Ellis bird sanctuary

 I think I will have to put one of these on my wall.

 Bird houses from around the world.

We had an awesome time at the Ellis bird sanctuary. We watched the purple martins feed their babies from a nest camera, petted the goats and sheep, explored the pathways and took in the vibrant hues.

 Kaya and Adlai also had a great time catching pond critters in the nets and identifying them.

A visit with Grandma

Watching the butterflies and the kids playing in the yard.

In Beaumont Park

 Adlai, age 4, took this photo of me and Kaya.

 I still like taking photos of graffiti.

 Especially graffiti with neat light and good lines.

 My little man leading the way to the lookout.

 Warrior II on the lookout.

 Half moon.

Adlai helps to paint his room skywatch blue.

Solstice yoga

 Looking East across Calgary at dawn on the summer Solstice.

Beads of dew gleam in the sunrise.

It was beautiful to practice yoga in the prairie grass.

Nose hill in spring

This is one of my favorite photos of a stand of aspen trees in Nose Hill park. One could hardly ask for more vivid colors.

 B and Amanda stride into view and join us for a walk.

Bears and birthday

I think we saw more bears this summer than I have ever remembered. We saw five on our drive to and from Wasa.

 I loved this view as we neared the divide between B.C. and Alberta.

 My parents brought a lovely cake for my birthday and the kids helped me blow out one more candle this year.

Patrick was in his happy place.

Fort Steele

 A very dramatic sky.

 Frontier kids.

 Old fashioned teeter totters.

 I had to explain that this was a telephone and there used to be switchboards.

 Panning for gold.

Wasa Lake Triathalon

Notice the mitts, vests and three layers on our children. Now notice my husband in a wetsuit about to jump into a lake. Air temperature: 6 degrees Celsius. Water temperature: 11 degrees Celsius.  

 By the time he finished the Olympic length bike ride he could almost feel his toes.

 But man were we proud of him and I cheered loud enough to embarrass our kids.

Adlai and Kaya gave Daddy a big high five right before the finish line.