Writing on Stone

 On Saturday I took the kids with a group from Taber to the Provincial Park - Writing on Stone.  Beautiful and fascinating, remote and peaceful, it is nestled under the shadow of the Sweet Grass Hills and along the shores of the Milk river. 
It's on the Alberta/Montana border about 1 1/2 hours from here, closer if you could drive straight as the crow flies, but since you have to go around a bit, it takes longer.   We had a fun day exploring the hoodos and walking the paths to see the actual writing carved into the rocks by the blackfoot indians, years and years ago.  We went on a cloudy, wet day but I can imagine that it is not a place you would want to go to on a hot sunny day since it really is desert climate, no shade around!
The next time I go I hope to take Andy along as it was a bit nerve wracking trying to keep all three boys in my line of vision, the park was not really child friendly, seeing as the paths were not fit for strollers and the warnings to stay on the paths due to rattlesnakes was very real - we saw two!  Seth and I ran past (me holding Rowan) but Tristan reminded me of Lot's wife from the Bible, he counld't resist the urge to stop and take a peek, so he did, and had big round glossy eyes the rest of the day:)
Sorry for the picture overload:)  The place was really really gorgeous and the kids had so much fun, I couldn't stop snapping and now to have to pick my favourite few? No way, I'm going for an overdose this time;)

Dangerous, but incredibly much fun.

What ever the big boys do, Rowan has to do too.

Hoodoo Dudes

Seth took this picture "I cut off your head with the zoom mom, you were too far away"

On top of the world!  (sort of)

After the hoodoos we followed the path to see the writing on the stones

It's hard to see from here, but there was a whole battle scene etched into the sandstone. Indians versus White man. 

Indians with the bows and arrows...

White men with the guns and bullets.

The third and final hike was to the viewpoint overlooking the sweet grass hills and the milk river as well as a deserted RCMP office from the 1890's. 

The RCMP buildings (would be neat to go down there and actually look inside). I have an obsession with old deserted buildings - Alberta just feeds it. ;)

Seth was in love with the prairie cactus' growing all around. It's neat to see how he notices and appreciates small things in nature.

We took a school bus there just for fun so here are my two happy travellers! What a fun day!!

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.