All Work and No Play

Well Spring Break is officially over. Right now John is reading to the older kids and we are crossing our fingers that they actually fall asleep before 10:00 tonight. It's always so tough getting back into a school routine. Especially for me. I've had John home ALL week and now I'm on my own again. It's a rough life being married to a school teacher, I tell ya. (I know... can I whine any more?)
John on the other hand, is glad to be going back to school.   He hasn't said that in so many words, but I'm pretty sure he is thinking it.   Nine hours of teaching is going to seem like a walk in the park compared to what he's done this week here at home.

We tackled our yard in a Big way this week. Very few people have been in our back yard so it would be difficult for others to really appreciate all that went on.   Perhaps our nearby neighbors could testify.  They were no doubt woken early and kept up late from the melodic hum of chainsaws and power tools over the past 6 days. 

Here is a before picture.

This is pretty much what our back yard looked like right before spring Break.

Between then and now we have:

* Removed all of the lilac bushes.

* Cut down all three trees (John has an addiction to his chainsaw)

* Removed all of the railway ties and random cement from the garden and yard

* Built a deck

* Dug up the 4 feet tall weeds, hauled rocks away and rototilled our entire strip of alley behind our fence (hopefully to cut down on weeds)

* Fixed the gate on our fence so that the kids can be confined now. (the neighbors will rejoice)

* John built a NEW deck

* I power raked our lawns and hauled away a dozen bags of dead grass

* We designed a landscape plan for our front yard and prepped it for future planting

* We hauled a LOT to the dump.

* Tilled a spot for our Raspberry Bushes

* Tilled a spot for tomatoes

* Got Very VERY dirty in the process.

We were so glad to have John's Dad help us on Monday as this proved to be a list of projects that literally consumed our hours every.single.day this week.  At times I would sit down in a clump of dirt and cry and explain that "maybe ...perhaps...we had bitten off more then we could chew."     But John.    Steady John- kept working.  Through thick and thin,  and rain, and snow and ice.    Okay, I might be exaggerating a little. 

But not really.  

By 10:00pm on Saturday night we were rushing to clean up the disaster area that was once known as our garage.  It felt a little extreme makeover-ish to me, as we tried to wrap every last project up before the "holiday" (I use that term loosely) came to an end and the sabbath began.

I snapped this photo before church to show all that had been accomplished. 

We still have much to do and much to plant, and I've been pouring over books of perennials, shrubs, and fruit trees all weekend.  I am really excited about the gardening potential here and most importantly about the future time that John and I will get to spend together doing what we love doing. 

John and I make a good team.  For several reasons I think we are perfectly matched.    So many times I think up a plan and without ever really considering the logistics - I simply ask John to make it happen.  And you know what?  HE DOES!   

During one of my many random "backroad excursions" a country song came on the radio called,  

 The House that Built Me by Miranda Lambert.   It has quickly become a current favorite of mine, specifically because of this one paragraph.

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years

From Better Homes and Gardens magazine

Plans were drawn and concrete poured

Nail by nail and board by board

Daddy gave life to mama’s dream

Every time I hear that song now I think of John, and how he "gives life" to every idea and scheme or plan I dream up.  Every home we have ever lived in has been made better by his hard work and skill.   

I often tell my kids that "Daddy can do ANYTHING!"

I've smiled to myself at times, as I've over heard Sam and Abby repeat, with absolute confidence that same thing to their friends.   My kids are still young enough that they believe whatever I tell them.   

But John hasn't made a liar out of me yet.

Mail Run

I made a trip down to Babb Montana for some mail today. I don't always have to drive down to Montana for the mail, but due to the efficiency of the American Postal system we often have packages sent there.    We get them quicker that way.  And the drive is always nice.   Today started out as an ordinary mail run, this time it was to retrieve a package for my brother Chad.       The thing about driving around my neck of the woods though, is that it is never really very ordinary.    I should know that by now. 

