That was a long break from posting!

Under threat from the Chatty Housewife, I'd better get something up here quick! She said that if I don't post again soon, it's off with my head! (Actually, she didn't say that.) By the way, Chatty, it was nice to see you again.

We got back Monday from beautiful British Columbia. We flew out on Thursday for Richmond's Bible conference.

I have never really flown before, nor have C or K. So - flying was quite a novelty for us! It was really, really neat to be able to go that far away in less than 3 hours!

One of us had to sit in another row, so A sat in the row in front of us, which probably worked out well for him - he was able to take a nap. When they weren't looking out the window, C and K were plugged in a lot. J tried to get a little sleep, too.





J and C have aversions to having their pictures taken. See what I mean?



Window views:





Once we arrived, and picked up our luggage, we had a short wait outside before P & P came to pick us up. There were bright yellow tulips blooming at the airport - what a refreshing sight for us, having left Manitoba with snowdrifts still in our yard!

K quickly made some feathery friends. She makes animal friends everywhere.





After P & P picked us up around 3, they took us to Stanley Park to have a look around.








Soon it was time to get to the hotel, and get changed before going to the meeting room for supper and prayer meeting. The following pics are taken throughout the weekend.









The meetings were really nice. Reading meetings were on Ephesians 1. There's an awful lot to soak up in Ephesians 1!

K enjoyed the pool at the hotel.



The following pictures were taken by K. It's always interesting to see what kids take pictures of.


















We definitely want to make another trip west in the not too distant future, once the Aeroplan miles add up again. We want to have a good visit with P & P & Baby B, and they promise to show us the sights in their area. Can't wait!

Zimbabwe and Trip to Minnesota

I'm quite relieved to have just now gotten an e-mail from my friend Fiona in Zimbabwe. I hadn't heard from her in so long that I was really beginning to wonder if they were all right.

They were able to make a trip to South Africa for a medical need. They're spending more time in court over title to their farm. They have had more death threats, and one of their cows killed by poachers and sold to a butcher for cash - people there are just desperate for money. Fiona was recently able to buy a few basics, but because cholera has spread to their area she's afraid to buy certain things, understandably.

I was watching a news video on Zimbabwe on the internet a few days ago - a lady was saying how sad it is that Zimbabwe is now in such dire straits. It used to be one of the most prosperous African countries. We take so much for granted here in North America, but have no guarantees.

I've been a very negligent poster lately - it's hard to find time to blog when everyone's been home over the holidays, but it's been good to be together. We've done a few big puzzles together, and purchased a Wii, which has been fun. We made a trip to Minnesota to visit my Dad and B from last Wednesday until Sunday, getting there just in time to ring in the new year with them. We even took Rascal along - we've never done that before, but there was no room at the doggy inn! :o) It worked out quite well to take him, even though he barked at the border official on the way down. Rascal quickly settled right in at Dad's, and by the last day was even jumping on their laps. The worst part of bringing him was taking turns babysitting him in the vehicle when we stopped for meals. The roads were not great for the trip down, but were fine on the way home.

While we were there, A put a tub surround in Dad & B's main floor bathroom so they don't have to shower in the basement anymore. It's not quite finished - we're headed back as soon as Dad gets his part done (refinishing the window trim - they opted to keep their bathroom window). And then A needs to do the final silicone application.

I had a really nice visit with Dad's next-door neighbors. They lived there when I was growing up, and are believers. Mrs. O. was such an encouragement during our visit. I remember her as an example of a godly woman when I was growing up. She gave me a New Testament once, and encouraged me to read it. I know the Lord used her in my life. It was so good to see her again. I tried to get together with my good childhood friend, G, but it was not to be - we played telephone tag instead. Next time!

It was so nice to be able to go to meeting in Lowry and be with them for their fellowship tea. It was fun to see everyone again, and visit. As usual, I brought our camera along on the trip, but didn't take any pictures. My excuse is that the camera is bulky and doesn't fit in my purse and I hate carrying an extra bag. Lame, I know! I did take a few pics on the drive home, of the kids actually getting along and enjoying themselves in the backseat of the truck. Now that was a sight to behold and remember! ;o)

St. Leon Wind Farm

Wind farms are being developed here on our windy prairie. There is one being proposed not too far from where we live and there's been plenty of local controversy about it. We had to drive through St. Leon on our way home from Boissevain (which was on the way home from Regina - see post below), and since they have a wind farm, we decided to take an up close look at one of the windmills, take some pics, and stretch our legs.






The screws that hold the windmill onto the concrete base are really big - they stick up about a foot or more. They're each covered with a plastic sleeve.




The windmills really are huge. Wouldn't it be neat to have a small one on your own yard and generate your own power?

The farm sits on the Pembina Escarpment and there are 63 windmills, occupying over 18,000 acres (with crop surrounding them) - enough to generate power for 41,000 homes. Having this up and running is supposedly the green equivalent of taking 70,000 cars off the road or planting 1.7 million trees.






They have an interpretive center there (K's class had a field trip here last year) and behind it there's a dock on the lake. The lake was so tranquil - it was a gorgeous eveing.



Soon we were back in the car for the rest of the ride home.