Catch up...

I know it's been a while since I last posted - so I'm going to make one post to combine all that has happened since then.

To start - we've been really enjoying our summer.

Last week, my Aunt Kathy and her friend Donna came for a visit from Ontario. It was mostly a relaxing week with some sight-seeing in our new surroundings (Grand Falls, New Brunswick), some picture taking, a drive to the US to shop and a day trip to Fredericton, New Brunswick for Donna (who is an artist) to explore the Beaverbrook Art Gallery among other attractions.

The weather did not really cooperate for us to spend time in the pool - but we made do!

Day 1 we went for a drive in the country around Grand Falls & Drummond (where Jacques grew up - which is mostly a part of Grand Falls) with camera's in hand!

In Grand Falls, it is often you will hear the whistling sound of a train in the distance many train tracks in the area (it's only cargo trains, there are no longer passenger trains that go through here). This is a new sound for me and I LOVE it. I find it very soothing.

This photo below is a HUGE train bridge, it always reminds me of the movie Stand By Me (remember this movie, specifically when the boys ran across the train bridge to beat the train). Jacques tells me that he used to do this when he was a kid. Well not chase the trains, but they would walk across the tracks.




One of the days that Aunt Kathy & Donna were here, we walked the trails that go beside the FALLS and farther down the gorge. I had only done a small part of this trail MANY years ago when I first met Jacques.





The day we went to Fredericton, we brought Zach with us. While Aunt Kathy & Donna went to the 'adult' things, the boys & I went to Science East. After we explored for a few hours, we met back up with Aunt Kathy & Donna to have lunch.
The photo below is the cool life size kaleidoscope that we climbed into.


After lunch, the boys & I went to the NB Sports Hall of Fame. It was fun and quick. Not much interactive stuff for the kids to do. But the coolest discovery was that Matt Stairs (from the Blue Jays) is from Fredericton. Further to that, we were going to see a Jays game 3 days later and Noah wanted to get a Blue Jays Webkinz and name him 'Matt Stairs'. So when we discovered that he was from Fredericton (and the whole 1st floor was a display of his career), we found it very cool.

The photo below is the 'jersey' collection of all the teams Matt Stairs played for in his career.


On the drive home from Fredericton, we got off the highway to stop in Hartland, New Brunswick home of the worlds longest covered bridge. It was a quick stop as the boys (Noah, specifically was getting very cranky, hungry and tired) and we all just wanted to get home.

Then it was time for our ROAD TRIP. My first time driving alone (13 hours) to Ontario to see my family. I have to admit, I was very nervous. Aunt Kathy & Donna stayed with me through Quebec then we parted in Ontario. To some extent, it was stressful trying to keep track of another car but there was some comfort in knowing that they were so close. Now, I am not worried for driving at all. It went perfect (except for the HEAVY rain right before Montreal). But other than that - I felt comfortable driving, Noah was the BEST behaved I had EVER seen him in the car (he even napped which is a very rare occurrence when we travel).

The photo below was my view for a great majority of our trip.

Then there was Noah with his green silly putty.....aka, his mustache. He had this mustache on for probably a good 2 hours, bopping and singing to his MP3, colouring, watching a DVD. When it came time to take it off, a part of it was stuck on his face like bubble gum after it dries. We had to scrape to get that part off.

I am so proud of Noah from this road trip. I knew he could do it. He showed so much responsibility and patience. I am thrilled! When we travel (the 3 of us) Noah usually requires more help than he did on this trip. He is usually always asking me to get him something or reach for something that fell, etc.

This trip around, before we left I sat him down and had a serious talk with him. I explained that I would be counting on him to help me reach for drinks and snacks, I also explained that I needed him to be very careful with dropping his things because I would not be able to reach for them while I was driving. I explained that I was a teensy bit scared and I needed him to occupy himself as much as he could (like, getting his own movies, snacks, etc).

I giggled at the part of the trip (leading up to Montreal, Quebec) when the DOWN POUR began (something that I am a 'fraddy-cat' to drive in), I explained to Noah to 'keep the volume down' because I had to really concentrate on driving. And he did. He also gave me some advise. He said "Mom, just fight your fear, I know you can do it"!! So I did, along with pray the whole way through the rain. And we did it.....

Once the rain stopped (for the 1st time), he handed me a picture he coloured of me driving on the highway. It had a little bubble out of the car (on his side of the van) that said "Mommy fited her feer and did it, I'm so prowd of mi mom". (the translation would be "mommy fighted her fear and did it, I'm so proud of my mom"). I laughed and we giggled. He was proud of himself for giving me some good solid advise, as was I. He is growing up so fast :(


We treated Mom & John (Grandma & Grandpa) to a Blue Jay's game (as a late Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthday, Anniversary present). The day we went happened to be "Webkinz Day".
The first 5000 kids received a free Blue Jay's Webkinz - a Webkinz that is not available at the stores. This photo below is as we were arriving at the Rogers Center - downtown Toronto (a place I do NOT miss - the traffic, the fumes, etc)
We ended up with pretty good seats - Noah's choice of outfield.

Noah picked out the T-Shirt of choice, one for him AND one for dad - so they could have matching shirts. Noah wore the shirt with pride the entire game. Unfortunately, the Jays lost the game - but I believe fun was had by all!
I finally got a pink baseball hat - I however did not wear it the entire game.


After the game, we were 'supposed' to do the CN Tower with Nick, Noah & I but when Nick announced that he did not want to go - suddenly Noah did not want to go :( I was kinda disappointed because I thought Noah would have loved it - but at least I got a photo with Noah, his Jay's Webkinz and the CN Tower behind him!

As we were relaxing one day, Tricia (my sister) looked outside and yelled at all of us to get our shoes on, to come outside and see. This was only the 2nd time I had ever seen a double rainbow and although the photo does not really show it....the larger of the two rainbows was the MOST PERFECT and beautiful rainbow I had EVER seen.