Echoes of Laughter

Today was a “special day” with my only niece, Madison.We picked her up at 10:30 and first stop was the “Clayground” where the kids each painted a piece of pottery.Tyler chose an 8×8″ tile. He painted Saturn, the galaxy, a vortex and Luke skywalker on his tile.It was amazing.Hunter chose an 8×8″ tile and painted flowers, border and dots, along with a big “H”.Madison chose a butterfly coaster and painted a kaleidioscope of colors. It was beautiful.Perfect thing to do on a rainy day.It poured cats and dogs all day. Wet as all get out.Next stop was lunch.Then we hit Read More »

Madison chose to go to Pizza Delight for lunch.The best garlic fingers ever!!!There are about 60 of these franchises across Canada, but none in Edmonton.Edmonton is “Boston Pizza” country.

The Bulk Barn.

of every kind of candy imaginable.Haven’t found a place like this in Edmonton yet.

Each little poppet could pick out 3 kinds of candy each.A golf ball-sized amount of each type of candy.It took an hour to look thru all the candy and make the final decision.Hey! Daddy! Checkout the gum behind the kids.

and all 3 kids got one of these suckers.Gob stopper. Jaw breaker. Okey Dokey. Whatever you want to call it.

We lived near the Bay of Fundy, which is famous for having the highest tides in the world.Here is the Cornwallis River at High Tide.This river is about 5 minutes from my parents house.It deposits into the Bay of Fundy.Last year, there was a pod of dolphins who had mixed up radar and actually swam up this river.Some were rescued and some died in the mud.

Here is the river at Low Tide.High and Low tides are usually 12 hours apart.But they vary from week to week.High tide this week can be at 4.52pm, but next week it can be 8:37pm.Many tourist have been trapped on beaches, unaware of the high tides until it is too late.It is always wise to keep your eyes on the ocean to see if it is coming in or going out.

Tyler & Uncle Ken playing Crazy 8’s.

These girls had a ball at the lake together.It has been 2 years since they last saw each other.They picked up right where they left off. Best of friends & cousins.Gemma & Michelle are home from Kenya for a month.We are so glad that we are in Nova Scotia to see them.

boogie boarding at sunken lake.

A view of the lake.This lake has been in my family since the 1840’s.I lived here until I was 6 years old.It is a tranquil place.No sea-doos. No motor boats. No high speed anything.Just peace & quiet.Being here makes me feel close to my grandparents.

We enjoyed a wonderful visit with Uncle Ken & Aunt Zelma at the lake.It was so PEACEFUL and serene.The kids loved swimming in the lake, despite a few leeches.Loved playing cards with Uncle.Their dream home is beautiful. We ate and slept like Kings.

On Tuesday we also visited this wonderful couple.I have always enjoyed visiting them.Lovely people.Got my best friend’s new address and phone number.

On Tuesday we did some visiting.Tyler & Tristan went to New Minas Childrens Centre together from around 20 mos. to approx. 4 yrs.They were great little friends.They were so happy to see each other.They ran off to play in no time.Tristan has invited Tyler for a SLEEPOVER on Saturday.He is SUPER excited!!!

Tyler thinks goggles are the best invention since sliced bread.“You can see everything really good!”.

Here’s the whole gang at Ruthanne’s pool.Aunt Pat also treated us to Chinese food for supper.She ordered it and picked it up in New Minas & we ate with Ruthanne by the pool.Ruthanne got out the wine for us.Such a cool, relaxing day.Thank you Daddy for sending us home to Nova Scotia!!!!!!!!!!It has been GREAT!

called a boogey board. Best $9.99 at Super store ever.Also called the “Black Pearl” if you are playing “Pirates of the Carribean”.

It was 36 degrees in the sun. Here are the kids with Ruthanne.The pool was so cool and refreshing and the kids swam for 3 hours straight.I got the kids a uv body glove shirt so they wouldn’t get burned to pieces in the hot sun.It has an SPF protection of 50!It was great. We got home and no burns at all.

We had such a fantastic day with Aunt Pat & Madison & Hayden.Aunt Pat rented a jumpy thing for the kids.That provided 2 hours of great fun.I jumped in it too.It turned out to be a really hot day. So the little people were running to and fro the pool and the jumper.Then Aunt Pat decided it was time for lunch and we went to Jungle Jim’s.We were invited to Ruth Anne’s for a swim in the afternoon.So we went to Superstore and Aunt Angie bought some boogie boards for everyone.

I convinced Amanda & Trevor to go tubing with me before they went back to Antigonish.I can’t remember the last time I went tubing on the Gaspereau.Since before Hunter was born 10 years ago…..??It was so fun.I banged my butt on the rocks and lost my tube and my croc was floating down the river.But it was a blast. So fun! The kids and i went swimming at Debbie’s last night.Got home at 10pm, but the kids had a ball with Greg & John in the pool. Now it’s Monday morning and we are off to Aunt Pat’s house for Read More »

My cousins Amanda and Trevor arrived from Antigonish to see us.It was great to see them. Amanda is very busy with her work schedule and university.In the afternoon we attended the 60th anniversary party of my Uncle Phillip & Aunt Geneva.It was held at my cousin PJ’s new house in Black Rock. It overlooks the Bay of Fundy.Gorgeous new home. Incredible gourmet kitchen.Slate floors. Fantastic trim.The party was fun. We were able to see lots of old acquatainces.Went to Rosie’s Pub in Wolfville for supper.

Friday was a beautiful sunny day.Phyllis Anne dropped Charlotte & Matthew off to play while she did some errands.She made it back by noon and I had lunch ready for us.We had a wonderful visit and said good bye as they are off to Australia for a month.Grammie called and wanted to know if we could meet her at the grocery store so Hunter and Tyler could help Grammie with her shopping.(I said, “Mom, are you nuts?”)So they did shopping and I went to the scrapbook store and Blockbuster for some movies.We had BBQ chicken for supper and Grampie played Read More »

was a very rainy day.I mailed some postcards and picked up some subway to have lunch with Kirk at the office.Then went to Phyllis Anne’s to stay with the kids while she did some errands.The girls played games and the boys played pirates.After we left, we stopped by my Aunt Geneva & Uncle Phillip’s house to see Michelle & Gemma.It has been 2 years since we saw them last as they have been in Kenya.Gemma and Hunter were so excited to see each other.I called Mom and found out the power was out, so we picked up some A&W for Read More »

rocking chairs . Wish I could have some on my porch in St. Albert.But I think the porch is too small.Tyler tripped in the parking lot just before we snapped these photos and he has blood coming down his arm. But he didn’t cry. Tough little guy. The kids had a sleepover last night with Charlotte & Matthew.Tyler was very excited about having a sleepover.He woke me at 5:50 am. He was getting dressed and packing his bag for Matthew’s house.He couldn’t wait to go to Matthew’s house.Phyllis Anne invited us for supper.We had BBQ shrimp, potatoes and greek salad. Read More »

Mom had the day off yesterday, so we decided to pack up the kids and visit Wheaton’s Country Store and Cafe.We had a wonderful lunch. And browsed around.

It is wonderful to see these two girls together again.Met when they were about 6 weeks old.Have been the best of friends for years.Charlotte stayed for a sleepover last night and it was great to hear them giggling and tee-heeing in the bedroom. Hunter has so missed this beautiful little girl.Can’t believe that they are going to be 10 years soon.

These biker dudes came to see us yesterday, all the way from Shubenacadie. It was so great to see them. LOVE that they bike together after over 20 years of marriage.Aunt Nan and Uncle Steve- You ROCK!