Family Reunion

It was so nice to see everyone from my side of the family at the reunion 2 weeks ago. The last family portrait we had was 6 or 7 years ago and there has been someone missing at every other get together since then. We held the reunion at Springwater Park again. It is partway between our abodes and close to the 400 for people who have to travel. There is lots to do - a wildlife rehab centre, playground, trees for climbing, hiking/biking paths and space for your own games.

My friend Linda always makes an amazing cake for our get togethers. This one was for the family reunion, Kevin and I turning 50, my brother and niece's birthday (Tinkerbell was for Ashley), Father's Day and welcome home to Caitlin and Alec. Each side said something different. The paddler had a little camera, map and set of keys.
Kevin's side of the family was invited but had other commitments. Kevin's mom and aunt were the only ones who made it. Here Kevin is taking his mom for a spin on the tandem.

Catching up

It has been very busy around here. Since May 13th we have had overnight guests 6 times. One I didn't even know (friend of Kevin). Two have stayed only one night but the rest were 3 - 10 nights. As you know that means a lot of changes in routine, extra laundry and transportation arrangements. There have been 4 trips to the airport and one to a bus station. We have been to a wedding and a family reunion. Alec was the last one to head home this afternoon. While I miss having my kids around, I am looking forward to things settling back to normal - whatever that may be. At this time of year work is still crazy so I won't be resting.

I finally have a few minutes to share some pictures with you.

I like this picture of Caitlin and I taken at the wedding shower.

Me and my girls
All my kids

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. My parents were at their timeshare (Carriage Hills at Horseshoe Valley) this week. My niece stayed with them the whole time. My sister Lynda and her family came for most of the time. My sister Leanne visited for a day. Connor stayed for a few days and enjoyed the activities at the Adventure Park (mini-golf, zip-lining, zorbing and tree-top trekking (I challenge you to say that 3 times fast). Victoria picked all the girls up, took them to the drive-in then brought them here for a sleep over (my mom breathed a giant sigh of relief for a quiet night). Kevin took Lynda, Mike and David to the marine railway then canoeing. They played in rapids and whirlpools and had a picnic. Tori and the girls went to the beach. We visited 2 nights. On one of those nights we surprised my mom with a birthday cake. It was lemon - her favourite. It was rather plain so I brought my cake decorating odds and ends and candles and gave the cake and decorations to the kids in the other room and told them to decorate it. They used every single decoration! What an interesting mix of baby shower, juvenile birthday, Christmas and New Years. See?

My mom was definitely surprised!

Thanksgiving Weekend - 3

After church on Sunday, Kevin and I and my parents drove up to Meaford.  The whole drive there was along the southern shore of Georgian Bay - desolate and windy at this time of year but still enjoyable.  We love visiting the Meaford Factory Outlet.  You never know what you will find there.  We make a trip every fall to get stocking stuffers and fill up the Samaritan's Purse shoeboxes.

Meaford is also home to the Scarecrow Invasion.  The whole town is decorated.  There are scarecrows in store windows, front lawns and climbing buildings and street posts.  These scarecrows were at a garage.

 These scarecrows were at country homes.

We took the scenic route home through the countryside.  It was a beautiful fall drive.  The colours were great.  We saw 2 deer and a flock of wild turkeys.  We stopped at Walter's Falls.  This picture is taken from the bridge over the falls looking down.

 

My parents and Alec went home today and we went to see Kevin's mom.  It was a great weekend. 

Thanksgiving Weekend - 2

After the corn maze, we went out to the pumpkin patch activities.  My parents and Jenna are having a duck race while Connor watches.  You use an old fashioned pump to race the rubber duckie down the chute.  Behind them is the catapault.  If you get your ball in a hole you win a free pumpkin.  My mom was the only one to get it in but she did it on her practice shot so it didn't count. The lady at the catapault had an interesting hat.  You can see it better if you click on the picture to enlarge it.Myself, Kevin and Connor racing while Amber cheers us on.  The mini-golf is behind us.

 

If you find a fake pumpkin hiding in the field you get a real one free.  Guess who was the only one to find one?  I was the only one last year as well - I found 2 last year.  They are very realistic replicas.  They are just a little shinier than a real pumpkin and have a seam on the bottom.  They come in all shapes and sizes. That is the fake I am holding.
Then we came back to our house where Alec had been tending the turkey all afternoon.  These pictures are proof that turkey contains tryptophan, which causes people to be very drowsy, even in a room full of people. 


Leanne had a headache (hence the sunglasses and ice wrap).

Thanksgiving Weekend - 1

Last year Connor and I had a great time at the local pumpkin patch so we invited my parents and my sister and her family up to join us.  There are 4 friendly farm animals hidden in the maze.  When you find them, you punch their picture with the shaped hole punch and turn in your sheet to win a prize.  I wonder how many children have nightmares about the cow.

The chicken was my favourite. 

Connor kept running ahead and hiding in the corn and jumping out to scare my mom.  She jumped every time.  Except this time.  You can see Connor's arm in the bottom left corner.  It isn't a great picture, but captures the fun.

 

My dad. 

Family Reunion

For many years my dad's side of the family has had a reunion every August long weekend.  For many years we didn't make it because we lived in faraway parts of Canada but we make it half the time now. For many years we went to my Uncle Frank's cottage (he was my dad's older brother - there was just the two sons that lived).  Many of his children spent the whole weekend.  Since he died last year we have gone to cousin's places that had pools but we are rethinking the whole reunion.  No one else has both the space for tents and a pool or beach nearby.  Traffic on the long weekend can be a nuisance.  We are lucky enough to live north of GTA so we aren't slowed by the traffic as we travel opposite to the rush.  The traffic was stop and go heading south on the side roads Saturday afternoon.  It was the heaviest we remember seeing it - maybe because it was one of the few really nice days we have had all summer.  (I am not complaining - I like it cool - but many don't)

I think this is the first reunion that my Aunt Mary and Uncle John made it to that we also made it to.  We do see them occasionally in Grand Bend or London on our mini-vacations.  Aunt Mary is my dad's cousin and I used to love visiting them in London when we were growing up.  Their daughter, Susan is the same age as I am.  Aunt Mary enjoys reading my blog so I thought I would post a picture of her.  (She liked my Sweaty story and even liked the giant slug)  Below is my dad, my mom, Aunt Mary and Uncle John.  A fine looking group of seniors.  My mom turned 75 the day before.  If she could hit me through the internet I am sure she would for letting that information out.