More pictures

Dawson's little toad he found in the woods.
Kaitlin taking pictures of Dan and me.

Kortney and Alex eating Grandma's cookies.
The men coming back from "fishing"
The big nickle in Sudbury.

Our yearly tradition

Kaitlin loved canoeing!

Travis and Jarod's beach project More beach fun
Our resorts potluck dinner. First half of the group...
second half

Well I finally have a chance to update again! Where has the summer gone?!!

Yesterday we came back from our week at the cottage. Whenever we tell people we're going to the cottage (Shebe) they think we have one. Well we think of the resort as ours....It all started 30 years ago this summer. Dan's family, aunts, uncles, (from both sides), neighbours and friends have been going up the same week in August. The group has grown over the years and there are now 3 resorts on the same lake we all stay at. Every year things change slightly. We used to share a large cottage with 3 other couple but now that we all have kids we changed it to 2 couples per cottage. The past two years Dan, the kids and I have rented our own one. It's great. The cottages are all close together and ours is practically on the beach. The kids love it. Since we take over the resort the kids can go from cottage to cottage or up to the park mostly at their own free will. They have the freedom to roam and they love it. Everyone is always sad to come home knowing another year has come and gone.
Since the weather wasn't great, Dan and I took the kids up to Sudbury to Science North and to the Dynamic Earth. This was a great day. The science centre had so much for them to see and do and at Dynamic earth we went on a tour of the mines. The highlight was the kids panning for gold. We actually found 3 pieces we could keep. Tiny gold flecks - but the kids were thrilled.

So that's what we've been busy at. Today we went school shopping so reality of the end of summer is hitting the kids. Travis isn't happy, Kaitlin just wants to wear her new clothes and Dawson can't wait.

I'll let you know how the first day goes!
Michelle

More critters

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Yes Dan has brought home more critters. He has been wanting to get some sheep now since last winter but hasn't been able to find the breed he wants. This group of mixed sheep was a good deal and was close to home. There are 19 of them plus Gilbert. Gilbert is the pet sheep that almost died at birth. His last owners nursed him back to health and is now very friendly.

The kids are thrilled to have the sheep out in the shed. All Dawson wants to do is ride on one.

With these sheep came an "extra bonus" as Travis like to call it - 14 free chickens. We already had 10 chickens who will start to lay eggs when they're a bit older. These new chickens are a year old so the kids are going out and collecting eggs every day. This is very exciting to them to see how many there are each time. Every morning and every night the kids are responsible for doing the chores in the shed. A recap of the animals - sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys, a dog and a cat. They have been doing really good everyday and so far there hasn't been any complaints.

This place is really starting to feel like a petting zoo. I know the kids are so lucky to have this. I hope it teaches them a love for animals and responsibility. Something everyone wants for their children. I'm glad we're able to have the life we live.

Michelle