Visit from Tyms & Lalondes

Yesterday Cliff. Ann, Carina & her family (we missed you, Jim) came out for a visit to the ranch.

Here is Carina's family with Steven & Peggy

After Sabbath dinner Murray took the kids to see a baby calf and then we all went out to see the bison. (Ann took the picture)
We were so thrilled you all came out to visit us. Enjoyed getting to know the kids better. What a lovely family.

Kitchen Reno

For those of you who have been anxiously waiting - here it is! I moved into my kitchen a week ago. Still some final touches to do but it is functional & I love it.
Still dozens of boxes to unpack but flooring is all done so we are on the homestretch.

Hawaii Jan 8-18

Our trip to the Big Island with Barry & Gail was super! We visited friends Patsy & Dale and ate & relaxed!

Our condo was on a golf course and every morning these turkeys & their harem woke us up with their gobbles! After taking their pictures the first morning I would just as soon shot them with darts after that!

Murray & Barry in the shade with their snacks.

This beach was spacious with lots of fine sand & shallow water for quite a way out.

At "City of Refuge" where defeated warriors or enemies of the king could go & find safety.

The 6 of us took a 2 & 1/2 hr. helicopter trip over the Big Island. That was our highlight. ( Our pilot in the blue shirt in the middle)

From the air you can see how the lava has been reclaimed for resorts & golf courses.

The west side of the island is almost desert while the east half has the most rainfall in the US!

Here is a lush valley.

Several volcanic mountains spew "vog" which can be irritating to the lungs after awhile.

The hottest lava comes out as liquid and when it cools it leaves fluid designs.

Murray enjoying the waves.

Dale & Patsy took us to this cove where we were able to snorkel & see some very colorful fish.

Murray & me in front of the King Kamehameha statue.

One Sabbath afternoon we hiked down into this lovely valley.

Our last evening we ate on the beachfront & enjoyed this sunset.

Christmas 2009

Our Christmas was a bit subdued this year because we had to take Murray's dad to the Red Deer hospital Christmas morning but here are a few pics of opening gifts Christmas Eve and some outdoor shots.

We enjoyed getting to know our"granddog"! She is quite a shy Skye but after a few days we all warmed up to each other. She even got in on opening one of her gifts! she could smell that it was for her!

Murray's dad.

Murray was intrigued with his John Deere toaster that makes toast with the outline of the John Deer symbol on it. Jaren I bet you don't have one of those!!!!! Thanks Yan & Kim. A very fitting gift.

Baba was here for a few days over Christmas.

Scott & Patricia helped brighten our days during the holidays.

Elaine modelling the cozy blanket she received. It sure has come in handy with the COLD weather we have had. somehow I missed gettting a picture of Grandma but she was here!

Skye was the star attraction enjoying her first Christmas & first visit to the farm.

Patricia & Skye

I don't know who was leading who here but Skye had fun exploring with Scott.

P.S.

Murray's dad is still in hospital but getting better after a few procedures to drain his kidneys.

Happy New year to all.

Visit to Courtenay

On Nov. 15 I flew to visit Kim & the boys for a week. Yan is away on training in Nova Scotia. Murray came for the wknd & although it rained nearly every day we still had a great time. Nic & Luc are at that precious age where everything is fun to do with Grandma & Grandpa. I took lots of pics so it was hard to post only a select few. Murray & the boys star in many as I am usually on the other side of the lens of the camera!

Nic & Luc enjoying some brotherly play time.

Grandpa & the boys taking a juice break.

Lucas carefully studying Grandpa


Building a tower

Nicholas "helping" Grandpa clear out the eavetroughs between showers.

Three happy guys.

Nicholas spent parts of every day packing & repacking his Cars "pack back" with toys to take on the airplane when he goes to see Daddy at Christmas. Here he is riding his favorite toy - the ride-on dumptruck which goes real fast and skids around the corners.

Somehow Lucas managed a few seconds on Nic's truck before it was repossessed!

Lucas discovered the spoon while I was there.

Bath time with Mom

Cruisin with Grandpa on the one day it didn't rain!

The city bus stops right in front of the house so on Sunday Nic & Grandpa went for a ride - Nic's first.

Murray needed some physio so here Nic is taking a lesson from Mom on how to massage.

Notice he has now progressed to doing it on his own.

Doing stretches with Grandpa.

Luc is nearly always smiling so he & Grandpa had a great time.

We walked Nic to Playschool one morning and Luc tried out the new warm suit Kim bought him at the Craft Fair.

Smiling again!

Nic & I decorated some gingerbread cookies. It was fun licking off all the icing & decorations!

Grandma cuddling with the boys.
We tried to get Nic into one of my suitcases so he could come home with me but it just wouldn't close! Too bad cause we could have a lot of fun at the ranch.

Such a sweet bundle. Wish I could have brought him home with me as well.

Kim has informed me it stopped raining as soon as I left! Too bad I couldn't bring the rain back to the ranch with me. We really need the moisture.