A new visitor.

Yesterday afternoon my husband happened to look out our window and noticed a new visitor in the neighbourhood. Sitting high upon the lampost in the park was a very lovely white Owl. I was getting ready to head outside and get a closer shot when he/she decided it was time to leave. Oh well perhaps another day he/she will come back to visit and I'll be able to get a closer look.

Frosty Fence

The other day it was a "frosty" one out there. I was all bundled up and wandering around with the camera. I love to capture the "frost" on the fences, trees, and whatever else I can manage.

Next time I'll have to try and get a close up.

 

 

 

Testing the sleds

Christmas Day was a chilly day to say the least. However, we were not to be deterred we layered up and headed outside to test out the girls' new sleds.  Maybe next time we'll add some wax and see if that helps to go faster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camera Wars!!

 

Christmas Morning was filled with screams, squeals, shrieks and laughter. Most of which came from us adults watching them open all their gifts. One of their favourite gifts was their new cameras from Santa. Now they have their very own to play with and will no longer feel the need to play with Moms!! LOL.  Emmarsyn was so excited that she now can be a "photographer" just like Mom!!

 

SAY CHEESE!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh tracks!

 

As I was waiting for my dogs to do their "business" I noticed these tracks outside my window this morning. Hmmm I wonder if Santa has someone doing some "recon"? I'll have to get my 5yr old tracker/hunter up and have a look see at them, I'm sure she'll be able to tell me if it's an elf, Santa or Rudolph!! LOL.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

 

 

 

Our Christmas Miracle

 

December 24th, 2007 we were blessed with a true Christmas Miracle. Our tiny bundle of joy, Elyzabeth Sarah Leona Briggs made it 1,000Grams and was put on nose prongs for Oxygen!! For as long as I live I will ALWAYS remember that phone call from the Nurses. While she still wasn't quite out of "the woods" yet she was well on her way!!! Here is a photo from her first Christmas!! I have one of her in a Xmas stocking that a nurse made for her but I'm not sure where it is. She is our Strong, Powerful, Beautiful Miracle!!!

 

 

 

Ely's first Christmas - 2007

Ely today - 2012.

Santa Sam

 

Santa Sam!! Ok so he doesn't look very happy to be Santa.  I'm not really one of those people that dress their dogs up but I've got a cute santa hat and I love to put it on my dogs and take their picture. LOL. 

 

 

 

 

Playing with editing.

 

These clouds really caught my eye yesterday and as luck  would have it I had my small lens on! UGH!!  Anyhoooo I was playing with some editing effects tonight and really quite like in B&W although that's not the name of the effect. (alas I don't remember what it is. )

 

 

1st Birthday

This beautiful little girl had her first milestone birthday 1 yr old on Friday!! She is a very sweet little girl who is no bigger than a minute. The girls and I were invited to help celebrate her special day on Saturday and what a Fun party it was.  It appears though that turning one is tiring as she was cuddled into Grandpa and fast asleep.

 

 

Our Performer

Grade 1 Christmas Concert! What a show. This girl does not have stage fright at all. She went out there and sang her heart out and did the actions with enthusiasm!!! A wonderful concert it was.
I'm sure I'll have the song "I'm not getting on that camel" in  my head for a while.

Trees, Cookies and Ornaments

There's a forest full of candy covered trees with yummy ornaments and sprinkly cookies.  Today was baking day in Ely's class. I was fortunate enough to go and help. All the kids enjoyed decorating their trees and cookies, some weren't that happy about making the Xmas balls though.  It's not hard to tell that Christmas is around the corner cause those kids were "wired" and soo excited. Their teachers, I'm sure are as excited for the break as the kids are.

 

 

 

 

No one's home

 

There's a "flurry" of activity going on in our neighbourhood these days. The construction crews are busy busy getting things ready for new neighbors to move in.  I wonder if these nests will be the next ones to go? I noticed that there are fewer trees to the North of my house than there was  when we first moved in this summer.  Perhaps these feathered friends have found new homes elsewhere.

