Back from Vacation

Last week was spent at the cottage....the same rental we had last September. Just a gorgeous, peaceful spot on the Crowe River, not far from where I grew up going to my families' cabin. The rental was originally intended to be a girls' week away for my Aunt, Di-Di and myself (with the boys of course) as Johnathon was to be away at a Leadership Training week at some swanky resort but his roster was changed and it seemed that all fell into place. It turned out that we were able to have Sydney here for the past two weeks....unfortunately, Aunt Tootsie had to cancel as Justins surgery was scheduled around the same time. Dianne was still able to join us and we had a good time enjoying nature and chillin'. The hot tub and pool were a definite bonus although the pool didn't get much use with the brrrr temps and rain....but we did make it in...ahem, all of us except DADDY! Seems those southern boys need ultra warm temps to grace the water ;0) . Takes me back to my first visit to Georgia when Billy and Johnathon took me to the Chatahoochee River and we rafted the day away...it was fantastic...and yes, the good Canadian girl eagerly jumped into the river while the southern guys thought I was some lunatic....lol. Okay, a bit of an exaggeration but not much. I think there's a word for that....uh, Wimpy! hehehee....

Anyhow, back to the cottage....the weather wasn't the greatest but you just never know what to expect these days. A few days were gorgeous and we did actually escape many thunderstorms that were apparently over much of the province. No fish to be caught really....but not for lack of trying. Syd, however, fulfilled a lifelong dream (her words....)to catch a turtle. He is shown here before being released. Also, one of the neighbours will take you out on a lake cruise on his pontoon so we enjoyed that the last day. All in all, a great week away.

Now today, we are picking Johnathon up at work early this afternoon and are off to Niagara Falls. Sydney flies home very early tomorrow morning so we thought it would be fun to spend the night close to the airport and it saves both her and Johnathon an extra early morning tomorrow driving to the Buffalo airport. I'm using my persuasive powers to see if he can swing taking the entire day off tomorrow so we can enjoy what is supposed to be a sunny, warm day trekking around the Falls.

Well, time is ticking away this morning. Shane is down for his nap....Nicholas is playing and watching 'toons' and Syd hasn't awaken as of yet. Must change that ;0) Actually, we do need to get all packed up and head out. I am hoping to have enough time on the way to stop in at the two model homes that are in contention if we are to buy new....maybe her and I could team up and persuade Daddy-O

I guess I'm the Cranky-pants today!

I knew I was a little cranky and tired this morning but I sure had to laugh out loud this morning when my 4 yr old son asked me if I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!! Nicholas then said it's okay Mommy, I have bad days too. And it gets better....on the weekend, he said to Daddy that he doesn't want to be his friend if he is going to boss him around like Mommy!! LOL. Yep, and then went on to tell us that Mommy IS the boss. Yep, taught him well ;0)

So, we are home from a visit to Shawanaga to see Mom and Dad (Poppa and Goki)....Shawn, Cheryl, the boys and Derek all were up for the weekend as well. Lots of HOT sunshine, lots of fun....and LOTS OF BLACKFLIES!!! Nasty, nasty bugs. Thankfully, I was the one that took most of it and not the boys. Daddy got pretty eaten up as well. Shane escaped with one behind each ear and one on his head and isn't phased by it at all. Nicholas took a few and his eye did get puffy and swollen on Saturday....a little childrens benadryl and some down time and he was just fine...phew!

We met Cheryl and my nephews last week to have a photo done for Mom and Dad as a surprise gift. As Cheryl said in an email she sent out, enjoy the photo because it will not happen again for quite some time...hehehe! Trying to wrangle four boys to pose for the camera is just not a bright idea....however, they did capture one shot we thought to be decent and that is shown above. Not quite sure why we continued over and over with more shots.....lesson learned :0)

Sydney will be headed up our way tomorrow night....SOOOOO looking forward to having her here with us as always. Unfortunately, the visit is only for two weeks but we will take it!

Oh, I also wanted to know why all of a sudden, after months of blogging, that my little blurb I wrote months ago all of a sudden is showing at the top of my page?? Strange thing sometimes, this blogging!

Nicholas' second t-ball game is tonight but I can hear the thunder rolling in....have a pretty good feeling it will be cancelled. Bummer since next week we are away.

T-Ball Season Is Here!

So, apparently the summer season has begun although we are all still waiting for some real summer weather! Feels more like Spring and sometimes Autumn....but the weekend ahead is looking HOT, HOT, HOT! Finally. Which will be nice in hopes that it will warm the pool up at the cottage (http://www.cottagesincanada.com/crowerivercottage) we are headed to on the 14th for a week with the boys, Sydney and Dianne...can't wait!

Nicholas had his first t-ball game last night. I think the first night is pretty chaotic but all in all, he had fun and through the hour, he was progressing along pretty well. It is just too cute watching these 4 year old boys and girls run around...and pretty funny to watch the coaches try to keep them interested and moving along (good luck Uncle Shawn). The pic shows Nicholas' first up to bat....good job buddy! ..and the other of Shane, Nicholas' biggest fan, cheering him on!! Unfortunately, because we registered him a little late, his purple team shirt and cap wasn't there for him but it should be there next Monday.

Last weekend was rather uneventful, except for Sunday when we had Tiffany and Jax for an overnight visit on their way out to Halifax to visit friends. So hard to believe that it has been almost one year since little Jax arrived so sudden and unexpectedly, close to ten weeks early!! He is beyond sweet and 100% adorable. Very cute to watch the two babes get acquainted :0)

So, I was looking through the travel section of the Toronto Sun the other morning and was so excited to find this new attraction in Niagara Falls - www.niagarafreefall.com . It gives you the complete feeling of freefall just like skydiving but with obviously less danger....and the cost comparison is huge. Now, don't get me wrong...I still want to take Johnathon one day and experience the real thing as I did in my twenties but this would be such great fun and I'm hoping to coax Sydney into it this summer!! Whoo-hoo!!! Too cool!!!