Best Camping Trip Ever!!!

One week ago today, we ventured off to Charleston Lake Provincial Park for a family camping trip. It was absolutely great!!! There was quite a bit of rain predicted in the forecast, but we got very little of it and enjoyed four days of camping. Although we didn't see much sun until Sunday, the weather was quite warm and the humdid ex helped out a bit. There were lots of cool park sponsored activities. They had presentations for children every day in the morning. What kind? Just cool nature stuff that kids like such as learning about turtles or distinguishing between animals that look alike. They also had evening presentations at an outdoor ampitheatre. We attended two of them titled Dragonflies and Damsel Flies and also The Black Ratsnake. At the end of these presentations, the staff had a password that the children had to remember. After collecting three password, they could report to the Park Naturalist Staff, tell them the passwords and then they were awarded the title of Park Junior Naturalist. Riley is a Junior Naturalist at Charleston. Do you know what a tenerrel, odanata, or hybernaculum is? Need a biology lesson, ask Riley. While at Charleston, we also hiked two trails. They were excellent as one trail hiked through rock crevices and the other under a native rock shelter. We also saw very beautiful views overlooking the lake. Very cool. Clayton also had the opportunity to take the boys fishing while Mommy and Grace went napping on Saturday afternoon. Much to my surprize, my sons provided everyone with a fish supper that evening. They caught the fish themselves with their Mickey Mouse and Tigger rods. Awesome. They totally out fished their Dad as they had already caught five before he even got one. A little embarrassing, wouldn't you say? And, Brodie pulled a Grandpa Pete on his fishing partners and managed to catch a nap with his rod in hand. They had a great trip. Finally on Sunday, the sun came out. We got some beech time in before heading home. Otherwise, the rest of our trip was spent cooking, hangin around the fire or going for walks and bike rides. Brodie did great riding his new bike and improved really quickly. I hope you have enjoyed all the photos. We all sure enjoyed the trip. Well, that's pretty much it. It's time for me to get to bed. Evelyn

Goodness Gracious

Good Morning everyone. It's shortly after 6 am and I should be at the gym. But, I had a hard time finidning a few essentials like my ID card, so, I thought I would update the blog quickly and head off to work quickly. Clay and the kids are still sleeping, of course.

So, last week I was on leave all week. The kids and I went to visit friends in Belleville. Then, we made our way to Charleston Lake, only 45 minutes away, for some camping we had an awesome time. The weather held out for us and turned out to be pretty good. The kids had a great time and Brodie really didn't want to go home. I don't have time to get all the pictures and write up done from our camping trip but I will leave you with some pre-camping trip photos and videos. Most of the photos are from Mark and Lorrie Ebert's house. As it was recently Brodie's birthday, they gave him a really cool water T-ball set. The boys love this thing and we got some videos that could be sent away to Funniest Home Videos.



Bye for now,

Evelyn

Brodie's Birthday

Hi Everyone,

Officially, Brodie is 3 years old today. We had a party for him and it went really well. He had five friends over for a pizza party. The kids played in the new sandbox that Clay built last weekend, in the pool that Uncle Mark and Auntie Laura and family gave him for his Birthday and with all the balls and the net in the backyard. The afternoon/evening was great and was topped off by a Lightning McQueen Birthday cake, made by Mommy. Apparently I am the best cake maker ever according to Riley and Brodie. He got lots of great gifts, and his very own, first bike ever. Riley and Brodie were so excited that they couldn't fall asleep tonight.

Speaking of the new sandbox, the kids out grew their other one, rather, their toys did, so Daddy decided it was time for a new one. A little bit of digging, a few trips to Rona and a lot of pounding and here is the finished product. All three of them love, love, love the sandbox.



And finally, here are a few more photos around the house and in the yard. The picture of me in my uniform was taken at 19 1/2 weeks. I managed to squeeze in there. That won't be happening for quite a while as the belly is popping out. The others are just us doing our regular thing around the house. Riley played his last soccer game last Monday and got a medal. Brodie thought it would be cool to join the army and Grace likes to try to feed herself. Well I had better get to bed. Good night all and enjoy,

Evelyn


Evelyn and the Gang

Our Four Babies

Hi Everyone,

Well, it's time to get with the blog and update it. Here are some photos that were taken by Great Canadian Baby Photographers, the ones that come to you house and turn your living room into a studio. As well, we have a some special first photos of Baby # 4. Yes, that's right. In case you didn't know, our 4th and final baby is due Jan 1st. Clay and I are thrilled and the timing couldn't be better.

As for the first three tykes, they are doing great. Riley will wrap up his first soccer season tomorrow, Monday the 13th August. He has improved so much over the soccer season and has loved and looked forward to every soccer game. Brodie loved Riley's soccer season too and would practice with the team. He is potty trained now, which we are loving, because we did not want three kids in diapers. As for Grace, she is still a tough little, show-them-what-for girl. She isn't afraid of much and is a little dare devil. Our neighbours figure she is more like a two year old boy with pig tails and earrings. She is also such a Daddy's girl. She says "bye-bye" to me when I leave for work, but cries when Daddy leaves. The three of them are so sweet and we are enjoying them so much.

As for Clay, he is working hard on his thesis project. He has managed to get his test engine put together and wired all up with hydro. He is at the stage where he is almost ready for testing. He is thoroughly enjoying this part of his masters program and is very enthused to work with really hot fire blasting through an engine.

Finally, as for me, I am doing great as always and having a wonderful pregnancy. I will be 20 weeks along on Tuesday and have been feeling fantastic. I am enjoying and savouring every little kick and movement inside because this will be my last pregnancy. I am keeping up my fitness routine of weights and cardio, as I feel like it gives me more energy throughout the day and I enjoy keeping in good shape. As for work, I have already been back for six weeks and am really enjoying my job at the School of Communications and Electronics.

Well, I hope this finds everyone well and happy. We are looking forward to a camping trip next week and a visit from our friends Justin, Nicole and Baby Yann for the September long weekend. Bye for now,

Evelyn and the Gang