Springtime in Alberta

This past weekend was absolutely beautiful ... what a welcome respite after the crazy spring snowstorms. Andy and I went for a 2 hour walk from our neighbourhood to Carburn Park where I took these photos. (we are breaking in our light hiking shoes that we will soon put to good use when we tackle some a few walks in one of our favourite parts of England, the Cotswolds!) The warm sunny +23 weather was a contrast the last remaining snow clinging to the banks as shown here. It was good to see the trees budding ... proof positive that spring truly just around the corner.

Happy 21st Birthday Lyden!

Lyden's 21st birthday was on April 24 and Rachel picked up this cute DQ cake to help celebrate the day.

Harry Potter Mad!

Both our children were hooked on harry Potter years ago and anxiously awaited the release of each new book. Andy, who rarely reads fiction, was bored one day so he pulled the first book off the shelf and started to read ... and read he did, at last count, he's read a total of 5 of the 7 books in a very short period of time. Now he is in the "inner circle" with the kids and their friends ... he can relate to all their wizardy references and share inside jokes. One day he sought Lyden's agreement:

Andy: "Hey Lyden, don't you think mom is a veela?"

Lyden: "Yep, but only 1/2 veela".

Me: "What's a veela? is that a good thing?"

Boys: "Oh you'll have to read the books to find out."

Needless to say I am feeling the odd man out but that said, I very much doubt I will take to reading to books myself!

April in Calgary

I have heard it said that there is no spring in Calgary, just 3 months of winter & summer battling it out and nothing could be truer! Andy took this photo during a recent spring snowstorm .... one week earlier we sat on these deck chairs enjoying +23 sunshine!

Visions of Venice