Bear World

We are headed to Canada but, it would take us two days of driving to get there. To break up the trip for the kids we thought that stopping by Bear World would be fun. Bear World is outside of Yellowstone and it was a fun afternoon.

We got our monies worth the first couple of minutes when a deer escaped from bear world. We were waiting to enter Bear World which kind of has a Jurassic Park feel to it. A bear world worker was trying to get a deer back in the park when it started attacking the worker with it's hoofs. Mike started honking the horn at the deer and it backed off. Our kids eyes were huge and after the fact we all thought it was pretty funny. The pic above is of a white elk which are really rare.

You drive around the park with your windows rolled up and see the wildlife and lots of bears.

Here is bear walking across the rode and bears were everywhere.

Eliza and I watching the baby bears.

Greetings from Bear World!

They had a little petting zoo area and deer would let the kids walk up to it and pet it. After the attacking deer the kids were a little hesitant but, soon warmed up to this one.

They have a kiddie ride area that our kids enjoyed.

We went out on a Bear World truck and went out to feed the bears. This is a grizzly bear and it was crazy to see them so close. It looks cute but, I had to remind my kids that they are dangerous.

Riding the truck to feed the bears.

This bear was so funny. He would sit and wait for food from the truck. I even caught him smiling!

We stayed in Helena Montana for the night and then made the rest of the leg of the trip up to Calgary!!

Canada Trip

The picture above sums up our trip to Canada and that was being able to spend time with Grandma Rawsthorne. What an amazing Great-Grandma and Grandma she is to us. She had us stay at her home while we visited Calgary and the kids loved staying at her home. Her home has to be at least 70 years old but, it's in perfect condition. When you walk in her home it's like stepping back in time but, it's so comfortable and fun to stay at. Grandma is fun to talk to and she is up on the latest from politics to what's the latest on the Bachelorette. We love her so much and are so grateful for the days we got to spend with her in beautiful Calgary.

We brought up the kids scooters and they loved riding them around her street and yard. The kids rode them around Prince's Island Park also and they had a blast.

This is the view of the city of Calgary just down the street from Grandma Rawsthorne's house. This is called the brow (sp?) and people run and walk along here and enjoy the awesome view. Calgary is a big city yet, very clean and nice

The kids feeding the ducks down at Prince's Island Park. There was a huge party going on at the park and the bridge going across the Bow River is packed with people.

These are the stairs that take you down to the park and we definitely got a work out walking back up to the top.

We had a family party at Auntie Barbara's home and it was so much fun to see Mike's cousins and catch up. The last time I had seen a lot of them was at Bear Lake 2 years ago. We had a really good Cafe Rio dinner and then we just talked and hung out. The picture above are all the ladies that are pregnant and the progress of pregnancy. I represent 15 weeks, Kate is 6 months, Nena is 8 months, and sweet Laura is over due. She ended up having a baby boy the last day we were in Calgary!

A group hanging out at the park across the street from Barbara's. Our kids loved playing with the Canada Cousins and they played Soccer and had a water balloon fight. Auntie Barb ( or Auntie Barber to Jason) was so nice and took us all over Calgary and helped us find fun places to find Canada gear.

They had a pinata for the kids and even Grandma Rawsthrone got in on the fun.

All the cousins waiting for their turn to swing.

Anne taking her turn.

Jason, posing of course, in the famous Auntie Barbara tree. Everyone had to strike a pose in front of that tree.

Laura, Auntie Marilyn, Dave, and Grandma Rawthrone. Is it just me or is there something fuzzy around Grandma?

Thelma Sophia Rawsthrone at 94 years old. Isn't she pretty?

On Monday we headed over to Banff which is in the Canadian Rockies. I have never seen anything more beautiful than Banff. The mountains are so big and the rivers and scenery are breath taking. Here are the kids hanging out in Banff.

Bow River Falls was so much fun to see and we hiked up a little trail along the river. This river runs all the way into Calgary.

The famous Banff Springs Hotel behind Mike and the kids. It looks just like a castle and Eliza was wondering if Cinderella was inside!

About 45 min higher is Lake Louise but, worth every minute to get there. This is such a beautiful lake and when the sun shines on it it's a bright blue. This the prettiest mountain lake I have ever seen.

The glacier above the lake.

Another view of Lake Louise with the pretty mountains behind it. Our pictures really do this place no justice. It is breath taking!