After picking up the mail, I got a bit side tracked.   Perhaps I was just stalling.    Instead of rushing home to rescue John who was landscaping our front lawn (as per my instruction), building a deck AND babysitting a bunch of crazy kids, I took a a side road and toured the Chief Mountain Highway.     It's a new road to me and one that I'm sure I will explore a lot more come the summer.

I loved this view of Chief Mountain. 

But I think it will be much prettier when everything is green and lush in the foreground.

A few minutes later, I was back in Canada and only a short ways from home, almost ready to deal with the inevitable chaos that awaited at home.    I was driving along what I think is Highway 2.     My camera was perched in its usual position, on my lap, but there didn't seem to be much promise of anything, within my view worth snapping a photo of.


Until...I noticed these little ones (or not so little) just off the side of the road.

The momma bear was standing on her hind legs watching my van cautiously.     As I approached she quickly started to usher her brood further back into the field.

People kept wizzing past me, obviously headed for the border, and none of them seemed to notice this little "herd" just a little ways away.   (hey what do you call a bunch of bears?)

It definitely made for an exciting afternoon.

And that is why getting the mail in my world is always a bit of an adventure.

I thought this picture was appropriate to add in as well.

In my opinion he is definitely BEARY cute too!

Early Morning Light

There is nothing more glorious then sun rays bursting through our window on a Monday morning off.

It's difficult not to have a wonderful day when this is what we wake up to.

I LOVE Spring!

Easter Conference Weekend

There is nothing better than a combined Easter Weekend. Nothing in the world.

We have had such a great past few days, eating, visiting with friends and loved ones, and enjoying General Conference.
On Friday morning, we loaded up the kids and made the much anticipated drive out to Sparwood BC to visit our good friends the Salmons. Sparwood is situated in a valley amongst the Rocky Mountains. It literally does not matter which way you turn there is a beautiful mountainscape staring right back at you. The drive there was enjoyable as well.

We stopped to look at this tree for a bit. It is called the Burmis tree (but that is due to its location).   In reality, it is a Limber Pine and is one of the oldest living species in Alberta. Other interesting sites we visited were the Leitch Collieries and Frank Slide which we could take a day to visit in and of itself. . Our kids played all day, while the adults got to visit. As always Shauna impressed us with a fun authentic Easter Lunch and then Pizza and HOMEMADE root beer that evening. By the time we left, the kids were all tuckered out, and slept the entire way home. Fog had set in, and light flakes were falling. Deer AND ELK were grazing along the road, and along practically every river we drove by. It was gorgeous! Thanks Terry and Shauna – as always- for an awesome day!

The past two days have, in large part, been spent enjoying our prophet and apostles speak. General Conference is perhaps my favourite FAVORITE time of year. My favourite talks this year came from Elder Holland, Sister Beck, Elder Bednar, Elder Uchtdorf, Elder Foster, and Elder Schwitzer. (Ok I guess I could have narrowed it down a bit, but whatever.) I always feel a renewed determination to improve myself, specifically as a Mother. Some of these talks will be re-read over and over again as I try to implement the changes that I want to make in my life.   

The kids woke up delighted this morning to find that the Easter Bunny had found our home, and had scattered a candy trail all over the house that led to some deliciously filled baskets. Aside from enjoying a special “Easter walk” Abby, Sam and Jess have been bingeing on Chocolate, painting eggs and creating their own egg hunts all afternoon. (Pray all of those eggs get found)

As if the weekend wasn’t already perfect enough we enjoyed a F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S BBQ at my sister Jewels house last night with some family and Friends, and in just a few minutes we will head over to Luci’s house to stuff our already fattened tummies even more.

Life is so so good.

There really is nothing better than an “Easter Conference Weekend”. Well I suppose the only thing that would make this weekend better would be knowing that we now get to enjoy a WHOLE WEEK of NO SCHOOL.!

Have I mentioned Life is Good?

Happy Easter

A couple changes around this place

Nate took a big step this week when he inhaled his first ever bowl of baby cereal.   I know I'm starting him a few weeks early, but this kid was ready for it.   I'm sure of that!  In fact when I took him for his immunizations, the health nurse took one look at him and assured me that he was ready for some food. 

