Corn Maze

So, we LOVE the Edmonton Corn Maze. I have been almost every single year since I was 16 and I took Matt to it four years ago and got him hooked. They have a great set up. You get little "passports" to go through with questions that you answer at the ten posts throughout the maze. If you get it right, they tell you which way to go. We always take two passports. One that sounds interesting and one that's easy so we can sort of check our answers. :) They have big beautiful sunflowers, some farm animals, hay to climb on, little cart things and new this year and weird pillow-like trampoline thing.

Our excursion this year was even more fun than usual because we got to take Oakley. He was mesmerized by the tall, tall corn. We also got to have my baby sister and her fiancé of one day come too. We like those two. :) The maze was the logo of Cisn Country radio this year. It was hard for me to associate myself with said radio station but I got over it. ;)It was so much fun! We hit up all of the ten posts, which doesn't always happen. Matt and James ate the corn even though the maze people say not to as it's for cows and doesn't taste that good. The boys said they lied and it tasted fine. Oakley was cuddled up to Matt the whole time just looking at everything. He's such a bright-eyed watchful boy.

We made it all the way through the maze in less than an hour. After we were out, it was time to try out the pillow trampoline. Let me just tell you trampoline jumping is a WAY different experience after having a baby! I had Emily almost in tears laughing at me. If you don't know why, I'm going to let you figure it out through your own experience or that of your wife if you are male.

Emily and James

My boys

Hidin' in the corn

Post 4! Woot!

Look at all that corn!

Wahoo! We made it out.

Emily laughing

Moral of the story: Go get lost in the Edmonton Corn Maze this year. It's a delightful family activity.

Blech!

Just thought I'd share this funny video with you.

I bet you didn't know how funny the word "blech" was, did you?

Finland

Last Thursday, my dear sister-in-law Rachel came over to our house to open her mission papers. She's almost 21 and preparing to give 18 months of her life to full-time service to the Lord. Before she opened her call, we discussed places she could be called to. I figured since three of her cousins are serving (or almost serving) in foreign places, she would go state side. Four would be too many. Oh, how wrong I was. As she read out her call, we were all shocked to hear that she will be serving in the Finland Helsinki mission reporting January 2, 2013. How exciting!

We are so excited for you Rachel and we know you will be a great missionary! Just to prepare you a little for what to expect over there, I have found some fun little facts about Finland to share with you and my other readers. Matt and I had a good laugh about some of them!

Kaamos

• Finland is known as the land of a thousand lakes. It has over 180,000 lakes and just under 180,000 islands.
• The population is around 5 million and about 1 million of them live in the capital, Helsinki.
• It's also known as the land of the midnight sun because in June and July, the sun never sets.
• However, in the winter, there are days you will not see the sun. Finland gets cloaked in this strange blue light they call kaamos.
• One and two cent coins aren't used in Finland. Everything is rounded to the nearest 0.05€.
• The amount you get fined for speeding depends on the amount you earn. I like this one. :)
• In 1982, they made a law which stated you must have your headlights on at all times when driving in Finland.
• Finland is the only country that broadcasts news in Latin.
• Donald Duck comics were banned because Donald doesn't where pants.
• There are around 2.2 million saunas in Finland. To go in a sauna with clothing on is faux pas. Butt naked only. Rachel, you are not allowed in the sauna. They go in with friends and family and they run out and jump in the water or roll in the snow after awhile to cool down.
• Finland hosts some awesome championships like wife carrying, mobile phone throwing, mosquito catching, swamp soccer, sauna, boot throwing and air guitar. I especially love the air guitar one. ;)

Well, there you go Rachel! I hope you feel a little more prepared to head to Finland in four months! We love you and will miss you.

*I found my facts here and here.