An evening at Elk Island Park....

Laurence had to work tonight, so we picked Kevin up after school, came home to pick up Susannah (and have a quick supper - I had barbecued pulled pork in the crockpot and it was YUMMY) and then we headed out to Elk Island Park.  We drove around the Bison Trail twice - once on arriving - in daylight, and once on the way home, in the dark/ twilight.  

I think Kevin was really surprised at all of the bison and how they were everywhere - he said the area by the bison trail reminded him of Africa - which it does in many ways - similar tree shapes and the animals in their groups etc etc....

We drove up to Astotin Lake, and stopped by the beaver pond.  Luckily we saw three beaver swimming around :)  One young one and a couple of adults :)  

We got out and took pictures, and walked down to the lake - I was really surprised to see that it has already started to freeze around the edge!  The kids all tested the strength of the ice - it held Sams weight but not Abigails.  They know not to go onto thin ice, so we were just by the edge.  It was quite amazing how the lake has frozen sooo much and so thickly already!!  It has frozen in waves :)  

We walked around the boardwalk and enjoyed the sunset:

Everyone liked smashing the ice at the sides of the boardwalk/ dock - the entire lake on this side is already frozen!

We walked up to the Pioneers cottage before heading back to the car.  We were the ONLY people there today.  The parking lot was empty!  It was cold (-5c) but it was a beautiful and sunny day!  No wind really!

Monday afternoon...

Monday afternoon Abigail had her French class, and so Sam and I decided to go to Big Als Aquarium and see all the fish and creatures they have there!  We were in there a good hour or so and really enjoyed taking our time watching all the strange and beautiful fish!

This stingray would follow Sams hand and swim up and down or across :)  

This toad looked sooo grumpy :)  Too cute!

The seahorses are so amazing and beautiful to watch!  So graceful!

This little guy was probably my favourite though.  It is a Warty Frogfish!!!  He is $199.

Wow!!  Such a funny looking fish and he kept swimming into the side of the tank like he was banging his head against the wall lol!

After Big Als, we walked over to the Timmy's close by, and Sam had his favourite chicken noodle soup :)  I had a cup of tea that I had to wait AGES for...I finally got it JUST before we were about to leave to pick Abigail up!

It was a nice way to spend the afternoon...not sure what we will do next week yet.

Abigail is really enjoying her French classes.  She missed last weeks class, so had some homework to do to catch up but she is doing so well that it seems it didn't matter :)  

Monday morning....

...was spent relaxing and creating....playing card games with the children and chatting about this and that.  The rest of our day was busy so we wanted to make the most of the quiet morning.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...beautiful and sunny with clear skies, but COLD - the weather network says -9c and feels like -14c!!!  Wow!!!  I hope it warms up before Halloween!!

I am thinking...that I need another coffee :)

I am thankful...for such a fun weekend with a mix of friends, family, laughter, sunshine, good food and being busy and having time to relax :)  

In the kitchen...lots of yumminess lately - and we are back eating Fall and Winter meals - hashbrown casserole, roast dinners, stews...this week they have requested home made potato and bacon soup, and today I have barbecued pulled pork in the crock pot!  

I am wearing...jeans, long sleeved T - my typical outfit :)  Not sure if I will wear a scarf or necklace yet...probably a scarf because it's so cold!!

I am creating...my Fall mini album still, which is getting nice and fat and filled with memories of the last couple of months.  I will end it mid November before the Christmas festivities start everywhere...then I will start my JYC album :)  

I am going...to take Sam to Big Al's to see the fish while Abigail is at French this afternoon.  He remembered that we were supposed to go last week and has requested we do it today :)  

I am wondering...whether we should just drive round Elk Island Park tonight or if we should get out and light a fire up in the shelter and make smores....or come home and make smores on the fire here instead.  

I am reading...all of the Soulistry work and pdf's from Book of Days that I have not had time for lately...and feeling all creative and at peace :)  Thank you Effy!!

I am looking forward to...a quiet weekend this weekend :)  

I am learning...how far I have come in the last few years :)  

One of my favorite things...reading stories to Sam and playing card games with the children or with friends :)  

A few plans for the rest of the week: French class, Elk Island Park, Telus World of Science to see the new environment room, pot luck supper to say goodbye to the German exchange students, horse riding lessons, field trip to city hall, field trip to reuse centre, Halloween party at our Thursday group, swimming, Creepy Carnival....

A few more snapshots from our weekend :)

Such a nice weekend :)

I was up before dawn this morning, and so caught the first glimpse of sunrise over the back yard as I made my coffee:

Abigail surprised me a little later with breakfast in bed :)  Including hashbrowns and meringues lol!  

She is such a darling :)  The hashbrown is supposed to be in the shape of a koala.  She said she tried to make a heart but it didn't work so she made it a koala :)  

I spent the morning with 'Effy' studying art journaling techniques 

and playing with my inks and pens:

Laurence, Kevin and Susannah headed to West Edmonton Mall with a friend, 

and spent the afternoon at Galaxyland :)

Abby, Sam and I tried a few more of the German chocolates :)  

Then we did a few chores/ laundry...Sam groomed Rosie, and then we headed into town to the dog park for a walk.  It was 0c outside - cold but sunny and quite a lovely day for a walk :)  Abigail took a ball for Rosie and they played fetch for a long while and then we walked through the woods.  Rosie loves to sit on the passenger seat and is such a good girl:

Sam liked playing with the big pieces of ice in the mud by the pond :)  

After the dog park we called in at Walmart for some groceries before going home - and then I cooked a lovely roast dinner with yorkshire puddings, brussel sprouts, broccoli and roasties :)  

Totally yummy :) 

We had pumpkin pie for dessert.

Now Laurence and Kevin have a friend over and they are watching movies down stairs.  Susannah is doing homework.  Abby is doing her French homework, and Sam is complaining he is bored, so I will read him a story before bed :)