day 243

One of the many faces of my boy.
Today, we had a great day. 

day 242

Here is a picture from my archives, back in the day of the digital point and shoot, haha.  I feel I've been a bit distracted from my blog this week.  I guess it's the last week of summer holiday syndrome.  I'm actually feeling quite blue.  I am so excited for my boy to be going into grade 1, but at the same time I feel like my heart is breaking.  I know I will get over this, and he will love grade 1, but for right now... I'm sad.

day 241

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My sweet boy.  Man, do I love him.

day 238

More from yesterday...

day 237

Today, my parents took the boy and I into Vancouver so we could meet Richie for lunch.  We do this sometimes.  As we did today, we usually stay in town and pick him up too, so that he doesn't have to face the gruelling transit commute home.  Today was extra-special, because we got to see inside his office and see where he spends his days.
Thank you, Mom and Dad.
This afternoon, we spent some time at Stanley Park.

(more pictures to come tomorrow... or the next day)

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day 235

First harvest...
A bean is a wonderful thing to plant from seed and enjoy fresh. 

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Richie made us breakfast this morning.  His 'famous' cinnamon buns.  I emphasize famous because after everytime he makes them - the boy tells me how Daddy makes them the best and that I should really learn from him how to make them.   Thank you Pillsbury.

day 232

My tomatoes!

day 231

A few more from yesterday, as I am not feeling so great.  I think I have a little heat stroke. Ugh.

day 230

We made it to the beach, wahoo!  :)  My boy and I took a picnic lunch and had a great time playing in the sun and sand.

Sandy bum

Prepare yourself.  Sunscreen Application.  FAIL.

Other thoughts running through my head.... at least we know that the sunsreen works when applied properly.  Also, is one of my arms longer than the other, because the other shoulder is not burnt.

day 229

Today, we 're-united' with some old friends.  We had to do the couch shot, because growing up, we had the same picture taken with these friends.  And, getting 6 kids to sit on a couch and at least all look at the camera (forget smile) was a challenge.  An unsuccessful challenge at that! :)

day 228

One of my family's favourite cookies.  Gingersnaps.

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day 226

Let me start by telling you my tale of woe, but don't worry - there is a happy ending.  Sunday after Church, we decide to go explore a local park, which has an 'abandoned' race track.  We get in the car, I turn on my camera to see if it's okay...and nothing... zip, zilch, nada.  We quickly grab the old point and shoot, just in case.  On first instinct, one would think it was the battery...but in my mind it seemed so much more sinister than that.  I was seeing bills with large amounts of money written all over it, after all, it was working just fine last night.  Anyways, on the way to the park, we charge it.  When we get to the park..still nothing.  But we carry on (one of us having a little pity party...).   But, enjoying God's creation and some good old fresh air, changes a lot of things.  We managed to snap a few picture on the point and shoot, before that battery died.  Upon returning home, I gave the battery a good charge...and low and behold...my camera worked.  *blush*.  On a side note - that race track isn't always abandoned.  There was a horse meet there, so we will have to return another day, so my boy can pretend he's a race car. 

day 225

Took an after dinner drive to Barnston Island.

day 224

Today, we had a 'quiet' day at home. 

After lunch, I listened to a poolside lecture on the eating habits of various dinosaurs.

Played a rousing game of War.

And then finished the day off with some roadside Art Appreciation.

day 223

Breakfast for dinner? Yes, please!

day 222

I seem to be moving in slow motion since we returned from holidays.  Seriously, laundry has been an all week event and it took me almost two days to dust the living room.  :)  Oh well, that's okay. 

I am hoping the nice weather will return soon, because I think a trip to the beach is in order.  Mind you, the beach will still be there and will still be refreshing even if the clouds roll in.  Beach... I am pencilling you in for next week. 

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day 220

Oops, I forgot to mention our wildlife spottings.  I was so hoping to see a moose, but alas, I did not.
Here are our wildlife spotting totals.
Banff: 2 big horn sheep
Drumheller: 1 gopher (and thankfully nothing of the slithering variety)
Jasper:  See below :)

And, now I will do the 'I'm-caught-up-on-my-blog' dance.  Phew.

day 219

Okay, so I saved some of my favourite pictures from our Alberta Adventure until the end.  After the Dinosaur Museum, we headed east.  To the Badlands to see the hoodoos.  The topography of this area was breathtaking. 

This was truly a great vacation for us.  Yes, it was alot of driving...but seeing friends and family, exploring new places and being constantly amazed by God's creation - made it all worthwhile. 

day 218

Homeward bound.   We passed Louis Creek, which was destroyed by forest fire in 2003. 

day 217

Today, we left Edmonton and headed ot Valemount, stopping in Jasper.

There's a storm a-brewin'.

day 216

Today, we left our friends in Airdrie... and headed for Edmonton, to see and stay with Rich's cousin. 

day 215

Today, we went to the Calgary Zoo, with our friends who we were staying with.  What a great zoo!  And what a treat for us - as our friend had worked at the zoo, and gave us a wonderul tour.  We learned so much... so much that I forgot to take many pictures.  Who hired this photographer anyways!? *smirk*

Whatcha lookin' at?

day 214

The previous night, we arrived at our friends house in Airdrie... and yes, we took the scenic route.  We were treated to a delicious meal.  And my boy and their daughter hit it off.  It was very cute to watch them play.  And, I am kicking myself for not taking a picture of them together.  *What was I thinking!!*

And that, brings us to today.  One of the main reasons for our trek was to visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.  My boy is a dinosaur nut, and he loved it!  I found it a bit difficult to take pictures, as it was fairly dark.  But here, are a few from our day. 

My boy's favourite exhibit - Black Beauty.

Dino dig.  My boy went to a class, where they learned about dionsaurs, did a craft, dug for dinosaur bones and held fossils and even coprolite, which after holding, the little man wiped his hands on his shorts. 

day 213

From Revelstoke, we travelled through the Rocky Mountains, stopping at Banff and Lake Louise.  The beauty that surrounded us and surprised us at every turn, was amazing.

Rocky Mountains.

And, the breath-taking Lake Louise.