Welcome to My World!!!

Finally,  after much hinting and suggesting, and waiting and waiting - - - - - I went and bought it (and even got a lovely little discount for being a teacher) for myself!  Happy Birthday to Me - Merry Christmas - Happy Valentine's Day - get the picture?!?!  

I am excited but nervous about figuring out what to do.  Wish me luck - hopefully I'll have something to show you someday soon!

Colour Quiz

Go over to Creating Keepsakes and take this very interesting Colour Quiz, designed by Beth Opel.  It's really fun and you might even learn a few things about yourself, which is always a good thing, isn't it?!  Only 1 point separated me from being a  red, orange or yellow scrapbooker and a green one.  Here's my summary:

Green Scrapbooker

You are scrapbooking's flower child. You're mindful of your budget and careful about your carbon footprint as it relates to the supplies you select. You may find yourself snapping photos of nature scenes with regularity. Your pages have a natural harmony and balance.

Interesting!!!  Let me know what you end up with, okay?

Ten on Tuesday

1.  I saved $8.50 today on shampoo, face cream, shaving cream and sole inserts by using 5 coupons.  Thanks for the tips and the signup site, Mel!!

2.  Drop over to Becky Novacek's blog and read her 'b' list entry on making days bright.  She is wise and faithful, a marvelous photographer and inspiring .

3.  Oprah had her designing buddy, Nate, on the show yesterday and he did some remodelling for 4 different families that lived on the same street.  His budget was $500 per house and it was amazing what he accomplished with less than $200 in most cases.  I am itching to learn how to paint now!

4.  My sister and I had great fun taking pictures of each other on the Crocus Hill last week.  Thanks, E!  

5.   Have you planned a celebration with your Mom for Mother's Day?  It's just over a week away you know!

6.  Like Butter, Cornmeal, Bee Pollen, Soft Dijon, Lemon Drop - what color paint am I looking at?

7.   Mel and Tyler are safe in Nova Scotia, had a doctor's appointment today and found out that everything's fine with the baby.  Now they are off to points down the South Shore  including some visits with hospitals and friends.  

8.  What summer food you waiting to try again?  I think my favourites are the berries - especially raspberries and blackberries.

9.  The International Reading Association conference last week was a wonderful celebration of literacy, books and writing.  I've gone to it every spring for the last 12 years and I love it just as much now as I did in the very beginning.

10.  Do you have any seeds in the ground yet?  It's still really cold here and nothing's getting green but hopefully that will change by the weekend.

Simple Daybook #39

For Today . . . April 27, 2009

Outside my window . . . not very springlike today - the sky is very occasionally sunny but mostly covered withy grey clouds and frequent snow squalls. It's been like this for the last 4 days and it's supposed to continue through the rest of the week. The high temperature today is +5 degrees Celsius, about 10 degrees below the seasonal averages.

I am thankful . . . for days spent with our family - a couple of days in Radium and lunch and swimming yesterday - we are so blessed!

I am praying . . . that Mel and Tyler have arrived in Nova Scotia safely today and that their new little one will hold on for a few more weeks before making a safe and smooth entry into the world.

And I am praying for the Compassion Bloggers who are in India this week. Have you considered sponsoring a child yet? (Check the sidebar link to read their blogs.)

I am thinking . . . about spring cleaning, especially window washing and yard tidyup that hasn't happened yet!

From the kitchen . . . Cream of Broccoli with Cheese Soup, Biscuits, and Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. I forgot to plug the slow cooker in this morning so the Mushroom Sirloin Tips will be tomorrow night's supper.

I am wearing . . . blue cords, white tank top, blue overshirt and slippers.

I am reading . . . Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks

I am hoping . . . to visit the greenhouse to purchase some seed potatoes this week.

I am hearing . . . "Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash from the movie soundtrack with Joaquim Phoenix singing.

I am creating . . . actually pre-planning some layouts to work on this weekend when Heather and I go to a National Scrapbooking Day crop in Calgary.

Around the house . . . solar lights (my birthday present from Darrin and Kelsey) to put up outside, two packages to mail off, and a treadmill calling my name!

