Just a bit late

We went up to Stoney Lake for our tradition of celebrating the fabulous Evelyn's birthday at the cottage a few weeks ago. 

Although it's late, I thought it was important to post these pictures and show the world just how cute this wee madam can be.

 Canada Day birthday is the best.  Fireworks on your big day forever!!

 Let's talk about adorable.  I know she's my 'girl-baby', but my-oh-my that girl is cute!

 Pink and sugary and festive

The 4 year old besties

Happy Birthday, Evy!  We love ya!

Fun for four

Melissa brought the boy-cousins down for a rowdy 24 hour visit yesterday/today.  Nothing like have a 3, 4, 5 and 6 year old boy here at the same time!  The kids were over the moon to see each other and we packed in a great deal of fun despite the short timeline.

Took them down to the beach, which they seemed to enjoy and grabbed a few, chaotic group shots.  I honestly don't know if it's possible for 8 busy eyes to all look my way for a single photo.  They sure are cute though!

One of my favourite moments of the visit is when Hayden (see cool-dude-glasses-guy above) fashioned a super-hero cape for Kismet.  As you do.

I'm not sure what prompted this activity, other than the fact that the Ottawa boys were quite amused by here gargoyle-y face and silliness.

The pictures I got of Hayden attempting to adhere the super-cape to Kismet's back made me laugh out loud.  I love the shots were it looks as though she's screaming "what's happening to meeeeee??!?!".  Also, the creative spelling pleases me greatly. 

 It's official that she is the best-humoured dog in the world.

Can't you just hear her 'woo woo woo-ing'?

I won't lie.  I was asleep on the couch 15 minutes after they'd gone.  Thankfully, Sam held down the fort.  (And Kismet the Super-Dog, of course!)

Thanks!

I loooove Thanksgiving.  Great weather, great food and no pesky presents.  This year was an all-time weather, in terms of the summer-like conditions.

My insane children even went swimming.  Yes, it was warm out but believe me when I say that when I went into the water up to my ankles, it made my teeth hurt.  Freezing!

Lots of fun at the cottage, as usual.  Granny Barb, now 93, seems to be improving with age and made 5 glorious pies for dessert.  She's amazing.

Here are a few pictures.

 Kismet's joy was visible, audible and all-encompassing.  Also, she looks like a gargoyle.

 Not sure what Sam's thinking here.  Suggestions?

 Charley enjoys pumpkin pie with Great Granny B.  He ate 3 pieces.

 Sun spotted, 4 generation shot...

 ...with silliness.

Perfecto

Really, my American friends, you should consider joining us in our fabulous October tradition of thanks.  Spread out the joy between Thanksgiving and Christmas, would ya?

Lake O, woah!

This picture, taken on the Blackberry, doesn't even come close to capturing the beauty of the lake today.  The wind was up, it was a (seemingly) cool 25 degrees and the water was 7 shades of blue.  That makes me very, very happy.

Lakeside

Sometimes I forget that we live a few blocks from a lake as big as a small sea.  When the weather is wild, as it was this afternoon, it's great to head down to the beach and look for pirate treasure. 

Or sticks.  Lots of sticks.

It was windy and rainy but warm.  Don't let the mittens fool you... it was 15 celcius when we were there.  The boys seem to have got used to the sensation of mitt-wrapped hands over the last... oh...4 months of constant wearing them.  I can't quite break them of the habit.  It's fine for now, but is sure going to look silly when July rolls around.  Oh well...  bigger battles to fight, y'know?