In the Hole

While at the cottage earlier this summer, we made some sandy memories and spent some time simply messing about in boats.

We were also able to spend some time at the beach with nearby family.  Oliver had a blast playing in the sand with his cousins Katie and Justin.

They dug a big hole which became Oliver's favourite place to sit.

And he shook with delight every time that Katie poured in some water!

Splash!

Even Roxy was able to enjoy some beach time...

...and dashing Daddy too...

Oliver also found some fun with a football.

Catch, Daddy!

The beach is a great place to practice those football skills in the sand!

Touchdown!

And even though playing football is fun...

The best place to be is...

...in the hole!

Thanks for stopping by.

Simply Messing About in Boats

So yesterday I shared Oliver's recent adventures in the sand with you.
Today, let's get into the water... without getting wet!
While Ollie wasn't too keen on swimming in the lake this year, he sure enjoyed his very first rowboat ride.

Here he is all ready in his lifejacket...

The lake was incredibly calm that evening.

Grandpa Gary got the rowboat ready.

Now, we just have to wait for Daddy.

Time to set off.

It's just like the Chi-Cheemaun!

What a beautiful evening for a boatride.

Looks like it was lots of fun too.

Let's go back in the boat!

"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing

- absolutely nothing -

half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

- Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

Thanks for stopping by.

Sandy Memories

What a difference a year makes!
Last year, Oliver would not even touch the sand at the beach.
This year, he thoroughly enjoyed playing in the sand during our recent trip to the cottage.

A castle in the sand

Oliver and Grandpa Gary sure had a fun time digging…

…and building a sand castle together.

The Canada Day pinwheel added the perfect finishing touch.

Fill ‘er up!

A big dump truck was piled high with sand.

And then dumped…

And filled once again!

And again!

Taken for a ride

Even “Lightening McQueen Bike” had some fun in the sun.

And from this seat, Oliver gave us his signature sly look and big smile.

A stone’s throw

Finding and gathering stones...

...and then tossing them into the lake was another amusing activity.

At the end of the day, only the sand castle was left behind as we took our toys, towels, and sandy memories with us.

Hope your Summer days are filled with fun in the sun and sandy memories too!

Thanks for stopping by.

Halfway There :: Our Latest Project

Hey there!  It sure has been awhile since my last post.  That's because I've been working on a new project.  I guess you could say that it's a collaboration with my husband, Chris.  The past few months of this project have really been taking a toll on me physically, but in the end it'll all be worth it...

...because in the end we'll be welcoming a new member of our family.  That's right, we're expecting!

Now, the unfortunate part is that pregnancy does not agree with me in the slightest.  Just like when I was pregnant with our son Oliver, severe nausea and vomiting have become a part of daily life.  And everything smells terrible!  The smell of the dog, cologne, soaps, the fridge, and even my own skin gets my stomach churning.

We are now halfway through the year of 2012 (can hardly believe it!), and we are also just past the halfway point of this pregnancy.  After our experience with miscarriage last year, I have found it difficult to be excited about the arrival of a baby, just in case it doesn't happen... until now.

A few days ago, we had an ultrasound and found out that they think we're having a girl!

Since then, all I can think about is decorating the nursery and how much I love the name that we've picked for her (although if it turns out to be a boy, that's ok too).

Oliver is going to be a fabulous big brother and already has a nickname for his little sister... "Oatmeal".

Even though I won't quite breathe a sigh of relief until she is born healthy and in our arms, it feels good to finally replace some of the doubt and pessimism with some happiness and excitement... and maybe even a little bit of joy.

I hope you are all experiencing some joy this summer too!

Thanks for stopping by.

Andrea