The kids have all enjoyed taking turns feeding him, and he offers some of his biggest smiles in appreciation. 

 

*******

We experienced a loss in our family this week.    Abby woke up early one morning and announced to us all that our dear pet "Rainbow" had died.   

It's too soon to know, as we are awaiting toxocology results, (not really)  but we suspect it is due to some cleaner I had been spraying in the area of his bowl the day before.  When I was cleaning around the bowl, I'd wondered if any solvent had perhaps fallen into the water, but I shrugged it off because, after all, I do use environmentally friendly cleaners. 

I will use that term "friendly" more cautiously from now on. 

I think the kids handled it ok, all things considered.  Alright, honestly?  They were ecstatic! 

 I'd worried about Abby because it was technically her fish, but my anxiety about her coping with the loss of her pet, soon subsided when she came bounding up the stairs explaining, "Finally! Now we get to get a REAL pet!"    

Yup, that's how much Abby loved the thing.    I still remember the day we got it for her a whole year ago, and  how she had so lovingly carried that bulging bag of water and beta all over lethbridge and the entire way home.

 

She had loved that fish with all of her heart.  For two days.Then she was asking for a puppy.

I suppose it was John's and my mistake to use Rainbow as the reason that she couldn't have a cat or a dog. 

We were always like, "No we can't get a dog, because you have Rainbow to take care of."

Now what will we say when she comes asking for a pet?  And what could possibly replace a fish?

We arn't picky.  We will let any animal come live with us that: a) doesn't stink  b)doesn't require haircuts  

 c)doesn't bite, slither, make noise or messes of any kind. 

 Oh yeah-and it can't be boring.   (Abby's criteria, not mine)

So if you have any ideas for a great pet that matches the above - let us know. 

  In the mean time, we'll be stalling. 

In lieu of...Freezeout Lake Montana

So we are not at Freezeout Lake, MT like I had planned to be.    If you read my post on Thursday night, I was truly stoked at the prospect of being able to see potentially hundreds of thousands of migrating geese and swans.     Part of my new year's resolution this year is to take photos of two places that I have never been before.  I was really really REALLY looking forward to spending Saturday down in Montana with a bunch of snow geese and tundra swans, and I really had hopes of getting an awesome picture as a momento.  

Darn it all though, Nate developed a Fever yesterday, and was acting all sick.    Plus he was madder then heck which is NOT like him.  We knew something was wrong with the poor kid, but I still don't know what.   Teething?   Reaction to immunizations?    Kids are such a mystery, and the only thing I know is they always seem to get sick at the worst time.  At any rate, John  was determined that we not put the kids through a 7+ hour drive if they weren't feeling well.  Thanks a lot Nate!   Killjoy.




This morning I got up early (and still a bit disappointed)  and headed out for a consolation drive to Waterton. 
But first, I had to swing by the temple and get a shot of the sun rising behind it.  I love being awake when everybody else is still asleep.   It is so peaceful. 

And I love watching the sun rise.    It didn't matter that the sun was rising behind me.    That's what mirrors are for. 

There was this one moment, as I approached Waterton, when all of the sudden a Bald EAGLE  flew right in front of the van.    It flew so low and so close that I could clearly see its face.   For a very fleeting moment I tried to watch this eagle, AND reach for my camera (which for some insane reason was not on my lap), AND keep from driving off the road.     It was very VERY cool,  but seeing as there is no picture to prove it - well you'll just have take my word for it. 

Waterton is starting to wake up and come alive after it's winter sleep.  The lower lake is entirely thawed and the ground is, in large part, bare of snow.    I did drive up Cameron road though, and it was interesting to note the presence of winter at the higher altitude.   But if the animals are any indication of spring, then I would say it is almost here to stay. 

The townsite was full of cute little baby deer like this one. 

This picture, I know,  is not amazing as far as scenery goes, but I enjoyed watching the geese as they floated on the water.    There were a couple of dozen geese just "honking" to each other and it was impressive to hear.  I tried to extrapolate that sound by 100,000x  and pretend I was at freezeout lake, but that just made me sad.   If you look along the back hill you will see a herd of Elk.  The pic doesn't show it, but this herd was running towards the townsite.  In fact it was really moving fast, and even with all of the honking from the geese, I could still hear the low rumble of  these stampeding Elk.  

