WORK WEEKEND!

Back in August, we planned a Sandy Lake work weekend to shut down the summer side of things, the weekend we chose way back then was 2 weeks post Thanksgiving, so off we went...  Boats out of the water, washed and stored, outdoor furniture cleaned and put away, cut back the garden and rake the leaves.  We could not believe that Mum and Tom have done this on their own for so many years.  It was a BIG job, but as we already know, many hands make light work.  We all got into the swing of things and managed to get all of the jobs done on Saturday.  It was a fairly full work day with short rests in between for fear of the muscles seizing up.  The leaf blowers were a big hit for all of us, big and small!  Highlights include but not limited to:  "The money chair", leaf blowers, playing camouflage in the forest, snacks for the workers, finding the salamander, saying farewell to "the chair", roasting marshmallows, seeing Harry the Heron and jumping off the porch. Thanks to Grams and Claw for hosting us.  We love the time we spend with you both at your special spot.  xoxo us.

Grampa carries change in his pockets and loses it in his favourite chairs.  This particular chair had money stuck in it.  Surgery was suggested so the boys cut the bottom and found $42.71 worth of change!  Yowzerz!  They each received a commission for helping rescue the money.  Thanks Claw!

Surgery in process...

The money went into a zip lock and was then sorted, counted and given out to the appropriate people.

We found a blue spotted salamander in the garden.

Here he is...

There were A LOT of leaves!

What a beautiful day.  I guess those leaves need to land somewhere...

Two blowers in action

Very fun!

Q working hard.

All of the boys were in heaven!

Cheers to the workers.  Kieran very kindly put together a tray of snacks to bring out to all of the workers.

Notice the tiny bowl with water and a bar of soap for us to wash our hands before we eat...  Too cute!  I also love the bowl of cereal (no milk) with many spoons.

Thank God, that 42 year old chair is heading to the dump!  Farewell to Tom's most cherished chair.

Kieran had to wear my sunglasses to roast marshmallows, the fire was too hot!

Hot and beautiful to look at.

Good Morning!  The view from our room this morning, amazing.

Harry the Heron, in real life.

Trust!  The boys love to jump off the porch ledge into Dave's arms.

X-COUNTRY RACE, TAKE 2

Having placed in the top 40 of his first race, Kieran was invited to race in the second race of the season.  About an hour after that first race I asked him if he thought he would want to race again next week.  His response to me was that right now he was too tired and that he would need to rest and talk to his body about it later.  After much debate with his body, a few days later he said, Mum, I've asked my body and it agrees we will do the next race!"

Tuesday morning had the top 40 finishers from a few different districts gather back at Centennial Park to race the same 1km race they ran the week prior.  Unfortunately I work on Tuesday's so I was not able to attend.  Grams and Claw made the trip out to cheer Kieran on, Nathan's (the only other grade one boy who qualified) mum Lisa very kindly drove Kieran to and from the race and Kieran's best bud Ben was running for Runnymede P.S.  Both Ben's parents Les and Jase were there to watch the fun.  Between Mum, Tom, Lisa, Jase and Les my iPhone was dinging with constant updates and photos.  It was a great way to participate without being there, thank you!  Thankfully I was on a field trip walking around the Distillery District, learning about the history of our city with the grade 7 boys so I was able to check my phone regularly that morning.  Phew!  The top 20 boys in this race are moving on to the City Championships taking place next week.  Kieran, finished 69th and was thrilled to have joined the x-country team this year.  He is proud of himself,  as are we.  Quinn is already talking about when he is in grade one and can join the team.  Thanks to everyone who cheered him on from near and far.

Looking good on the downhill...

Coming through...

Celebrating with Ben!  Well done you guys!

GIVING THANKS

We spent Thanksgiving weekend enjoying and grateful for loving so many and having their love in return.  It was a jam packed weekend starting at Poppy and Nana's cottage for Friday night and Sat. morning, a park play in Bala with Stace, Mart and Hannah, then we hit the island with the Fitzpatrick family.  We sat 16 for dinner on Sat. night and enjoyed a spectacular sunset as we dined on the porch.   We thoroughly enjoyed meeting Mike's lovely companion Maria and Meg's new guy, Kevin.  Definitely an overwhelming way to meet all of us! A ginormous thank you to Auntie Erin for all of her hard work in preparing an incredible Thanksgiving meal.  The kids spent too many hours in the 61 degree lake (burr!) and I even managed to go tubing with Q-Ball.  I made Uncle Darin PROMISE that he wouldn't tip us into the lake - kids don't feel the cold they way old people, like me do! :)  Hikes around the island while playing camouflage in the woods is always a ton of fun and we went to check in on our friend Zaphod who we continue to miss greatly.   We drove back to the city on Monday and went straight over to Grams and Claws place for a play in their local park and a visit at their house and then off to our friend Pete's for the final giving of thanks for all he brings to our family.  By the time we arrived home on Monday night we were all exhausted, but grateful.

Playing a fun game Poppy set up for us.  Baby pictures were displayed on his TV screen.  The boys had to guess who it was.

Quinn thought it was him for most of the pictures.  A 50/50 chance!

That pic on the screen is QUINN!

Poppy had a good chuckle while the boys guessed.  He told me I was NOT allowed to play because I knew all of the answers!

Thanksgiving dinner sunset

Grampa Mike and Dave enjoyed the end of day glow from the sun

Gorgeous!

Maria and Mike

Grampa Mike snuggles!

More jump in for the hugs

Blessed!

Zaphod!

They found me in our game of Camouflage

Um, Quinn, that's not the best hiding spot!

O, that was a great spot.  Too bad I found you behind that big rock!

Dave, I see you too!

Maeve and my sensible hiking shoes!  ;)

Nora and Kieran celebrating at the site of Grampa and Maria returning from their kayak around the island

The Welcoming Committee!  Quinn and Maeve are trying to make sure they cannot leave again.

Maeve and Quinn balancing on the rock

Thanks for the Mike and Ikes Grampa!

Look, no hands!

Quinn and I heading out for a tube.  I clearly was not dressed appropriately, but had fun regardless!

5 Cousins on a tube?  Yikes!

That was totally wicked!