Our New H.O.M.E.

Finally we are all back together........F.A.M.I.L.Y! We are really loving it here.......back in the country. The boys enjoy having lots of space to run and play. Mom is looking forward to having a garden in the spring and Dad is back in his element.....no neighbors right on our doorstep!

We have already had some visitors......friends from Rainbow Lake!!! Very special to have them. Looking forward to Mom and Dad Hogg and Heather coming for the long weekend. After that we have company from Peace River......more friends from "Rainbow Lake days" at the end of August......the list goes on......so book in NOW!!!! Everyone welcome! The more company, the longer we can "put off" completing the unpacking!!!! hehe!

Update

Sorry for no updated news or pictures on this blog recently. As most of you know, we are finally moving! Look out Minnedosa, here we come! So needless to say, life has been rather busy. On top of all this moving "stuff" I am taking a photography class online, so there is no shortage of work, homework, organizing, etc. going on.

Here is our itinerary for the next couple weeks:

June 26 - last day of school for Ben

June 28 - Ben has a birthday party to attend, Cory comes HOME

July 1 - pack trailer and have house ready for the movers and hopefully get in on the Canada Day fireworks!

July 2 - we are off to Hythe for a few good days

July 7 - the moving truck arrives

July 10 - we leave Peace River......sad day since we will miss all of our friends here!

July 12 - we get possession of the new house

July 12 until Sept - getting settled into life in Minnedosa!!!

I do believe our summer is going to fly by way to fast, but we are going to enjoy every minute of it!!!!!

We will say goodbye until after the move when we will have more time for updates and news!

Have a WONDERFUL summer everyone!!!

Farmer in Training

Thanks to our good friend "Uncle Bill"that lives just around the corner, Benjamin had the "thrill" of driving a tractor. Bill's hobby is building tractors from scratch - and an amazing job he does!!! This will be a fond memory of Peace River for Benjamin!!

Another School Project

On June 6th it is "Sports Day" for Benjamin. One event is the boat race. Hence, all students are to make a boat out of a cardboard box and they will run in them for this race. This is one project where we really missed having Daddy around, since he would know the best way to do this, however, we did come up with something.....not sure that you would call it a work of art, but it will fulfill its' purpose!!

Leddy Lake

Since it was a gorgeous evening, the boys and I took a quick drive out to Leddy Lake. It's quite beautiful out there; very secluded, but a lovely spot! Just a few pictures I took while out there - you know me, can't refuse to take pictures of anything that involves NATURE!

There is ALWAYS beauty in nature!

These are buds and blooms on my ornamental "double blossom plum tree!" It is beautiful, and smells wonderful - LOVE IT!

Picnic on the Deck

After a long hard day of yard work, there is nothing like BBQ steak enjoyed in the great outdoors.

Peace River

For you relatives and friends who haven't made it up to see us, these pictures will show why it wasn't too hard to love this quaint town! The views from our deck and from the top of the hills are absolutely beautiful! This is only ONE reason why we will miss Peace River when the time comes to leave!

Fire Pit Trouble

The boys were outside playing while I was cleaning out the flower beds when Jacob started to yell for "MOM!" This is what I found! hehe crazy goof!

Play at the Park

What a gorgeous day today was after the spring rains we have been having. It was plus 18 with a very gentle breeze, so myself and Jacob and a friend and her two kiddies headed to the park for a picnic and of course a play. I totally love days like this when you can leave the housework behind and get out and enjoy the fresh air.

School Project

Benjamin was sent home with a "Family School Project." He was to make a picture of what SPRING means to his family. He did a GREAT job!

Being Sick is Never Fun

A few weeks ago when we were all sick, I went to check on the boys. This is what I found them doing. Very sweet indeed to find Benjamin looking after his little brother! He said that Jacob just wanted to listen to a story, so Benjamin took it upon himself to fulfill this request!

Responses!!!

Thanks to those of you who have been sending in creative ideas for my project of teaching kids a FUN way of learning to be tidy and organized. I have had some great "sayings" come in.

