THE PICTURE OF THE YEAR

Each year at the Aunts cottage, Kristen has managed to get a picture of Adara that is in some way iconic or indicative of who she was at that moment. This year was harder because she wouldnt' hold still! Nontheless she got some good shots. I leave it to you to decide, which is the most Adara this year?

The new house

For those of you who have been asking, here's a few pics of the new house.
The renos have been going like made. In the first three weeks Len oversaw everything and did all the demolition. We replaced the plumbing, electrical, checked for termites (none), waterproofed the basement, put in a new furnace and ducting, hauled old railway ties out of the backyard, painted, refinished all the floors and put in new stairs to the third floor.
We've decided to pause here for a while and enjoy the rest of the summer. The refinish of the basement will just have to wait.

Camping glories

For the first time in 22 years I went camping with my parents. With Kristens help we borrowed a tent trailer for a week away in Miller Lake. From the first moment that Adara saw it she was in love with the trailer. She climbed right up on her bunk, got out all her toys and was in seventh heaven, chatting away to herself in her "own little house" The campground itself was wonderful. It had a sandy shore, shallow lake, big inflatables for the big kids (and me!) to swim out to and climb on, fish to catch in a net (Adara) crafts to do in the rec hall, a great playground as well as ping pong, horseshoes and a great store. And glory be the store had wonderful tea with milk and honey for me to wander down and get while the wee one was napping and grammy was in charge. It's hard to over estimate how important a really good cup of afternoon tea is to me!
Hopefully Kristen or mom has some pics of Liam and Poppa and I climbing on the massive inflatables because it was a tour de force. I'll try to upload the video of Adara holding the fish that she caught (minnow) as well.

In general it was peaceful and easy and relaxing and fun and I can't wait to do it again!

Beach babes and boys

Here's some great pics of Adara and her cousins playing on the beach and at the campground while we were away on vacation last week. We were up at Miller Lake near Tobermory and also near Kincardine at a cottage that my Aunts' rent each year. It was glorious to just be taken care of for a whole week! Thanks family.

Holidays

Adara and I are off tomorrow camping with mom and dad for the week and visiting with family. We're really looking forward to it! Yesterday we did the traditional east york carnival for Canada day and then a lovelly bbq at a friends parents house. A really awesome day and the first Canada Day since Adara was born in which no one cried. Whoo HOoo! Small victories. Part way through the bbq last night, Adara just laid down in the middle of our hosts deck and went to sleep. Probably a good plan. Hopefully I'll have time for more posts and some pics when we're back.