And that was July....!!!

Wow...that's all I can say, wow...where's the summer going? I can hardly believe it's almost time to flip the calendar to August. The store's are flying the "Back to School" banners already and we're just kicking into high gear for summer...awaiting the hot, hot days to arrive!!! - haven't had to use the central air yet! Anyways, enough of the verbal drama...we've been back and forth to our trailer most of July and had great weather. Maggie made me laugh on our way home the other night...I have terribly calloused soles from walking barefoot most of the summer so...
Mags was inspecting her feet in her booster seat and comes out with this statement:

"MOM!!!! Look (pointing to her soles with a slight toughening) I'm turning into a mom!"

So here's what we've been doing this month....

Supper on the beach with the Van Dyk's

Kelsey contemplating life...and how good it is!

Papa joining us at Lakewood for a night

Kenzie and Mags

My man turns 38...inching closer to 40 babe!

Aging well I might add!

Mini-golfing with Aunt Nicole and Wade

The Many Faces of Summer...

Finally, soccer games...the spectators at Connor's game, Oma, Opa and Matthew cheered him on last week along with his faithful family...look at the grass!!! YIKES...praying that we'll get some rain for our poor farmers! Unfortunately the athlete didn't get captured on camera...soon to come. Everyone have a great week..month....summer!!!

Happy Birthday Wade!

We celebrated Wade's (Nicole's boyfriend) birthday a few days late since everyone was gone on the long weekend-Nic in Montreal, Dad at Kev & Carole's, Steve camping, us up north...so Dairy Queen came through on the holiday Monday with a most delicious ice cream cake - it even had a boat on it - right up his alley as he's from out east!

HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY WADE!! Hope you had a good one and thanks for entertaining the kids with the fireworks display...they thoroughly enjoyed it- aside from the one that shot sideways@!! Maggie saw the one hit the roof and was quite concerned that the house was going to go up in flames!!

At the cottage...

A big thanks to our gracious hosts Gary and Brenda who entertained us for the long weekend at their beautiful cottage! Their cottage is situated on a most picturesque lake...loons and all! The above pic shows the view from the dock while we were lounging in the muskoka chairs...the picture doesn't do the scenery justice!

Dinner together...a nice time to talk, laugh & bond....

with the cousins

Sunday afternoon boat ride...chilly but still enjoyable

Cooling off

Kelsey and Alex tubing...fun huh?

Mark's boat tour for the boys

Our tour guide for the day Gary and co-captain Trent ;)

Fishing...the GIRLS absolutely love it-as do their daddies!

Thanks once again guys for an enjoyable weekend, we loved spending time with your family! It was so relaxing and peaceful, soaking up some rays, playing games, talking and at the same time being surrounded by a beautiful part of God's glorious creation! Praise God!

Science Centre & Strawberries...

(A thrill for the guys to ride on the Knights bus!)

Connor and I spent last Friday at the Science Centre for his year end class trip. The class was able to fund raise enough throughout the year that the entire trip was FREE! Coach bus, entrance fee, lockers and snack bags on the way and on the way home!! What a great and relaxing day. I had a ball babe!

Con-man and Mama

Rock climbing at the Science Centre

FATHER'S DAY 2007

The kids ladening Daddy with their homemade and store bought gifts...tictactoe game, cards, Oscar cologne and a new updated summer outfit...sorry Daddy, the tank tops are being replaced with muscle shirts...;)

Mmmmmmmm!!!!!

I wish the whole world smelled like strawberries!

How blessed we are to live in an area that grows so much local produce! The strawberries are just the beginning !!(of course we can't forget the delicious asparagus we've already enjoyed as well!)

The eager berry pickers/samplers

Trent being a boy :0)

Finishing off the task with some fries from the chip wagon

Mackies...a true sign of summer

Last Wednesday, Nicole and I took Mom out to Mackies for lunch (the twinnies too). She enjoyed the outing but tired quite quickly. Unfortunately her walking is rather cumbersome and she is suffering from an ingrown toe nail :( and bunions. Poor Mom. However, she remains very content in her life -- totally unaware of any change in it. I couldn't help but think as we trudged towards the van - Nicole aiding her on one side and I on the other - that 3 years ago she was chasing the kids on the very same beach - alive, healthy, full of vitality, love and life. Many afternoons we would spend shopping in the little boutiques along the harbour, ending the afternoon with a freshly made yogourt cone from Brodericks - remember Aunt Mare, Carole, Nicole? She loved to sit by the bridge and watch the boats come in, people watch and enjoy her family,creation, etc....I try to not to go those places in my heart too often - those memories hurt way too much to visit ...and when I do, I seriously can't believe that those days are gone, over, never to return on this side of heaven and that is so hard to take - we all miss her SOOO much!

The rides at Mackies

The chilly lake, Trent wasn't too keen on going in but Mags had no hesitation going in up to her waist!

For you Mama...Aww, how could I tell her not to pick the lupins??

A wonderful spot to read on a hot summer day!

Connor being Connor, if he's not upside down or wrestling someone on the trampoline - something's wrong. Somedays it's better not to look. He has now perfected his back flip!!!