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!

Too Short But Still Very Sweet!

All together again....for a few hours anyway!!! Although we only spent two days in Toronto, I (of course) took the opportunity to call Mary to hang out. It was soooo good to see her again. I was as happy for me as for the kids, who were equally as excited to see Jackson and Sophie. Mary recommended we go to the Ontario Science Center and WOW! was it awesome! So fun and interactive for the children. We visited the kids section, where they had things that roll, make music, water for playing/fishing and blowing bubbles, gears and a place to play doctor and house builder, then we went through the rain forest and checked out some insects and finally into a funky dark cave as well as a very cool sports section. With all the excitement around us, it made it difficult for Mary and I to talk but I still enjoyed just being with her...and catching up a little.

The four kids get along so well and seeing them play together makes me sad that we will all be apart next year. Mary ALWAYS had the best play date activities (the kids making their own pizzas, doing s'mores in the fireplace, sooo many come to mind!!!)

After the O.S.C., we all drove to Markham to visit the Major Family's new house. Unbelievable how fast they have turned a house into a home. Mary and Jason had it set up so nicely...even after less then a week in the house. (you can see pics of their new house on Mary's blog..see side bar) Jackson and Sophie were excited to show Abbey and Michael their new rooms and then sadly we had to go. All good things come to an end I guess.

We had such a wonderful time together and although I'm so sad that the Major's won't be in Greenwood anymore, I am so happy that they seem so settled in Toronto and I truly wish them all the best. Thanks for the great day Mary! xo

Niagara Falls = Family Fun

Why people would want to go to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon is beyond me but for a family vacation...it's second to none! We had the most wonderful time in Niagara Falls with the Tate Family (long time friends of ours from university). We were amazed at the view from our hotel room. We stayed at the Sheraton on the Falls and it really was "ON the Falls"!!!

Here are a few pictures taken from our hotel room on the 10th floor. It was such a beautiful view to wake up to. We looked directly over the American Falls with the Canadian ones a little to the right. Both spectacular! We had adjoining rooms with the Tate's who also have two children. They had a blast playing together. The hotel room came with a three day pass to the Water Park that's attached to it. That was as much fun for the kids as the adults. We definitely got great use out of that pass...we went all three of the days we were there. FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

We took a ride on the Maid of the Mist. Abbey and Michael loved it. We were all amazed at the power of the water. The Falls are HUGE (something like 170 feet) and you gotta love that the Canadian Falls are bigger and better then the American ones!!!




We were soaked when we got off the boat but all had big smiles! Worth every penny!!!




We also visited MarineLand! "There's a place I know in Ontario...everyone loves MarineLand!" I sang that song for many, many days, just couldn't get it out of my head...the marketing team at MarineLand are geniuses ('cause it's really not that great of a place)!!!! The kids had a blast on all the rides though. Here are some pics...not feeling creative enough to comment on each one sorry.

The Tate Family is right behind Steve in the picture where he's pushing the kids. I didn't get any good pictures of the water shows. At the Friendship Cove show...we all got soaked by the Killer Whale's tail. The kids thought that was hilarious....me...not so much!

I had heard of the Rainforest Cafe but had never been to one until our Niagara Falls trip. It was awesome! There's a thunder storm in the restaurant every 20 minutes and the gorillas & elephants come alive every 12 minutes. The kids were thrilled and in awe of everything going on around them. I was trying to take a picture of Steve and Michael in front of the elephants but couldn't get Michael to take his eyes off the herd. Too funny!

So that's our Niagara Falls trip in a nutshell. I'll try and post more often but we've just been so busy visiting with everyone that I'm not feeling much like sitting down and writing at the end of the day. Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Loving Summer Vacation!

A happy picture of me and my babies. Gotta love being a teacher!!! Especially in the summer!!!