Kite

Southern Alberta is known for its wind...

 Made for a fun afternoon till it got stuck in the tree and a storm blew in. Ironically, the hawk kite got stuck in the same tree two hawks have made their nest.  (Andy had to climb up and shake it out).

Watching the thunder roll in and the lighting strike

Gardening

May 24 weekend had arrived... (it actually fell on May 18th this year) but according to all the local farmers that is the weekend to plant your garden, so of course we had to do that. ;)

It was way too much fun.  We had already purchased the seeds - almost impossible not to have done with the super enthusiastic littles in this house. (passing a seed stand in the stores is like going into a candy store for most kids - 6 little hands reach out and plead with me for cucumbers, pumpkins, lettuce, spinach, flowers, beans and zucchini - how can I resist the excitement??)
I remember being little and thinking planting was the most exciting thing you ever do in the spring... as soon as the weeds pop up it looses its luster, but for now, it's ok. :) 

Daddy showing Seth how deep to plant the onions

...gourds...

A whole row of watermelon seeds... good thing there's alot of room in this garden;)

Taking a break

This is the way Rowan works - one boot on one boot off.

Half way done!

Potato planting was done a couple days later - it was warm:)

Good thing we have a bath tub and extra pants!

Eight (8!!!) days later the things are peeping out of the soil.... how exciting!!!  

Kale

Sunflowers

A ripe strawberry!

Trees, and more trees!

When people see all the trees we've cut down around here we often get the remark "You're crazy! People don't cut down trees in Southern Alberta!"
Apparently we are too new to know that, or too dumb to to listen. Either way, if a tree is dead, I think it's an eyesore and should come down.

After the 18 dead trees were removed this is what we were left with

See the stumps? I dont!

Andy and I love working together outside and get so excited to see progress on the yard.  We have lots of dreams and visions for what this place will look like.... in many years:)
There's nothing like the present to start something that will take a long time to complete, so we purchased 7 Colorado Blue Spruces and 3 Birches.  Makes it already feel like our own little park;)

Getting ready for new trees

What would we do without our helpers?

"Hi Mom!"

selfies ;)

The load....

Look how tall! What a beautiful tree!

Grass seed is now planted, we'll wait and see what comes up!

We also planted three long rows of tiny trees (100 to be exact) on the new lawn off to the side, they will take many years to turn into something, but hopefully at some point we can move them around and they will be more of a shelter belt.    

Right now we are young and have lots of energy and muscle to put to work, so that's what we are doing, and really enjoying it too!  Spring is the most invigorating time of the year!

Sonshine Bible

The Canadian Reformed congregation here in Taber has an outreach program they have done for years and years, focusing on the children and mothers from the community, and of course they invite church kids to come too.  Its on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 till 11am for 3 to 5 year olds.  I took Seth and Tristan this year, and it was a really nice way for them to learn and play as well as for me to meet some people from the community. There are around 40 children who attend, half from the church and half from outside the church. 
The kids love it and can't wait to go every week.   They come home with a little craft and colouring sheet. The "teachers" are ladies from the church and they do a wonderful job. Enthusiastic and engaging, the kids give it their best.  
I get a little concerned sometimes that maybe Tristan is a bit shy in public and Seth is a bit overly excitable.  But a friend reassured me that they are doing just fine. Apparently when Tristans class has questions and answer time the teachers say "who knows the answer to such and such....anyone may answer except Tristan....we know he already knows all the answers!"
 Oh help. Little Mr. Smartie Pants.  He's listening alright!
Yesterday was the year end picnic in Taber Park, and you couldn't have asked for a nicer day for a picnic! They had been told the week before there was going to be hotdogs and chips for lunch...so the boys were pretty thrilled. Seth graduated with the rest of the 5/6 year olds who will not be going back in the fall due to bigger things, like grade one.  They received a Bible which was exciting.
 

Circle time - singing and learning about God!

Phone quality close up;)

Mrs Jessica saying a few words to end the year

Seth receiving his Bible from Mrs Jessica! {thrilled}

Rowan watching the singing

Goofing off at the park...fun fun fun.

And yes, there were hot dogs and chips for lunch:) 

Rowan is 2!!

 Happy birthday sweet Rowan! 

 Time has flown!  We have had so much fun watching him go from baby to toddler.  From the sweet helpless babe to the expressive and enthusiastic little boy trying hard to learn how to talk.  The excitement of a birthday reflected off of Seth and Tristan onto him and he was ready to rip that paper off his gifts the moment we placed them in front of him.  Way too much fun.

...and then candles on a cake... I don't know how they remained lit long enough for us to take a picture, but then again, Andy did light them multiple times to let the blowing-out part last just a bit longer...   If you can't beat them....may as well join them;)

We are so thankful to God for the blessings we have received also in Rowan.  We pray he will grow up to love and serve his maker. 

April

It seems the month of April has come and gone, and we don't really know where it went! I guess that's a good thing, meaning we are busy and happy.  
Winter felt long while we were in the middle of it, but now the sun is warming up the earth and turning things green and making us eager for all things spring.
We've had relatively few wet, cold and cloudy days (by Ontario standards) for which we are thankful for, but according to locals this has been a terrible spring. Farmers are waiting impatiently to get on the fields -  but we are busily and eagerly enjoying this spring by tidying up the yard, planning new gardens, washing windows and this morning, painting the front door (a new coat of paint gives and old door such a face lift!). 

I imagine I'm no different then many others, but by the time April rolls around I am beyond eager to shed the layers and boots and don short sleeves and flip flops.  When Old Man Winter has a hard time making up his mind whether he wants to go or stay I find comfort in Genesis 8 where it says:

 "Never again will I curse the ground because of man,

 even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.

 And never again will I destroy all living creatures,

 as I have done. 

As long as the earth endures,

 seedtime and harvest,

 cold and heat,

 summer and winter,

 day and night will never cease." 

What a comfort and promise!

We celebrated Easter by going to church, having a special brunch and listening to choral music all day long. 

Ready for church

The rest of the month in snapshot form:

Tristan came to the door with a dead rabbit the other day...it was so shocking, I had nothing to say.

I asked him what he was going to do with it. "Butcher it" he said.  Ummm..nope, not happening!

 

Picking up pinecones - many hands make light work!

Tristan has his own sense of style which he takes quite seriously;)

Grading the driveway

Happy as a lark playing on his own.

With the days getting longer, sleep is getting harder.  Good thing they all like reading in bed!

We had some Mallard ducks visit - Seth followed them with the camera

When the weather was good for staying inside the boys happily picked up their pencils and honed their drawing talents.  I'm glad they love drawing so much - its good for them, and nice for me:)