wandering visitors

This little guy was found in our front yard by Kaitlin while she was playing with Dixie! I was moving sheep and she called me over to see something which she thought might be a turtle?! Sure enough it was a tiny turtle all huddled up and very sleepy. We could tell it was alive once it blinked it's eyes. Of course the kids brought him in the house and once he warmed up became very active. So where did this tiny turtle come from? Well we do have several ponds on the property that do have turtles in them, so we are assuming this one's mother buried her eggs in the gravel road or lane way and this little one hatched.

The kids played with the turtle all night and were convinced they wanted to keep it. But, if you can't tell by the picture this tiny turtle is actually a baby snapping turtle! I explained to the kids that he was going to grow very big and would eventually bite. Poor Dawson was most upset. We let the turtle stay for a few days before eventually letting him go.

Before that though we brought the turtle into school to let the classes see him. (it's not that often you get to see a baby turtle!) All the students loved seeing this tiny creature and had lots of questions. Some of the teachers however weren't so turtle loving! I was shocked when a few of them wouldn't go near him or god forbid touch him!! You would have thought I brought in some scary animal not a baby turtle! I just had to laugh....Here is the perfect learning opportunity for the kids and the "teachers" are freaked out. Forget about the books that the kids are reading here is a live (and safe) piece of nature that the kids were excited to learn about. From this Dawson has been on You Tube watching lots of videos on how to take care of turtles and all about them. How are we going to get the next generation to appreciate and take care of nature if we don't show them that it's special and amazing. I have once heard someone say it drives him crazy that the schools do complete units on Dinosaurs. The kids all know the types, the names, what they eat ect. But ask these kids about some of the nature that's alive and endangered now and they can't. There are so many spices of reptiles, birds, mammals that kids don't know about, but yes they can tell you all about something that doesn't live now. I thought that was interesting.

So, the little turtle is gone now. We let him go back into a pond on the property. The kids were sad, but it was a great experience for them. (and I enjoyed it too!) One of many I hope they take with them in their future.

Western Fair

Today was a bit of a last minute decision. We usually go to the Western fair every few years with the kids, but we weren't planning on it this year. Then, Travis went away for the weekend with a friend and phoned to ask if he could go with Nick to the fair. I knew when the other kids found out they'd (Kaitlin) would be very upset. With today being the last day of the fair it was a little less expensive with the two for one ride deals. But of course the kids loved seeing all the animals and that was a big highlight for them. I thought Kaitlin and Dawson would go on some rides, but they were both too nervous to try many. Kortney went on the carousel and I asked Kaitlin to go with her. Kaitlin was NOT impressed and really didn't want to. But she didn't want to try to many others either. Instead everyone wanted to play games...I tried to explain to them that some of these games that look easy are set up to be very hard. Well, Dawson of course thinks he can do anything, so we lost a bit of money on games, but did win a few more stuffed animals (just what they needed!)

Here is Dawson and Kaitlin driving jeeps around which they thought was fun.
There were three different show to see at the fair which were all great to see. The first one we saw was a bird of prey show. We got to see a bunch of birds up close and watch them fly over the crowd. Of course the highlight was when a hawk pooped on a lady in the audience!

The second show we watched was a reptile show. We got to see crocodiles, alligators, turtles and snakes!
Here's Dawson and Kortney at the petting zoo with a wandering donkey!
and a goat!
Kaitlin loved playing this game, although we didn't win. It was very tricky. It was hard not to keep trying when she was so close, but we finally gave up.
Kortney made a mask at a craft table.
The best show of the day was the supper dogs. They were amazing and we loved it!
Here one of the dogs is on the guys back.

walking on his back legs.
Jumping rope!
Walking on his front legs.
If you look close you can see this dog is balancing on his front legs on the guys hand!
At the end of the day the kids got to make bird houses to take home. It took a while, but in the end we left with three new houses for our birds at home.

A double party!

Kortney and her best friend Shayna's birthday parties got a little post-poned this year due to a busy end of Aug and busy first of Sept. My friend Kim and I both were trying to figure out when each of us would have the girl's parties that finally we just decided to them together. The girls have the same friends so it was easy to plan one party for both of them.

