Todd's Big 4-0 Surprise Party

Todd came home from work and got a nice surprise. He knew there was going to be a party but he thought it was going to be people from my work. He suspected something might be planned but didn't think it was going to happen that day. He was so pleased with all the people who took the time to come out and celebrate this milestone in his life. Happy 40th Todd! Thanks Audrey for all the pictures as my camera has not been fixed as you can tell from the first few.

I shot off a bear banger when he blew out the candles. It made a really nice bang. That bear banger was loud!

The kids were in there like piranhas, wanting a slice of cake

A Walk on the Wild Side

Funniest story of the year...I am sure. I was maintaining the yard and scooping doggie doo into the bush when all of a sudden the bush moved back. What I had done was thrown doggie doo doo at a big black bear! He poked his head out of the bush and I ran with shovel in hand into the house (eventually dropped the shovel because it was slowing me down). Ran inside, yelling Bear!! Bear!!. Then, Todd and I stood on the deck and watched the bear sniff the air in the yard from the bush. He went back into the bush but then crossed our back field. We were only able to take a picture and it was blurry partly because the camera is still broken and having problems focusing but I am sure it was because I was shaking too. He was a big boy. The next day there was two in the bush next to the house but they didn't come into the yard.

Nature At Our Door Step Literally

We had this robin that was flying out of our honeysuckle anytime we went near the dining room window. We figured that there must be a nest in the bush and we were right. It had made a nest right on the front porch in our honeysuckle. Mr. and Mrs. Robin layed three eggs.

All three eggs hatchedThey got big really fast. We noticed we could only see two.Only one made it and flew away. one was dead in the nest caused by the parents and one fell out of the nest and died. Nature is tough but it was a good lesson that we will explain to the girls when they are ready. They think they all flew away into the bush. That's sort of what happened but...

Vanessa's Preschool Graduation

Vanessa had her last special day at preschool. It was a western theme and then they got to put on the little gowns and mortar boards. They looked so cute. Another milestone for sure.

With Ms. Kim

With Ms. Chantal

House at Night

Took some pictures of the house and yard at dusk. I like all the lights around the dormers. The pond and gazebo have some lights too. We need to work on getting some driveway lights as it is quite dark driving into the yard.

Flying up to Guides Ceremony

Heather completed two years of Brownies. Her sash is full of badges demonstrating her efforts and learnings. It was a very cold day but a very proud monent. Girl Guides is a very good organization and we hope heather can continue to be a part of it and learn great skills.

Settling In

Uncle Jack was our very first overnight guest. He stayed overnight on his way up to Calgary. Our first install was this clothesline. I miss the clothesline from when I was a kid and I thought it would be a good energy saver. I love watching the sheets flapping in the wind. It rained on this day. Oops!

Our second change was making a vegetable garden. We got in a big load of dirt and built raised beds. The girls planted peas and corn on this day.

Pea world

We have had a few visitors. This guy liked to perch here and on the Sequoia we have in the year. Such a bright orange that you could see him from quite a distance.

Ah Yes, rural life also brings the less desireables as well. This one was most likely killed by our blog's namesake, Meeko. we ended up killing about another four in traps. We figured they were coming in the dryer duct and furnace input and outputs on the side of the house. We fixed that. Hopefully.

Some more planting

When we moved in, the frogs were so loud. It sounded like all the windows were open inside the house but they were all closed. We learned we moved in during mating season. Heather had trouble sleeping, it was so loud and took some getting used to. These little guys ended up hatching in our pond and have brought the girls and their friends plenty of hours of entertainment.

Bought some new patio furniture for the big deck. Still need a new table and chairs set but that will have to wait another year I think.