Calgary

August 25-September 12

We always love our time in Calgary with lots of family and friends, but a highlight of this trip was Brian meeting our youngest grandson for the first time.  Ryan was born April 12th and I was there for the event but he has obviously changed a lot in the past 5 months.

Bet you can't do this one

David's son Isaiah, age 19 months, had a huge hug for his little cousin when he saw him.  Ryan is seated on my sister's lap.   

Both boys enjoyed the traditional "Monte Monte Caballo" rides with Grandpa Ducky.  Ryan seemed to be studying his cousin's technique before venturing on to the activity himself, but he wasn't ready for the flips yet.  

We also enjoyed taking Isaiah to the parks....

and walks with Ryan...

A major project of this visit was to prepare our house for sale next spring.  Heather & Trevor have moved into our home that has been rented for the past 10 years, and will do some renovations and upgrades in preparation for the sale.  This means that we had to clean out the garage and storage room in the basement.  We rented a dumpster and were pretty ruthless in chucking a lifetime of 'stuff'.  

The girls divided up some of their Grandma's crystal with Heather displaying the pieces and Allison & Jennifer making decisions via Skype.  

David wanted the canning supplies from the days when I used to preserve dozens of quarts of fruit, so he inherited the canner, along with many jars and lids.  We bought a couple of cases of peaches and I taught him the process.  Unfortunately we were so busy working that we forgot to photograph the event.  I was going to have him send me a picture of him eating the fruit, but learned that he had eaten all of it in only a few weeks!  He always has loved fruit - fresh or preserved.  We also made strawberry jam together.   

Another special event of our visit was that Brian was able to give Ryan his baby blessing.  He wore a knit outfit that his daddy had worn as a baby.  

Our time in Calgary was very busy.  We had to make decisions about the house projects with Trevor, visited showhomes before choosing the upgrade materials (carpet, tile, hardwood floor stain, light fixtures, countertop and backsplash, etc), and met with realtors.  We had a sleepover with Isaiah one night and went swimming with Ryan one morning.  We met Forsters for lunch and Waltons for dinner.  One evening we got together with friends from Saudi who also have family in Calgary.  Archers dropped by our house for a visit another evening, and we enjoyed a visit at Humphreys and a walk with Carol by the reservoir.  We participated in a food bank drive that Heather & Trevor were in charge of for Evergreen ward, including a pancake breakfast where we saw many old friends.  No trip to Calgary would be complete without family dinners, and I went on a picnic with Mom & Eldon.  Last April Heather's mother-in-law had asked me to research her family tree in PEI.  I had found a lot of information, and it was fun to share that with her.  

Gene & Cathy, Michelle, Pam & Brian

Picnice with Mom, Eldon & Ryan

Walk with Carol

Genealogy with Peggy

Maryland

August 16-25

First stop on our Retirement Travel was a visit with Allison and family to their new home in Silver Spring, Maryland.  We are excited for them to be living in an area so rich in history and culture, and excited for us to have a wealth of interesting places to visit.  First stop was to the site of the first Battle of Manassas (otherwise known as the Battle of Bull Run) - first major battle of the Civil War.  Brian had prepped Elaina & Erin with a history lesson and activity book.  They had also made hard-tack (the staple food of soldiers), which they shared with the park ranger.  

We were enjoying a picnic together, when an unexpected guest crashed the party.  

Years ago we started collecting children's books from the places we travel to.  We have been looking forward to sharing all of these books with our grandchildren some day at our house.  We ended this afternoon in a bookstore, and purchasing an A-B-C book about the Civil War.  How appropriate to be doing it together.  

In addition to the typical activities we enjoy around the house (playing games, reading stories, walks to the park, etc), we spent a couple of days visiting Washington DC.  So many familiar sites, but our first trip here. Everyone our age remembers where they were when JF Kennedy was shot, and I remember watching the funeral on TV.  We started our day with a walk through Arlington Cemetery, then across the Potomac River to the Lincoln Memorial.    

True to the exploratory nature of her parents, Allison has taken the Metro into DC several times in the few months she has lived here, undaunted by traversing the city with small kids in tow.  Consequently, Elaina & Erin were excited to share their knowledge of the sites, including identifying the major monuments.  We learned a lot from them as we walked a distance of 5 miles!  We are thrilled with their spirit of Ames adventuring, and they are also becoming great map readers in the process.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Monument

Jefferson Monument

Washington Monument

At one point in the afternoon we decided to separate and set a meeting place for a short while later.  Allison and I took Isaac in the stroller and made our way to the designated spot.  We waited so long for Grandpa Ducky and the girls that we thought they were lost despite their combined terrific map skills.  We should have known better....they had stopped for ice-cream cones!  

I have always wanted to see the White House and what a terrific day with the two best tour guides of Washington DC.  

Another day in the city we spent at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.  What an opportunity to learn from a real scientist.  

We ended that day with Mike joining us for a sunset cruise past the monuments on the Potomac River.  

Parting Thoughts

On our last day in Saudi Arabia I am reminded of a saying we learned years ago in Spanish.  It is a good motto for life, and appropriate as we make significant changes:

Quien te quita lo bailado?

Who can take what has already been danced?

We take with us many wonderful memories of places, events & especially people from our experiences here in Saudi Arabia.  There is a song by Lee Ann Womack that could be considered a life theme song for us.  It is fitting to listen to as we move from one adventure to the next.

We hope you dance too!

Twas Our Time To Be Moving

Twas our time to be moving, and all through our pad
All the creatures were stirring, no time to be sad.
The inventory was created on the computer with care
In hopes that the movers soon would be there.

Pam and Brian were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of Mexico danced in their heads.

And Pam without dishes, and Brian sorting files,

Just settled ourselves to make-do for awhile.

When out in the living room there arose such a clatter
But the day had arrived, there was nothing the matter.
Signs were posted on items so as not to be confused
What was to go where and what could not be used.

The sign on the front of our house must go,

To mark the location of our home in Mexico.

When what to our wondering eyes should appear,

But a big moving container for all of our gear.

 

With hard working movers, so lively and strong

We knew in a moment nothing would go wrong.

They worked all the day and into the night

Arranging and re-arranging to make it fit right.

 

But in the midst of the packing Pam had to go

To get a resident visa in Mexico.

So off to the airport and then off she flew

Leaving Brian behind with lots to do.

A long layover in DC - now that could be good

To visit with grandkids - if only they would.

So arriving at the airport and turning around

She saw them come running with a leap and a bound.

Back in Saudi together, with the packing complete,

Pam's visa accomplished - now that was a feat!

Brian managing details of the exit checklist

And checking it twice so nothing is missed.

But farewell to friends and saying good-bye

Is the hard part of moving, and so that is why

That we want to exclaim 'ere we really go 

You're all invited to Mexico!