Great Big Update Part 1

Well.  It's the end of the year, and I haven't updated since April.  So, for the readers who are still with me, it's time to fill in what's been going on in the Harseverse.  My heart had gone out of blogging for a while but I hope to catch up and once again keep you in the loop of the happenings over here!
The first photo is of one of the many birds who have been stunned by flying into our giant front window this summer.  I was able to get in nice and close to photograph this goldfinch as he was quite dazed by the impact.  Other birds were not so lucky and we've had to remove a few of them afterwards.

 The castle project!  We had an extra ladder that came with the bunk beds we had bought for the boys, and so were dreaming up ways to use it.  Stu drew up some plans after settling on the castle theme, borrowed some tools and went to work.  It turned out really well, complete with an upper floor.  I painted the landscape in the background.

This spring I was able to attend a women's conference at Camp Caroline, hosted by the churches in Edmonton.  Beautiful grounds, wonderful speeches by Sally Gleason, and fun fellowship with sisters in Christ were enjoyed by all!

Beach days!  C-note is getting more and more used to the water, and even goes up to his shoulders now.

We had a fun day at a park where the kids got their faces painted.  C-note chose a butterfly while A-team chose a tiger.  Later in the summer we visited the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.  It's an open-air museum that depicts the history of east central Alberta by telling the story of Ukrainian immigrants who settled in this region.  All the people are "in character" as Ukrainian settlers.  It's kind of weird to talk to them as who they represent.  A really neat and educational place to visit, though!  I have plenty of photos from the trip but limited space in this big giant update...

A-team petting the goats at the town's street festival.  C-note rode a pony for the first time.  He's getting braver!  There were balloon animals and a bouncy castle to enjoy.  And cotton candy!

Honeybees drinking in our lilac's sweet nectar.

There's always a day here and there where a fort is in order.  Like a rainy wet day.  The living room is transformed into a little boy's hideaway.

Mom and baby moose tracks at the beach.

Our niece B came over for a visit.  The boys loved it!  We did a little sight-seeing in the area.  Unfortunately a beach day turned thunderous so we had to head home early.  We still had fun road tripping!

Mom and Dad and P came to visit this summer.  It was lovely seeing them again.  A-team like feeding P his snacks, and standing on his wheel chatting with him.  Both boys learned to bike this summer and they took many walks/rides to the park with Grandma.

Relaxing.

Smooch!

One of the projects tackled by energetic in-laws: new paint!  It really brightens up our living room.  And, bonus, the paint was on sale!  Woot!  Thanks for all your help, Mom and Dad!

Campfire in the backyard.

Fishing game enjoyed by the kids at our church picnic.

It's hard to choose one picture from our trip to the mountains!  We took the Jasper Tramway this year for some awe-inspiring views.  We also experienced the Miette Hot Springs, which were relaxing (except for when A-team almost drowned!) and we stopped at a few interesting places along the way to see a waterfall, elk, mountain goats, and even a bear!

A float from the town parade.

Our garden growing and growing...tomatoes!

My birthday raspberry bush growing some sweet delicious fruit!

And at the end of the summer our first bundle of joy turned 5!  I can't believe how time flies.  It's been a wonderful five years with this lovable, curious, always-cheerful guy in our lives!  I can't believe he's going to school already.

And so ends part one.  Stay tuned for part two, coming soon.