101 Update!

Okay, so this one time I made a list of 101 things I wanted to do in 1001 days.  Some of the things on the list were pretty simple, and some were a bit more ambitious.  Well, I've hit the 1001 mark.  And by that I mean I hit it 2 years ago.  So this list has slowly evolved into my lifelong bucket list.  I've made a few adjustments to the original list, but here's an update of a few things I've checked off!

6.  Pay off my student loans.  How good does it feel to be debt free?!  Except then I married a med student...one day...

7.  Take a photography course.  A few years ago (yeah, its been that long since I've updated this list!) I took an online lifestyle photography course from Brooke Snow.  It was so great, and I loved actually taking pictures for myself.  Something I always could do more of.  My personal favorite from the course:

16.  Write a missionary every month for a year.  I can't even stand the fact that Max gets home in THREE WEEKS!  Seriously, so crazy.  If he's old enough to be a returned missionary, then I must be REALLY old.  I definitely could have been more dilligent with writing him, but at least I got in an email a month!  I wasn't able to be there when he got set apart as a missionary, so we had a little facetime the night before he left.  This is Max to a T.  Huge smile on his face and SO excited to be a missionary!

21.  Host a dinner party.  Last year we got a group of friends together on a random Sunday between American and Canadian Thanksgiving to have a turkey dinner of our own and show the Aussies how its done.  I can't take ALL the credit for this one, but I helped in the planning and cooked the turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, so I'm totally counting it. (and #63 - cook a turkey dinner!)


22.  Put $100 away each month for a year.  As soon as I grew up and got a real job, my dad told me I should probably go an see a financial advisor.  Now THAT is grown up.  I pretty much knew nothing when it comes to RRSPs, investments, taxes, and the works, but I did manage to figure a few things out after talking to him and made my monthly investment.  I'll thank myself for that measley amount of money one day when I try to retire but find out the baby boomers stole all the pensions!

31.  Get a 70-200 2.8 L series lens.  This one is edited from the original "Get a fisheye" lens, since the cool factor of the fisheye has lost its appeal.  But the 70-200.  WOW.  Let me tell you, it will break your bank account, but it is worth every penny!

34.  Tag along with a professional wedding photographer.  This pretty much sums up my whole last year.  I was able to shoot with 5 other photographers last year at 10 different weddings, with another 3 of my own.  I always love to second shoot and watch the way other people shoot.  Learn something new every time!

35.  Go scuba diving (again!).  I should put this back on the list just so I have an excuse to go again.  We went diving when I visited Brandon a couple years ago and let me tell you, nothing, NOTHING beats the Great Barrier Reef!

38.  Hike Vimy to Crypt Lake.  This hike had been on my to-do list pretty much since I was a kid.  I remember growing up listening to my dad talk about his more adventurous days, and I always thought of Vimy to Crypt as the hike that would top them all.  And it didn't disappoint!  We hiked it with a great crew, amazing views, and were completely and utterly exhausted by the end (thanks Low brothers for the boat pickup and the hot dogs that awaited us!)

40.  Go on a ridealong with STARS.  I've always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so the thought of working for STARS one day is kind of appealing.  As it turns out, as soon as you are legally registered as a nurse in Alberta, you can apply and spend the day with them.  The day I went there were two calls, both of which we were asked to turn around from when we were halfway there, but what can you do.  At least I still got a free helicopter ride over the Rockies!

41.  Sew myself 3 dresses.  My mother would likely be appalled at the quality of my sewing, but its a work in progress.

55.  Attend a musical I've never seen before.  Wicked was incredible.  Who cares if our seats were on the back balcony, I could have sat and sang with Alfaba that whole play.

85.  Design a photography logo.  I rebuilt my website last year and it was so much work, but I am so happy with the results!  Thanks to Brandon's cousin Anna for helping me out!

91.  Make chocolates with my mom.  I'm on the fence about whether or not my half hearted effort gets to count for this one.  I did roll a couple batches of fondant this year though, so I guess it counts for something.  One day I'm actually going to get brave enough to make some of my own!  Then I'll REALLY need help.

92.  Backpack Stony Indian Pass.  And while we're at it, why not go to the summit of the tallest mountain in Waterton-Glacier?  I could write a whole blog post about this trip, and maybe some day I will.  But for the time being I will say this.  It was the hardest thing I have ever done, and the most epic view I have ever had.  And yes, I would do it again.

101.  Buy a hammock and sleep in it.  Not much of a story here.  I did it.  And I loved it.  And I would do it again!

 

Battle Wounds.

I don't know what it is about Waterton, but somehow every time I go there it seems like I come home with battle wounds. The scar on my left shin? Canoe ride last spring. Scar on my right lower leg? The massive rock that landed on my while hiking Crandell. Well, add this to the list:

That, my friends, is the aftermath of frostbite. 2nd degree freeze combined with snow blisters to be exact.

Word to the wise: Don't wear ankle socks with tall boots as you hike through snow.

Maybe one day my ankles will be the same again?

