Happy 80th

July is a busy month with a lot of family events going on. At the end of my sisters visit back home we held a Birthday party to celebrate Grandpa Howard's 80th birthday.

It was the first time that all of the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren had been together! So it was really a neat family gathering.

We invited some of Grandpa's old friends from curling and farming to help us celebrate, as well as some of our extended family was able to attend.

Grandpa and Grandma with his birthday cake

World Angus Forum

So although I am not an Angus breeder, nor do I ever want to be an Angus breeder, I went down to experience the 2009 World Angus Forum. This event was held at Spruce Meadows, and over the last year there has been lots of hype about this event.

When I arrived, I was in no way disappointed. As someone who loves to plan events, not only do I look at the event as a cattle person, but also as someone who is always looking for new ideas, and do pick up on areas that I would improve upon. There was very few. The planning committee did a tremendous job.

The show was filled with really great cattle. All of the exhibitors did a awesome job with their stall presentations, cattle, and celebrating the Angus breed. It was also great to meet new friends from around the world, and see old friends from across Canada.

Crystal was also at this event for work. It was really neat to meet some of her contacts in the states, and see some of the people that she has spent that last year with through her job. They were all tremendous people.

Overall, the Forum was great. Congrats to all of the exhibitors and owners, as well as to the breed for a great event!

These are some pictures that Crystal took at the Forum!Our new friends from South Africa

Grand Champion Red Angus Bull

Calgary Stampede

I have been way behind on blogging. It seems like with all the gorgeous weather we have been getting it is the last thing on my mind. So it is time to play catch up!

Crystal came home for 10 days this summer for a little holiday and to do some work as well. We decided to take a family trip to the Stampede to catch up with some old friends and see the steer show as well.

Crystal and I drove down together, and we got to catch up a lot since we have both been having busy summers so far. It was nice to just sit and talk for 3+ hrs on the drive down.

There were a handful of really good steers at the show this year. I thought that there were a lot more just average steers then usual. But regardless it was a good show. The Champion steers were not the steers that I would have picked, but each to their own!

After the steer show Maria and myself got to go on the Express Stage Coach in front of the grandstand during the chuckwagon races. It was really cool to be up there, and see the grandstand from that angle. Those horses are simply beautiful and Express does such a great job with them.

After we got back from the Express ride, we met up with mom, dad, and Crystal to watch the Chuckwagons and Grandstand show. This years grandstand show was much different from any of the other ones that I have seen. It really is a spectacular to see, and if you have never seen it, make it a priority one day!

Below are some of the pictures from Calgary.

Good-bye MJ

Today the world watched as Michael Jackson was laid to rest. In a televised memorial over 1 billion tuned in to celebrate his life.

Although MJ's life has been filled with controversy over the last few years, the last week has been time to celebrate this life achievements. People forget about what a great advocate and supporter for charities and the underprivileged.

Aside from his social aspect of his life, he is also without the King of Pop. With countless number one singles and albums, he is without doubt the most influential superstar of all time.

From a very young age I have loved MJ and his music. We have danced to countless of his songs and his dance moves have influenced the way we danced. I will always be a huge MJ fan, and hope that his legacy lives on through his music.

RIP Michael Jackson 1958-2009

Wonderful Weddings

This weekend I was lucky enough to see two wonderful people get married... Tara and Doug.

Tara and Doug met at another friends wedding a few years ago and their relationship took off from there. Both families knew each other from the cattle business. Since then the two of them have become such an awesome couple and it was great to see them finally get married!

The wedding was held at the Shologan's farm. They always have a beautiful yard, but this year it seemed even more beautiful. Pat, Melody and family had spent countless hours watering the lawn, planting flowers and making everything perfect for the wedding. After we all headed to Westlock for the reception.

The night was filled with lots of dancing, drinks, and good friends. It was great to see a bunch of old friends, and just to celebrate the night. I have 2 more weddings to go to this summer and are excited for them all. I really do love wedding!