A DAY AT THE BEACH

Yes, that's right...I said beach! Imagine that - we found beaches on the prairies! We decided to do some exploring around Saskatchewan yesterday and drove 100 km northwest of Moose Jaw to Douglas Provincial Park on Lake Diefenbaker. It's a beautiful spot with a huge sandy beach and we had a gorgeous day in the water and on the sand.

Tickle Time With Daddy

More Graduation Pictures

Laura and 3 of her friends in their caps & gowns...

And the gowns are gone!

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Graduation Ceremony

Friday, June 23, 2006 was the graduation ceremony at Laura & Andrew's school. The school goes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and rather than just having a ceremony for the grade 8's and 12's they celebrate graduation from every division. Therefore the evening was a ceremony to honour the Kindergarten's, Grade 4's, Grade 8's and Grade 12's.

I can honestly say that this graduation was the most beautiful and moving that I have ever been to. All the students came into the auditorium by processional with the Kindergarten students holding the hand of a Grade 12 student. Each teacher had something special to say about each student, along with a scripture verse chosen just for them as a "graduation blessing". When it came time for the Grade 12 students to receive their diplomas, each set of parents was invited to come on the stage as their son or daughter received their diploma and each of their mothers was presented with a long-stem red rose.

It was a beautiful night made very special for each student that was graduating. It was a ceremony that was honouring to God and I congratulate the staff for all the effort they put into making the ceremony meaningful & special.

This is Laura after receiving her "graduation blessing".

Laura's "graduation blessing" written especially for her by her teacher.

Laura & Rebecca

ANDREW & HIS BUDDIES!

Last night was Laura's band concert at school. The music program at Cornerstone starts at grade 4 and is compulsory through to grade 6. When we arrived in Moose Jaw, Laura was 4 months behind everyone else. The school provided her with private lessons and within 2 months she was caught up to the rest of the class. She's doing great with her flute following in her mother's footsteps!

Laura's choir also performed last night.

Goofing off!

Busy Day!

Well we were pretty productive today. We did some landscaping at the front of the house & assembled a BBQ that we bought. The burgers at supper were yummy!

A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE!

Laura is in the elementary choir at school. This is her singing with the choir at the school's Spring Concert. They did a great job!

SNOWBIRDS

Today we had the privilege of being at the Air Force Base for the Snowbirds Acceptance Show. The Snowbirds have been practicing for 6 months and today they performed their show for the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan to get approval to start their show season. Because of Dad's history with the RCAF, we were able to obtain a special invitation to be at the event which was only for dignitaries & military personnel. What a treat!

Some of these jets, The Hawk, were departing before the show started.

This is Laura & her friend Rebecca, whose Dad is the Chaplain at the Air Force Base.

MOM & DAD'S VISIT

We've been having a great visit with mom & dad. Easter Sunday we went to a friend's farm for a nice afternoon & visiting and a delicious Easter dinner. Thanks to our friend Paul who gave us all the chance to try our hand at clay shooting. Dad did great hitting the clay about 50% of the time.

This is Laura & her friend Jessica on the quad. The two girls disappeared for quite a while riding around the prairies!

These are our very hospitable hosts and our good friends Leanne & Paul.

As you might have guessed, we've made a few trips out to the air force base, 15 Wing Moose Jaw, which is located about 10 minutes south of our house. We see these planes flying over our house almost on a daily basis.

Between shooting rifles & watching planes, I guess the excitement was a little too much for Dad...

LAURA'S WALL

Since Laura is living in the concrete jungle downstairs and doesn't have a "room" yet, we put a temporary wall of curtains to give her some privacy. Now she has her own hideaway, although it's not very soundproof!

REGINA HOME SHOW

These are some pictures of the kids at the Home & Garden Show in Regina that we attended this past weekend.