A couple more..

We rescued the pictures off of Jared's waterproof camera so I can finish the report of our trip to Canada.

One of our favorite things to do in Waterton is visit Red Rock Canyon. It's beautiful and you can hike right up the shallow creek which is the perfect way to cool off on a hot day.





Unfortunately, they were doing some construction on the parking lot so the only way to go to Red Rock Canyon was to take a shuttle from the park. It seemed like an okay idea.

It wasn't.

We should have taken a hint when we tried to get on the shuttle and it was full. We ate our lunch and waited in the shade for the next one. That wasn't too bad.

We had a great time and Red Rock was beautiful as always. We left in time to catch the 3:00 shuttle but the shuttle that showed up could only take half of the crowd waiting. Yup, we were left sitting in the dirt with Jared's 90 year old grandpa and a baby in the hot sun with little water and food..... We hoped they would send another shuttle sooner, but it really was another hour til we got picked up.

Everyone was pretty worn out.

Next time we have to rely on a shuttle system, we may think twice.

Jared's parents watched our kids one day while we were in Waterton so Jared and I could go fishing. Before we had kids, we used to fish together quite a bit. I enjoy fishing, but mostly I like hanging out with Jared. He tells me which fly to use and where to cast so I usually catch fish and that makes it fun too.






What a great trip!

Go BYU!

The Lucky Store

Everyone knows that if you time it right, you can practically eat lunch while shopping at COSTCO. Who doesn't love the free samples, it doesn't matter what they are sampling, it's exciting and you rarely pass it by because it's free and free food always tastes better.

My kids love the samples, but this is not why they call COSTCO the lucky store. Earlier this summer we headed off to do some grocery shopping. I think I'd given my kids a pep talk on the way in. Taking 4 kids with me is not my favorite way to shop, but sometimes it's the ONLY way to get it done during the summertime. As a reward for good behavior, we got pizza afterward and sat in the eating area to eat. Just as we were finishing up, an older couple approached us and told me that they had been watching my children and were very impressed with the kind way they spoke to each other. They went on and on with very specific compliments while my children sat there beaming with pride. I admit, it made my day too. They walked away and I made note to myself that I should make an effort to compliment others when I notice something good. Then, I did something I never do. I bought my kids ice cream!

Yesterday we finished up some last minute school shopping and then realizing it was lunchtime, I offered to take them across the street for pizza at COSTCO. My kids quickly referred to it as the lucky store and reminded me of that one time when someone complimented them and I bought ice cream. We sat at a table and ate lunch while an older couple at the other end of our table looked at me and said, "are all of these children yours???" (gotta love that question)

I happily responded that yes they were all mine, and what a blessing they are. They seemed amazed and for the next 10 minutes we talked about their different hair colors, straight hair, curly hair, ages, grades in school... etc. They were very friendly and seemed quite interested in my little family. They finished up their food and as they were about to leave they complimented my children for being so good and asked me how I got them to be so well-mannered. My kids all smiled from ear to ear while I thanked them and as they walked away they said, "This really is our LUCKY store!

Before we left, we headed over to the bathrooms and on the way Hunter spotted a giant gumball machine. He asked if he could get a gumball and I immediately said no. I never let my kids buy things from candy machines unless they have their own money. A few minutes later I heard someone behind me say, "Can I buy your little boy a gumball?"

Seriously, I didn't think she was talking to me. I kept walking and then I heard it again. I turned around and some nice lady was really offering to buy my son a gumball. "Wow," I said (feeling a little smuckish) "that's really nice of you." She pulled out a hand full of change and bought each of my kids a gumball while I sheepishly explained that I couldn't buy things for my kids from the machines or they'd beg every time I passed one.....

Lucky them. Really.

Oh Canada!

Jared grew up visiting Canada every summer. It's something that his family just did. His grandfather lives in Raymond and that place is sort of magical for the McInelly family. It's just a small town, and yet it's so much more. The first summer we were married, we decided the trip was too far and our old truck might not make it, but then last minute Jared just couldn't not be there. We drove all night and arrived the morning of July 1st, just in time for the parade and the traditional Canada Day activities. We rode horses, went bridge jumping, fished, and had a wonderful time. We've gone back almost every year since. This summer was our 9th trip.

Grandpa Bill has the coolest house. Hunter hardly wanted to leave because he was having so much fun "discovering" it. And to top it off, Grandpa fitted all my kids with cowboy boots and hats.



Right out back were some horses. We arrived in the evening while it was dark so first thing the next morning my girls were dressed and heading out to see the horses, breakfast could wait.

