Chillin'

It's been a week of fun and relaxation with the kids, doing errands, shopping, playing and eating.  Colin begins "Play School" in September.  How did he get to that point already?  Seems like only yesterday they brought him home from the hospital.  Eva, better known as "Eva, the Diva" or "Eda Bomb" (E-Bomb for short)  is growing too fast. The name Eda comes from Colin not being able to say Eva at first.  Use your imagination for adding the "bomb".  :)  She's one independent lady and our guess is she'll never take a back seat to anyone.  lol  She's 15 mo old and definitely in charge. Both of them bring so much joy to our lives.

Zoie relaxing

We can't forget our grand-dog, Zoie.  She is so much "Pa's" buddy.  It couldn't be the fact that he gives her extra "treats" she normally doesn't get... hmmmmmmm They get along famously. She loves to go on walks and gets very excited when anyone gets her leash.  Most of the time she'll sleep in our room, and as soon as one of us stirs, she is right there with one of her toys in her mouth, tail wagging fast and furiously with the low growl she loves to emit when she's happy. She is such a good dog.  The kids love her and she lets them do about anything to her including climbing, sitting and laying on her.
We brought a couple of old cameras for the kids to play with.  Who knew they would have so much fun with those "taking pictures"


Colin in his photographer's pose



Pa fixing broken camera  lol

Eva taking picture

 Courtney had ordered some things for the kids and had them sent to our house, including shoes, which we brought up here.  Eva LOVES shoes and was ecstatic when she saw hers.  She knows who's shoes belongs to who and will bring them to you on her own, especially when we are going to leave.

Eva trying on her new shoes

Colin had his first eye appointment this week and did very well doing what the Dr. said. He has healthy eyes and great eyesight.  Eva was weighed and measured at the clinic this week, and she is on track and doing well.  Courtney has been busy getting them signed up for Fall activities and Colin is excited about his classes.  I will say St. Albert has an endless amount of activities for kids and families to do, which is much needed for the long, cold winters up here.  There is never a lack of anything to do. Classes fill up fast. The weather doesn't stop Canadians from doing anything outside either. School is never canceled for either snow or cold.  If the buses aren't running (which is rare to nil), it's the parents responsibility to get them to school.
We took a day this week and went to Edmonton to ride an old, restored Street Car to downtown Edmonton.  That was great fun!  We thoroughly enjoyed the ride and I loved the history of it. After getting off, we walked a short distance to Whyte Ave. where there is a lot of shopping and restaurants.  All the work on the Street Cars is volunteer, from restoration to manning each one.

Getting tickets for Street Car

View from Street Car of the Saskatchewan River

Strolling down Whyte Ave.

 The weather has been beautiful.... 70-75 degrees (or 20-25C).  The sun was shining most of the time, with some rain scattered at the beginning of the week. 

A beautiful sunset viewed from deck 10:15 p.m.

We took the kids to the park yesterday - great day for that.  Mosquitoes were at a minimum, so the city must have sprayed for them.  There are beautiful parks all over this town and very well-maintained. I hate to say this, but we are seeing some trees that are already turning color.  Fall is on it's way up here.

I got some Christmas shopping done for the kids which I'll just leave here.  They'll be flying home for Christmas and won't have a lot of room to take bulkier items back with them. Geeze, are we really talking about Christmas already????

This past week has gone by so fast; I can't imagine time going any faster. Time with the kids was all too brief and precious.  Time marches on and waits for nothing or no one.

Look at me go in my Rubicon!

Love being chauffeured in my blue ride

Pa and Colin chillin'

Pa and Eva enjoying the swing while Colin catches the Kodak moments with his camera

We will be leaving at 5:30 in the morning on our way to Hyder, AK., which is in southeast Alaska bordering with Stewart B.C.  To get into main Alaska, we'll have to travel back through British Columbia up into the Yukon and back into Alaska. We continue to pray for a safe journey.

Blue skies.....