Tobermory/Cyprus Lake

We took our final camping trip in Canada last weekend. We headed up to Tobermory and camped at Cyprus Lake. On Saturday we went into town and decided to take the 2 hour boat ride around a couple smaller islands then around Flower Pot Island. It was a bit of a foggy day but we had some nice sun breaks along the way.

The girls and I waiting to board the boat for our ride.

Matt and Grace on the top deck enjoying the sights.

Back when my dad was here in the spring of 'o9 we hiked out to this light house and the whole harbor was frozen over. It was neat to see it from the water unfrozen.

I sneaked a picture of Matt while he was enjoying being a boat again. He was getting excited for his fishing trip.

The girls hanging out on the bow of the boat.

The girls "stole" my camera and took this picture of themselves.

The large "flower pot" on Flower Pot Island.

After dinner we went on a hike around the lake.

And of course stopped for some pictures....

Kaitlyn and Brody

Kaitlyn and Brody

Looking down on her from the hay loft

Rounding the corner getting ready to jump. (This is my favorite picture)



Beginning jump.....

Mid jump...

Rachel on Ben and Kaitlyn on Brody

At the end of lessons Kaitlyn was feeling pretty good on Brody and started doing some funny things with her arms. I really enjoy watching Kaitlyn each week as she grows in her abilities as a horse girl. It really is her love!

Dancing Horses

This is what's called "Pas de Duex". Which means dancing with two. It's a ballet term but this is on horses. This is one of many routines used for Pony Club that you test for to get to different levels in horse riding. Kaitlyn and Rachel had a blast doing this and it was so cool to see. I wish my camera would have been able to show the whole arena!

Coming Home

If you haven't heard already we are coming home! Yep we are moving back to Kennewick. We thought we would be around for another year but for many different reasons we have decided it is time to come back.

After almost 20 months of living in Canada I sit and look back at the adventure God had us on. It gave the girls the opportunity to live in another country, one that really isn't a whole lot different from the US. It gave each of us a new appreciation for culture differences. We learned a lot from our friends here and look at these differences in a way I think Jesus Himself would see them.

We got to see some parts of the world that we most likely would not have seen. Like~ a great lake, Toronto, New York City, the girls getting to meet my cousins and aunt and uncle in New Jersey, DisneyWorld and many different parts of Ontario.

We met many people who have influenced our lives in many different ways. The friendships the girls made. The career experience Matt got working at a Nuclear Power Plant. And so much more....

But the time has come. God has showed us in such amazing ways that it is time. I know He has something big and wonderful for us in our future. Each place He brings us to He prunes and grows us in a way only He can.

So, to our Canadain friends thank you for letting us be apart of your lives for a short time. We will miss you dearly but I know through email and facebook we will keep a connection.

To our friends and family back home. We can't wait to see you and spend more time being with you on a regular basis.

Canada's Wonderland

Last Friday I went with Kaitlyn and the school band to Canada's Wonderland. I have been trying all week to get these pictures and a video loaded but when I get to the video it freezes. So 3rd times a charm but without the video on this post, I'll put it on a separate one.

Like I said, Kaitlyn and I went to Canada's Wonderland. This is an annual trip the band takes each year. It's sort of like a reward for such a great year. They do play for an adjudicator and get critiqued but do not receive any awards. It's more for fun and to learn.

We started off our day on the Pshyclone. It swings like a pendulum and where you sit turns also. It gets all the way up to a 90 degree angle. My daredevil daughter went on it 3 times. I could barley handle once!




The swings were more my speed after that scary ride. I remember riding the swings at the Kitsap County Fair. Loved them!




Delaney and Kaitlyn are off on one of the old wooden roller coasters. It was quite a ride. Very rough but cool to say I rode a wooden coaster.



We ended our morning with an epic ( as Kaitlyn would say ) merry go round ride. Here is Don ( Delaney's dad ) with our group. Lance, Claire, McKenzie, Delaney, Kaitlyn and Lori. ( Lori's dad was with us also but not in the picture )



Lunch time! That's the cool bus we got to ride in to Toronto where the park is located. I tell you this is the way to travel!




All the kids getting ready to go play.



Not the best picture of the whole band but you get the idea. Mrs. VanVeghal is THE BEST music teacher! She does some amazing things with these kids and the band just loves her!



Then it was back at it. We went on a bunch more rides. We ended the day on the Behemoth roller coaster. This is the longest, tallest roller coaster in North America. I almost didn't go on it because I was getting SO freaked out looking at it all day. But then I figured I better because if I don't I'll regret it. You have to check this thing out. If you want to YOU TUBE it and there is a video that someone took from the front seat. That first drop is 320 feet straight down!

It was a very fun day and I'm so glad I got the chance to go.

Peter Pan Play

The girls and I went with the drama club and choir to Stratford to see Peter Pan and tour the warehouse. I learned alot and have a new appreciation to what goes into making a play. Peter Pan was great and my favorite part what the Jolly Roger ship. That was amazing!



There were rows and rows of costumes like this. The warehouse have 55,000 costumes!




Lots of racks with head dresses and hats.



Kaitlyn trying on a costume.


Gracie and Rylee being silly with their costumes.



Of course I had to try something one too!

Brody the new Fjord

Kaitlyn riding on Brody for
the first time.



Getting ready to jump...




and they are up.....



and over!!!

It was fun watching Kaitlyn on another new horse last night. Brody was a great horse who knew what to do and had a lot of energy. He kept on wanting to go into a trot while Kaitlyn was warming him up. Another great night at lessons!