pictures from Ontario

Dinner at the Keg overlooking the falls with the family on Friday night

Some pictures of our awesome accommodations at Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls. Here is Cassie posing beautifully:)
The cool antler chandeliers
The fireplace in the lobby
Another picture taken in the lobby

Family picture for Grandpa and Grandma Hooghiems anniversary in March 2007

My mom and her four siblings; my mom is bottom right.

Our weekend in Ontario

We had an absolutely wonderful weekend in Ontario!! It was packed full of activities and visiting. We flew in late Thursday night/Friday morning, and then headed to my parents house. We had a quick coffee with them on Friday morning and then headed to Steven's parents house and went out for breakfast with the whole family. We then headed to the "surprise" destination which was Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls. What a place!!! Soon I will post pictures, because a picture here would be worth 1000 words!! We spent Friday and Saturday here where there was a huge indoor waterpark; lots of slides, a hot tub, and sitting area and we played mini-golf there on Saturday morning at one of the best courses I have ever played at. Friday night we ate like royalty at the Keg overlooking the falls!! That had to be top-notch Alberta steak that we ate that night!!
Saturday night we went back to my parents house for supper and visiting. Sunday we had church and family pictures for the Hooghiem side. It was good to see family again! We left soon after that and went to the airport. It was so good to be back in Ontario, even for a short time. I have a bunch of pictures to post soon, and I will be getting a whole CD of Niagara Falls pictures in due time as well!!
We had a great time in Ontario...it was wonderful to be back visiting with family again!! Thank you for the good times this past weekend, it was fabulous!!
~Karen

36 hours....:)

and we'll be in Ontario....
CAN'T WAIT:):)

3 more sleeps...

With a title like that, it sounds like I'm about 10 years old...but really, it means I'm so excited about going to Ontario for the weekend. I'm hoping that it is warmer weather than here...on Saturday on my drive to work we had snow. Yesterday we saw a few flakes as well, and this morning we woke up to a nice layer of frost. Apparently it is supposed to warm up today, but I think I am going to be in the market for a new warm winter coat soon with the weather we are already having here in September!!!
...only 3 and a half more days of work and Steven & I will be on that plane!!
Have a wonderful Monday everyone and a fantastic week!
~Karen

....The weather report for this week is WAY too cold. There is snow expected in Innisfail on Friday!!! I'm ready for a switch in weather over here...to Ontario's nice weather!! I like snow...but September is a bit too early for me!

There is nothing new and exciting to report at the moment, although in one week we are flying back to Ontario for the weekend!! Belated congratulations to Steve's parents on their 25th anniversary on Tuesday!! We're excited to come home and celebrate with you next weekend!!
Hopefully after next week I will have more pictures to post and share!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!! Enjoy your weather if it is nice!

~Karen

rounding up cattle

here are some pictures I caught last week while eating breakfast.

Here are the cattle coming down the driveway.

Larry and his two sons are on the horses,
While Steven is here on the 'iron horse' :)And I had to put a quick picture of an Alberta sunset on here...it was beautiful (mind you, this wasn't while I was eating breakfast...)
Have a good week everyone!!
~Karen

...changes...

As I sit reading others blogs and talking to family and friends, I realize that I am not going back to school for the first time in 17 years this September. It is a very wierd thought and I'm not totally sure that I like it! Therefore, I have looked at classes that Red Deer college is offering...and come January, if they are on the right days, I am hoping to take a night class in accounting. One thing that I learned about myself is that the longer I spent in school, the more I liked it.
...That said...all the best to those who are going back to school on Monday--and Ev--all the best to you as you start University at Redeemer! I hope you absolutely love it! Just make sure you come home in three weeks to come and visit because we want to see you!!

Life here in Alberta has not changed a lot; but this morning I caught some decent pictures FINALLY of Steve and the boss and his sons moving cattle. I took them through the kitchen window. I wish I took some yesterday morning when they moving them across the road on my way to work. I will make sure that I post them the next chance that I get! It is a pretty neat thing to see, especially when they are moving around your car while you are waiting and you have NO idea what to do.

...and a big thank you goes out to my parents--who have booked plane tickets to come out and visit us in about 2 months time!!! We are very excited to have you come down and see our 'home' here!!! I can't wait!!! It gives me something to look forward to! Visitors are ALWAYS welcome here!

I hope that everyone is doing well...and I will be sure to post some new pictures soon!

~Karen