Maxi the foster dog-an update

Maxi came to live with the WB Family on May 21, 2011. Our family intended for the rubanesque Maxi to stay for a bit, like so many other foster beasts have done over the years. Maxi had other plans though....

Maxi wanted to stay. She went straight for the kids and they fell hopelessly in love with her.Then, as an afterthought, she went for mommy and daddy as well. We changed her name to Roxy and she put up with it. You can see the knowing gleam in her eye in the photos. We're sunk.
She's a delightful snuggler and a lap dog to boot. Even though she's lost more than 10 lbs since she moved in, she is still a larger than standard lap dog in Dave's opinion (not that he asked her to move mind you).
So she goes along her merry days at our house. Still listed as "adoption pending" on the Hopeful Hearts website, but that is just a paperwork issue at this point.Because if the dog leaves this house, she'll be taking our hearts with her.

Helicopter Ride

Grandma C and the fellas had lots of fun with a helicopter ride over Ottawa. Monkey recognized many of his favourite places -- the rapids we see on the way to Camp Fortune, the "Clock" (Peace) Tower -- everything looked like models. Big C was pleased to have his toy helicopter with him.

Every trip to the Aviation Museum needs a little time to "ham" it up for the camera.

Daddy and the boys took an opportunity early in the summer to go camping. We packed up all of the gear that we needed and left mommy and Roxy to the house to get some R and R.
We headed south of Kemptville to a nice little family campground. Here is the site where we stayed:

We got the tent laid out flat,and then up!

The boys, along with our neighbour Sean, had to inspect their work:
Daddy was, however, able to erect the clothesline without supervision or inspection:
after a quick swim in the campground pool it was time for some yummy burgers for supper.
after dinner we went out for a little nature walk. We grabbed some dead limbs for firewood and came across this little guy trying to make some new friends (and avoid becoming someone's dinner himself based on his coyness)
We lazed about the swings and the playground and took in some cloud watching. This one was the 'angry ghost'.
Sunset came rather quickly and was just gorgeous. Daddy lit up the fire and got ready to make some s'mores. The boys were excellent chefs and enjoyed their treats greatly.


Daddy did too!
after reading half a book to the boys by flashlight inside the tent, the little ones crashed hard.
after an Ok night's sleep we were prepared for a delicious breakfast. as the heat of the day picked up and the forecast for tomorrow continued to look gloomy, we started to pack up our things, go for a final swim in the pool and then hit the road home to check in on our girls.
Daddy thought it'd be a great way to finish our little boys' holiday by stopping for a soft ice cream cone. Here are the lads enjoying one last treat before we got home.

Daddy's Whitewater Canoeing Trip

This past weekend Daddy and 15 of his co-workers went for a wild weekend on the Madawaska river. Despite the rain on Friday, the mosquitoes all weekend and the 4 times that he was tossed from the canoe, it was a great time. The food was out-of-this-world, the company was fantastic, the guides were outstanding and the adrenaline rushes were ones to remember. It was perhaps the most fun that I've had outdoors in years and I'm looking forward to making these kind of memories with my boys.
Here are a few shots of our accomodations for the weekend -

and a few of the white water that we experienced

an action shot of Scott and I on the water (thanks so much to Scott for organizing the weekend and bringing so many supplies and cool stuff to make the weekend unforgettable)

and finally a few shots of the group

On Friday we did some flat water work to get our skills up to speed.
On Saturday we hit the first rapids and managed to keep our canoe free from damage, though we did manage to bail once.
On Sunday, we turned things up a little and went for the middle of the rapids. The crowd on land told us that we hit the first wave straight on, came cresting with the front of the boat right up out of the water on the second wave...and then totally ate the third wave before dumping the boat. It was awesome!
Here some videos (thank you Rachel for bringing your camera) of Scott and I taking on 'Rifle Shoot Rapid' and trying to slide into 'Feel Good Eddy'.




and finally Kevin and I taking on the last set of rapids. It was quite the long set (likely 250 yards or so) and we tackled it as best we could. I apologize for the wobbly camerawork.




Looking forward to some flatwater canoeing for the next long while (keeping myself and all of my gear dry) and getting out on the water with my boys in a more controlled atmosphere. But wow, what an amazing weekend that I'll never forget.

Silliness on the swings

The boys are almost too big to use our swing set as intended....that has not stopped them from coming up with this game though of counting down and leaping off the swings.It seems to provide hours of fun!!