Gorman's Mill

What an absolutely fantastic field trip this was!  One of the things that Samuel has been studying is BC Resources, so together with some other 5th and 6th graders from our co-op, we headed off to Gorman's Mill.  We learned so much the production of wood and the way the entire mill functions.  This was really a great trip.



An entire load of logs right off the back of a huge logging truck.  Incidentally, it was about -15 this day!  Our guide said it was definitely the coldest trip he'd ever done.



The technology in the mill is amazing.  The computer does a scan of each log that comes through and, in a second or two, decides what width boards to cut the entire log into with the least amount of waste.



Papa came on the trip with us.  He's standing by the huge saw blades to give us an idea of their size.



Our guide was great.  Here he is showing and explaining to one of the groups the different things that get caught in wood and that have damaged the saw blades.  Any metal is usually detected, but some things, like rocks can grow within a tree and cause damage.  The blades must be changed immediately.



The work ethic and expectations at the mill were very impressive.  The production expected is 100%.  What they are doing every minute is posted across from them where they can see.  They don't let the employees stay at any job for more than two hours so that they don't get tired, unproductive or dangerous.



Some of our motley crew in full safety gear with their sample boards.

Nature Explorations and a few other tid bits

Throughout the fall, we have enjoyed some fantastic hikes and explorations with a wonderful naturalist. We have seen many different animals, and learned so much from him.











This is a game that we made up with verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs.  It's straight grammar and the kids really enjoy it!  They have to match the name (V, N, Adj or Adv in green) with the description (in red), together with a word that fits.  They do it together or separately and try to beat each others times!



This was at AWANA.  They had to come dressed as a Bible character.  Take a guess who everyone is and I'll tell you at the bottom of the picture.



Liam is Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones!  Teigan is Queen Esther (in a real salwar kameez) and Samuel is King David ready for battle.  We joked about going as King David when he danced before the Lord - he didn't think that was funny!  (We sure did.)

My Favourite Photo Cards

This is the second year in a row that I will be using Shutterfly to make my Christmas Photo Cards and not just because they are giving me 50 free cards for doing a post!  I already had my 2010 card designed and ready to go before I found out about this promo.  I loved my cards from last year, and this year's are going to be even better!  I want to show you - but I'll have to wait until later... besides that might ruin the surprise if you get one in the mail.  They have hundreds of fantastic layouts, not just for Christmas cards, but you can make EASY photo calendars, birthday cards, stationary and SO MUCH MORE.  The great thing is because it is so easy, that I actually made a few different mock ups to see which one I liked the best.  When I got my cards last year I was really pleased with the quality.  This year I'm doing something a little different and getting the card stock ones instead of photo paper.  I'm excited to see how they'll turn out.  I know I'll be thrilled.

If you are a blogger, give Shutterfly a try - 50 free cards!  Trust me, you'll be thrilled! I only wish that I had my cards done about a month ago. :) They may end up being New Year's cards...