Scenic Badlands

We've been exploring the area around our new home and have been taking lots of photos, but as I mentioned in a previous post, it took a while to get our computers up and running so that I can edit and upload. Now that we have our network connected, I'll try to get caught up on what we've been up to lately!

I'm thrilled that we live close to a natural wonder like this. The kids comment that it looks like Mars, and although it's really the Badlands and not another planet, it's still fascinating to visit. Combining fun with a learning experience is so great for the kids. Here's what we learned at greenbelt.ca.
Badlands is the term for an area of soft rock devoid of vegetation that has become molded over time into softly undulating hills and gullies. The reddish hue is caused by iron oxide in the shale, while the greenish bands show where circulating groundwater has transformed the rock from red to green.
It was tough to get the kids to stand still long enough to get a photo of all of them. They were too busy exploring, climbing and creating their own funny games. We had a great time with Sue, Gary, Connor and Aili, and I feel so lucky that we've moved so close to Gary's parents, so that we can visit (and scrap together) often.

I still don't have any new scrapping projects to post, but I have started to organize my new room and should have that long-awaited wedding album ready sometime soon. More on that to follow as soon as I can. In the interim, I want to say thanks to you for continuing to stop by here while I get caught up from our move. I know I haven't been doing too much on the scrapbooking front lately, but hopefully I'll be back in the saddle soon! :-}

And on the topic of saddles, check out the Pioneer Woman's new cookbook, which was just released today and will be coming soon to a kitchen near me! Her cooking blog is one of my favourite sites. If you haven't yet, you should really check her out. Thanks, Jen, for the reminder to order her cookbook!