Amberlea Meadows...

Before we went to the Devonian Botanical gardens, we went to Amberlea Meadows to their open house and horse show. It was nice to look around and see all of the horses - get the children more used to being around horses - see them all being washed and groomed and prepared for the ring. We went outside and said hi t several different horses out there - I fell in love with one called Vicky (Victorias Secret). We watched some jumping and had a walk around the stables. It wasn't as good as the horse show we went to the other week, but it was still nice to be around the horses - for Abigail especially, who is horse mad at the moment!!! :)

amberleameadows.com/

I need a drink!!!

Sittin' in the shade :)

Just some summery pictures that I really like :)

Hot!!!!

Sam cooling off in the shade of a tree....

Tool box!

This is where the childrens tools are kept in the childrens garden and the 'touchy feely' garden!! You can smell, feel, taste, the plants in this section!!! the scented plants were wonderful!!! :)

MMMmmmm Yummy!!!! :)

It just shows in his face how much he LOVES his ice cream :)

Butterfly house.....

Snapshots of the Tropical house 'lodgers'.....

My big boy.....

Looking so grown up all of a sudden :(

Everyone on the Japanese bridge.....

Thoughts of Monet....

Japanese Gardens....

Entrance to the Japanese Gardens....

Visit to the Devonian Gardens...

Today we went to the Devonian Botanical Gardens - we love going there and knew that Lloyds parents would love it there. A beautiful sunny day. We stopped off on the way at Amberlea Meadows -a horse stables that was having an open house. We watched some riding in the arena, and met some of the horses, had something to eat in the cafe, and the children just enjoyed the horses, the cat and just seeing everything at the stables. Then we headed to the Gardens where we spent a few hours strolling round the Japanese Gardens, butterfly house, Maze etc etc.

Lots of photo opportunities today - so I will be flooding the blog with pictures ;)

Not so welcome visitor to the Devonian!!!

As much as we were thrilled to see the Beaver, I don't think the Devonian Gardens are too happy with the Beaver being there - they have had to take action to stop them attacking the trees there!!! It was interesting to see though even if it's not good!

Busy L'il home builder!!!

We were thrilled to see this beaver busy at work collecting branches for it's new home!!! The children were so excited :) It wasn't bothered by us at all and just continued on it's merry little way :)

School's out for Summer!!!

Yay!!! School is over for another year!!! I can't believe ow fast the last year has gone - seems like only yesterday I was taking pictures of the children on their first day back at school, and here they are already done for the year! Yesterday Laurences class spent the day at Galaxyland at West Edmonton Mall - enjoying all the rollercoasters and fun it has to offer! He had a great time and went on the Mindbender or whatever it's called, three times :) He was happy as last year he wasn't tall enough to go on it.

Susannahs class - in fact the whole elementary school - went to Kidz Quarterz. She was a bit worried about going there as she thought she was too old, but they ended up having soooo much fun and got to use the Karaoke room all day etc and the class ended the day by singing 'Oh Susannah' to her :) which she thought was hilarious (yet embarrassing lol).

So school is done, teachers gifts are given out, bus drivers gift, friends said goodbye to, phone numbers swapped, dates arranged......

Laurence went to a sleepover party last night. Chris finished school a week ago. He worked all day yesterday at the golf course - they had a tournament there yesterday so he was very busy there.

Susannah has gone camping for the weekend. My friend Christie invited Susie to go to Slave Lake with her family - they have their trailer there for the weekend - and there is no fire ban there!!! Sooo lucky :) there is canoeing, paddle boats, a lovely lake for swimming and sandy beach and they are having a Canada Day parade this weekend too!! So they have to wear silly hats etc. So Susie left yesterday around 5pm and will be back around the same time on Monday!!! :) Soooo lucky :) She took her camera so I hope she takes lots of pictures!!!

I am sooooo happy that Summer is here and now all my plans can begin :) I have my Summer bag all ready to go - my Summer folder all filled and my notebook all written out and with little bits of paper stuck in - things I've torn out of magazines and the local paper - ideas of events, crafts, activities for the kids and us to do - places to go - even rainy day activities! I am excited about this Summer - looking forward to lots of fun - lazy days relaxing at home mixed in with days at the pool, at the park, field trips out and about and trying things we haven't done before :)

I am soooo glad school is out :)

Lloyd is off for two weeks now too. He has 5 days off after his parents leave too!!