone made that task a little hard!  Here I am with my fabulous friend Stacey though.  She bought me a book of 10 free slurpee coupons to use while in Canada...best. gift. ever. THANK YOU!!! 

 

And here I am with my best friend from high school, Erin.  Man, the memories....ohhhhh, the memories.  We hadn't seen each other since my wedding so it was so great to catch up!  We'll have to make sure it's not another 8 years before we see each other again, m-kay?!

 

 

And just for fun, and because when I saw the above picture of Erin and I, I remembered having recently found an old photo album of my single days which contained THIS lovely beauty of a picture below...

 

 

Hahahah...Erin hasn't changed hardly a bit, still as beautiful as ever.  I, on the other hand....BOY HOWDY, am I ever glad the years have been good to me, or at least I hope they have.  This picture above was taken in 1998, doesn't that seem like a lifetime ago??!!  Man, I just can't stop chuckling as I look at this picture!  And I remember thinking we looked dang hot for the dance we were headed to that night!!!  HaHa!

 

Anywho...our younger sisters were friends too and so Megs came to the BBQ too.  So fun to see her and Erin both and their adorable kids.  Sometimes though it just blows my mind that so much time has passed!

After our fun little get-together, Kevin and I made a bee-line to get some much needed Canadian treats...some poutine, YUM! And a heavenly, oh so divine slurpee!!!  They just don't make 'em that good anywhere else.  (Truth be told, I had already had one slurpee on our way from the airport TO Katrina's house, but I wasn't going to pass by any opportunity while in Canada to have a slurpee!!)

The next day, we took some family pictures in the morning (more to come on that in another post), and then we took our kids to the Calgary Stampede.  I'd always loved going and was so excited to have my kiddos experience it as well.  First stop, the little mini-donuts...a MUST every year at the Stampede.  And they did not disappoint!

 

Then we let searched and searched for rides the kids, both of them, were tall enough to go on.  Apparently, we were looking in the wrong area (as we were later informed), but we finally found this that the girls both loved!

Our cute little family

Calgary Stampede

July 12, 2012

 

And then it was back to Katrina's house to enjoy hangin' out with family.  The girls absolutely LOVED spending time with their cousins!!

All Dressed Up

 

Aren't my girlies beautiful?!  Sure love them!

New Office Update

Things are starting to take shape....!!!!

 

Let Freedom Ring

Happy 4th of July!!!

We celebrated in style, as usual!! :-)  We had some fabulous friends over, the Van Buskirks and the Cooks...although I didn't get any pictures.  They were here, I promise!!  I made my traditional cake and found this cute idea for a fun red, white and blue drink.  Barrett preferred his bottle!  I'll let it slide this one time! 

 

 

Our kiddos woke up SUPER early this morning, so by the time we were done eating some yummy food and visiting...Kevin and I were beat.  The girls were even ASKING to go to bed.  So no fireworks for us this year.  It was rainy anyways so we'll look forward to next year!

Canada Day 2012

 

To celebrate Canada Day, we went up to Phoenix for the blessing of Kevin's oldest brother's new baby girl, McKinley.  It also happens to be Kevin's mom's birthday today, so Happy Birthday Grandma Marial!!  I know my kiddos look more 4th of July-ish but they requested to wear their "July clothes" after church.  Barrett IS wearing his Canada shirt though! 

Happy Canada Day, eh!!!

Last Day of Swim Lessons

Today was the kids' last day of swim lessons!  The girls loved it.  And they had their good friends Logan and Allison in their classes, so that made it all the more fun!  Barrett and I basically just hung out in the water.  He was still on the young side for being able to follow instructions and so he really just wanted to do his own thing.  But by the end, he was putting his face down to the water to "blow" bubbles.  He's not afraid of the water at all, in fact, he LOVES being the water and is maybe a little too brave for my liking...but it was cute to see him understand that he was blowing bubbles, or at least trying to.  The girls favorite part was being able to go down the waterslide!

LOVE

I think I could post pictures of Bubba all day long.  He makes my heart melt on a very consistent basis!  I sure am grateful he chose our family to be a part of!

Camping with Daddy

Kevin took the girls camping this weekend.  They went with Kevin's brother and his family too.  The girls L.O.V.E. looooooooove to go camping and were sooooo excited!  Kevin said they did great too. Even though I'm not much of a camper, I'd have to say that once kids are 3+, it's MUCH easier. Which is why Barrett and I stayed home!

 



Summertime = Swim Lessons

 

We started swim lessons today for the kids.  Even Barrett is doing a mom/tot class.  Alexa has taken private lessons from a girl at church the past couple of summers, but with Payton being old enough now AND having a 3rd very active little boy...the most practical choice was to do it through Pima Parks & Rec, where I can get all 3 in the water at the same time.  Today went well...hopefully the whole two weeks will too!

First Monsoon of 2012

 

Oh. My. Goodness....the kids LOVED playing out in the rain today!  There were soaked to the bone and muddy as all get out (we even had to spray them down with a hose before going inside for tubs), but they had a BLAST!  Barrett was soooo mad when we made him come inside.  Hopefully this will keep up and we'll have a good monsoon season this summer!

 

 

BOXES

Why are boxes so much fun???

..::It's How They Roll::..

Gangsta Style!

Be afraid...be VERY afraid!!

But they do have a softer side every now and then...albeit a louder side!

Our girls LOVE to sing!

[Hot Dayz of Summer]