Shayna wanted an "Almost sleepover party" and Kortney wanted a kitty cake. We combined their ideas and threw a little party together. Everyone came in their pjs and brought their favourite stuffed animal. The girls had so much fun playing teddy bear toss with blankets and their stuffies.


Shayna and Emma trying to launch their bears up!

Elianne and Sadie got the hang of it!

Here's Cassie and Darcy trying.
Kortney and Shayna.
They got their animals up high!

And of course Dawson and Sara had to try too!

Everyone together!

There were animals flying all over, over and over again!
After the outside fun everyone came in to make dream catchers and get their nails painted. Then of course hotdogs for supper and the kitty cake with kitten cupcakes!
Shayna and Kortney, getting ready to blow candles out.

The girls were all great and the party was lots of fun even for Kim and I!

At Grandma B's

After a very busy summer we finally managed to drive up north to visit my mom. The kids love seeing Grandma and Grandpa and of course the dogs too! We had a good few days of going to beaches, visiting with Great Grandma and Danielle, seeing friends and doing a little school shopping.

Taking Brinkley and Holly for a walk down mom's road.

The poison ivy that was along the road's edge!
Getting ready for a campfire.
Who has more energy? - Kortney or Holly!??
And of course what is Travis doing at the campfire?? Playing Star Wars on his I pod!

Shebe

Summer sure went fast this year and before we knew it was the middle of Aug, and our annual trip to the cottage! Aka - Shebe.

The kids are always super excited and can't wait to get there and have the freedom Shebe allows them to have. With years of packing, planning and looking after babies and toddlers during this week it's very strange for Dan and I to now be bringing kids that are all fairly self sufficient. They helped pack their bags, traveled without much fuss and once at Shebe were off doing there own thing. Yes, there are lots we can do together still which is great, but Dan and I are able to visit, sit on the beach and enjoy the week differently then a few years ago. All of us are enjoying the bit of freedom during our holiday!

Every year Dan goes for a ski on his birthday. At 35 he still has it!
He even had a good "landing".
A picture at the beach with Kaitlin and Christen getting ready one of many tube rides!
Kaitlin was able to hang on tight enough and not fall off.
After her ride!
Some of the kids jumping of the boat and tube.
Sandra, Ty and Wyatt playing in the sand.
Travis in the woods on the island he loves to explore.
The boys checking out the shore line on the island.
Dawson way up on one of the rocks.
Here comes Dan and the girls!
Docking the boat.

Travis checking out what's under the water with his goggles.
Silly pictures of Dan and me :)

Heading back to Shebe.
Of course it turned into a bumper paddle boat ride!

Kortney jumping of the paddle boat.
Dan, Kortney and Alex fishing of the dock.

Every year when there's a cooler day everyone gets together for a ring toss tournament. This year Travis and his friend Jarod organized the afternoon.
Yvonne and the girls watching the games.
Kaitlin and Dan.
Pete helping the boys figure out who plays next.

The B side winners - Doug and Candy!
The A side winners - Jordana and Brendan!

The annual potluck dinner. There were around 70 of us this year!
Jarod and Travis playing poker!
Hanging out on the beach.
Kaitlin loved to help with her cousin Mackenzie!
Holiday Harve is never far without his drink!
Kortney trying out the skis!
Dawson and Dan going on tour.
Doug, Terry and Mike off to "whale's head"
Swimming to the shore to jump of "whale's head"!


Mike jumping!

Brendan doing one of his flips!
Chloe, Emily and Kaitlin jumping! Kaitlin loved this and jumped a few times two different days!
Mike, Mackenzie, Kortney, Alex and Emily hanging out on the dock. Kortney and Alex just loved being with Emily and were consitantly looking for to hang out!
Kaitlin and Chloe.
Jarod and Travis the last day. The week always goes by so fast and the kids are never ready to go home. They'll have to wait another year before continuing their adventures at Shebe.