A Year Later:

Remember this little canoe ride? Turns out some random strangers videoed our ridiculous whitewater attempt last spring and were going to email it to me. After a few weeks I finally gave up that I would ever see the video. UNTIL...the other night I check my email and its there! A year later! And its still so dang funny.

I Like Lists.

Here's one for the weekend!
1. First things first. After applying for over 150 jobs, I HAVE AN INTERVIEW!
Stollery Children's Hospital baby. I know its just an interview, but after so many applications, its just nice to hear SOMETHING.

2. I really like this song lately:


3. Going here to do some baptisms tonight.

4. Then heading south to watch this kid play a little ball:

5. And listen to a few wise words while I'm there:


6. Maybe make a little trip up to here:

7. Not to mention celebrate with madre about THIS. (P.S. My mom's blog is funny)

8. I found more Hawaii pictures the other day. And one day I will blog about it.

9. Maybe on that day I will catch up on all this too. (Nikki, I haven't forgotten you...and only have a few left. It will be soon, I PROMISE!)

10. Maybe I can convince my dad to do my taxes for me while I'm there? Doubtful.

I could keep going, but I think I'll leave it at that. Have a good weekend!

The Draw

Don't get me wrong, there are many things that I love about winter. The snow, hot chocolate, scarf season, cross country skiing (Brittney, I'm patiently waiting your post so I can steal the pictures!). But there is just a draw to summer that I can't resist. This place may have a little something to do with it:

Yup. I love it with all my heart. And that is not an understatement.

Waterton: Where the Dudley Family Has Fun!

I feel like this post has been a long time coming, so here it is! (Warning...there are a TON of pictures. And I mean a TON!)

A couple of weeks ago I went down to Waterton during my time off. We had the transition week at the Dahl Cabin, so we got to go for almost 2 weeks (as opposed to the usual 1 week).

IT WAS A BLAST!

I got to Waterton Tuesday night and met Grandma, Angie and the kids, and Lauren there. Lauren couldn't stay in Waterton the whole time, so she came up a little earlier than the rest of the gang so we could get some hiking in. We started out on Wednesday hoping to do Akamina Ridge, but it was skill covered in snow, so we just went to Forum and Wall Lake instead. It was so much fun to see Lauren again and do a little bit of hiking with her!




By Friday most of the crew was there, and Jessica, Ashley, Lauren and I decided to go for a "big girl's" hike up Vimy. This was the first time I have hiked Vimy and I have to say, its definately one of my favorites!

We took our bikes and rode about 6km, then hiked the rest of the way up. I loved it. Everyone kept making me ride in the front though because I was "One with the bears," of which we saw 3.


We crossed streams...(while freezing our ankles off!)










Saw a few lovely tracks...didn't run into this one luckily (note the scar on my shin. that would be from the canoe trip I mentioned a month or so ago)

After we had been hiking for about 4 hours or so, we got to a snowy patch. We were all getting a little tired and a little less enthusiastic, when all of a sudden Jessica slipped in the snow and ran straight into a tree


So what does Lauren do? Starts laughing so hard she pees her pants.


Well that lightened the mood! haha.




We took the 2 way radios with us so we could talk to the family back at the cabin as we were hiking. At one point we were trying to get a hold of everyone, and this is how the conversation went:

Lauren: "Hello?"
Random lady: "Hello?"
Lauren: "Is this Angie?"
Random lady: "Who?"
Lauren: "Angie. Is grandma there?
Random lady: ...(no response)
Lauren: "Base camp come in. This is the Vimy Summit team"
Random lady: "Wrong grandma!"

And with that she changed channels on us. Kinda funny.





One of the best views I've seen! Me with Mt. Cleaveland and Crypt Lake in the background


The townsite. When we FINALLY got a hold of the crew at the cabin we had already been on our way down for 2 hours, but we pulled a little prank and told them we were just at the top.

Mom: "Where are you guys?"
Jessica: "We're just at the top right now. We can see the cabin, can you see us?"
Mom:...(long pause)
Jessica: "Good joke or bad joke?"

Well, apparently they didn't hear that part...

Kara: "Where are you guys? We're outside with the binoculars but we can't see you"
Jessica: (now deciding to just go with the joke) "We're right on top. I'm wearing a green jacket and Lauren is wearing blue."
Kara: "Where? I don't see you!"
Jessica: "Well we're up here. Its really cold so we're going to head down now"
Kara: "Okay. You guys better hurry!"

(at this point it was 5:30 and we had been gone for 7 hours. I can only imagine the stress of our mothers/grandmother back at that cabin)

Needless to say, they were a little surprised when we showed up back at the cabin less than an hour later




"Vimit Summy Team"








The next few days we just lounged around the townsite. Mom and Dad showed up with the trailer (the Dahl cabin just isn't big enough for all of us these days so we had a couple trailers in the campground too). We had PERFECT weather all week...except for one day. This poor, poor tent. May it rest in peace.


Sunday was also a great day in Waterton. I'll tell you one thing...if you want to get out of church in Waterton, take a bunch of little kids with you. The building can only accommodate 40 Primary kids and I think there were 80 when we were there, so we could only have Sacrament meeting. Which left plenty of time for a nice Sunday afternoon nap.










