The Reason Why I Don't Clean My Windows!

I used to grumble under my breath when the dogs would get the door and windows all dirty with their muddy feet when they would scratch at the door to get in.  

Now....I leave my windows dirty.  Someday, Ezra won't squish his face up against the window and I won't have the face and handprints on my windows.  

July 18 - Generational Farms Will Never Be The Same.

The evening of July 18 was a beautiful evening....warm day with a severe thunderstorm warning being issued.  Our power went out at about 10pm and at 11pm we received a phone call from my parents.  The storm at our home consisted of rain (lots of it) and wind (lots of it) - it sent our bbq flying.  

I jokingly said to mom..."you guys okay"...

She replied..."we are, the house isn't"...

Which I then jokingly said..."did it take your roof off"...

She replied..."yes".

So the next morning, we headed off to mom and dad's to see the damage.  On route, I detoured through McClaughlin as this little hamlet was severely hit.  No "weather expert" has said it yet, but the damage speaks for itself...

My parents survived a torando!  Mom says everything only lasted about 10 - 15 minutes.  

Here are some pictures of the damage...

The next few pictures are of Sand's Seed Farm - they lost a total of 16 bins and part of their warehouse.  

If you look in the centre of this picture, you'll see a damaged bin.  Also the warehouse on the right...it did continue on.  

Mom and dad's neighbour, the Steib's, brand new shop...

The next set of pictures are from my parents farm:

Dad's brand new shed was tossed about 100 feet.  

The house damage.

I didn't get pictures of all the damage at mom and dad's.  Other damage included:

: her chicken run fence was flattened

: trees uprooted

: the one chicken bin has a new lean to it

The next two pictures I took of the local newspaper - they had gone around to different farms that I wasn't able to get to.  Just shows the horrific damage that was done everywhere.  The top photo is of the Gordon farm.  They lost multiple bins and a tractor.  

Ryder Then....Ryder Now....

Dr. Brown (whom delivered Ryder) and Ryder at one day old.  

Dr. Van der Merwe (our family physician) and Ryder at 7 weeks old.  

At Ryder's check up he weighed in at a whopping 11lbs 14 ounces.  I think he's going to be my big boy!  He has already surpassed what Ezra weighed at 3 months...and Ryder's only 2 months old!  And Ezra was an extra pound heavier at birth.  

Such a fun, fun, FUN time!  

If We Had a Daughter....

I have always looked forward to the day that I would have a daughter.  And for now I will continue to look forward to that day, as God continues to bless us with AMAZING boys!  However, last week when I was in Edmonton, I came across this ADORABLE little dress that shouted my name.  So I bought it.  Yes, Steve thinks I'm crazy.  And yes, I will add it to my collection of girl clothes that I have already bought.  And hopefully someday, we will have a BEAUTIFUL little girl to dress this in.  

Until then....I will continue to buy AMAZING CAMO! :)

ps.  Dan and Hailey - If we had a daughter...she totally would have worn this to your wedding :)

Sand Box Turned Wheat Box

I'm afraid I can't give credit for this AMAZING idea...give credit where credit is due....thanks to the Lloyd fair for having a wheat box at it that Ezra loved!  

Soooo last week when I was in Edmonton for a doctor's appointment, I stopped at Toys R Us...bought the cutest and very stylish sand box...called my Uncle Drayson for some cleaned wheat...and voila a VERY HAPPY CONTENT little boy!  Ezra could play in this box for hours....now to just get him trained to not dump the wheat over the edge with the dump truck :)

Dan & Hailey Kaminski - 06.25.2011

Dan and Hailey got married on June 25 at Hailey's parents farm and it was a BEAUTIFUL DAY!  I have NEVER been to a wedding where it was decorated like it was and I truly believe that Hailey should start a decorating company.  It was so unique and so them....I felt like I was in the southern states.  

The pictures don't begin to do any justice to just how beautiful the day was - but enjoy them!  We are confident that God has many great things planned for Dan and Hailey as they start this next step in life together.  

The Groom: Dan Kaminski

Tannis, Dan, and Rich Kaminski

The boys!

The Girls!

The cutest flower girl - Hailey's niece.  

The moment that Dan saw Hailey.

Hailey was a radiant bride!

Instead of cake, Dan and Hailey had family and friends make different kinds of pie...Steve's kind of wedding :)

Ryder hanging out with Nic.

They gained a new sister - the family is complete :)  

Ryder, my beautiful best friend Sarah Jane, and I.  

Picture on left: First dance as husband and wife.

Picture on right: Matt indulging on pie.  The saskatoon pie was SO good!

End of the evening...time to leave :)  

These two crack me up! :)