Super Science Fun!

On Friday we took a little trip to the Science Center. Jaina had been asking me to go for quite a while, since we found out that the special exhibit currently there was about the author Robert Munsch and his books, which we love. It turned out to be the best day we've ever had there. I suspected it might be a good day to go. Jaina finished kindergarten on Thursday, but most kids still had school on Friday. So it wasn't quite summer holidays yet. But it was the last day of school. So, no school age kids. No field trips. No day camps. It was even better than I expected. We practically had the whole place to ourselves. The kids could actually try out the hands on exhibits without waiting, and could have as much time and as many turns as they wanted. No crowds to fight. No need for patience. And, lots of opportunity to take pictures of my own kids without others in the background! (Hence the rather lengthy slideshow below). The Robert Munsch exhibit was extremely well done and lots of fun (amazing what the science centre can do to create a hands-on experience, even with a literacy theme) Here are many photos of our day:

Little Lucy

We are very excited to welcome our new niece to the world! Lucia Beatrice Olfert was born on June 16, 2009. Congratulations to Jason and Michaelia, and big brother Oscar. We are so happy to have a niece (and a "girl cousin"). In fact, Jaina is very happy that their family is now the "opposite" of ours, a big brother and little sister. We were lucky enough to be able to go up to Edmonton this past weekend to meet her, and she is super adorable (and so far, a content, sleepy girl). We also went up as a family trip to celebrate Father's Day, and enjoyed our stay at a hotel with a pool and waterslides (not West Ed, another one only 5 mins from Jason and Michaelia's house...) The kids had a blast meeting their new cousin, playing with Oscar, staying at the hotel, and playing at the waterpark (we went swimming twice Saturday and once Sunday, joined by Oscar and Jason on the Saturday). We had a nice visit with our family too. Here are some pictures of the new arrival:

Relay for Life 2009

Last weekend we had a team that participated in the Relay for Life to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. This was our second year doing it, and we decided to do it at the Taber relay, and our team was named "Bev's Babes" in honour of my mom. It turned out to be a beautiful night. The weather was amazing and the candlelight luminaries were an emotional tribute to those fighting cancer or those whom cancer has taken away. Our team really pulled together this year and besides supporting one another on this emotional night, we also raised just over $8000 for the Cancer Society! (We have had some donations since the relay...) Thanks to everyone who donated and/or participated. We plan to do it again next year too.



On a sad note, my Granny passed away yesterday, after falling and breaking her hip and undergoing surgery for it, she had had heart problems last week and just couldn't recover fully from the stress of surgery, I guess. She was 90 years old, and lived a full, fun life. Fortunately we had a very nice visit with her on Sunday when we were in Taber after the relay, and we are so glad we all got to celebrate her 90th with her a month ago. She will be missed.