Ontario Celebrations

We just arrived back from three weeks of holidays and it was jammed full of celebrations and family time.

 

Wedding # 1 - Spencer and Sarah McKenzie

Spencer was a regular at our house when we lived in Frankford and we were thrilled to be invited to his wedding and meet his wife and reacquaint with his family and friends.

Spencer and Sarah McKenzie

Mr. & Mrs. Alex Doolittle (Alex was another one of our boys)

I sure do have a nice looking plus one!



Next on our itinerary was to celebrate our 2nd oldest granddaughter's kindergarten graduation.

Our second oldest granddaughter, Miss Emma!

What a sweetie Emma is and it was so fun to be there for this!

Next....Wedding # 2 - Jenn and Joe's big day had finally arrived.

The whole gang!

Jacob, our oldest grandson.  He learned how to swim while
we were at the cottage.

Sarah, Emma, Jacob and Abby!

Here is the youngest "Davison"

Anthony and Nanny

Abby and Emma

Rachael, our son's girlfriend.  She's one of my Alberta girls.

 Then Canada Day arrived...let the celebrations continue!  150 years is a long time.

We weren't done with the cake and balloons yet.  We were able to celebrate my parent's 60th anniversary with all three girls being home.

Together again.  It's been a very long time.

With the extras, add-ons or better known as the in-laws.

 After 2 weddings, an anniversary, a kindergarten graduation and Canada's birthday we relaxed and enjoyed the lake and family time.

My Sarah girl.  She is my little princess.

And here is Grandpa's big boy.

Abby wasn't too sure of us but she tried to make the best of it.  Happy Popsicles certainly helped.

Jacob

Emma

Love the lake and love these kids.

 And as the sun set on our vacation we were thankful that we were able to be home for all of these special times and to be able to reacquaint with friends and make special memories with our family.  So much happened and there are so many more pictures that I could share but I think this gives an idea of when we go to Ontario we try to make the most of it!

Tornado Warnings & Storm Clouds Brewing

I've seen the warnings before and have watched the skies with some concern but last Friday was different.

I had ridden my bike to work and when I was leaving someone told me that I better get home fast because there was black sky in the north.

Sure enough it looked threatening and there was a little rain.  When I got going I turned around to check the traffic and I noticed a funnel cloud was in the sky behind me. People were starting to come out of their houses with their phones, some talking, others taking pictures...many pointing up to the sky and shouting warnings to me.  I peddled faster.

When I got home I quickly put my bike away, grabbed the planters and put them in the garage and ran out to take a few pictures.

It was a crazy experience but when the tornado touched down it did some local damage to a couple of homes and fortunately no one was hurt. 

When the dust settled Ron showed up on national tv.

He was quoted.  He's famous now!

 

When it was all over and done with the only damage done to our house was a sign that had blown unto our lawn.

We had another storm happen in our life this past week.  We had taken my engagement ring into the jeweler a while ago to have some claws repaired.  Long story, shortened into one sad story...they lost my ring between the jeweler and the goldsmith.  A storm of tears arrived with the phone call.  Ron jumped off the couch and we headed into Calgary to see what they could do.  They have agreed to redesign my ring and create a duplicate one.  It's not quite the same but at least I still have the great guy that gave me that ring 34 years ago.

In the mean time Ron bought me a wonderful new set.  It's a beautiful Arctic Brilliance Canadian Diamond rose gold set.  He's such a keeper.  I'm so sad that they lost my ring but so happy that I've got the best husband ever.

 Tornados, storms and rain clouds can come our way but there is always something bright and shiny to look for in our future....like a brand new sparkly ring!

It's Happening Again!

This week has been a busy one.  Throughout the weekend we cleaned, sorted, straightened and decluttered because that's what you do when you are about to list your house. 


On Tuesday, our real estate agent came and did the paperwork and took the pictures.  That same day the appraiser came to make sure that we listed the house for the right price.


Yesterday, we did the phone interview with the person that was assigned to us for relocation.


Today, the listing showed up on Realtor.ca


Our House


So, now we wait.  We have to constantly live like company is coming: making sure to put the shoes in the closet, dishes in the dishwasher, toilet seats down, garbages emptied and shower curtains pulled.  Well, at least that is how I live.  Ron's still enjoying the house!


Now I have the questions:

• How long before we get the first showing? 
• Will there be any serious offers? 
• Will we be sitting here in this house in the fall, Christmas, next year?

I will try and be patient and enjoy this pretty, busy little town that we live in.  This weekend Ron will work and the town will be flooded with people for Cruise Weekend....fancy, new and antique cars will all be on display.

The Mountains Were Calling

The start of Ron's four days off brought high winds and rain.  We decided it was best to stay at home and get some things done.  By Saturday the clouds had rolled away leaving a more manageable wind behind.  We decided that we just had to head towards the mountains. 

Our first stop was at our boy's since we needed to drop a few meals off for his next set of shifts...well, we didn't have to but I kind of spoil him.  He was no where to be seen but his house was full.

He even had two girls there.  Rachael was gardening and cleaning.

And Richelle was just ready to go on a motorcycle ride.  She wasn't cool enough to go with us...or was it the other way around????

I do like her helmet though.

We had lunch at a Greek Restaurant where the waiter almost fell over backwards when we walked in.  He thought Ron looked so much like a Greek actor.  He was almost speechless.  Rachael and I thought it was quite funny and Ron wore his sunglasses and tried to play the part.  After lunch, we headed for ice cream and then we off to the mountains.  We had already seen a moose with two babies along the way.  That was pretty exciting.  The skies were nice and blue and the mountains were spectacular.

We weren't the only ones enjoying the scenery. 

There were lots of people enjoying the beautiful day after a few nasty ones.  We found a pretty little spot to rest and soak in the sun.

Along our way we saw lots of deer, some big horn sheep and a couple of horses just running along the road.

True to our past biking days the clouds begin to roll in at the end of the day and we just stayed a head of the sprinkles but could hear the thunder pushing us towards home.

Now it's back to work for us.