Kisses

One last post for the night. I have to tell a funny story about Ty. The other day I was talking on the phone to my mom and Coulson and Tyler were wrestling and playing. Tyler bonked his head ( a regular occurance around our house!) and ran over crying.

Pointing to his forehead he cried -

"Kiss"

Mama kiss!"

I kissed his forehead and off he ran to play some more. I wonder how long I'll have that "Mama magic for him? Hopefully it never fades away.

New Family Pictures

Our little imp
Damon's growing up fast!

I always love Coulson's smile, he really puts it on for the camera

Lindy - rapidly becoming a young lady!

Rachel's sweet heart pose!

The Lovely ladies

The handsome boys

Who can be a better friend than a sister!

Jeff loves his kids and they love their Daddy!

Here's a reality pose of family pics!

Our goofy pose!

Here are some of our new family pictures that were taken with the self timer on our camera! We thought we'd try it this time and they turned out okay! I always love this field - it really
feels like getting back to nature here! I loved the many different views of the sky we caught without really knowing it.

Cow girl wannabe - temporarily!

We sold the calves a few weeks ago. It is always a relief when this time of year comes, since funds seem to be stretched to the limit. The annual calf cheque! I must say that I have come a long way since the day Jeff asked me on our first official date to a cattle auction in Pincher Creek. Now I can usually tell when our calves come into the ring, I can vaguely understand the auctioneer and I can kind of tell whether other calves being sold look better, worse or as good as ours. I must say this year as I went I felt a sort of comraderie with the whole ranching community. I felt the adrenaline rush at the bidding, I almost had the desire to get on a horse again and really embrace the whole culture of it all. Who knows? I got on the hay rake and baler this year. Maybe I'll make the jump to becoming a real cowgirl one of these days! In the meantime, I'm sure Jeff is relieved I am not quite so naive about cattle prices, farm expenses and ranching in general. I guess you'll know I'm truly there if I happen to swagger by in a pair of Wrangler jeans and boots. Until then, I 'll keep on wanna bein'!

The Campaign Trail

This month has been super busy since we got home from our trip. The day we left Jeff dropped off his papers to run for County Councillor. Campaigning was a whirlwind experience - making a brochure, having Jeff try to visit all the people in the division. He even went to the grade 6 classes and talked to them about the election. It was a good experience for us all. I am so grateful that he is a man of integrity - I am proud that he stuck up for the other candidates and tried to set the record straight on lots of issues. He is a fair and good man. I am proud to call him my husband.
Alas, we didn't win, but I believe that no experience is ever wasted. I am glad that he did his best! Our children got a taste of what an election was all about and now we go on to the next adventure in our lives!

A Perfect Day

Marriage is all about compromise - sometimes you give, sometime you take. Sometimes a husband agrees that he will spend the morning touring Anne of Green Gables sites. . . BUT. . . only IF we spend the afternoon at the beach!

It turned out to be the perfect day!
Since I was a young girl I have loved Anne of Green Gables, and dreamed of going to PEI someday. My cousin and sister and I watched the movies over and over again. I read the books, dreamed of marrying someone just like Gilbert!! Well, here it is, in reality.

Walking up to Green Gables through the "haunted wood", which was a beautiful walk.

Here is Anne's room, or the replica from the book. Lucy Maud Montgomery - the author said that often people forgot that Anne was really a fictional character.

Look at the patience on this man's face. He was a really good sport and even found some of it interesting!

Here I am walking up one of many tree lined lanes to the place in Cavendish, where Lucy Maud lived with her Grandparents, because her mom died of Tuberculosis when she was 2.

We walked down "lover's Lane" and through the haunted woods. They were both very peaceful nice walks.

Now it is HiS turn! This is on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, PEI National park. It was the most gorgeous beach I've been to - beautiful red cliffs and powdery red - white sand. It was so relaxing. We loved it. Jeff loves to explore tides and nooks and crannies of beaches so he was in heaven.

The light was so pretty as the sun was setting.

I guess there is even a ship wreck off this shore - the Marco Polo. We found some beach glass in a little inlet and wondered if it was possibly from the ship wreck.

One of Jeff's many wave pictures. He was quite fascinated by them this time.

The beach explorer

You have to find crabs at the beach!

Ahhh! It doesn't get any better than this!

Veranda Beach Photos

Here we are by the cottage, Thanks to Mom Bectell and Sandy we had a fantastic resort to come to!

Here are all the kids with their Grandmas. Note Lindy's semi defiant pose, After she said

I didn't smile in any of the pictures! We're not sure the reason, but if it made her feel independent, hey!?!

We participated in a beach party, Jeff was a great anchor to our tug o war team! We actually won it, surprise, surprise!


NO beach party is complete without the limbo contest, go Lindy!

I love this picture of Ty and Rachel, she's his little mother hen!

Ty's face says it all! Gotta love milkshakes and french fries!

Here we are in all of our beach bathing glory!

The kids got to make their own beach hats at the children's programs

Rachel having a deep contemplative moment, or maybe its sun brain - too much heat!

The boys - also in a state of alertness!

Here was the great beach, groomed every morning for our sand loving pleasure.

Coulson is hanging out with Grandma Bectell on the veranda of our cottage playing "Chicken Foot"

Look at how brave I am, a swimsuit picture. I love the little boy beside me. What a cutie pie.

Rachel loved to paddle around on the air mattress, a lady of leisure. Just what summer is all about!

Oh the sand, sand, sand, sand!

Gotta love the Beach!