Does it seem as though I am obsessed with my side mirror?   Well I sort of am.  I've noticed that sometimes I watch my side mirrors, and rear view mirrors as much as I watch what is in front of me. 

 

I realize that may be a bit hazardous perhaps, but when you live where I get to live, you almost have to get used to looking all around. 

I rarely go anywhere now without appreciating the fact that, no matter what direction I am headed- I am usually driving both towards AND away from something beautiful at exactly the same time! 

Pretty Lucky.

What are we... 80?

Tonight I attended a gardening class.   I went with a little bit of hesitation as I wasn't sure quite what to expect.   What if I didn't know anyone?  What if I had to sit alone?  (I hate sitting alone!)   What if there were only old people there?   Not that that would be bad.  It's just... I hate not fitting in, you know.  
Well when I got to the class, sure enough, the next youngest person was in fact... about 60.  But I learned a TONNE about "Gardening in Chinook Country".      Within 1 hour I had a visual image of exactly what I want our property to eventually be.  The trouble now is realizing that this will have to develop over the course of a few years.  No one can grow their dream yard over night can they?  

My basic plan consists of adding a bit more to the deck that is in building mode as we speak.  Luckily, John likes the change.    I also plan to focus for the most part on growing native (indigenous) plants to showcase each season.  Of course, I will have to do a bit of research as well to find out which plants attract birds.   And one thing I am excited about is my first attempt at a Water Garden.  (Lily pads, water grass etc)  It looked so cool, and I picture one sitting nicely on the top level of our deck. 

Aside from all of that, we will also have our vegetable garden.  I must say t hough, compared to what we enjoyed over the past few years, our garden here is really quite puny.    But I won't complain.   ....much.

The instructor brought up an interesting point.  She said that you need to consider your outdoor property as an extension of your home.  Another room if you may.   Treating your yard as such will ensure that you create the type of space you and your family will use and enjoy.  I can't wait to get started.


However, our plans to start on our yard this weekend may have just been thwarted, at least for this weekend.  Thanks to John's sister Sarah and her husband Ed we have been imformed of the current migration of hundreds of thousands of snow geese and Tundra Swans.  As I type this they are gathering in droves on Freezeout Lake Montana.  This migration has happened for years, and was even noted by National Geographic in 2000. 

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/freezeout-lake-snow-geese_pod_image.html

Wouldn't that be amazing to see?  And photograph?   We're thinking that a little (ok long) Saturday drive might be in the forecast.  

Look at that.  One night with the "elderly" and suddenly life is all about plants and bird watching.

I LOVE OLD AGE. 

Honestly Speaking

The biggest excitement this week came with the arrival of John's sister Sarah and her two boys.   We don't see them often, so we are always glad when they are willing to make the drive up to Canada.   To say my kids were looking forward to playing with Caleb and Malachi would be a HUGE understatement.  It was a bit like Christmas eve last Sunday night trying to get the kids to go to sleep promising them that they'd get to see the boys the next day.  They could hardly WAIT to see them!   I don't know what the big deal was about Caleb and Mala?   They are hardly any fun at all:)

Ok HONESTLY, they are two of the most imaginative boys ever!     It didn't take much to keep my kids occupied and loving life.  Abby and Sam even skipped a day of school to play.  ....But don't tell anyone;)

On Monday evening Sarah, Luci and I pooled our craft supplies and set to work building leprechan traps with the kids.   Libby, Jax, Caleb, Mala, Abby Sam and Jess ran around the yard, occasionally joining us to dictate how their trap should be put together.    Some of the traps were fairly eleborate.  SARAH!!    Despite the fact that I have NEVER heard of a leprechan actually being caught - I was pretty hopeful that if there ever was a group of kids who could trap one - it was them. 