TOY ROOM:
Please be wonderful boys, and pick up your toys!

HAMPER AREA:
Star Light, Star Bright, Put dirty clothes away tonight!

BOOKCASE:
After you read, replace it indeed!

Bip-i-ty, Bop-i-ty, Boo.....tidy your books like good boys do!


KEEP THEM COMING! Still need ideas for the desk/craft area.

Feedback

Okay readers, time to put you to work.

I have been coming up with ideas of how to make "organizing" and "keeping things tidy" a fun concept for children to learn. So far, we have made a few posters and hung them in strategically placed spots around the house. In the back porch we have a poster that says: "This room gets the blues if we don't put away our jackets and shoes." In the bathroom is a poster with "If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie." And another that says: "Boys who are neat, lift the seat, when they are through, they put it down too." Anyways, these are creative, catchy and easy for children to remember but yet encourages the concept of tidiness.

So, where you readers come in.......... is that I am looking for phrases for the toy room, book case, desk and clothes hamper areas. Any phrases or ideas would be welcome!!!! Let the "creative juices" flow and help me come up with something! :) :) :)

Thanks a million!!!

S.P.R.I.N.G has sprung......in my backyard!

How nice it is to have warmer weather, gentle breezes and new growth peeking up! I was quite excited to see my Irises starting to poke through the ground!

Gymnastics Grand Finale

Benjamin has been part of the North Peace Gymnastics Club this past year since September. He has really enjoyed himself, learned lots and progressed well. He has been promoted to a level above where most boys his age are; too bad that we are leaving Peace River. Hopefully there will be gymnastics available at our new location. Anyways, the "Grand Finale" was a great success. His group performed to the familiar song "Fishin' In The Dark" - well planned and put together. Just a few pictures from this event.

Springs Here?...............NOT!

This is what greeted us out the window this morning! BLAH!

Swimming

Since Grannie is up visiting, we took the boys out for Family Swim. We all had a "SPLASH!" We could hardly get Benjamin off the water slide, he loved it so much.... where as Jacob loved to play basketball. No doubt about it that Mom and I preferred the hot tub.

Big Boy Now

Finally the crib is back in storage. Jacob was very excited to get into his "big-boy" bed. He smiles every time you lay him down for his nap.

B.O.Y.S

Getting a decent picture of the boys is next to impossible. I think Benjamin was rather apprehensive that Jacob had a hockey stick in his hand.

Seven Things

Okay, Jenn Phipps, this one is for YOU!

1. I am totally interested in photography, quilting and scrapbooking.

2. My MOST detested chore is......................Laundry!

3. I am a new found fan of Tzatziki.

4. I am probably the only person with mulitple piano's in her house.

5. I grew up "city" but am a "country girl" at heart.

6. I cannot tolerate SPIDERS!

And last but not least.................

7. I like the 'Martha Stewart Living' magazine.

H.O.M.E.

It is great to go on a holiday, but there is still nothing like HOME! We had a fantastic time with Cory's bro and family. Laughs, late nights, sunsets, hair cuts for boys,outside fun, ice-cream and some where in there a little work too! So glad to finally get to "The Hub" and see what all they've done - totally awesome!

On The Road Again

Tomorrow morning bright and early it is on the road again for us. We are headed south, back to the "land of the living skies." (Saskatchewan for those who wonder what I am talking about) We are going to Hodgeville, a teeny, tiny town in southern SK near "Speedy Creek." (Swift Current) Upon our destination we will be checking into the "Hodgeville Hub." Should be GOOD TIMES ahead!

Busy, Busy and More Busy!

Days around our house are NEVER dull. With two boys that have only 2 speeds: fast and FASTER. It seems they are forever into something..... especially Jacob!

Yeah! Daddy's HOME

Benjamin was soooo excited to have Dad home right after a huge snowfall. Out they went to build a "wikkiup." (not sure of the spelling on that one?) According to Cory a "wikkiup" is any one-man shelter that can be heated with a candle.........and here I thought they were similar to a tepee.

hmmmm....think maybe Benjamin was the "supervisor" on this job.