This is an old truck that Jared's grandpa has had around for a long time. Jared has lots of fond memories in it, many of them fishing adventures. I think this truck knows how to drive itself to Corner Lake.
And this is Corner Lake. It's a couple minutes away from Grandpa Bill's house and you are pretty much guaranteed to catch Pike.

Here's another early morning trip.

After visiting Raymond, we headed up to Waterton National Park. It's always beautiful and the weather couldn't have been any better. In the years past we've only spent a day or two in the park, this year we stayed for almost a week. We had plenty of time to do all of the fun things at a relaxing pace. It was perfect!

We stayed at a cozy little cabin with Jared's parents and grandfather. It had plenty of rooms, beds for everyone, and it was even well stocked with kids toys, books, movies, and decorated in a kid-friendly way.
We got to use these electric scooters which were perfect for cruising around the small town of Waterton.

Not far from the back door of our cabin was the Waterton Park which has recently been redone.

There's even a water park there.

We explored lots of lakes and did some hiking.

The girls bought toy lizards at the souvenir shop and spent the entire week playing with them. More than once, people asked them if they were real.

Jared's dad brought this fun raft for everyone to play in. Grandma Jeanne took the kids out for nice, pleasant rides.
Jared took them out and did donuts... who knew you could do circles in a raft. He got it going so fast I had to get out because I was dizzy.

One morning Jared and Hunter got up early and took a father/son fishing trip. They caught a bunch of fish and had a great time. Now that Hunter is older, he can cast his line out and reel a fish in all on his own.
One day we hiked on the Bertha Lake trail to see a waterfall. All of the kids did great, but Emma especially was a trooper hiking all of those 3.8 miles without having to be carried even once.

We saw plenty of wildlife, one morning while I was out running, I counted 9 deer and it hadn't even been five minutes.

This little family of deer sat at the edge of a lake, they didn't even move as we set up nearby and were still there when we left.


One morning Jared, his mom, and the kids went on a short hike while I stayed home to nap Austin. As they came around a corner about 20 feet in front of them, there was a BEAR! He was startled by someone from the parking lot starting up their loud engine and scampered part way up a tree. He turned and looked right at my little family, got down and started slowly moving in their direction. Jared ordered everyone to get behind him as he yelled out to the bear and banged sticks on trees. It didn't seem to even phase the bear. Jared asked his mom to take the kids and slowly head back the way they had come and he continued to holler and wave his arms, but that bear didn't mind one bit. Jared slowly walked backwards until the bear was out of sight and then he caught up to the kids and with Emma on his back they raced back to the car as fast as they could, looking over their shoulders the entire time.

Thankfully they never saw the bear again, but what a scare. We went back later that day and could see his claw marks on the tree he climbed.

If you look closely, you can see 3 claw marks

We also did one of our favorite Waterton hikes, Red Rock and we spent a kid-free day fishing. Thanks Grandma Jeanne and Papa. Those pictures are stuck on Jared's waterproof camera so I'll post them later.

All in all, it was a fabulous trip and we can't wait until next time!

Catching Critters

Waiting...

Got one!

So close!

Serious Concentration...

Success!

Proof

A frog too.

Even Austin got in on the action.

He never caught anything, I'd run too if I saw someone walking towards me looking like that.


Oh, to be a kid again.

Summer Fun

My little brother Anthony came up to visit us last weekend. He was a trooper and joined the entire McInelly family on a 5K Fun Run, (right Jared). I seem to remember a post he wrote years ago where he didn't agree that FUN and RUN should be in the same sentence. Maybe it's the shoes. I'll let Jared write about that.... stay tuned.



I didn't take many pictures all weekend. It was a little crazy at our house with Anthony and his friend Danielle visiting, as well as Jared's brothers family. We all had fun though.

Danielle and Anthony were excited to learn how to make bread. Anthony even wanted to grind wheat. Pretty impressive.

I think Anthony was going for some sort of twist, he always has to be different. They both came out of the oven looking fabulous though. Yum!

Summer is flying by, but we are enjoying every minute. I love that our kids (and the neighbor kids) are eating up all the yummy berries growing in our backyard. Austin heads outside every chance he gets and he buries himself in the raspberry bush searching for berries. All you can see are his little legs.

The other day, all the kids picked raspberries and blueberries, then smashed them into cups and mixed in water and sugar. They had lots of fun and were thrilled with the finished product.

Linsey is getting more and more movement in her hand. It's great to hear music in my home again.

Gotta love Summertime!