OK then....

Camping and the like...

Claire and her Joseph....

looking for jelly fish....

This has been a glorious week spent with my dearest friend! It was nice to just have the younger three, and neat to see how the dynamics change when a few are missing. Daniel returns home tomorrow and will be excited to get into Harry Potter...looking forward to the next month of just being able to relax! off now to have some iced tea and find a spot of shade!

Claire supervising the set up of the tent....

Sam doing his part...

a study in ants....

loving the fresh cool lake....

somw funky game only between Joe and Claire....

roasting marshmallows the first night....

blowing out the flames just before it fell off and landed on his leg causing blistering second degree burns....thank heavens the water faucet was just outside our site.

mmmm these eggs are grand!

the squirrel thought that they were even grander! brazen creature!

Mom, this tree is growing right out of the rock!!!!

looking for fish...

building the great wall of china....

there is sand in my burn!!!

digging for treasures!

heading back to the campsite well refreshed!

bedtime snack with new friend from the next campsite....

charades....

the last breakfast...oh so yummy!

Just a fabulous day!

Daniel and Sam enjoying the "cliffs" at Point Pleasant Park

Hopefully the only "ride" Sam will ever have with a police officer!

Just some jumping fun!

neighbourhood headstand hooliganism...

Sam seems to have a talent for many activities...fearing none of them...

His mother and Leonard from across the street are not too bad themselves! Mind you, the head-rush was a bit much to deal with!

My first born son!

The precious boy that made me a mom for the first time turns eleven today. I cannot begin to fathom where the time has gone. He is an amazing boy who loves life and all those he meets in it. His sense of adventure is grand. Always up for a bike and hike along the trail and through the woods with friends or a quiet time alone enjoying Gram's lake.

Daniel's humour is second to none, and his ability to use sarcasm without getting into trouble is astounding. This road we have travelled together so far has been a fabulous adventure and I have enjoyed learning the ropes with him.

Daniel, you have been a joy from the start, and I hope we will have many more wonderful years of exploring life and all that it holds together!

our wishes for you on your birthday!

Hoping that this next year is a good one with much less heartache and many more happy memories! I'm glad you're my sister and I wouldn't trade that for anything. You are never far from my thoughts. Love Alison

Marg, you are the best sister-in-law that I could wish for...even though you smell like the Stinky-Cheese man and steal ice cream from all the little kids in Hamilton. Ok, seriously, I really love you lots and have so much fun with your sense of humour (how disturbing is that!). Make sure that you give lots of cake and ice cream and presents and down time, etc. to Pernell because thats what I'd want on Alison's birthday. Hud

Happy Birthday. I hope you don,t get cake. muw huw huw ha!!! love Claire

Have a happy B-day, I love you . Have lots of cake ( but share with the kids) have a great year! Sincerly your oldest nephew, Daniel

Hi Mrs. Potato-Head. I love you a lot, Mrs. Potato-Head. I'm not really telling you that because it's a secret. Bye-bye Mrs. Potato Head. And this is what else I want to say, Hi Mrs. Tooters. Bye, bye Tooters. From Sam.