A Much Needed Break

People ask me how it's going. They ask, "Does time pass quickly up there, far away from civilization?" I can answer in only one way: To me, the weeks fly by like days and the days last for weeks.

Anyone else know what I mean?

Well, after a month we needed a break. I'm not sure if my husband could hear the frustration in my voice, or if it was all on his own but a few weeks ago he suggested we make a trip back to Calgary for some much needed supplies (well, he used the excuse of wanting to go to the Calgary Stampede, but I was happy to oblige).

Did I hesitate to drive the two days, over 24 hours, back to the wonderful world of Alberta? Why no, no I didn't!
What a great time we had! Coming back into town we stopped once again at our new favorite A & A Burger Bar. On our way up to the Yukon over a month ago, we had stopped there for breakfast. Originally, we had asked a gas station attendant where the best breakfast in town was. She unabashedly replied, "A & W Burgers down the street. They're the best in town". We found that hard to believe and gratefully continued on down the road.

Soon, Jillian spotted a bright neon sign that said "Breakfast Special" so we pulled over. How glad we were that we did! Our breakfast was superb! Cooked to order (right down to the three different preferences of bacon). During our meal, the owner, Janet came out to chat. What a witty, bright and intelligent woman. She knew quite a bit about the north and offered some great advice.

Part of the restaurant includes an old fashioned candy bar (which kept Phi entertained with all of the bright colors and varieties).

While going to the bathroom, I passed a large piano near the counter. I told Janet that Dax played and he should play as sort of a "tip". She smiled and said, "I sing. I'll sing if he'll play". Together they played a beautiful rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". We promised to stop in again on our next trip (as Prince George has the closest Walmart, Home Deopt and Costco).

Here we were over a month later and right away Janet spotted us again. She recognized Chase as the "Matt Damon" once again and then asked us how life was way up in the North. We chatted some more, talked "gold" and once again enjoyed a delicious breakfast. Even today, on our way once again back home, she immediately spotted the baby and said, "Hello Kurt". How impressed I am that not only do they live up to the standard of food that so many restaurants seem to skip, but the hospitality, generosity, and extra effort is not lost on them. To us, it's like coming home. Thanks again, Tim and Janet. We'll be seeing you soon.

We then traveled to Grant and Myrna's once again for some much needed rest, TLC, warm beds, and hot showers. How happy we were to see them! Baby Kurt sadly left a lot of family when we left Utah and I was afraid he'd miss out on some pivotal face time with grandmas, cousins, aunts and friends. Luckily, that's where the Pitchers come in.
Myrna is everything you could ever want in a grandma. She takes Kurt for walks around the block, picks pansies in the yard, plays toss with the ball, and even sings him tunes on the piano.


Needless to say, she and Grant were a godsend to us! We felt so comfortable, happy and welcomed in their home. Grant and Chase studied maps, played with compasses and talked geology for most of the weekend. We were graced by Grant's knowledge of the gospel, received some wonderful advice, revelation, and fantastic reading material from him that is more priceless to us than all of the gold we find up here. You can tell by the way Baby Kurt acts around him, that he wants to be just like Great-Grandpa when he grows up!
Our favorite treat in Calgary was also getting to spend time with the wonderful-witty-and-always-beautiful Cousin Katie. Katie is truly a one in a million! To me she too is a godsend. She is 50% my best friend Joni, 25% of my adorable sister Jenn, and 25% of the amazingly witty Jillian King. All of those wrapped into one makes a deadly (but fantastic) combination.

We were lucky to spend not one, not two, but three separate nights with them that were filled with laughter, good food and better company. We went on one “triple date” with them and Grant and Myrna, as well as a dinner and a movie date with just the four of us.

Not only does Katie keep you laughing, she also has a heart of gold (shhh! Don’t tell!). She adored Baby Kurt and he is simply enamored by her.

She loves on him like he’s the best thing ever (and I just so happen to agree!). She even brought him some wheelie-animal toys that he can’t get enough of. How thoughtful! We spent the entire time together with Katie and Mike trying to convince them to move down our way to St. George. Keep your fingers crossed! I think we may have planted the seed.

We love you Katie (and Mike!)

We also enjoyed time at the Calgary Stampede. I’ve been to a number of rodeos in my time, but let me just say that this was like none other! If you’ve never seen a chuckwagon race (a western Canadian thing I gather), then you haven’t fully lived.

All in all, it was a wonderful, too-short mini vacation. We are right now on our way back to the back woods and will be in our tent sleeping tonight. I'm gearing up for the cold nights, the pesky mosquitoes and the day to day frustrations.

We'll be in touch when we can.

We love you all and miss you! Thanks for checking in.

Love, Us.