Sunset in Alberta

I know I've posted on here already today, but have just taken piccies of the most amazing sunset. The whole sky just turned pink and it was the eeriest but most beautiful thing....enjoy!

September in Okotoks

Well, the season is officially 'fall'........or 'autumn' depending on who you talk to! It is now late September, and the farmers are busy in the fields with their combine harvesters, the trees are turning beautiful shades of golden and russet and there is a definite chill in the air come early morning.....but were it not for these physical signs around us, you would be forgiven for thinking that summer was still at it's height. The weather is still amazingly warm, a real Indian summer, with record breaking temperatures, including 2 days this week when the temps have been in excess of 30 degrees! If it weren't for the darker mornings (I'm getting up at sunrise now at 6.30am) and the clearer air over the Rockies, which makes them appear several kilometres closer, you would still think we were in mid August. We've had but one night of rain in the last 7 weeks! It is due to cool a little next week, but the sunshine is still here to stay, and it is definitely one of the reasons living here is such a pleasure.
The kids are back doing their regular round of clubs and activities during the week and at weekends - a variety of sports and social events. It keeps us busy, running them here, there and everywhere, but it is lovely to be able to do so at long last, without having the worry of working late, or extra work in the evenings. Even us adults get the chance to indulge a past-time now! Neil has started a photography course (see lovely photos of Sheep River here....after his first lesson!) and I am starting Curling next week. It's something I've been longing to try and I'll let you know how it goes!
Neil is continuing to work very hard, and now has his identity plastered over his car to remind the good people of Okotoks and beyond who he is and what he does! (see photo!) He's feeling a tremendous sense of achievement and is loving the challenges of setting up as a realtor.
All is good as we fast approach our first yearly milestone as permanent residents here in Canada.

Jaz's first camp

Jasmine has joined the Girl Guides here in Okotoks, and her first taste of fun was a 2 night camping trip at Camp Gardner near Bragg Creek. I wasn't sure if she'd want to go so soon after signing up, but she was very enthusiastic, even when she discovered she was staying in a proper tent, and not a cabin like the Brownies do.
We both went off to Walmart to gather supplies, such as a sleeping bag, tarp, eating utensils and a flashlight, and she loved putting together her list of equipment. We drove her over last night and within minutes of arriving in the woods where they were pitching tents, she waved us off with a shrug, and pitched in to help her fellow guides with tent building. The only thing she was a bit miffed about was not being allowed to bring any candy. There was a total food ban to stop unexpected visitors invading their campsite at night....bear shaped in particular! When we explained it though, she was more than happy to leave it behind. I don't think she was too keen on sharing her tent with any grizzlies this weekend!

Rodeo Time!

Yeehaa!
We went to our first Rodeo last night here in Okotoks and had a great time! The kids particularly got into it, especially Jaz who was whooping and whistling along with the best of them. We all had Stetsons so we'd look the part and after a bit of a slow start with the bull riding (them bulls were frisky so it was a bit of a risky business for the cowboys climbing aboard), we enjoyed such delights as bareback bronco riding (truly mad, boy must those guys need a chiropractor afterwards!), calf roping and tie-down, steer wrestling, saddled broncos and the junior events like 'mutton bustin'! (very small kids riding sheep, hilarious!) It all concluded with the final event where they release wild horses around the arena, then, in teams of 3, have to capture the horse, saddle it and ride it once round the arena without being thrown off. The horses definitely had the better of most of the riders that's for sure and I bet there are more than a few stiff and sore cowboys today! The animals were all well cared for and went home none the worse for wear, which is more than could be said for some of the riders, who limped off bruised and battered.