One of my favourite things . . . time spent with my sisters.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . 3 more mornings of subbing, book club tonight, Bible study tomorrow night, hair appointment, a trip to Airdrie with a stop in Red Deer first and confirmation at church next Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . the crocuses on Esther and Larry's native prairie grass hill are in full bloom! There are so many of them in great big clumps this year - the largest bunch we found had 10 blossoms. I love going for walks here, especially in the springtime!

Be sure to visit The Simple Woman to read more daybooks today.

Thanksliving

This week I am grateful for these things:

1.  Sunshine - the precious little bit of it that we've had!

2.  Sunday School object lessons that demonstrate how great the Father's love is for us.

3.  Safe travels - near and far as we travelled this week.

4.  Online shopping. 

5.  Little voices on the telephone!  This morning at 8:30 a.m., this is what we heard:  "Grampa and Gramma, come to Best Western for lunch - bring your swimsuit - love you!!"    So we did - and we enjoyed the afternoon with them!

6.  Sunday buffets - so many salads, breakfast items and desserts from which to choose :))

7.  Time with these guys this week as we travelled so they could pick up their new-to-them car.

8.  My camera(s) - and the self timer so we could get a group picture!

9.  Days with friends and the conversations and laughter we share.

10.  Email and telephone to stay in touch - I take this for granted sometimes.  We are so fortunate to be able to stay in touch with those who live far away.

May this new week be blessed for you!

Cooking Classes

You've heard me mention that I was preparing to teach a cooking class and it finally  happened earlier this week!  The community living association that my sister works for wanted a basic class offered to their clients and staff so I submitted a proposal and it was accepted.  Called "Fast and Fabulous for Beginners", I focussed on dishes prepared with ground beef.

I demoed how to make a Nacho Appetizer Dip, Taco Salad, Chili with Cornbread Dumplings, and Classic Meatloaf served with Pasta.

The audiences were wonderful, engaged in the demonstrations, curious and lots of fun.  I had really thought about the whole process alot and it went very smoothly.   I hope that the participants will be able to incorporate the recipes and tips in to their own cooking.  (Thanks for taking the pictures, E!)

And they asked me to do another one on Crockpot Cooking!!!  So I'm in the searching for recipes and planning mode again :))

3 Weeks

Melinda and Tyler left New York City this morning on their journey back to Nova Scotia so the baby can be born in Canada, hopefully sometime around May 15th.  Tyler has finished his internal medicine and surgical internships and will take the next 6 weeks to be a dad, returning to the hospital in early June.  

Heather took this beautiful picture of them when they were here in March for Darrin and Kelsey's wedding.  Mel's baby belly is bigger now but she's doing just fine.  They are eager to be home with Tyler's family and to be surrounded by them and good friends as they wait for "Shim's " birth.  Bob named the baby 'Shim' at Christmastime and it's kind of stuck :))   God speed, Little Family!

They have 3 days of driving ahead of them and if you could pray that God's protection would be over them, I would be ever so grateful.  I miss them alot!!!!!

Home Again, Home Again

We were away for a few days this week, helping Heather and Jonathan pick up a different car to replace the one that was written off in Jonathan's accident.  Our trip included a visit to Radium  Hot Springs and fun time with Helayna and Silas.  I'll show you some pictures tomorrow.  We did a lot of driving today and I'm off to a reading conference tomorrow so I need to get to bed.  

I missed you all - I'll catch up soon!  Hope it's not snowing in your part of the world - it's all white here again.  Will spring ever come and stay??!?!?! 

Jen and Will

Our niece, Jen, is getting married in May and so yesterday we had a "land and sea" party for them.  Will is from Newfoundland and Jill and Esther (another of my niece's and her mom, my uber-party planner sister) dreamed up this theme.  

The invitations read: "Prairie girl hooks big fish . . . Fisherman catches pretty red-head"and the party was at a swimming pool.  Lots of fun was had by all and of course there were presents to open!

Here's our gift celebrating the Alberta - Newfoundland connection.  Inside the rooster wrapped box are cereal bowls, an item from Jen's wish list.  (If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you'll be able to read the explanation.)

It's always fun to gather as a family and especially for such a happy occasion. 

(That's Jill on the right.)

One Year Ago Project

This map that we saw in the Visitor's Centre really gives you a good idea of the loop the Iguazu River makes here at the Falls.

Our first glimpse was as the trail came around the corner and the vista just opened up in front of us.

