New Liskeard - Part 3

So part three takes place at my cousin Claire's house. It's a spectacular piece of land where they (Claire and her husband Darren) have built a house, garage, barn and another bigger garage to hold trucks and buggies for their horses....it's a plantation really!!! I told her all she needs to build is a church on her property and she could start her own commune. ha!ha! The house is a work of art. It's a post and beam home and it's so cool...totally open concept. There are no nails in the construction of it either. The contractor used full beams flattened at the end and then grooved together. (hope that's right?!)

We all had a great visit with Claire and Daren and they put on a huge spaghetti supper for us. After our bellies were full we went to visit the barn. They have two HUGE (and I mean monstrous!) Percheron horses names Duke and Doc. Now I feel pretty comfortable around horses but these scared the hell out of me...even though they assured me they were gentle giants. Here's Uncle Bill and Claire hooking Duke up. It was the first time he had been hooked up alone. Usually both pull the sled/buggy or whatever.

To the left, Darren holding Doc while Steve and Michael pet him. To the right, Uncle Bill taking Abbey and I for a ride!

Steve was brave enough to take the reigns...or should I say Uncle Bill was brave enough to LET Steve take the reigns! ha!ha!

Here's Michael and I ready for our spin around the property. In the background you see Claire's house (still under construction) and the beautiful view she has of the water. Amazing!

My cousin Claire is one of the sweetest, more kind-hearted people you could ever meet...she especially has a weakness for animals. The kind that have been abandoned, abused or neglected. She has saved many!!! Here's Abbey with one of Claire's adopted pets named One Eyed Jack...yes he only has one eye. You know how they sometimes say "He's so ugly that he's cute!" well this saying does not work for Jack...he is so ugly and not at all cute but Claire loves him just the same! He is very friendly and effective at catching mice though!

Here's Michael with their newest pet addition, Sable. Sable is gorgeous and so mild mannered. She was fantastic with the kids. Michael just loved her.

Here's what Michael is STILL talking about. The tractor ride. Darren let Steve and Michael take his John Deer for a spin. Michael was in HEAVEN!

Thanks for a fun visit Claire and Darren! Hope to see you soon! xo

New Liskeard Part 2 1/2

Mike took Steve and I on the adult-super -speed -version of tubing!!!! His goal was to knock us off the tube (which I am proud to say he was unsuccessful at...only because of Steve's super human strength though...I was to busy screaming at the top of my lungs to really help the cause...although my knuckles were white hours after the ride so I was obviously holding on too!)

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER


The picture says it all! ha!ha! What a fun time...I can say that now 'cause I'm still alive! :-)

New Liskeard - Part 2

Part Two takes place at my cousin Carole and Mike's (and Nico) house on Twin Lake. We had a BLAST! We spent all day having fun in the sun...and water!!! They had 15 people there that day and we all had a great time together...tubbing, waterskiing and swimming!

They have a spectacular place that they moved into earlier this year after putting on an addition and making many upgrades/changes to the existing house. The outcome is amazing! Carole's walk-in closet is the size of Abbey's room...no joke! I was sooo jealous. (even more jealous that she can fill it!!!) Below is a picture of part of their house and my babes with tante Carole by the hot tub. (Abbey's favourite location!)

Is this heavenly or what?!?

Here's Michael, Andrea and Steve tubbing. I love the picture of Abbey taken while in the boat with the gang on the tube in the background. She was "spotting" with me...we weren't doing a very good job...too busy listening to Mike's tour of the lake.

After Abbey realized that Michael had fun on the tube, she was ready to try it! Andrea was such a sport and went on again. I was less then brave at first but loved it at the end. SO much fun!

Here's a picture of Andrea getting Steve ready for his go at waterskiing and me to the right waterskiing...no no don't adjust your computer screen...yes that is me on ONE ski...oh ya...I still got it! ha!ha! I was sore for three days afterwards. Serves me right for show boating!

We had such a fabulous day! Thanks so much for being such wonderful hosts. Big props to Mike who spent ALL day driving the boat for us...you rock!

New Liskeard - Part 1

This summer, I was so excited to visit New Liskeard. It had been a very long time since I had last been there and I always have such a great time when I visit. New Liskeard is about an hour and a half north of North Bay...way up there but so worth it!

My Mom was born in New Liskeard and some of my fondest summer memories growing up take place there...plus some of my favourite people live there too!

So...part one...my Aunt Germaine's house. She welcomed us with such open arms and we had so much fun! She has the most unbelievable home...and landscaping. She is right on Lake Temiskaming and what a beautiful view that is to wake up to.

Here's uncle Bill playing pirates with Michael & Abbey in the backyard. We had so many laughs goofing around outside, playing hide and go-seek and throwing rocks into the Lake. (and of course eating, eating, eating) ha!ha!

Uncle Bill was a volunteer fire fighter and Michael got such a kick out of trying his helmet on. Firefighters (and dump truck drivers) are next to God in Michael's book. hee!hee!

Here's Abbey, Steve and the best aunt in the world...AUNT GERMAINE!!!

and finally here's a picture of the girls (Abbey, Claire, Aunt Germaine and I) taken on the day before we left. Thanks for such a fantastic visit Mackey family! We love you so much! xo

Jesse!

Steve's parents have a Jack Russel named Jesse that Abbey & Michael ADORE!!! They can't get enough of her. Abbey would say "Jesse" no less then 500 times a day! Jesse was so patient and understanding of the kids being all over her...especially since she's never really been exposed to small children before.

This is Abbey and Michael taking Jesse on our daily walk to the Bay (of Quinte) at the end of the McAlpine's street. We did this every day, twice a day!

They were so proud to hold the leash all by themselves! (or all by our own as Michael would say! ha!ha)

Here's Jess napping with the kids. (Michael not quite asleep as you can see he is totally faking!)

and here's a picture of Jess having breakfast with Michael one morning. Good thing Grandpa didn't see this...he would not have approved but it is sooo cute! Makes me ALMOST want to get a pet...and then I come to my senses ha!ha!