Winter is Coming

Ah, crap it's here already.

Aliyah's Birthday Party

Today we went to little Aliyah's birthday party and she had a face painter which most of the kids loved.  Here are some pics of them in all their glory.

Heading to the Corn Maze

Recently Kessa,  one of the mums in our group, organised a trip to Edmonton corn maze and here are a couple of pics from that bracing but excellent day out.

Dan with Friends

Time for some introductions.  Here's Dan with first his friend Jacob lined up against the wall at the Salvation Army.

And next behind the wheel of an electric babe magnet.  His friend Rhys is with him while Mary Ann gives last minute instructions :)

At the Firehall

Recently our local firefighters had an open day complete with bouncy castles food and loads of vehicles.  Here's a couple of pics of Dan & friends just hanging :)

The Crew

We've been shifting some decorative stone around St. Albert and this was our crew.
Thanks to everyone involved the driveway looks a lot better now.

Eatin' Rolls

Needed a vacuum for the sofa.

At the beach and the spray park

We had a fun weekend at Hubbles Lake with Jenny and Derek and Dan threw most of the stones in the water. Although we had to dissuade someone from hitting the metal sign too much, it's not that kind of lake you know :)

And twice this week we've been to the spray park with Dawn, Nicole and Mary Ann. With notable guest appearances by Kelly and Amy. It was really nice this week and we left before all those annoying school kids took the place over :)

Here are a couple of pics from the lake and of Dan and Catherine under the water umbrella, thanks to Nicole & Catherine for helping (dragging) him through the water.

And when he'd finished with nature the roads and the sky were next

Dan and machines. Free Galaxyland for the win.

Master of earth and beasts

Over the past week Dan has mastered many beasts and the earth itself! Fear him mother nature!

Intellectual Boy Monster

Fear his pencil related skills. Dan has decided to bypass basic reading and writing and go straight for the Gazette crossword. It's not the Times but he is still only 2.

Man and Beast

The boy had his first ride on a horse today and he coped very well. Before we got in he said he wanted to, although this is by no means a guarantee of future events. But the lad followed through. Here's a video him in action.

Critters and/or Varmints

I think Jacqui's found what's been nibbling her low hanging vegetables.

Castle Shop

Made Dan a castle this morning and the first thing he did was sell me ice cream from over the battlements, I hope he doesn't become a salesman. Apologies for the glare.

Backpacking

Flagrant Dan pics from the airport.

Assorted Toddling Dan the Man

Some pics off my iPod of the boy. They include such classics as: rock in a Jasper car park, in a play area near Rhys, in a different play area, and of course the old favourite, eating an ice lolly at Mary's.

Playing at the park with that Mary Girl

We had a very nice morning feeding ducks and playing at the park.  Young Natalie and Mary came over and a fun time was had by all, first feeding the ducks then shouting at them.  Toddlers love ducks.

Squirls & Chainsaws

This past week has seen me fighting to protect what's mine from the evils of nature.  This year I have heard squirrels on the roof many, many times but in the past month they found a way into the roof.  We don't have an attic so they were between roof and ceiling and were happily chewing on stuff and making much noise.

Something had to be done and a plan was hatched.  The squirrels had to be removed and their means of entry barred.  After some investigation I found they were getting in through a hole they'd gnawed in a long vent on the roof of the 2nd storey.  Being a liberal animal lover and married to the same we decided to use a humane trap to get rid of them.  So I placed the trap on the roof and removed some of the branches that were overhanging the house.

First night I caught my first critter so I drove out into the darkness and released it many miles away, apparently they have a strong homing instinct so there's a ten mile minimum.  Second day I caught two more so they were shipped off to separate secret locations and released, slight slip up here as one ran under the car as I was pulling away, safe to say he won't be coming back, felt guilty all the way home.  Caught the fourth one the next day after a storm, he looked very unhappy and drenched but he survived the long journey to a new life.

Now I was fairly sure they had all gone so I made another step towards full Canadianship and purchased my first chainsaw.  Only an electric one but it definitely does the job,  A morning of removing large branches, not damaging the house and stripping smaller branches was very rewarding.

So now we seem to be squirrel free and they will have a much harder job of getting back in.  I still need to liberally apply wire mesh to the roof to fully prevent access but I still get the happy feeling of a job 90% done.  Total cost $160 ish and I have a trap and a chainsaw to show for my money.

Engineer at Work

All aboard the steam trams. Dan with his new presents from our neighbours.

Thunder BBQ

I was a man, a real man. Soaking wet barbecuing in a thunder storm. This picture does not do it justice but it felt pretty cool :)

Children's Festival

My first festival and there was a serious lack if drink and drugs I have to say. We had a good walk around and it tired the monster out. Well worth a visit.

Assorted Dan, Take your Pick

Some more pictures from Carolyn, thanks again.

We are all individuals.  Unless you mess with our toys.

An actual smile, he's a good lad.

Quilt fort!

Must blog that.

Not looking too jet lagged, just in time to come home...

I have my tickets, shame about the type of people you get in first class nowadays.

Deep thought.