The River is quite shallow and very wide at this point so it runs right over the rocks and embankments in 275 different places when the water is high, which is normally in June.  Our visit in March was when the river is quite low.  It must be just stunning when there's even more water!

275 falls span a distance of 2.76 km, with some being in Brazil and the others in Argentina.    On this day we hiked the Brazilian side and could see most of the Argentinian side. 

Wikipedia says that some people consider these falls to rank with Victoria Falls in South Africa.  

Devil's Throat is the name of this part of the falls area.

A walkway takes you right out over the river in one place.  I had to put a plastic bag over the camera to keep it dry.

We loved this area and could easily be persuaded to return again!  Tomorrow I'll show you the view from the Argentina side.  I took more than 220 pictures here and so I had a hard time deciding which ones to show you.  

One Year Ago Project

I think I left you stranded in Brazil and never finished the last half of our great South American adventure!  Let's see if I can show you a few more amazing things.

We left Brasilia and flew south across the country to the far south where the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet - to one of the most beautiful natural places in the world, Iguassu Falls.

It was a sunny day and I had a window seat so the view fascinated me.  

It was cool as the plane began its descent and the fields came up to meet us.

We stayed at a beautiful resort - truly the most posh of our hotels on the whole trip.  The pool area was shaded by tall palms and had a lovely pool that we used a few times.  

There was a seperate pool area for kids adjacent  to the main pool - but we never once saw any children using it!  Several times we thought of Meadow and Helayna playing in here.

And it was just gorgeous at night!!

Our next stop will be the waterfall area (think better even than Niagara Falls!).

Book Review

Way back in the winter, I signed up for a children's book swap through Carrie over at Reading to Know.  

And as a result, Sarah sent me this wonderful favourite book of hers!  

"From an old folk tale, the author has fashioned this bright picture book, infusing it with a humor which seems to have sprung from her own hearty enjoyment of the troubles of a peddler with a band of monkeys."  (The New York Times)

So then the most amazing thing happened last week when I was subbing!  This book was featured while we were planning how to write a copycat story (where someone copies the actions of a leader, usually resulting in humourous misadventures) and  we read it again in the classroom.  If you haven't enjoyed it in a long while, I recommend you find a copy in the library and read it again.    I'm looking forward to sharing it with our grandchildren the next time they come to visit.   I had forgotten what a delightful book "Caps for Sale" is!  Thanks for sharing it with me, Sarah!!

Ten on Tuesday

1.  This was the view outside our bedroom window this morning!  Spring was nowhere in sight but by this afternoon, most of it had melted and the temperature was up to +7 degrees Celsius.  

2.  I got lots of happy mail today!  Cards and pictures from family and friends, including one from Helayna,  made me smile :))

3.  After school today, a friend and I went to visit another dear friend - and we ended up staying for 6+ hours!!!  She stuffed us with delicious snacks and supper, homemade angel food cake and her very special chocolates.  And the visiting was THE best, catching up on grandchildren, university studies, car troubles, redecorating, and former students.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by good friends!

4.  Did you know that the Government of Canada passport offices closed for a 4 day Easter weekend?  We found out the hard way when we drove into the parking lot and there was only one car there!  At least we got the picture part done.

5.  Darrin and Kelsey's wedding pictures from the photographer are even better in real life than the blog showed :))

6.  I decided it's time to restock our home with some houseplants.  Other than one spider plant, I've managed to kill the others so my mom gave me a new creeping one to start off with again.  She says it only needs to be watered once a week - but it does need to be watered once a week.  Wish me luck!  I love the green and growing of plants inside a home. 

7.  We watched the last episode of the Canadian comedy, Corner Gas, last night.  Hopefully something equally funny will replace it in the next season.  

8.  Here is a sample of the wedding guest book pages that I put together for Darrin and Kelsey.  I used a 6 X 12" album, the good wishes cards that guests wrote and a picture of each family.  I think it will be a great reminder of their wedding.  

9.  In phys ed class today, I was reminded of how hard it is to teach someone to skip!  The 9 girls had no trouble at all but it was a different story for the boys.  Hopefully some of the things I showed them will help them to develop their skills.  

