I am one with technology:

I can take pictures with my chocolate cell phone, and even better, I can get those pictures onto my computer!

The Corporate Retreat

We were off to a great start the first night of the corporate retreat. We arrived in the evening, and the buffet at the reception had ice sculptures! Chloe really knew what she was talking about with our report card buffet: sculptures are a must.

The next day while Ken was in meetings I participated in a ladies best ball golf tournament. It was my first time golfing, and my team mates were hesitant to coach me in any way, but I did learn how to drive the golf cart.

I also learned by observation that instead of first pushing the tee in the ground, and then balancing the ball on top, that it is smoother to put the ball and tee together in my hand, and use the ball already in place to push the tee into the ground.

I discovered a little contraption I'd never heard of: a ball washer. Apparently sand and grass can interfere with an *A* game, and golfers at that level need a clean ball. I washed my ball, but it didn't improve my golf game.

The second night was Western Night. We ate BBQ steaks, BBQ chicken, beans, and the like. Some of the managers at Ken's company are real cowboys, so this was their second night in cowboy hats.

The next day while the executives and managers were in meetings there was an organized hike for the spouses. The hike was beautiful, and we had a nature guide with us, which really improved my appreciation for the area. The resort personal trainer came along, and he cracked me up, because he seemed to feel very responsible for our welfare. He took up the rear, and when we stopped for breaks he'd do a head count. I felt like I was a kid at summer camp, only there wasn't a craft when we got back to the lodge.

These falls were just below our resort.

Above is the old 'bath house', and below are the old tubs for soaking in the hot springs.

( I spent plenty of time sitting in the modern hot springs pool with the other ladies)

These are my feet in a a paraffin wax pedicure treatment I received while I sat in a massage chair at the on site spa.

The third night was the anticipated 70's night. I had heels on, but so did Ken, and with that wig he was even taller. Once again, the cowboys wore cowboy clothes.

The last day was the mixed men's and ladies' best ball golf tournament. Later in the evening was a 25th anniversary celebration of the company, and the golfing awards. It was a more formal evening, and guess what cowboys wear for formal clothes? You got it: cowboys have a truly classic and timeless look. During the golf awards, my team won the highest score even though we had a guy on our team who had gone to college on a golf scholarship. Who's fault do you think that was?

Happy Birthday, Ken!

Pear pie with 3 candles for his last birthday in his 30's


Thirty-nine things about Ken:

1. He love sushi!



2. He loves spicy food.
   
3. He'd rather have a Coke at the end of a meal than a dessert.
   
4. He's recently traded in his Coke for Pelligrino's sparkling water and limes.





5. He's a true family man.
   

6. He has eclectic taste in music.

7. He thinks before he speaks.

8. He has a great sense of direction.

9. He likes to cook.

10. He'll do all the cooking after he retires.

11. He prefers hot weather to cold - and he thinks you have to pick which temperature you like and complain only against the other.

12. He works in the oil industry.

13. He's good at his job.

14. He served a 2 year mission for our church in Chicago.

15. He's a MLB fan.

16. He's named for both his grandfathers - Kenneth Eric.

17. He loves cars.

18. He'd like to go to race car driving school.

19. He loves motorbikes, but doesn't have one (refer to #5).

20. He likes his steak medium rare.

21. He has a 3-way tie on his favorite pie - pear, raspberry, and key lime.

22. He loved his dogs when he was a kid.

23. He doesn't always love having a dog now.

24. He's the person who started the monkey joke in our house.

25. He is clean. Clean.

26. He has a quick wit.

27. He reads non-fiction.

28. He never gets all the sleep he'd like.

29. He's happy to give up sleep for recreation (playing hockey, skiing, biking).

30. He has super thick hair.

31. He has a strong sense of duty.

32. He likes a freshly cut lawn the way I like a freshly vacuumed floor.

33. He's a Calgary Flames fan through and through: by definition that means he hates the Edmonton Oilers.

34. He's a great shot.

35. He loves mountain biking and road biking.

36. He likes to travel.

37. He likes road trips.

38. For Ken an important element of a holiday is the food. He even remembers holidays from his childhood by where and what he ate.

39. He's all mine!