I totally did NOT realize that I had not posted a blog entry last night until well after I had gone to bed. It has been quite the weekend. My birthday is on Monday so I did attempt some pre birthday fun (attempt as weather interacted negatively to either cancel or alter plans) but even more so… I am sure that most of my readers are aware that I am originally from Canada, Alberta in fact… this has been a rough weekend for Southern Alberta. My brother James and his family (Holly and Jimmie) live in Calgary as do many of my Reinsch family relatives. Thankfully all in the higher portions of the city. Likewise my friends Esther, Kathy, Bianca… all safe and relatively dry. Starting late Thursday a flash flood warning went out for Calgary and area… It was much more extreme than expected (rain on the mountains facilitating melt). The city of High River is basically underwater as is Black Diamond I am told. Other towns have also been affected. 

Calgary has been hit hard. Downtown (which is where my brother works) is shut down, underwater and without power… Stampede grounds (Stampede is in 2 weeks) are also underwater… the zoo is looking at 2 weeks closure to fix the mess they are faced with, though there have been no animal losses. There has been 3 confirmed losses of life, thankfully there was some signs so people were able to start evacuating in time. BUT there is always the chance of a surge of water or a dam giving up. Add to that Medicine Hat (where my Aunty Becky and Uncle Lyle live) going under flood warning and it has been a round time all round in southern Alberta. 

It is very surreal to see locations we had previously considered renting in (before the big move here) now underwater… to realize that that could have been us! Not only do I feel very grateful that my family are safe, friends sound but I am equally aware that we really are where we need to be here in Minnesota. Although we too were under a flash flood and storm warning Friday night… my brother in law Joe and his family have downed branches and their neighbourhood has seen worse. Power has been off for AGES! 

If you are able to help HERE is a list of drop offs and ways to financially donate to help all the different people (and animals) who are in need after the flooding… Thanks to Huffington Post. Life is not going to go back to normal in these areas any time soon… again I am just thankful that for the most part everyone is ok… and saying a prayer that this is the end of the flooding and wonky weather! 

Picture thanks to Roman Sotelo (HERE is his Facebook page)

The weather has FINALLY turned back in our favour, something that is a huge relief to both Ken and myself. Close quarters after the freedom of the sunny weather is hard to take with 4 very active children.

The ground is almost dried out so tomorrow looks good for maybe a mini picnic if nothing else. After all we are about out of ALL our produce already and have a busy Wednesday in store for us which is our usual shopping day. I figure some fruits and veggies, a knife, plates, napkins, dip and drinks and we are set for an hour or more of fun before naps and Ken gets down to work for the day.

Today we made a trip out to Babies R Us to do some scoping out of things for Baby #5. I only actually bought a container of Lansinoh lanolin cream for breastfeeding and some children’s sunscreen for Trinity’s sensitive skin. There are so many things I WANT for the baby… but NEEDs are not always the same.

Babies R Us purchases

We managed to also make it to Walmart where we FINALLY were able to get some nice (and super affordable) booster seats for the twins. After waiting for months for a backorder that never came, Ken got his deposit back and purchased two different ones for the price of ONE of the ones we originally looked at. Apple juice was on sale (4 for 5.00 plus deposit), and so were my prentatal vitamins so it really was a lucrative trip! Top it off with ANOTHER Baby #5 purchase – the VERY necessary soft blanket for coming home. Trinity’s was blue, this one is a lovely white/off white and as Emanuel said – very “softy,” and under 15.00!

Baby blanket

Karyn stopped by on her way home from visiting her parents in Saskatchewan and we took the chance to head to The Mall for crepes (mmm), a little shopping (ie. Body Shop face wash for me) and of course a quick stop off at Michaels and in my weak moment I purchased a package of blue shades of 8 1/2X11 cardstock.

I do love blue

After Karyn left Ken headed out to empty out the pool so we can move it to mow our now well watered (thank you rain) lawn and refill for hours of water induced fun. Still no new water toys in the house but I am keeping an eye peeled!

Supervisor Trinity

I got a rather LARGE amount of scrapbooking done last night (coupled with a phone call from one of Ken’s cousins in the states! I love talking to her!), I am pretty much two pages away from having all our CURRENT activities scrapbooked for Trinity’s book. (Just don’t ask me about the Minnesota batch from 2009… that is a bit of a headache with the needing to weed out excess pictures and events) My goal is to complete her book and then get started on the ultra sounds (after June) and pregnancy favourites before Baby #5 meets the family in person.

1st Slurpee

Mother's Day 2010

Local Zoo

Como Zoo 2009

So back to ordering MORE pictures… there IS a deal at Superstore – 10 cents a print (4×6) IF you order 100 or more… sadly  my focus is scrapbooking and not the way far behind photo albums that are hiding in our bedroom… the goal is to work on those with the next sale.

We also managed to get in some quality art time today and all 3 boys drew pictures for the southern branch of the Reinsch family to be mailed later this week. The year of events envelope now! Oops!

Art by the boys

We do have the week SORT of planned out – tomorrow is going to be a mini picnic – by that I mean, veggies and fruits and the kids outside LOTS to wear them out and maybe cut down on the nasty behaviour. Wednesday is my dr’s appointment, then we are heading straight to my mom’s for some gardening, hopefully splash park enjoyment and of course restful visiting with Grandma, Mike and Harley. Thursday I am HOPING to get out with friends and then a quick peek at a couple animals at the zoo leaving Friday our at home day. And then the weekend and the great unknown ending May and leading us in to SUPER busy June! BUT the sunshine is back and with it the smiles on our faces!

Start the day off fresh (Gavin left)

... and then wear them out!

Let’s go back a bit further!!!

This has to be my ultimate favourite picture of my dad and his siblings! The 3rd boy from the left is my dad!!! Emanuel has the look of him.

My dad has 5 brothers and sisters. All of them are musically inclined and have had great influence on my life. I think they are partially the reason I wanted a big family!!