Our first adventure this summer was to check out the Botanic Gardens out by Devon. It is run by the University of Alberta. There are a few greenhouses with different vegetations and a butterfly house. Then through out the grounds, they have different themes...the Japanese Gardens, Alberta Gardens, Rose Garden, Native Gardens, etc.... We chose a beautiful day to go and we even picked up our cousin to come with us. It would be fun to take some pictures out there and even take a picnic lunch, since they do have picnic tables. They even have a tour that takes you all around the gardens and they tell you about each section. It is a 45 minute tour, which you get to ride around on a super long golf cart. Evan said that we should ride on that fun looking car, but I knew that my kids wouldn't last. So we enjoyed getting some exercise and vitamin D.
Our day didn't start out too great for Evan. We parked near a curbed tree/flower area in the parking lot and there were tons of ants. I was busy getting Aaron settled in the stroller and everything else together, while the kids enjoyed looking at and bothering the ants. Poor Evan was standing on the curb in one spot too long and ants started to climb up on him! If you ever want to hear a little boy scream like a little girl....that was the time. I quickly brushed them off and reassured Evan that he was ok and them distracted him with getting inside the gardens. Hopefully there will be no lasting effects....
They have various classes offered there throughout the year, a little gift shop, a cafe, and an ice-cream stand. We indulged with some ice cream after our tour.
Beautiful blue butterfly in the butterfly tent. (It didn't fly away cause this one had since passed on!)
Ben by the Japanese Pagota and Evan trying hard to be in the picture. 
Some of the many statues that you can spot throughout the gardens.
Ben, Megan, Evan and Aaron sitting in a willow chair in the herb/healing garden. Does anyone else love the soothing benefits of gardening like I do?
p.s. every first Tuesday of the month it is half price. Check it out. We give this place 2 thumbs up!
