LOOK! Santa put my Christmas present under the tree early this year!!

As promised, pictures of Avery's birthday

As I mentioned in my last post, Horseback riding was Avery's surprise birthday present from me. It was a HUGE hit. Everyone had a great time. Here are some pics of our adventure.

Meet Caramel, Amber, Eclipse, Montana and Bob!

Avery being given a hand by our guide getting on her horse Amber. Our guide (I can't remember the sweet mans name) was wonderful!!!!! Truly wonderful. He treated Cam and Ave like they were his own and they adored him. This man whistled our entire ride and after every few songs he would whistle "Happy Birthday".

Were all ready to go....well except for Nana who was crappin' her pants just a little.

Good old Nana....she's always up for an adventure.

The trail was breathtaking. Definitely a must do again.

So after about an half an hour of riding we come upon a little rest area. We tied up the horses and then our guide cracked open a bottle of wine for Nana and I and juice for the kids. He got a bonfire started and we all gathered around the fire while he sang "Happy Birthday" to Avery. It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Avery checking out the facilities. I'm pretty sure the wine part was Nana's favourite part of the day. She crapped her pants a lot less after our little pit stop. LOL.

We were all sad to see the ride come to an end. We all had such a good time and can't wait to go back for more. Although I think next time Nana should have a glass of wine BEFORE we head out on our ride. (Sorry for pickin' on ya Nana but you were just too funny!!!!!)

Our guide gave us all a big hug goodbye and sent us on our way. What a great day to be 8.

AVERY turned 8 on Saturday!!!!!

My baby is no longer a baby (well she still is to me...always will be). We had a great birthday weekend! Nana showed up on Friday (which always gets the kids smiling) and was able to celebrate the weekend festivities with up. First we went to see 'Disneys Christmas Carol' on Friday night. I loved it but the kids had a bit of a hard time following it. Saturday morning was Avery's swimming lessons and then Cameron had a hockey game. The BIG party was Saturday night. Avery and a few friends went swimming and then headed back to our house for some birthday cake and a little fun.
Sunday I surprised Avery and took her horseback riding. It was a huge hit. She loved it. I loved it... although my butt is paying for it today...very, very sore. I have a ton of pictures but for some reason the computer is only letting me download one so when it smartin's up I'll post the rest.

This is Avery and Amber. We are heading to Grandma's house on Friday to have a birthday celebration with Grandma, Nanny and Grandpa Gordie. Spoiled kid isn't she!

The kids went Trick-or-Treating with some friends last night. They had a great time dispite the crappy weather and the wind.

Yes I know....I've been a very bad blogger.

Life has been crazy busy. I guess having three kids and working shift work does that to you.

Anyway, whats new....where to start.

Cameron.

He decided this year he wanted to play hockey. I can't say I was very happy about the idea but we signed him up and gave it a go. Since he hasn't been on skates in about four or five years we put him in hockey school and skating lessons with the hopes he wouldn't get creamed in his first game. Well last night was his first game and he did awesome! He held his own and skated great. I think he was showing off a bit too since Grandma and Aunt Janet drove up to watch the game. Cam picked number 6 to be his player number for the season. Our cousin Aaron (and Cam's godfather) was number 6 throughout his hockey career so Cam insisted on having the same number. Maybe it will bring him some luck. He is still taking guitar lessons and amazes me with a new song after every lesson. He is taking a break from karate till hockey season is over.

Avery

She decided this year to join Brownies. I was a little concerned at first because I remember how much I had brownies as a kid. The brown skirts we had to wear with the leotards....it was awful. But apparently Brownies is a lot different these days. Cargo pants and t-shirts and a whole lot of fun according to Avery. She's lovin' it.

She is also taking skating lessons and doing well but says she is absolutely not, never ever, playing hockey. I am totally OK with that.

Isaac

Saucy, busy and absolutely adorable.

It been too long...I know.

Life has been crazy!!!!!

But before the kids headed back to school we headed to the cottage for a week of R & R...and lots of fun too.

Along with doing the regular cottage stuff like sleeping in late, eating ice cream, catching snakes and frogs, and just doing a whole lot of hangin' out, we did actually get off our butts and do stuff.

We hiked out one of our most favourite spots....The Grotto. Of course everyone had an awesome time because how could you not. The sun was shining.

Isaac was lucky enough to hitch a ride back to the truck with dad. Oh, t he luxuries of being two.

Friends our ours lent us a Zodiac for a couple of days. WAY TOO FUN. I think I loved it more then anyone else (I'm going to ask Santa for one for Christmas....shhhh). A BIG thanks again to Larry and Lynn for being so wonderful to us.

Here is a picture clip from the movie 'Titanic"

Cam and the BIG dive.

The kids snorkeled for the first time and after we got through all the anxiety attacks it was a huge hit.

Dad and Ave.

Mom, Dad, Cam and Ave.

Nana was a big sport and she is always up for new adventures...especially when the kids say "pleeeease Nana"

And of course I couldn't dare finish this post without a picture of Avery's latest creepy crawly friend. She caught a BAT.

The kids headed back to school on Tuesday. I can't believe the summer is past us. I'm not quite ready for it to be over just yet.

Weekend at the cottage.

My beautiful baby girls. Isaac fascinated with feeding the ducks.

A friend of ours lent us a boat for a couple of hours so we hit the waves. Cam and Avery of course loved it but Isaac wasn't too sure about it.

Enjoying a morning at the beach.

Well this morning it actually felt like summer so we headed to the beach for some fun.

Can you say AWESOME!!

The kids and I hit the Go-Kart track today. LOVED IT.

Cam...next stop...INDY 500.

So, life has been crazy busy since school has ended.

We headed off to Sudbury the last weekend of June for a wedding and it was a fun filled weekend.
First we had to go see the BIG nickel, a must see for the Sudbury tourist (lol). Kids thought it was neat. Then we went on the Dynamic Earth Tour which was amazing!!!! First there was a video explaining why Sudbury is such a rich mining town then we got to tour some of the mining tunnels (well pretend ones but the kids don't know the difference). We all had to wear hard hats and the kids got to play with some dynamite. They loved it. Here is a picture of Mike and Cam sitting on the "Honey pot" (shitter) that the miners would have to use if the need arose.

We made two trips to Science North because the kids loved it so much. They were able to pet a porcupine and an albino rat snake. Avery held four different types of cockroaches, stick bugs and a horned beetle. Of course Cameron would have nothing to do with any of that stuff. Avery also had a monster sized snail slime up her arm...and loved it!

Then we went to the wedding. According to Cameron the ceremony and dinner part could not be over fast enough but once the music started you couldn't keep him off the dance floor. We danced till 11 o'clock and then fell into bed with sore feet. I think Isaac had the best time of all of us that night. He didn't miss one single song, even the slow songs he danced to. He danced so hard that the next day he down right refused to walk anywhere and had to be carried. His poor little legs just couldn't keep up with him.

A turtle friend Avery made at Science North.

On the way home we took the Chi-Cheemaun ferry across from South Baymouth to Tobermory. We thought it would be fun for the kids but everyone was so exhausted from all the dancing the night before that we just hung out and enjoyed the scenery.

It was a terrific weekend. The wedding was beautiful, we did lots of cool stuff but as always it was great to get home.