Bears first. I did not see these bears but thought they warranted being part of the count. Barry was working on the foundation for the house extension when they heard some crashing by the creek. Lily went to the edge of the bank and started going crazy barking when suddenly a baby went scampering up a tree on the other side of the creek right by the crossing. I’m not exactly how it all went from this point but he did say momma bear was not happy and he did get some photos (I will post once I get them) and everyone was unharmed. So that was 2 added to the count.

The other day I was getting ready to leave for work, walked out of the front door and heard something crashing around by the woodshed. I said over my shoulder not to let the dogs put, something was crashing around out here. Barry asked what is it? I turned back around and there was bear right at the woodshed! I slowly backed into the house and closed the door. He took off up the path behind my office, I was able to leave shortly after.

So that is 4 bear and 4 moose right in our yard in about 3 weeks! THAT is a record!

The latest 2 moose were a momma and baby at the other end the property… the baby is getting big but still cute and fuzzy.

The foundation is done!! Barry is ready to build next year! So exciting! As you can see in the photo, he has also started to put the board and baton on my office. Inside he has built the closet but we don’t have a door figured out yet. The laundry is all sorted out and the stove is very close to being operational. He will also be adding a boot room before the snow flies, the pad is ready and waiting! The cement around the office we are going to mosaic with river rock.

Let’s talk about Jack… this cat is unbelievable. I told you that he has been catching bats… we cannot figure out how he can do this! But he’s really good at it! And we want the bats, they eat the bugs! He has also added to his list of cariboo cuisine that he has sampled this summer chipmunk, weasels, squirrel, various birds, rabbit, vole, various small rodents and flying squirrels… now that is the craziest one yet! How the hell does he get a flying squirrel?? We studied them closely when we first moved here and it would not be easy to catch one. Jack is 2 yrs old and almost 20 lb! He is so muscular he looks like a cougar or something slinking around. He is as big as Lily, just not as wide. Because of all the big critters around lately I get the dogs to escort me up to work in the mornings and Jack is right with us… totally thinks he is a dog! Here he is on his perch, he gets up there in one leap! He’s so awesome!

Donn is getting better and better at being the prima-donna. She gets special treatment in every way but she is so sweet we can’t help it.

Mini has had a full recovery and she is back to being her happy cute self. Thank you everyone who sent messages for her.

Lily is, as always, the most loyal child I’ve ever known. She is more and more protective over me and escorts me around. She gets so excited when I come home… even just from my office and often I am only gone for a short time… she squeals she is so excited… she’s a sweetie. Lily hugs are the best.

We have officially become known to everyone as the mushroom house…

We had a fantastic visit with Nick and Stacey in the spring, they were our first guests in the HydeAway. They left us this cute design on the door step for us …

They are paving and widening the highway. They parked all of their equipment in our yard for a few nights, I wish I had gotten a photo, it was pretty crazy. They may be back, they have more to do near us. It’s just going to be sooooooo nice when it’s all done. All the delays etc are just fine, well worth it!

There is more but this will have to be continued… I will make sure I post the bear cub photos Barry got so stay tuned…