 

 

 

Their new bed

 

For the last couple of nights the girls have cuddled up with Dad on the couch after their bath. Generally it's just Ely that will instantly fall asleep on him. However, the last couple of nights Emm has done the same thing. POOF!! Instant sleep!! It's like he's full of sleeping powder or something. 

 Needless to say we've had some very quiet evenings lately.

 

THANK YOU

My family and I received a wonderful surprise today from Cory, Kat, Terry & Kristine Chesla.  I'm sure we did as much for them as they did for us!!! We thoroughly enjoyed being a part of their special day and were very happy to help out any way we could. I'm over the moon thrilled that they were as pleased with their wedding shots as I was.  They are wonderful people that care about each other and those  around them. Ruby & Ted Chesla you have done a GREAT job raising these boys that have turned into Great Men who found wonderful women!!!

Thanks again for the wonderful surprise.

Let there be LIGHT!

I love Christmas lights and how they sparkle in the night!! However, I'm not so fond of heights. Thankfully my hubby isn't bothered by heights and will put up our light display each year. Now I would've had them on all of our peaks but as I'm NOT about to get up on the roof I'm not very picky!!! Thanks dad for climbing up on the roof!!

Happy Be-lated Birthday!!

I'm a couple of days late, but as they say, Better Late than Never.  My Sam turned 8 on Tuesday. I say "my Sam" cause he is!! I remember the day we got him. We went to pick out puppies at a farm and he came over to me and sat by my legs and never moved!! LOL. From that day on he's been my dog. He gets very upset with me when I leave for overnight or longer and don't take him along. He's worse than a child as he doesn't like being left with anyone else.  Sam is my very first PET and I've probably spoiled him but he's too cute and has quite the personality. So happy 8th birthday Sam!!!

In all fairness he does listen to Bob as he's the Alpha Male! LOL.

Giggly Sisters

Love it when my girls have the giggles!!! There's an old song that says "More than sisters, Best of Friends." It certainly explains my sister and I and I'm very certain it explains my girls too!! They can fight like animals when they want to but it usually doesn't last long. One is constantly looking for the other, they seem to be at a loss when they are alone.  I remember when Ely was tiny and in the NICU, her SAT monitor would hover at 86% somedays but when we'd bring Emm in to visit they would jump right to 95%. All she needed to hear was Emm's tiny voice and they would jump. Definately meant to be sisters.

Marshmallow world

I'm loving the blue sky and sunshine combined with the snow covered trees and ground is a beautiful photo!! All this snow makes me think of an old song I learned when I was in elementary school; something about "it's a marshmallow world in the winter..." 

 

 

 

Sams snuggly

Looks like Sam likes Ely's tinkerbell blanket too!!!

Our Karate Kid

Our very own Karate Kid!!! Showing lots of courage!! Very Proud of you Emm!!

Throw that stick

Took Ben out for a run the other day. He loves to run and chase a ball or stick or anything that he can get his mouth around. This day was a stick that he proceded to carry around with him on our walk.

Caught You.

I'm not sure what kind of bird this is only that it hardly sat still. I'm not sure how long I waited for it to finally settle on a branch and was very surprised when the shot turned out.

Reindeer on the loose

The girls and I finished decorating our herd of Reindeer!!! These tasty gingerbread cookies are almost too cute to eat, ALMOST!!!

Planting Garlic

While visiting Cuba we took a Jeep Tour, our first stop was a local farming operation. It was like stepping back in time. These people were planting garlic by hand, they used an old plow that you would hook a horse up to. Many of the locals travelled by horse and wagon, foot or bicycle. 

No More running ?

Sadly Ben's running ground is no longer!! These large machines are busy leveling the ground and getting it ready so more houses can be built.  Hmmm wonder who the new neighbours will be?

