Millarville, Sheep River Falls and the Guenters

July is a busy month for us. We have only been home one weekend this month. After Canada Day, our next outing was down to Calgary for some much anticipated adventures. When we got to Dave and Ashleigh Guenter's home, Oakley was screaming. People must think he's a cranky baby but he isn't. He just doesn't sleep like most babies in the car and so he remembers better than other babies when he should be given food and he didn't have it. To babies, half an hour of waiting is an ETERNITY. Sorry Dave, for our crying boy. Anyways, after food, Oakley was happy to meet Matt's good friend from high school and his family. Lots of smiles were passed around. Matt and I were thrilled to be able to meet Dave and Ashleigh's daughter and visit with them after not seeing them for two years. I was also ecstatic with Ashleigh and Dave's reaction to the granola bars I brought down. We munched on them all weekend.

A view of the farmer's market from the parking lot

For all who don't know, the little hamlet Millarville SW of Calgary has a reputable farmer's market. I have never been to a real farmer's market and I was intrigued to see this large market (over 150 vendors) in such a small place. I proposed an excursion out the next day to check it out. It was a lot of fun! There were jewellery vendors, art vendors, rock and fossil vendors, beef, chicken, alpaca, etc. vendors, hutterite veggies, B.C. fruit, fresh breads, etc. I guess those are typical things for a farmer's market, but please recall this was my first experience. My favourite was definitely the pebble art. This woman (turns out it was the art teacher at the school Ashleigh works at) finds pebbles and makes them into pictures. SO CUTE! We also found a booth that had TONS of different sock monkeys. Ashleigh was excited to find a Toronto Maple Leafs monkey.

Check out the sock monkeys!

Oakley was tuckered out

Here I am showing off my gorgeous amethyst bracelet

After the farmer's market, we drove out to Sheep River Falls. Seriously, beautiful country on that drive! I loved the rolling hills and the pleasing mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. We purchased some fresh veggies, pitas and fruit at the market and devoured a splendidly scrumptious meal. It made me feel so healthy to know that I was eating fresh food. It just tastes better. :) Then we strapped the babes into their carriers and started exploring the area around the falls.  

I absolutely love this picture of my boys! They both have great facial expressions

The falls were beautiful! It was so peaceful to be in the mountains with the fresh air, the sound of the falls, the sun warming me and the spectacular view of Sheep River falls. I would definitely recommend this day use area to anyone in the area. I hear there are lots of legitimate trails in the provincial park or you can do what we did and wander in the day use area.

Buds and babies

Those keys almost ended up in the falls!

The Guenters

The Kastendiecks

As this river begins in the Rocky Mountains, it is cold. Mountain rivers are glacier fed and therefore are a few degrees away from freezing. This river was no different. It was a really hot day so that first step in the water felt very refreshing but I wanted out after a few seconds. Well, the guys are true Canadians and chose to take the plunge into the frigid waters. Here is photographic evidence of the occasion:

Matt's preparing for the cold

Making sure I'm watching

Bam! In the water.

Do you feel cold for him?

True Canadian. Look at that smile. He's not even phased by the glacier water. ;)

I told him he missed the top of his head so he went to make sure all of him was wet. Ha!

Here's Dave!

I love his expression. It's almost a sputter after the shock of the water.

"Ohhhh"

Oakley had a lot of firsts on this trip. It was his first time to a farmer's market, first time to the mountains, first hike (kind of), first time in a baby swing and first time in a bumbo. He loved the bumbo and it was so cute to see his excitement at being able to see so many things without someone holding him. This boy definitely prefers to be up and checking out the world. It was also really sweet to see Elizabeth investigating Oakley. She loved to look at him and touch him and she was very gentle with the baby. What a cutie!

Bahaha! Elizabeth was eyeing the swing so I put her in it. She loved it. :)

So did Oakley

On Sunday, we were able to attend church with Laura and Darren Roberts and visit with them and the Salmons afterward. It was a great weekend with lots of catching up. Thank you to all of you who made it one of the greatest weekends of our summer!