We spent a evening at Auntie Care's house and, as much as we love the Thomas family, I think their animals stole our kids hearts. Eliza loved the cat Tom! She would chase it around the house and grab his face and love him. She is so happy in this picture holding Tom.

They have two huge dogs Lincoln and Barkley and they are the biggest dogs I have ever seen. They are the sweetest most gentle dogs and the kids loved them. The pic above is Lincoln.

These pictures do not show how big these dogs are but, Eliza would call them bears. She thinks that bears just roam around their home. Jason loved how Auntie Care would shake a whipping cream bottle and spray whipping cream in their mouths. We had a fun evening and one our kids have not forgotten about.

One afternoon we went to an indoor wave pool. This place was so much fun and they had a fun play area with slides and little pools for the kids. Jason loved the wave pool but, the girls did not like it as much.

We went and saw Grandpa Rawsthrone grave. It was raining pretty hard that day so we stayed just a while but, Mike's Grandpa was a Canadian Montie and he is buried in a special place just for them. It is a real honor to be buried in this area of the cemetery.

We had to get a picture of the famous "nook". This is where we would eat breakfast and dinner and I have heard stories about the "nook" for years.

We had such a great trip and we are glad you finally made it up to Canada. It had been about 8 years since Mike had been back to Canada and so much has changed around Grandma R. home. Her house, though, has stayed the same through all the years and it brings some comfort to Mike. He had good memories as a kid seeing his Grand-parents in Canada and It was fun for him to give his kids the same memories.

Sealing Day

On June 5th Elsie was sealed to Brad and JanaLynn and family. I have never been to a sealing of a child to parents and it was so neat. JanaLynn had her two girls in matching white dresses and they looked to so pretty. When they brought the kids in the sealing room they were all so cute and reverent. Elsie paid perfect attention to the sealer and it was like she knew exactly what was going on. It was special to see their family all in white around the altar. I am so grateful for temples and that Families Can Be Together Forever!

Mike and Anne on the temple grounds in the pic above and Mr. Jason is my little poser. He wanted me to take a picture of him by the temple and look at that precious face!

Elsie girl on the temple grounds after the sealing. I loved her dress and she looked so sweet. Elsie has the cutest smile but, I didn't catch it in any of these pictures.

Brad, JanaLynn, and kids dressed all in white.

Everyone that came to the sealing to celebrate Elsie.

Our New News

We would like to announce that we are expecting a new little one in our home! I am 15 weeks pregnant and things are going pretty good. I am over the sick prego feeling and I am now in the best months of being pregnant. I am not sick and I am not too huge ( although I have gained plenty of weight) so, I am enjoying my time and trying to get as much done as I can.

Our new little one should join our family around December 7th! A early Christmas present for the Schwitzer fam. Jason, and Anne couldn't be more excited and Eliza just points to my tummy and says baby. We are really excited for this new little spirit to come to our home!

Memorial Day

We had a great holiday and it actually was nice weather for this first holiday of the summer. We took our kids to the Veterans Memorial Park to look at all the soldiers from Utah that had served our country. It is a neat park and they have a wall with all the soldiers from Utah that have died in war. We were there for just a little bit but, I wanted my kids to understand the reason for Memorial Day.

Jason loved all the flags that were placed on the graves.

We went to Joe and Jessica's to do a little yard work and then came back to our house for the first summer BBQ. We had the traditional summer BBQ and for dessert we had the best homemade ice cream thanks to Jessica. The guys enjoyed playing a game of Basketball in the picture above.

Eliza and Sydney were so funny together and I think they tried on every princess dress we have. They are becoming better friends and it will be nice to have Sydney living closer!

A group hanging out on the tramp

We made a fire in the fire pit and hung out. We then had smores to top off the evening. yummy! It was fun to have the family over to the house and be together.

A Basketball Hoop and a Toyota Jump

We finally got a basketball hoop and Jason and Mike's dream has come to be. Mike has been talking about getting a hoop for years and with Jason being old enough to actually play we got one. Jason enjoys it so much and everyday he goes out to shoot hoops. Mike loves it just as much and enjoys playing with Jason. Anne and Eliza like having their Dad hold them up to the hoop to make baskets and I love basketball too so all around fun! It has been a fun addition to our yard.

Jason playing ball.

Jason had his last day of 1st grade on Friday. He came home with a yearbook and his end of hear portfolio. He loved his 1st grade experience and enjoyed going to school most of the time. Here he is doing a Toyota Jump to celebrate finishing the 1st grade and the beginning of summer break!