That is concentration... he is full of anticipation for this treat.... toasting marshmallows!


and here it is ... ready for the fire..... he toasts them a little like his Uncle David.... black!


and even Mom took time to try one of the toasted treats.... lot's of fun... smoke and good times!


Ben was less concerned about toasting... but serious about eating them!!
Of course Luke was very interested in these "special" treats also! .... I want some what Sam has!!

Sam also seemed to like working with the "digger"!!


So did Ben....

He preferred the "digger" to the clay....



The sad part is that Luke helped me repair the cracks on the second day but no pictures to document his help!
He was just as interested and got his hands right into the clay for over two hours!!

Just working with your hands can be so much fun... and even more so when there is soft smooth clay involved!


We smooth the clay on the frame, hoping to make a clay oven for baking bannock... but it was not to be.
The project was fun, and we made a good looking thing.... that lasted until the clay began to dry out and we could not keep up with the cracks!!





And what do you do when you have clay on your hands and your nose has an itch??? You TWITCH!!



Then it is back to the task at hand! Such fun working with Sam.... he really liked this one!

Sam in the woods.... seems like the woods are all around us here in Canada!


No... he is not fishing... but frogging! Lot's of life to observe in a dip net and a pond. Amazing the little bugs, creatures and crawly things one can find!


So why does it fly Poppa?? .... Ben it just seems to do that since it is a helicopter....! Why...?



We just have to wait for the frogs to come back!! Why... well Ben, they saw us coming and they dove for cover.... Why, because they didn't want us to step on them.... Why!??

Nice day for a drive to Canada!! But one should always stop at Cabella's for a few minutes when in the area. Look up boys... those are friendly big bears.... are they not?!?!?


Wonder why Sam's mind was playing tricks with him.... seems like he would always hear a bear in the woods! At least he knew his mind was playing tricks on him.



Yes Luke .... that is a leopard in the tree.... beside the rhinoscer... rus...sus....

So, how can you not love the morning as the fog slowly rises off the lake?


It seems hard to believe that it has been a year since I have been out there... the beauty is still there, even under the fog... and perhaps even more beautiful as you see the fog rising to give you a better view of the bluffs.



Morning on one side of the lake... and still snooze time on the other.... depending on which side of the decidous canopy to live!



The view from the edge .... still awesome!

With a day to put in before Anna comes home from the hospital, Poppa gets a workout with the boys!



Must have played hard, because Ben had a great nap in the afternoon... nothing bothering him.




Then the star of the show appeared and everyone wanted to hold her, kiss her, and read her books!



A little time for everyone to see, hear, touch and generally begin the effort to add one more little being to the pack.



Then comes time for Poppa to hold her. What a fun thing to do... only yesterday she was brandnew!! Today, she is just one of the boys... well not really, but she does look alot like them!
Don't tell them we said that.....

What more needs to be said?? The boys will look after her, or toughen her up, maybe both!!

So, sometimes life just kinda grabs you around the neck.... and in this case that is a good thing!! Here she is, Anna Ruth... and she is not going to get away from Dr. Starck!!


It was an exciting day for the Smith's and the Buehrle's yesterday. Baby Anna Ruth was born at 5:16pm. She weighed in at 8lb.11oz and is 20 inches tall!


Naomi is doing just fine and they are expected home from hospital today if everything goes to plan!



The boys were very excited to meet their new sister!! They were, just a Poppa & Grandma, in awe of this new little life! What a treat to be able to share the time with them as Anna begins her new life with her brothers!
There will be more picture coming.... of that I am sure!

So the excitement for today was the celebration of Ben's birthday.... candles, cake, pizza, and presents! Lot's of those.... including a sleeping bag back pack. Should be able to take that to the quinzhee for a nap!


With food, tattoo band-aids, and assorted treats in his new lunch bag Ben was off to see the rest of the celebration!





Meanwhile, Naomi just waits patiently for the baby to emerge!




Ben is somewhat concerned about the fact that McQueen, Miss Sally, Doc and Mater are having to hand on their sides for supper!


So... one more shot of the snowhouse ... the joint effort! Tomorrow will no doubt require much attention to the activities in the quinzhee!!

Well the grass is still green in Ohio.... at least the stuff that is growing on Santa's head !! In the house on the counter!!



While outside, the snow has arrived and with a little effort a quinzhee has appeared in the backyard of Matt and Naomi's house!



The boys were very excited about the potential to have naps, sleepovers, treats and a variety of other activities in the "tunnel" as Ben like to call it!

Christmas in Ohio.
Green grass, walking with the boys and watching the motorcycles, scooters and assorted other forms of wheeled entertainment... all are a part of the Christmas season in Ohio this year. With Dad no longer in SSM, the need to be in the north for the holidays was replaced with a need to be with Matt, Naomi and the boys.

There will be pictures to post, and more storied to write, but for now, the saga will continue here with sunny days and walks with the super stroller!



Don't be too discouraged about the weather, this shot was taken on Labour Day weekend, not this past week!! Although, when it hit 60F it felt like this day all over!



And why put this shot in... just 'cuz it is from the lake, and I like the colour and smooth lines on the water! No hidden meanings, nothing more complicated than .... I like it!