Continuing my wildlife series, this is a Canada Goose that was standing on our barn yesterday morning. When I saw it I just had to run upstairs, take the screen out of the window & zoom in as best I could. It's mate flew in just as a tractor came by & scared them both off. Perhaps they are the pair that nested on top of our balestack.

Today we had a wonderful blessing when a group came to our church from Medicine Hat & had the service and presented uplifting music. Some friends also came from Hanna. We had 12 at our table and it was a spiritual feast as well as a physical one.

Among the group were dear friends Marian Anderst from Medicine Hat and Delyce Chapman (formerly from Hanna) visiting from Australia.

Buzzed

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting in the house when I thought I heard thunder but it lasted a really long time. So then I figured out it must be a plane that was crashing really close so I ran to the door and just as I did a CF-18 roared over really low followed by another one! No crash thankfully!!!! In my excitement I just had to call Yan. He told me they must have been casing out our house for terrorists (ha! ha!). He also told me I could call the base in Cold Lake & complain & they would never fly low over our house again, but why would I? It was exciting!

Too bad there was no time for pictures.

However also yesterday when I was coming back from the field after taking Murray his dinner I saw this herd of antelope.

Today after lunch I took this picture of a bison bull.

Sorry if I am boring you with all these bison pics but I just love these animals.

Every morning when I go out for my walk I see 4-6 deer in or near the yard. Too bad they are such pests cause they are really beautiful & graceful animals too. I love to hear the birds singing their hearts out the the owl hooting in the mornings

Often I don't realize just how blessed we are to have so much of

God's creation around us.

Saturday afternoon quad ride

Yesterday afternoon Murray & I went for a quad ride to see the bison and count the calves.I spotted some lovely flowers blooming among the dry brown grass. These are actually very tiny so I had to look hard in the grass to see them.

Also found the last of the crocus that are blooming as their season is about ended.

Along the way we met up with Kevin & Angie & boys who wanted to see some bison & black calves. We took them to the top of Little Gem Hill and Jaren was duly impressed by the view!!!

Murray pointed out to Jaren how far one could see from this high spot in our ranch.

Notice how brown it is for the beginning of May. We need rain desperately. Seeding has started & the pasture grass needs to grow.

Family Visit the Ranch

Aunt Muriel from Oregon & Jodie & Blake (age 3 1/2) from Montana spent a few days with us this week. It has been years since they visited here so it was a joy to see them & show Blake around the ranch.

Jodie & Blake out on the range with the bison

Blake getting a tractor driving lesson from Murray

Bye Mom! I'm off!

I think I remember how to do this!

Blake getting acquainted with Whiskers

Petting a calf in the calving barn

Learning the finer points about hay! I think this calf likes me!

In the evening Murray & Blake built a garage for the cattle liner

They just had to use up all the blocks so it even has lightning rods or .....? Work on the ranch is never done! Thanks guys for coming all that way to visit. Come again soon & we will really put Blake to work!

This weekend we had a lovely time with Scott & Patricia visiting us. We also had the grandparents over for a couple meals. Grandpa & Grandma Sankey will have been married 60 years in a couple months time and Scott & Patricia are just starting their married journey!

Patricia opening the wedding gift from us - a KitchenAid stand mixer. We know she loves to bake & is really good at it. Hopefully Scott won't put on too much weight!!!

On Sabbath afternoon we took a tour to see some newborn calves . This is the first year we are having some black calves.

I think Herefords are still the prettiest!


One of our bison bulls surveying his domain.

Snow 'n Stuff

Last evening we had a 2 hr. heavy dump of snow which seems to have been centered here as Hemaruka didn't get any! Just as our snow almost all melts we get more - 4 inches more!
It does look pretty though!

On my way home from Calgary on Wednesday I stopped in Airdrie to welcome Baby Charlotte Jackson - daughter of neice Jennifer and Keith. Charlotte was born March 23.

Charlotte

Keith, Jen & Charlotte.

We also welcome baby Kiara Pierson born yesterday April 2 to Bibi & Jeremy Pierson.

Our family is receiving many wee blessings lately.

Baby Lucas Sebastien

I have had an eventful couple weeks when I was summoned to Kim's early cause Kim thought she was in labor. Well 6 days later Lucas arrived (March 26)! All is well & as you can tell from the following pics he is very loved & welcomed - especially by big brother Nicholas!Brothers getting acquainted.

Grandma with Lucas in hospital a few hours after he was born.

Sleeping peacefully at home.

More brother time!
Daddy & the boys.
The happy family.