Family Bonding and Moments on Mother's Day ❣️

Every moment together counts, so we make the most of our family time and turn bonding into a lifetime of funny, sweet stories and lasting memories.

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Swinging Through Time | The Story of the Dangler Swings

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There are some things that aren't just built, they're crafted with care, history, and vision. The Dangler Swings is one of those treasures.  This beautiful ride was originally built back in 1920 by Fritz Kreis, a leading German manufacturer of amusement park attractions. What makes it even more special? It was created as a one-of-a-kind project. There's simply nothing else quite like it.    Before it found its home in Canada, the Dangler Swings was recognized as the largest of its kind in Europe. It evolved from the mechanical carousels that charmed crowds back in the 1870s, with its tall center pole powered by a reliable 7-horsepower electric motor, a marvel of engineering in its day.   In 1984, the ride was generously donated to Heritage Park by Jim Conklin, and after careful restoration, it made a grand appearance at the 1988 Calgary Stampede midway, bringing joy to a whole new generation. Then in 1989, it found its permanent ho...
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Celebrate Family! RootsTech 2027 Registration Is Now Open

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What if discovering your family's story wasn't just about names and dates? What if it was a celebration of who you are, where you come from, and the people whose lives shaped yours? That's exactly the heart of RootsTech 2027.      📅 When & Where Dates: March 4–6, 2027 Where: Online (Free for everyone!) AND in person in Salt Lake City, Utah Theme: "Celebrate!"   This year, family history isn't just research. It's a joyful celebration of:   - The heritage that grounds us - The cultures that enrich us - The stories that connect us - The relationships that grow across generations   As Jonathan Wing of FamilySearch shared: "We invite attendees to see family history as a living celebration of the past, present and future."   Whether you're just starting out or you've been tracing your roots for years, there's something for you:   - Hundreds of inspiring classes for beginners and seasoned researchers alike - Virtual & in...
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The Well That Sparked Alberta's Oil Boom | Our Heritage Park Visit

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Our family visited Heritage Park and stepped back in time to discover the story that shaped Alberta.    It all began in 1911, when an amateur geologist named William Stewart Herron noticed something remarkable: oil seeping through the ground in the foothills south of Calgary. Little did he know, that small discovery would launch Alberta’s entire oil industry. Herron brought in Archibald Wayne Dingman to oversee the work, and together they founded Calgary Petroleum Products. On May 14, 1914, their No. 1 Well, now known affectionately as the Dingman Well, struck oil at 2,700 feet.  What made it extraordinary? The gasoline was so pure it could power a car without any refining. That gusher sparked excitement across the region and started Alberta’s very first oil boom.   At Heritage Park, we saw the replica of the Dingman cable-tool rig. A story of preservation in itself. The first accurate replica was built in 1965, using h...
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Letters, Wires, and a $500 Treasure | Our Visit to Heritage Park's Post Office

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There’s something truly special about walking into a building that once stood in a different town, a different time, holding all the quiet stories of the people who walked through its doors before us.   On our visit to Heritage Park, we stepped inside the old Post Office and Telephone Exchange, a little building that originally stood in Cayley, a small community about 60 kilometres south of Calgary. It was built in 1908 by a man named Rasmus Skov, and served the people of that area for decades before being moved and carefully preserved here.   It’s easy to take instant messages for granted these days. But learning the story of how mail moved in early Western Canada gave us such a fresh appreciation for how things used to be:   - Before the 1870s, the Hudson’s Bay Company was basically the postal service for the entire region - In 1874, the North West Mounted Police stepped in and actually served as postmasters carrying letters along wit...
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Our Love Story

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Let me share how our paths crossed, how our relationship blossomed over the years, and how our commitment to each other and our shared faith in   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints   have been foundational in our journey together. Anatolin and I were both raised by our goodly parents. I was born in San Jose Del Monte Bulacan on February 21, 1982. When I was two years old, our family moved to Bauang, La Union, where we met Sister Lumacad and Sister Mcnutt, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our family accepted the gospel on June 10, 1984 and was sealed at the Manila Philippines Temple on 1 February  1986, two years after it's dedication.  Anatolin was born in San Jose Agoo, La Union on June 25, 1982. Their whole family was baptized in the church in May 1988.  Anatolin said he first saw me when we were twelve years old and at a Regional Conference where an apostle of the Lord, Elder Quentin L. Cook, presided ov...
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Okay, let's get real. Anyone can have kids, right? But being a dad? That's a whole different ballgame. As a mom, I've seen firsthand what it takes to be a great father, and let me tell you, it's so much more than just biology. It's Not Just About the Genes   Making a baby is just the starting point. Being a father starts when you step up and take responsibility.  It's about:   - Being Present : Like, really present. Not just physically, but emotionally too. Putting down the phone, turning off the game, and actually engaging with your kids. It's about being there for the good, the bad, and the messy. - Keeping Them Safe : Making sure they're okay, both in their bodies and in their heads. Teaching them how to navigate the world and protecting them when they can't. It's about being their rock. - Providing the Basics : Food, clothes, a roof over their heads. But also, giving them opportunities to learn and grow. It...
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Why My Husband Leads Our Home With Joy | The Secret Revealed

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  Those who know our family see it clearly that my husband Anatolin takes the lead in our home. Managing the household tasks and gently preferring that I simply help and work beside him. He’s the captain, and I’m so happy to be his co-pilot. And honestly? Our sweet, endless conversations while folding laundry, shopping, or preparing meals together are the most precious moments of all.    While he gives his strength to the work of our home, I pour my heart into walking closely with our children. Nurturing their growth, their hearts, and their faith.   Visitors, especially fellow moms,  watch Anatolin moving so willingly and lovingly around the house, and they can’t help but say, "Sana all".  And truly, I wonder myself: what did I do to deserve such a peculiar husband? I say peculiar because I know so many women carry heavy hearts and unmet hopes as if dissatisfaction has become the norm. Yet here he is, his life’s mission is to serve me and our c...
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They Toiled in Darkness So We Could Have Light

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Together, our family learned something profound about the history that shaped the world we know today. For two centuries, the progress and prosperity of western civilization rested on the strong, weary backs of coal miners,  men who toiled deep underground, often in darkness, so that others might have light, warmth, and progress.  In early 20th-century Alberta, those miners came from every corner of the earth, a rich diversity of languages, cultures, and stories. Many were immigrants, drawn by the promise of freedom and a better life. They left everything familiar behind, hoping to build something solid for their families. They found work but they also found hardship.   Coal mining was hard, dirty, and dangerous work. Yet for so many, it was the best, or only way to provide. And remarkably, despite the risks and the toil, these men took genuine pride in what they did. They saw their labor as more than...
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A Meaningful Visit to the Clinic That Welcomed Every One of Our Children

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We recently had the incredible opportunity to visit the Holy Infant Clinic,  the place where all our precious children were born! It was a heartwarming experience as we reunited with Dr. Zarate and the midwives who played such a significant role in bringing our little ones into the world. Meeting them again filled our hearts with gratitude and joy. Their expertise, care, and compassion during those precious moments will forever hold a special place in our hearts. We were truly blessed to have such dedicated professionals by our side, ensuring the safe arrival of our little miracles.   As we walked through the halls of the clinic, memories of each child's birth flooded our minds. The anticipation, the excitement, and the overwhelming love that filled the air were felt once again. We couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the blessings we have been given.   The opportunity to introduce our children to the doctor and midwives...
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The Secret to Sweet Success in Work, Love and Life

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