10.  If you are interested in improving your photography skills, Photo Bliss   will encourage and challenge you.   

Simple Daybook #38

For Today . . . April 13, 2009

Outside my window . . . grey skies, nothing but grey skies (can you name that song?!), cool temperatures - high of +7 today with rain showers starting in the late afternoon.  The forecast is for 10 - 15 cm of snow starting in the early morning and continuing until 5 p.m. tomorrow with 30 km winds, gusting to 60 km/hour.  Spring has decided to retreat!

I am thankful . . . that He is risen!  He is risen indeed!!

I am praying . . . that my aunt's knee will heal properly after surgery last week and that our daughters will continue through their pregnancies safely.

I am thinking . . . about working the garden and planting some potatoes but I think I'll have to wait a little longer.

From the kitchen . . . Sweet Potato Ginger Soup, egg salad sandwiches, pepper and pickle slices, cheese and crackers - lunch shared with Naomi, Jerry and Meadow

I am wearing . . . black jeans, burgundy blouse, fleece jacket and crocs.

I am reading . . .  halfway through Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling.

I am hoping . . . to start some sewing projects before the outside work gets too hectic

I am hearing . . . music from "Mary's Veil", a locally written and produced musical drama production.  It's one of my favourite Christian CDs, featuring people that we are acquainted with.

I am creating . . . some scrapbook layouts - finally!  I've been away from it for too long and I have 2 crop dates coming up so I need to get some creativity going again.

Around the house . . . some spring cleaning like windows to do and a china cabinet to purge and dust.

One of my favourite things . . . Easter dinner with family.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . 3 days of subbing, a play date with Meadow, a shower "land and sea" party for our niece and her fiancee, a trip to the passport office and shopping for my cooking class.

Here is  a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . .the sky on Good Friday afternoon - dark and cloudy but rays shining through.  It reminded us of paintings where God is depicted shining through the clouds.  

Thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook for hosting these Monday gatherings.  

Easter Egg Hunt

It was great fun watching Meadow hunt for Easter eggs this weekend!  She was so excited to find each one and watch her bag fill up with treats.  Uncle Darrin and Auntie Kelsey were great helpers, even if Uncle D did threaten to take them after she hid the bag when we got back in the house.  She was squealing and running so fast to rescue that bag!

Hopefully next year we'll be able to do it with all the cousins!  

"Who Will Roll Away The Stone For Us?"

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him.  And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.  They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"  Mark 16: 1 - 3 (NRSV)

The two Marys and Salome prepare to do what their faith and culture dictate.  They prepare to anoint the bruised and broken body of their friend.  Grief stricken and in danger for their own safety, they still arrange to complete this act of love.  It is all they can do.  As the women hurry to the tomb, they realize their predicament.  Their plans are incomplete.  They ask each other what they cannot do themselves, "Who will roll away the stone for us?"

A young mom, from Canada's farthest northwestern arctic region, tearfully says 'good-bye' to her daughter and husband.  They are leaving the small, remote community on a medical travel pass.  Much farther south a physician waits to diagnose the little girl.  Mom is remaining with her other children in fear and uncertainty.  What will the doctor discover? Frantic with worry, she prays as she watches the small plane take off.  It is all this mom can do.  Like the friends of Jesus, she ponders what she cannot do herself, "Who will roll away the stone . . . ?"

Another woman waits for her prognosis after cancer surgery.  Feeling alone and out of control she awakens in the recovery room.  She cannot solve this problem on her own.  There seems to be nothing she can do;  still she yearns to know, "Who will roll away the stone?"

Perhaps similar to these women, we are anxious.  We worry about our families.  Out of our loneliness, we crave love.  Financial and medical uncertainties are often our reality.  "Who will roll away the stone for us?"

It is Easter morning.  The stone is rolled away - for us and for all people.  Mary, Mary and Salome are told to leave the tomb.  ". . . he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you."  (Mark 16:7)  The anointing is not necessary.  Jesus is alive.  As well, the young mom recognizes that because Jesus lives, she can face the challenges.  The woman in the recovery room understands that because Jesus lives, she is not alone.  The fear is gone.  