Lovely Sunset

Another lovely Prairie sunset!! I wonder how much longer until this view is obstructed by houses rather than these wonderful horses and mountain view?

Waiting on Rudolph

Most kids are excited to see Santa while at the Santa Parade. Not our Ely, this gal is a hunter at heart and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Rudolph!!!

Ocean or Prairie??

The Ocean was spectacular in Cuba, however, I'm still a Prairie gal at heart!! Perhaps another trip East to visit my hubby's native land of New Brunswick is in order. The ocean is just as lovely there and the food A LOT better!! LOL.

Sunset in Cuba

A gorgeous sunset in Cuba.

The Groom and his Men.

A very very sneakky peak into the Cuba Wedding! I cannot take credit for these two photos though, my wonderful "second shooter" or Hubby took these for me.  Together we took over 1500 photos and now I have the task of sorting through and finding the "best" ones.  WOW!! They are such a FUN and wonderful couple who are clearly in LOVE that it's going to be no easy task.  

 

Thanks BOB for being there to help!!

 

 

 

 

Lest We Forget!

I was driving downtown Strathmore today and noticed the Legion had this wonderful tribute on their lawn/snow front.  I don't know any of these fallen heros personally but found it quite moving that this tribute was put on.  I will not be in Canada on November 11th so I thought I'd dedicate my post today to all those who have fought, stood up for us, and paid the ultimate price for our Country. We are very fortunate to live in a wonderful country.

 

On a personal note I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to my husbands brothers who have done many many tours in various countries. They have stood up and said "we'll protect you today!"

 

Thank You Uncles Dale & Jason!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sleeping Beauties

Everyone has a "comfy" place to fall asleep, the couch, the chair, a bed, or in Ely's case it's on DAD!! It's been a habit that started 5yrs ago when she was just an itty bitty baby ( and she really was itty bitty at 1lb 2oz ) When she was sick Dad would hold her and cuddle her and she would just cuddle in.  I'm not sure this habit will ever "stop" and part of me hopes it doesn't. It's nice to see!! (don't tell them though cause I've got a reputation to keep :() )

 

 

 

 

 

Wrong way on a one way!

 

This fella gave new meaning to going "the wrong way on a one way!" I'm not sure if he didn't like what he saw at the end or just wanted to back to the pens, either way it took a few people to get him going the way he was supposed to.

 

 

 

What a location!

 

This little cabin/house sits at the base of the coulees along hwy 27 East. I finally remembered to stop and snap some photos of it today on our way home to Strathmore. It's in such a wonderful location, protected by these majestic coulees and stubble fields. My girls tell me each time we go through this canyon that the dinosaurs are burried here! LOL. 

 

 

 

 

 

Olds Roping

Friday night I went to Olds to a Team Roping. My sister was catering this event and has asked me to help her out this winter for this series which is put on by Rocky Ross.  Well the concession was not quite as busy as we had hoped so I started wandering around with my camera. I know one thing, these horses, steers and ropers are a patient bunch. LOL. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wish they'd hurry up

Is it my turn yet?

Frosty Weekend

I've always loved old homesteads and black and white photos!! Put the two together and you have a majestic photo. (or at least that's my opinion)  I photographed this old barn before in the summer time and I just had to stop the other day on the way to the farm to capture it in the snow, fog and frost. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When will it end???

 

I sure hope those weather people are correct and that this weekend there'll be SUN!!!! Cause I tell ya I'm about tired of all  this FOG!!!!! I forget what the sky looks like or heck what the neighbours house looks like.

 

 

Happy Halloween

 

Happy Halloween!!!!  Each year I put together costumes made specifically to go over snow suits. Generally they are home made costumes as they are the most fun to create and that's what I did growing up. However, this year I made an exception and bought the girls these "fancy" outfits (they were on sale LOL). They absolutely LOVED them!! They do make a pretty adorable pirate and princess!!

 

 

 

 

Dad's handywork again.

More of Dad's creations.