Springtime

Well, it finally happened. We never thought it would but it did. The snow melted. We were glad because it was already well into spring and our church was planning an Easter Egg Hunt/BBQ for the community as a way to bring people out and remind them of the real meaning of Easter. The Eggs were stuffed, the wieners purchased, the stockings were hung by the...ooops, wrong holiday. But it may as well have been Christmas. On the morning of the egg hunt (Saturday of Easter weekend) it snowed over a foot in a matter of two or three hours. We were still debating whether or not to cancel the event (Kirkland Lakers are a hearty bunch) when we heard that the RCMP had closed the highway. Okay, we'll do it tomorrow...

Livia enjoying a hot dog after her eaves-trough shower

Thankfully, the snow melted again, and hasn't come back (*sound of knocking on wood* whatever that does - scares away snow flakes?). We have been enjoying the spring ever since. The warmer weather has allowed us to go out (and stay out) on our deck for the first time since we moved in. Soon after, we discovered a soon-to-be family of robins that had made their home on one of the beams supporting* our deck. The nest is just under a crack between two boards so we can peer down a mere 7 or 8 inches right into it to see four little eggs, then a little baby...


Then two...


Then three...


Then four...

We try not to look in too often as it scares the mommy away and with some chillier weather earlier this week, we're sure they appreciate her body heat (and worms).

Another project was a garden. Undeterred by the reality that BC crops have been growing since February and yet our little Ontario planters are still huddling in the dining room in anticipation of an early June planting day, we dug down about 8 inches into a section of our yard, cleared out the clay and replaced it with some lovely black earth. A little black border to keep our lawn** back and now we're looking forward to a harvest (and plan to mercilessly slaughter any small animals that try to steal the fruits or vegetables of our labour).


Our Spring has also included a whirlwind trip down South. Dan was speaking at a camp retreat at Galilee Bible Camp. Then we had a nice but brief visit with Dan's family in Ottawa before driving to St. Catharines for a funeral. This too was a nice time as we celebrated the life and faith of Catherine's dear aunt, Hedy.

Road trip stop:


Catherine is getting bigger (which is kind of Springish, eh?) and the baby is visibly punching and kicking her. Livia thinks we're having a baby girl and that we should name her Guitar...or Emily. We are looking forward to a summer of work, camp work, camping and renovations (more on all of these to come, I am sure).

And in closing, some Livia quotes:
1. Livia asked mommy, "Where little potty go?" Mommy answered "We're bringing it on our trip, Livi". Livia says thoughtfully, "yeah, and can't bring big potty. Big potty really, really stuck."
2. Livia climbed on the dining room table and when asked to come down, explained "I just climbed sycamore tree" - we had just been talking about Zacheus.
3. After asking Livi if she had a good sleep, she responded "Yep, I had dreams." "Really?" "Yep, about smarties and chocolate chips."
4. "I'm two years old and I talk really well." Yes you do! We'll work on humility.

*Supporting is a strong word. We are having our deck fortified as it is in danger of collapsing (and pulling our house down with it).
**Lawn is a strong word. Another work in progress.