Gracious God, we cannot see the possibilities without your help.  A stone is in the way.  Roll away the stones in our lives that we may know your Son's presence.  Help us say with certainty, "Jesus is alive!"  Help us recognize your love in the gift of an empty tomb.  Amen

Written by AnnE Zimmerman, Executive Director, On Eagle's Wings, Edmonton, Alberta

Coloring Eggs

We spent a little time coloring Easter eggs with Meadow on Friday afternoon.  She loved the dipping and swishing to make colors!

Grampa Bob even got involved - a first for him, I think!

Spring colors all in a row!

I love this tradition of preparing coloured eggs.  I hope next year we can do it with all of our grandchildren!

Good Friday

Jesus died today that heaven's door might be opened for me - and for you.

 (Photo taken in Recoleta Cemetary, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Quote of the Day

From the Foundation for a Better Life:

"Live life fully while you're here. 

 Experience everything. 

Take care of yourself and your friends.

Have fun, be crazy, be weird.

Go out and screw up!  

You're going to anyway, 

so you might as well enjoy the process.

Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes:

find the cause of your problem and eliminate it.

Don't try to be perfect:

just be an excellent example of being human."

Anthony Robbins (b.1960), self-help writer, speaker

Thoughts on Turning 54

I guess it's a day for reflection, isn't it?!  I never dreamed that my life would be so full and so rich at this time - I am so, so blessed!  I enjoy good health (I know that's a huge blessing, Linds!), have so much family so close by (and the further away ones come to visit often!), am able to work part-time, enjoy the friendship of dear friends and have a ton of interests and hobbies to keep me active and engaged. 

On my drive home from school today, I thought of a little list idea to celebrate turning 54.

5 places I've travelled to in the last year:

- Calgary

- Jasper

- Canmore

- California

- Oregon

4 places I want to travel to soon:

- Victoria

- New York City

- Manitoba

- Montana

5 foods I've enjoyed this year:

- spicy lentil chili

- flatbread pizza (at Brewster's)

- trout with herbs and lemon

- homemade granola (thanks, Jill!)

- nacho appetizer dip (recipe tweaking for the cooking class)

4 foods I want to make and try:

- Sausage Stuffed Shells

- Chocolate Waffles

- Sushi (never tried this before!)

- Wor Wonton Soup

5 books I've read recently:

- The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger

- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rawling

- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

- At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols

- The Book Thief by Markus Zarkus

4 books on my to-read list:

- October by Richard Wagner

- The Quilter's Kitchen by Jennifer Chiaverini

- Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

- Harry Potter #4, 5, and 6  (I guess that makes 6 books!)

5 things I've loved doing this year:

- camping and quadding

- scrapbooking

- substitute teaching

- Bible study and reading God's word

- playing with our grandchildren

4 things I'm looking forward to:

- 2 new grandbabies arriving safely

- growing tomatoes for the first time

- filling my clay pots with beautiful flowers

- going to the zoo with the little ones

5 + 4 things I have to be thankful for:

- few aches and pains = good health

- lots of food in the fridge, cupboards and freezer

- the joy of sponsorship with Compassion International

- music on the radio, in church, in the vehicle, from our granddaughters

- a new daughter-in-law!!!

- a roof over our heads

- wide open spaces around our home and in our country

- the gift of words in books and magazines

- an online group of friends who make me laugh, cry and cheer!

And a little picture of me enjoying life these days - rolling on the floor and laughing with these 2 precious little girls(who both sang Happy Birthday to me today)!!

Thank you for popping in to my online celebration!  Lemon Lime Cupcakes and Tuscany Pear Rooibos Tea have been served in your honour :))

Book review day will be tomorrow.

Ten on Tuesday

1.  This little special issue came to my house today - and it makes me very happy :))  At the same time, I'm sad that it's the second last issue ever.  I loved Simple Scrapbooks!

2.   I ordered more than 200 wedding pictures, taken mostly by Jonathan, tonight!  It was fun looking through them again - lots of smiles!

3.  I am thoroughly enjoying my week of subbing.  The visiting with colleagues and the energy of kids makes me very happy.

4.  Tonight I noticed that the sun has already moved about 25 degrees to the north - what a huge change in just a few weeks!

5.  I love children's literature!  This picture speaks for itself :))

6.  And on the same note, Beatrix Potter is such a wonderful author, especially to read in the springtime.  Did you know that The Adventures of Peter Rabbit was first published in 1902?  He's been around a very long time, my class concluded today.  And there's an actual site called Peter Rabbit where you can learn more about the author!