Darn it though!  Wednesday morning came and we discovered that the elusive leprachan had managed to remain free once again.   All the gold coins were taken too!   Oh he's Tricksy!!   

 I love how certain holidays permit me to be DIShonest with the kids.    It is so easy and FUN to convince them that Santa is responsible for all of their presents at Christmas.  The Easter Bunny leaves them chocolate, Leprachans steal their money, but they get that money back when Tooth Fairies visit them at night.     I've noticed lately that John doesn't really do much of the convincing when it comes to these holiday traditions.  I do all of the work, and He gets to sit back and be the HONEST parent.    One day I will be the one who has to break the news to the kids that nothing I taught them was real. 

I don't mind though.

In fact - I look forward to SNIPE hunting with them!!!

Strangely, Darth Vader played a large role in our home this week as we tried to teach Sam a bit about HONESTY.   Sam latched on to Caleb and Mala's Star Wars Lego that they had brought up with them, specifically to this small Darth Vader piece.   For three nights in a row Sam slept with this little thing clenched tight in his determined little hand.    And determined he was.  I could tell that deep within Sam's cerebrum the gears were turning and he was plotting  and scheming a way to keep this toy for his very own.  We had many preemtive conversations about the importance of "not stealing," as I knew that Sam was considering with each passing hour what would happen when his cousins had to pack up their Lego and leave for home. 

Despite all of my efforts - as I was cleaning up his room, after life had returned to normal, I was disapointed (but not surprised) to find Darth lurking in Sam's bed.  At first I thought Sam had figured out a way to trick us all and retain this toy that he wanted so badly.  However those fears were soon dissolved when I showed Sam what I had found.  He was so confused and ...well frankly OVER JOYED to see Darth,  that I knew it was as much of a suprise to him as it was to me.  It was a very happy moment for Sam, before I made him say good bye to Darth and place him in a Montana bound envelope.    Needless to say it provided the perfect opportunity to extrapolate my earlier lessons that week  into one of Restitution!  Caleb and Mala - Darth is in the mail!!!  :)






A week ago, John with the help of my Brother in law Jeremy, tore down our back deck.  We have recently purchased a new energy efficient furnace, but before it can be installed, we must re - build our deck.     Makes sense right?   I don't know - It has to do with ventilation issues.   I'm pretty sure that John understands it all, and that is what matters.   All I know that our plans to build a new deck NEXT summer has just become our most recent project.    Which is fine- because it did need to be done eventually. 


Besides - it has been a while since John has gotten to destroy/ re-build something. 

HONESTLY I think he has just missed  using all of his tools!

I ventured out almost every day this week to watch the Eagles, but lately it has been  far less productive then previous weeks.    On Monday, two Fish and Wild life offiicers told me that there are a few people that have been shooting the Eagles.  They had descriptions of the vehicles, but little else to go on, and wanted to know if we'd seen anything unusual.   

It made me so mad to think that people would be so wreckless.     It's been fun to watch these birds so much, but they are apparantly a hot commodity, so I find myself hoping they just move on to their next spot, where they will perhaps be safer.   And HONESTLY it would be best if they did move on.  My kids are sick to death of the long drives I make them endure and my house is falling apart from neglect.   

Nate has been a lot of fun this week.  It is hard to believe that he is almost 5 months old!   I've often heard John brag to people that Nathan is definitely the "cutest boy in the world! 

And considering that the male population in the world is a little over 3 billion -  that's saying a LOT!"

So here are a couple shots of

THE

cutest boy in the world!

Have a great Week!

Pies, Sun and ...even more eagles!

Being the wife of a physics teacher has required that I become aquanted with certain dates and time in history that I may not have otherwise cared much about. Take today for example. Not only is it Albert Einstein's birthday, but it is also the fourteenth day of the third month... 3.14, or in other words, PI day. To most, less geeky people, this wouldn't be cause for excitement. For John though, this is reason to celebrate. So (even though "PI day" is today) John had a PI party for his class on Friday, and brought "mini pies?" and cream for all of the kids.   What a way to kick off a weekend, eh!

