Back from the meeting...

We just got home from the meeting with the architect and builder...and now my head is swimming because they came up with all new ideas for the extension...like spiral stairways from the sunroom into the walkout basement.....and changing the pantry into the laundry room.....knocking different walls down and adding others.....having my table in a completely different location.....

So now we have so much to think about and we have to write all our thoughts down and head back there on Monday evening to meet with them again..then they can draw out new plans for us and we move on to another stage....

I'm exhausted and we haven't even started yet!

Thursdays ramblings....

We have all been busy getting the house clean and tidy......E-Children will be arriving this afternoon with the girls furniture...and then tomorrow morning we have the appraiser coming.....last year the house was valued using a basic valuation - comparing like-sized properties in the area.....but we wanted a more detailed appraisal so they are coming tomorrow.....then once the kitchen is done we will have it appraised again....

Tonight we are going to meet with the architect and builder....our appt last week was postponed as the builders Dad had died. The builder is so nice....so is the architect...can;t wait to see what she has designed for us....it will just be nice to have a kitchen with drawers that don't have the bottoms falling out!!!

The weather is going to be very hot for the next few days.....31c today and 32c for the next few.......they forecast BIG storms by Sunday.....I am so grateful for air conditioning......it is lovely and cool here inside....you forget how horribly hot it is outside! We have Charlies pool filled and the dogs can use it too...the chickens will stay inside today in the cool and shade.....but the door is open for the air to blow through.....

So apart from getting the house clean and tidy we aren't doing much at all today...then Lloyd and I are going to the meeting about the kitchen tonight...thats all for today...but we hada busy day at Fort Edmonton Park yesterday, so its nice to have a day at home.....

I had a lovely letter from my penpal Carla on Tuesday so hopefully I cna find some time to write back to her later today!

The annual Art Walk takes place this weekend on Whyte Ave...so Lloyd and I may take Mom...then on Sunday I am taking just Mom and Olly to the Royal Alberta Museum.......Saturday night Lloyd is taking Laurie and maybe Olly to see the new Transformers movie......

Flowering at last.......

My new Clematis is flowering now...isn't it beautful? And my peony is also flowering again :)

Last nights sunset.....

A few snapshots of last nights sunset for you......

Birthday cake time....

When we got home from dinner on Tuesday night, we had Moms birthday cake...luckily all the children were still awake so they sang and helped Mom blow out the candles....it was a Key Lime Cheesecake that Mom chose from Wow Factor desserts.....

Fresh from the garden...

The strawberries from our garden are just so delicious...so so sweet and tasty...yum....we are all fighting over them as soon as they are red enough to pick!

Pretty kitty......

A few pictures of Jasper taken on Tuesday evening.......he has settled in really well....eating and drinking and using the litter box....sleeping downstairs with Chris at night.....doesn't like to be alone......just wants to be around the children....

My only worry is that Chris and Susie are showing signs of a cold and I am hoping it is not an allergy.....

Happy Belated Birthday Kylie!

Happy Birthday for yesterday to Susans Daughter Kylie! What a cute baby you were and a beautiful girl now :)

I hope you had a great day - your cake looked DELICIOUS!!!!!

Introducing....Jasper!!

Here is our new little friend Jasper...approx 7 weeks old and the Son of Vals barn cat :)

So far he is settling in well...has eaten a little...is happy to cuddle everyone and fall asleep on little laps!

Woodland visitor...

This deer was also admiring the Athabasca Falls...we walked into the woods to get some pictures of it.....luckily it didn't seem to mind and just continued to eat....

Athabasca Falls...

On Friday evening after settling into our accommodation, we drove down to Athabasca Falls.....I have been there twice before.....but never in early Summer...I was shocked at how high the water was and how fast....in September the water is much lower as the run-off from the mountains has slowed....and in January the entire waterfall freezes....it looks magical and the ice is a bluey colour......the waterfall was very loud and was magnificent!

The weekend was wonderful...the only frustrating part was getting a speeding ticket on Friday morning...my own silly fault and yes frustrating but I wasn't going to let that spoil the weekend!

We crammed so much into the weekend that we were exhausted when we got back! It was worth it though!

Beary nice :)

A few more snaps of the bear we saw on Saturday...

Happy BIrthday Mom....

Today is my Moms 66th birthday! Happy Birthday Mom.....

She woke up and opened her gifts (pictures to follow) and then we got dressed and headed to Vals house for coffee and to collect a new little friend (pictures to follow!!!!)

It was so nice to visit Val at her home and meet her Daughters at last...OMG they are so beautiful...and so nice to chat with :) I can't wait for Susie to be K's age :) Abigail got stuck in and played with T while Susie was quite shy for a while...then we turned around and Susie was gone!!! She had gone out on the trampoline with J.....

Thanks so much for coffee Val :) You have a beautiful home...I love how your decorate....the colours are so inviting and the sunflowers and the country style bathroom I just loved!

I had planned to only stay an hour as the phone company was coming out.....so when we got back in the car and saw it was after 1pm I was shocked!!!!!

We were going to head to Whitemud Park for a walk today but by the time we had lunch etc we decided to just walk around here...so we walked to the mail box with Sam instead...its so warm out again...and set to get hotter!

Tonight we are taking Mom out for a birthday meal and then will have cake with the children when we get home...Mom has chosen a Key Lime Cheesecake...which is what Lloyd chose for his birthday too.....

Boat trip....

A few pictures of us all on the boat at Maligne Lake.......

Pictures from Maligne....

These pictures were taken halfway between Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake on