Rainy Day Anniversary

If I could pick two words to describe the meteorological conditions here in TO, it would be wet and soggy. This isn't West Coast summer showers either; we're talking major downpours, thunder and lightning. On our anniversary day we decided to catch a rare break in the weather(as seen below)



15 minutes into our walk along a path reminiscent of the Galloping Goose(flat grade, lots of history) The rumbles of far off thunder began. All was well until yet another downpour began, and 20 minutes into our anniversary hike, we huddled soaking wet in the car reminiscing of the first dry 10 minutes of the hike. Here's the self-taken picture moments before the Ark floated by.

My Tour de France admiration

As I am on vacation, perhaps now it's time to express my complete love for the Tour De France. Being in the Eastern timezone has allowed me to watch much greater portions of the Tour on a daily basis(having grandparents around has also helped). I really got hooked on the Tour when I spent the summer of 1997 in Denmark. The entire country was riveted on the Tour that year as a Dane, Bjarne Riis, had won the year before. Well 11 years later, and post Lance Armstrong and post Drug scandals, the Tour remains as beautiful as ever. Just today the tour riders conquered the highest mountain road in Europe, 2800 M in elevation, with a 21 year old South African passing through the summit first. Sadly he took a hard crash 200 M off the summit, losing his lead. Watching the Australian, American, and European riders duke it out on the Mountain tops is in essence, sport at its purest.
Yes, detractors are quick to point out the drug scandals of the last couple of years. However out of a pool of 300 riders, catching 4 cheats is simply status quo in pro sports, or life for that matter.

All I have to do is think of those baseball louts pleading in front of Congress that they had never taken steroids, while their alligator sized necks pop out of their suits!

VIVA Le Tour De France!

We got caught...

in a tourist trap! Yesterday we drove up to Niagra Falls and took the girls to "Marineland." And yes, the $87 venture was definitely a tourist trap, but nevertheless, not a bad way to spend the day. There were only a few rides we could go on with the girls- Sedona was a little more apprehensive about going on the rides, but enjoyed them when she did, whereas Aja couldn't wait to get going! We saw a great dolphin and seal show as well. The girls fell asleep the minute we got in the car, so we didn't stop with the other thousands of people looking at the falls, but Chris at least got to see them from the car (there was no parking). We didn't want the girls to sleep too long as it was already so late in the day, so we stopped after 45 minutes at a Tim Hortons (which is as common here as Starbucks back west) and bribed them with some timbits!

Family BBQ

We're back east right now visiting family. On Sunday my mom and Brian hosted a family BBQ so we could catch up with everyone. The girls were in their glory as they both LOVE social functions. Sedona always refers to older girls as "the girls" and my four cousins did a great job of keeping them entertained all night!

My cousin Alison with Aja (or Miss. Smileypants as she was called all night)

Sedona in her glory holding her new baby Cousin James.

Sedona played "hairdresser" for a good hour with Megan and Amy.

We love Nana!

An old picture, but nonetheless a keeper!

Fishing with Grandpa

 
Grandpa Robert took Sedona out for a date the other day to the local fish hatchery for "Kids Catch a Trout Day." There was lots of fun to be had with face painting, the bouncy castle, hotdogs, and oh yeah... the fish. Apparently this was as close as Sedona wanted to get to the dead trout. When she came home, the first thing she wanted to tell us was about how they bonked the fish over the head with a special stick to kill them. Thanks Grandpa- they were delicious! Nothing like teaching a 3 1/2 year old about where our food comes from.

Tickle Toes

 
Aja giggling away with our neighbour Frank.

Our Happy Walker

Sorry- I took it the wrong way, but if you turn your head, you can see how much Aja loves her new mode of transport.

Friday Night at Sargent's Bay

 
 
 
 


We loaded up the canoe and the girls and went to a local beach to have a picnic. The weather has been spectacular since school ended and we are loving our time off as a family.

Everybody Should Have a Bouncy Ball in their Life

 

More backyard flora

Blackcap Rasberry to some, Rubus Leucodermis to others. Either way I transplanted this into the backyard last fall from the clearing behind our house. I planted two, and this one made it, and a beauty specimen it is. Sedona and I went to inspect the berries yesterday and while not fully ripe yet, we did notice that a bird had already beaten us to a few choice berries as there were a couple picked off the bush. It is so satisfying to recreate the natural state of our property, even if it is in pockets of our backyard. Seeing this cool occurance will only encourage me to continue to plant more native species in the yard.


 

Harvest Pictures

The great stretch of July weather has proven to be great for our crops. Carrots and peas are a big hit right now and beets are just about there. We sure look forward to this time of the year when our backyard plays such an important role in our menu planing. Eating is one of our favourite pastimes, and being able to enjoy the fruits of our labour is great.
chris

 

 

Body Art

 

Aja loves drawing on her face as much as she enjoys colouring on paper. She thought she'd try out the BINGO dobber for this one.

Random Coast shot #74

 

A November sun and cloud show over the top of Mt Elphinstone.

Cheers to Friendship and Good Food

 
Sedona and Sophie (4 days younger than her) practice their "cheers" while Griffin and Aja look on. Aja spent the rest of the meal wanting to do "cheers" with everyone. Tonight's meal included carrots, beets, snowpeas, lettuce, potatoes, strawberries and mint from our garden. Chris BBQ'd an awesome rotiserrie chicken with a mint aioli sauce- so yummy!

Canada Day Festivities

 
Waiting for the parade to begin. Chris said he's never seen so many people in Sechelt at one time.
 
Sedona and friend Zoe after getting their faces painted.