7.  Writing a career summary is really hard!  More on this at a later date.

8.  I love driving through the countryside and seeing all the new baby calves running and playing alongside their mothers.

9.  Here's a site just to make you smile!  Found it in my new magazine - see #1.

10.  It's the last day of my 53rd year!

Please come back for book reviews of some really fun kid's books tomorrow.  

Simple Daybook #37

For Today . . . April 6, 2009

Outside my window . . . sunshine, glorious sunshine and a balmy +13 degrees Celsius today.  The snow is melting and it seems like spring has finally made its way to Alberta!  Of course everything looks brown and dreary after winter but hopefully that will only last a few weeks and then all will be green and beautiful again.

I am thankful . . . that we get to see our children and spend so much time with our grandchildren so often!

I am thinking . . . about a cooking course that I will be teaching in 2 weeks.  This is new territory for me and I'm quite looking forward to it!

From the kitchen . . . bagel with jalapeno havarti cheese for breakfast, leftover slow cooker lasagne for lunch, and deer roast with vegetables for supper.

I am wearing . . . tan/brown cords, cream tshirt with a bird print, and green quilted cotton jacket

I am reading . . . a beautiful letter from one of our South American tour friends - what a treat to get in the mail today!  And Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling.

I am hoping . . . to survive 4 days of subbing this week!  This is the longest stretch I've done this year.  

I am hearing . . . Diana Krall "Quiet Nights", her newest CD of Brazilian style music - bringing back memories of our time there :))

I am creating . . . wedding guest book pages - I found a 6 X 12 album today, I think - hurray!!!

Around the house . . . trying to catch up on laundry and all the to-do things that didn't get touched last week!

One of my favourite things . . . fresh spring flowers and pussy willows gracing our home

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . 3 more days of subbing including an afternoon at the swimming pool and a major writing assignment with the class, an appointment,  Good Friday and Easter services at church, breakfast at church on Sunday morning, and some family gatherings.

Here is  a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . my sample of the writing assignment the class did today - webbing ideas is always fun!

Sunday's Thanksliving

I want to share some of the things that  I have to be thankful about this week!

1.  Today is Palm Sunday and that means we are very close to Easter, the remembrance of all Jesus did for us by dying for our sins and then rising to live again.  What great love the Father must have for us to send His only son to do this for us!!

2.  God's protection that surrounded Jonathan last Saturday night and kept him from harm.  His injuries include some glass in the palm of his left hand, stitches on his inner right arm and numerous bruises and bumps.  We pray that he will heal further this week and soon be back to normal.  

3.  Safe travels as we made a circle trip to Jasper, Banff and Airdrie this week.  Our spring break was spent with our daughters and their families, minus 1 husband (Tyler).

4.  Darrin and Kelsey are home from their honeymoon in St. Lucia and they had a a very good time relaxing together, doing some fun stuff and meeting new people.  

5.  My husband who pitched in and helped with dish washing, floor sweeping, chauffeuring, grandchildren playtimes and generally helping out while we were with Heather and Jonathan.

6.  Sunday breakfast brunch with family around a big table in a sunny kitchen!

7.  My washer and dryer - so thankful for appliances.

8.  Sunshine, warm temperatures and melting snow - it is possible that spring has finally made its way to us!

9.  Being home in our own house :))

10.  Pussy willows that are such a sign of spring!  Thanks to Flickr, I found this great photo by Aylaeri.

Have a happy April!

Spring Break

We've spent the last 4 days with these guys, helping out while Jonathan heals from the injuries he got last Saturday night and deals with insurance claims.  It's a busy place to be - with 2 little ones, there's always another meal to cook, more dishes to wash, another load of laundry to be done and more fun to share together.    They both love to be outdoors so we've tried to take advantage of the sunny afternoons even though there's still lots of snow.  

This little guy is 7 months old today and is such a delight to be around!!  He's exploring and was fascinated with my earrings here.  He loves blowing bubbles, being in the Jolly Jumper and anything that makes noise.  

Of course big sister's toys are always interesting too!  Did you notice that Silas made it in to all of these pictures today?!!  I thought he deserved more blog time since Helayna usually is the star attraction :))