The Old and the Restless

When Margot or Mark does the vacuuming, there are two assistants. Joshua and Ella "vacuum" with their "poppers".

Daren and Kyla had a party for Melanie at their new house in Oakville. Bill barbequed chicken made with his "secret recipe". Grandpa Bill with Jack and Callum who are enjoying their bean supper. Jack, William and Callum (with Jane). They asked Grandpa to put on the fan...so he did. Melanie was in Canada for a friend's wedding in Vancouver. She was resting with Daren, Kyla and the triplets before her flight back to Scotland. Daren and Paul. Is this an actuarial discussion? By the time we took the group photo, Bill had left as well as Margot, Mark, Ella and Joshua. Kyla's friend, Kelly, who was visiting from Nova Scotia took the group photo. I met her in February when we were living at Megan and Michael's house.

Before the shower, Ella enjoyed practising on a new set of stairs. A mischievous smile as I nervously watch her going up and down. Megan's childhood friend, Sina, came with her daughter, Ella who is 2 years 4 months. Paul was amazed at how she could carry on a conversation. Behind is Margot's Ella and James, J.J.'s son. Megan in the seat of honour. Megan's friend, J.J. and her daughter Isabel. Although she still has a slight limp, after breaking her leg in 3 places in October 2007, Sharon is back riding her horse again. She borrowed Jake's car to come to the shower. Margot in the lotus position with Jane, Carole's daughter. Margot did all the organizing for the shower, sending invitations, devising games, getting prizes, making the food...

Last Saturday we babysat Joshua and Ella so that Mark and Margot could go to their dinner of the month club. After I showed Ella that thyme smelled interesting, she thought it tasted interesting too. We brought up a "Garden Playhouse", a bargain that they were selling off at Loblaws. Mark decided to put it together right away. Here, Joshua is "testing " the tools. Examining how Daddy is putting it together. Little Helpers. Hard at work.

Joshua showing Michael the water Etch-a-sketch that Daryl and Jane gave to him. Megan and Michael gave Joshua a hopscotch game. He quickly figured out he had to hop on it, but just how to hop has yet to be mastered. Ella went inside whenever her mother did, but peeked out the deck door to see what was happening. Jane demonstrates her famous karate chop for Megan! Just after Joshua blew out the three birthday candles. Joshua singing "Baby Bumble Bee". If only the adults would stop talking while he sings.

Sylvain and Francine have a beautiful custom designed house on the south side of Rice Lake. Their wind turbine was not working on this day because someone had shot at it. This wind turbine makes no sound when it is working, but there are people who resent it being there. Sylvain, a Principal with Eckler Ltd., the actuarial consulting firm for which Paul used to work before he retired, met us at the door. This intriguing sculpture is firmly planted the front of the house. Besides the flowers around the house, Francine has planted enviable vegetable gardens. Choosing flowers for dinner. Sylvain made his special bouillabaisse for dinner. This is an all day affair. Francine went to the market in Toronto to choose the fish for the bouillabaisse. With the dinner we had the traditional Chateauneuf du Pape. For Sylvain's delicious recipe, go to: http://web.me.com/macsyg/ Hilltop_Recipes/Welcome.html . You can also read about Sylvain's fantastic wine cellar at: http://www.hilltopcell...

On the August holiday weekend, Paul and I were cycling (and leading rides) with the Toronto Bicycle Network around St. Catherines and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Our dive buddies from Florida, Glen and Norma, had never been to Niagara Falls. On Tuesday August 4, after the three day cycling weekend, we arranged to meet them at the "lip of the Horseshoe Falls". They crossed the border at Fort Erie, found that their cell-phone did not work in Canada, and, even though there was a lack of signs to get there, eventually found the Falls. When we called on Paul's cell phone, it turned out that they could receive calls and were just across the street from us. Norma photographing the Horseshoe Falls with the American Falls in the background. Nowhere was there any sign saying "Horseshoe Falls". A warm day (for this summer) at the "lip of the Horseshoe Falls". Paul and Glen in front of the cottage. There was no time to cut down the weeds that you can see growing. We were...