FUN IN THE SNOW!

YAHOOO! Tayler would yell as she came backwards down the hill

Dyaln pulling Tay on one of the sleds - this was so much fun

Ed pulling Russ too.  After Ed wanted to get in on the action - Dylan and I pulled him a record 20 feet and then got tired!

Shayleigh getting in on the action. She was so excited she grabbed one of the sleds in her mouth and ran around with it slipping and sliding all over. Ed tired to take her down the hill on the sledbut she was having no part of that!

Since we have been back from our whirlwind trip to Victoria the temperatures have dipped below zero - far below zero. Today is - 16 the last few days have been around -14 the snow has continued to fall but the flakes are so small it doesn't accumulate very fast - as of today we have about 6 inches.
We keep the fireplace stoked up and toasty warm - and drink LOTS of Hot Choclate and Tea.

Pictures from Victoria

 We took a quick trip to Victoria on Remembrance Day, and spent 2 1/2 days running around seeing as many friends and family as we could. And we were able to see most everyone, but the time went so fast we were unable to see our old neighbours across from our Glenlake Rd House and I was so upset - I'm sorry Tracy, Jamie Brayden, Cole and Davis we wnated so badly to could and see your renos, seeing it in a drive by is not the same. A few other friends I would have loved to drop in on and unfortunately we were unable to meet up with Eds parents, but oh how time flys!
I told Ed before we left I wanted to leave in the afternoon on Sunday that way we could visit a little longer but as he reminded me we can't be toooo late as the snow was already falling and he was not to keen on the possiblity on having to walk to the house from the end of the driveway, me neither.

One picture of Little Dylan with Big Dylan in the background

Tayler and Sawyer having dinner together

Having fun with one of her favorite cousins. Tay and Jess did not
waste anytime while they were together they we so happy to see each other.

We went out to cheer on Traviss' soccer team on Saturday morning (Dylan played a season of soccer with almost all the kids there, it was so fun to see him interact with all of them again)



Dylan wasn't able to join in the game but 6 of the kids stayed after the game and they had  fun playing a three on three game - that turned into tackle soccer and then rugby - hilarious action!

 We had dinner at Erin and Alans on the night we arrived.  They are int he middle of a living room reno - no drywall, vapour barrier and red tuck tape all over we felt right at home, Alan joked with Ed on how this was done just for our visit so we would not be homesick.  I can't wait to see the finished product!
Friday evening we all (Mom and Dad, GG and Matt and Leanne and the girls) had dinner with Val at Romeos Restaurant, we missed Albert so we sent a HUGE hello to him with Val. Saturday we had a a family dinner at Mom and Dads so yummy and lots of visiting time with Matt and Leanne Hayley and Jess and GG.  As usual I took very few pictures, so silly too as the camera was with me the whole time!

Slacking again!

I know I know - I'm slacking again on the blog! But we have been quite busy with a trip to the coast and many winter preparations!

For the last week it has been VERY chilly up here between - 10 and today -18 so as you can imagine we are making sure the last of the winter jobs are getting done - I know what you are thinking - NOW??? - better late than never!!

I will post some pictures shortly Take care and stay warm !

Winter is here

Well its here, winter is here to stay.

Heavy thick frost.

Yesterday was a very heavy frost, but a beautiful day. We took the kids for a long walk around the property mostly to burn off energy and also just to have a look around. Now that I am working I never have time get out and walk around so its nice to wander.

Snow falling !

Later in the afternoon it started to snow and by the time I had to leave for work it was a mix of rain and snow.  In town however it was really snowing - ekkkkkk - this is the part of working I dread - driving the in the snow late at night.  It must have warmed up a bit because when we were finished the first building the whole town was a sheet of ice, thank goodness the highway was traveled enough that it wasn't too bad and I followed a sand truck home so in the end it worked out fine. 

This morning - -7c Dylan and Russ ran for the sleds and have be sliding around for the last hour! Too Funny, unfortunately it will wear off fast, soon they will be saying when is it spring?

Coop Update

Isn't it great! My favorite part is the door! 

Nest boxes - how creative is that! They do need a top the one above is temporary.

This is the extent of my woodworking abilities - I cut the wood to length and jammed them in between the logs and Tay and I made little holders so they won't fall out.

So cute I love it - it odes need a window but we need to get the plastic to put in it first (rigid plastic)

This reminds me I will have to post a picture of our friends root cellar - it is amazing and very artistic. He is like Ed in that he can build anything and make it super cute and functional at the same time.

Exciting News

 Last thursday we got our first egg from one of our hens. Tay and I were chopping wood behind the house and this one hen was having a fit on the back porch, so we went up to see what she was doing, we couldn't see anything wrong so we went back to chopping wood. About a half hour later she was having a fit again so we went up to check and found a little egg in our compost bin.

Over the next few days we were disappointed not to find more eggs, but yesterday we found a hen in the coop, in one of the nest boxes Ed made, so we kept our hopes up and sure enough she laid another egg. Then this morning there were two more - yippy! Very soon we will be getting enough eggs to eliminate that item off the grocery bill!

Halloween in "The Grove"

The kids enjoyed their Halloween, carving pumpkins, figuring out costumes, trick or treating, and seeing the fireworks.  The evening before we took our pumpkins to Beverly and Jasons, so we could crave them with Sierra, Cora and River. We had 2 really scary pumpkins and 2 really happy pumpkins. While the kids were carving, Jason and Ed lit a fire for a marshmallow roast after dinner.

On Halloween we laid out costumes and got bags ready and waited for Taylers friend Cameron to come in from Canim Lake to Trick or Treat, for the first time, with our kids. Unfortunately I forgot my camera both evenings so I only have one picture of Tay in her costume as the boys were quick to change when we got home. Dylan was an outlaw and Russ was a lumberjack.