Luckily,  that wasn't all the excitement in our home this week. Abigail had the assignment of speaking in primary today. She practiced every single evening leading up to it. I was amazed as I watched her read her entire talk all by herself without ANY help. Good job Abby!


I was a little bummed this morning when we all slept through the alarm and woke up late. Turning our clocks ahead really took its toll on us.  However, as I look out the window right now there is still a lot of daylight left and it is already 6:00 pm.  Good.  I could use some more hours in a day!

Seeing as I missed out on my early morning drive, we decided to go out this afternoon and see what we could find. It was a quieter day for eagle watching, but we still managed to see a few, and get a bit closer. Other people are catching on to this too, as we saw a couple of other vehicles inching along the dirt road just like us.

It might be difficult to see, but on one fence post (to the right) you can see a bald eagle. To your left on another fence post you can see another huge bird. We weren't sure if it was a golden eagle or just an immature bald. Any guesses?

I love watching the eagles in flight. Their wings are MASSIVE!

Driving along all these country roads - it is hard not to notice all of the different old barns along the way.  I especially liked this one. 

I really enjoyed our church meetings today.  In fact I think that is one of the things that John and I love about our ward.  The teachers are all amazing!  In Relief Society the sister teaching spoke about the creation of the world.  She brought several stunning pictures of the stars, planets and space and spoke of the intricate and miraculous detail that is all around us in the world. 

One lady made a comment that I really enjoyed.  She said that we experience an "abundance of miracles every single day.  We just need to have the eyes to recognize them."

                                      

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

On that note - have a Happy Sunday and enjoy this talk from Elder Bednar.  A personal favorite!

A good day for Bird Watching

A couple of weeks ago I drove home from Bozeman with my Father in Law after watching John's sister play in a piano recital. The entire six hours drive was spent watching the beautiful Montana scenery whiz by and spotting the Eagles.   Max assured me that it wouldn't be long before the Eagles would be seen here around town as well. Sure enough, I have taken several country drives this past week and have not been disapointed.  Today I took the kids on an "Eagle Hunt" and we spotted well over a dozen easily!  They were everywhere!

Jessica is by far our lover of Birds and all things "natural."  For example, she has taken claim of Cameron Falls and insists on calling it HER waterfall.  When she prays at night, without fail, she prays that she can "go to the Creek tomorrow..."   For Christmas all she asked Santa for was a Golden Eagle.    And she is always the first one in the van when I announce that we were going to go bird watching.

She loves Nature!     

 (Perhaps my Cop Brother will notice that Jessica is not buckled up.  I wonder if he would believe me if I said I didn't think that rule applied on a back country road...driving 15km/hour?)

We could ALWAYS look off in the distance and see some soaring high over a field or small hill.  No doubt in search of gophers to eat. 

Every once in awhile though, one of those birds would fly closer and we'd get a much better view. 

It was neat to watch this particular bald eagle swoop down low, and sit for several minutes.

Obviously enjoying whatever it had caught. 

What usually happened though, is I would be so fixated on watching the side of the road and far off fields, that I would completely miss the Eagle that was right above us.

We did get distracted a few times watching the odd cow or horse, coyote and even an owl.  This deer especially, held the kids interest for quite a while. 

                                             

They enjoyed watching it jump the fence with no effort at all.

But after that, our focus was right back to where it should be -  watching for Eagles.  That is, after all,  why we were wondering so aimlessly out there.

Eagles seem to be very skitterish birds.  Several different times we saw these giant birds fairly close,  perched on a fence post, telephone pole, or in the top of a tree.   Each time it WOULD have made the perfect picture.   Dang things though,  never let me get any closer before taking off. 

See?  Flying away.

And again.  This one was sitting up in it's nest.  Sitting on eggs I bet.

And again with the flying away! 

This eagle was literally sitting on this post right off the side of the road.  As soon as I came remotely close, it flew off to join the others far in the distance. 

Not a single bird was willing to sit still.  Not even for a moment!

                                  

Perhaps they just have better things to do then be bothered by some pesky little human with a camera and four rowdy children.

Not that I blame them.

I love where I live.