April Fools Day

It may have felt like spring yesterday, but today the wind is howling and there are ice crystals in the air.  One of the trees in the back yard is falling over and resting on  the trees beside it.

Spring in Dartmouth

Bob was out without his gloves on today.  It feels like spring.

 Matthias had his blessing on Sunday and we had supper later at Nathan and Tara's.  The Crawford grandparents were here as well.

Tuesday we went to Tara's for a bit.  Bob took Keaton to his storytime at the library; Tara took Lochlan out to the playground and I was able to stay with Matthias.  Lochlan feels very much displaced and doesn't let Tara out of his sight.

There was an extra Temple Session on Tuesday evening for one of the wards.

Electrical Boxes - Dartmouth Style

The electrical boxes in Dartmouth are covered with painted scenes.  For the first couple of months that I was here I didn't realize they were electrical boxes.  No need to cover these with fake rocks.  Below is a selection of the boxes in our neighbourhood.  It reminds me of the fire hydrants in Brooks.

We went to Family Home Evening at Nathan and Tara's.  Tuesday we were there again for a couple of hours.  Friday afternoon we went to the Dartmouth library to hear Orson and Liam on the pipes and drums at a talent show.  We checked out the new baby again on Saturday evening.

Bob finished his second week of subbing in early morning seminary - only three more to go.  I am still subbing in Primary.

The Temple was fairly busy this week and we had one teaching appointment with the lady we have been teaching ever since we arrived in Dartmouth.

The mission president and his wife dropped over to our house one afternoon when we weren't at the Temple.  We now have an added assignment.  We get to inspect five missionary apartments once every six weeks.

Our Family Picture is Outdated

Our newest grandson was born this morning shortly after 5:00 a.m.  He was just over 9 pounds and his name will likely be Matthias Niall.  We now have twelve grandsons and eight granddaughters. 

Daylight Saving time

Lucky Bob was asked to sub for early morning seminary for five weeks and he started this morning - the first Monday of daylight saving time.  Luckily it is being held at our house for the five weeks so Bob can just get up and teach in his pyjamas, although I imagine he got dressed for it.

We had a busy week. We were able to spend time with Nathan, Tara and family on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  We drove Orson and Liam to their piping and drumming lessons on Wednesday evening and Bob took them for haircuts. 

The Temple was busier than it was earlier in the year.  We had an extra baptism session on Wednesday and we had a big group of young single adults on Thursday evening and a family group and a group from St. John, New Brunswick as well as one more person for baptisms on Saturday.

I  am still teaching Primary.

Party Nova Scotia Style

Sackville ward held their annual party on Saturday night.  It took the form of a musical program.  Orson and Nathan played "Scotland the Brave" on the bagpipes and Orson played a jig as well.  There were thirty numbers on the program.  It started at 6:30 and was only on #23 when we left at 8:15.  By then the little boys were getting restless.  They had some talented singers, violin and guitar players.  Some of the songs were:  Northwest Passage, Sable Island Shore, Farewell to Nova Scotia, Heave Away, Wooden Ships and Iron Men, and Mull of Kintyre.  They even played "Lord of the Dance".

Martha Quist who used to be in the Heritage Ward in Calgary was the MC.

Good News

The Halifax Municipal Region has used up the funds budgeted for snow removal this winter.  They have decided we can park overnight on the street again.  (The by-law about parking on the street overnight originally said that parking on the street would not be allowed until April 1st.)  That is good news for us because we don't have to arrange with the Hepplers about which car goes in the driveway first - who is leaving the house earliest.  Of course if it snows or if snow is forecast we are still forced to keep our cars off the street at night.

The last couple of days it has been well above freezing here.  Our snow is going.

 This is a picture of our house from the front.

Here is a picture of our back yard taken from our deck.  The snow is mostly gone from the deck now.

The crows must think it is spring.  I hope it is.