Bertha Falls - Waterton 2016

Bertha Falls in Waterton!  That was the last on our  "to hike" wish list.
We had two days to escape from here in the beginning of June so we went to Waterton overnight.  It was so hot and windy.  As much as we love Waterton it was a bit of a disappointment as many of the trails were closed due to construction.  We spent time walking around the village and swimming at the rec. center.  We all got our first sun burn of the year and got to enjoy the sun rising in the mountains due to some very early risers;)  We went to this cute little bagel and coffee shop for breakfast where the kids all got toasted cinnamon bagels smothered in Nutella.  It was delicious and beyonnnd messy :D  All the kids needed a change of clothes by the time they were done. Ha!  Who does that right? And it was only 8 in the morning. But the village was so quiet and still and serene.  All worth it.

Bagel shop!

Walk for Life

Life is precious!  

We were glad to be able to participate in the Walk for Life raising funds for the Lethbridge Pregnancy Centre.  It was the perfect morning to get out and stroll around Henderson Lake.  It's important to do these things and we were glad we we could make it. 

A person really is a person no matter how small. 

All in a days play

Summer is almost here, but school is finished and we have chores that keep up busy, as well as lots of play time.  This spring has been exceptionally windy making for some indoor days between all the outdoor days.  If you were to pop by here on an average day this is what would be keeping us smiling! Lucky for me I have an exceptionally (ahem, me being biased) fun little toddler following me around all day long.  One with a little girly voice and big blue eyes, who loves all things pretty.  She gives me a reason to sew with white and indulge in baby necklaces. 

One necklace isn't enough... all three needed!

Some lucky kids got a playset!

This will be a challenge all summer I think. {Keeping her from falling}.

We got a new flock of chicks yet again. 

...and for some reason not one of them is letting Rowan pick them up. ;)

Two days old!

Our sheep got shorn {finally}! 

My little shadow.  Walking in the weeds - no worries Andy is spraying as I type.

Rowan got the new wagon for his birthday, Abby obviously thinks it was made for her.

Shop time! We needed another rabbit cage, so I decided it was something we could make together.

So much fun and learning happened!

Within a few days of putting the bunnies in it - we had babies born. Perfect timing.

The bunnies in the old cage. Adorable little fluff balls.

And considering two years ago there was no deck, no garden and no trees here, I think things are looking good!

Smile!

Another year - wedding anniversary

 How's this for a bit of fun?
Andy and I celebrated nine years of wedded bliss May 18, 2016! 
 

Faces. Friendly & Familiar. Family.

The end of my Ontario dialogue. 

Two weeks of fun, two weeks of visiting, sleeping all over, single parenting for one week. 
Two weeks jam packed with emotions, feelings, impressions. 
Two and half years gone from the only place in the world you've ever called home, then going back after making your home in a new but totally different part of the world. I've compiled a list of a few funny things that hit me hard, but hit me non-the-less.

Alberta needs Ontario's Red Hots.  How I've missed them!  Gaah.

I could drive for hours and hours in Ontario without encountering a single cop out to get someone for going a few km over the speed limit.  How refreshing.  I think I suffer from a bit of OCD, but *sigh* it's so refreshing to be able to speed a tad and not think of the police!  ;)

Stores and lots of of them, all being competitively priced is also a great thing.   I'm waiting for the wild west to be more populated for that to happen. 

Slow 80km per hour roads, filled with curves and cars!  I did not miss them!  Give me 100 or 110km per hour on a straight road anytime.  

The sunshine and dry air here, resulting in quick drying tea towels and face clothes.   I like that new found freedom;) 

All in all, it was a great trip, it was good to be there, it was good to come home.   Thanks to everyone for their warm welcomes and outstanding hospitality.  I feel blessed and loved and thrilled to know you all.

 *I wasn't able to get photos of everyone, and to those who I missed; you are just as special!

Cousin Henry treated Abby with much sweetness.

Cousins Derrick and Henry.

Cousin Douwe and Abby finally got to meet!  They are the same age down to two weeks. Special.

Sunday baking with cousins Sacha, Hailey and Aldrik.

Seth was thrilled to visit Silas

L-R, Niko Rietema, Tristan, Abby, Rowan and Alex Rietema.

Cousins Sydney and Norah

Great Pake Viersen and Uncle Micah. 

Amy and Elgin Hennessy - Drayton friends & awesome old neighbours

Ben and Tristan

Ben and Seth

Some Bijlsma and Post friends - too many names:)

Three lifelong mama friends got together and here are the kids: Rowan and Tristan with Tahlia and Michaela.  Abby and Denver Oostdyk.  Fun to have our kids together.

 

Fun with the Freemans!  Drayton besties. Erica and Seth, friends since birth.

Seth was happiest working with Uncle Micah collecting eggs. Quality time.

Wiener Roast with Opa and Oma - we had to! It's tradition.

And then... time to head home.  We were a tired bunch and ready to see daddy again.  After all that adventure, there's nothing quite like our own little corner of the world. 

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home

 A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there

Which seek thro' the world, is ne'er met elsewhere

Home! Home!

Sweet, sweet home!

There's no place like home

There's no place like home!

Early morning flight meant breakfast from Timmies in the airport!

It was a good flight - Rowan had his head in the clouds:)