Later on Sunday afternoon we had the chance to go see Josh get baptized in Waterton Lake. It was such a cool experience! And Josh said the water wasn't even cold!




Monday was reunion day. Almost everyone was there! (Matt, Shannon, Isaac, Eli, Chase, Tyler, Erin, Payton, & Lauren we missed you!) The WHOLE family (Grandma and Grandpa included) hiked up to Wall Lake and had such a fun time, cliff jumping, swimming, sliding down Glaciers, fishing, skipping rocks, and taking pictures.




Every year my Grandma Dudley makes us pajama t-shirts for Christmas with our grandkid number on the back (I'm #6!). This past year ours were brown and said "Waterton: Where the Dudley Family Has Fun". Well, they kind of turned into our reunion shirts and we all wore them on the hike...the adults even got their own shirts made in white.

Our little fam jam


All the siblings...whose family is this anyway? Gotta love em!


The crew!








Mahem at the cabin, as per usual.


Later on Monday we had a little program/talent show. Let me tell you, the Dudley Family has talent! We had quite the broad range from singing, to dancing, to wrestling, to kazoo, to pole climbing. Of course the "Red Red Robin" is always a favorite! (a tap number my mom did waaayyy back when she was growing up)


Apparently Tim had never seen the "Red Red Robin," so he decided to show us his hidden talent: Micheal Jackson dancing.


Tuesday, we decided to lounge at Emerald Bay, since we were heading back into Raymond for the July 1st (and Grandma's birthday!) celebrations later that night.


Somehow I ended up with all 7 kids out in the dingy by myself...how did that happen?


Of course, the kids didn't want to stay INSIDE the bay...(aka "Bay of Boring"). They wanted to venture out to the "Bay of Fun!". And I'm a little bit of a pushover. So we did. And it was fantastic.


Wednesday was July 1st/Grandma's Birthday! We started off the day with a pancake breakfast, then headed to the parade. Grandpa fixed up the little chariot and him and Grandma rode with all the little kids in the parade. They even won first place!


Those kids seriously had the time of their lives...although I think Grandma and Grandpa might have enjoyed it just as much!




Next on the list of July 1st traditions: Aunt Carols! I've always loved going out there for a little lunch, visiting, and the hunt for colored rocks. The Zobrists had just pulled into town, so we had a quick little Hawaii reunion.


The girls and our moms


Then off to the rodeo! We missed it last year because Uncle Kevin wasn't roping, but it was good to be back this year.


Uncle Kev tied his calf in 9.8 seconds, the winning time! This was his second time winning the Raymond Stampede, and he was pretty happy about it. I grabbed my camera just as he was getting ready to rope and was pretty excited about this picture:


The new buckle



Thanking the crowd



After the rodeo most of the family headed back up to Waterton. I wasn't in a huge rush, so I stayed in Raymond to play some mud football out at Zemps. SO. MUCH. FUN! They have the perfect set up too! We played football/rugby for a while, went for a quick dip in the pond, showered with the makeshift showers (scaffolding + sprinklers hanging upside down = genius), and huddled around the fire. Throw in some fireworks and it was a successful Canada Day!

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Thursday morning I headed back up to Waterton (after getting AMA to come unlock my car because I had locked my keys in it...) and we headed up Bear's Hump. As intense as it is for the half hour you are hiking...its definately worth it. The last time I hiked it was in knee deep snow, which also made the hike seem a little easier than I had remembered.




When we got down we had a quick bite to eat, then headed up Cameron Road for some cliff jumping! Tim and Kev found us a new little spot to jump...about 40 feet. It was a little freaky because its just into a pool that's kind of narrow, but it was so much fun! (Mom got some great pictures too...I love the facial expressions)




Tim couldn't let Blake and Hayden outjump him, so he jumped off the 50 footer. You had to jump farther out to avoid the rocks at the bottom, and I think this picture may explain Tim's bruises after this jump...




After the cliffs, mom, dad, Jessica, Blake, and I went for a little drive up to Red Rock. On the drive home, Jessica, being the loving sister she is, grabs my headband off my head...and throws it out the sunroof! Now, my dad has always been fair, so what does he do? makes her get out and get it...then starts driving away! It was pretty entertaining watching her chase after us down the road. That'll show her...


Thursday night was the most beautiful night I have ever seen in Waterton! My mom and I grabbed a tripod and our cameras and headed up to the Prince of Whales to get some pictures...these were all taken at midnight.



We even caught a picture of the Prince of Whales ghost, Miranda!



Thursday night was one of many nights of bushing. This time Karl lost and had to eat an entire package of hotdogs! She did it though, and Tim couldn't have been more proud. The integrity of the game still stands!



Sunday I headed back up to Edmonton and went through a crazy rain storm! It was beautiful though!


Well there you have it, the play by play of my time in Waterton with the fam. This is FOR SURE my favorite place on earth, and I am so lucky to have grown up having the opportunity to spend time in Waterton every summer. I love love love it!