Arriving at Lake Kipawa

We drove all the way to Laniel, Quebec. We stopped for gas two times...at 10:25, we stopped in the US to exchange money before crossing the border. We has slowed traffic on the bridge at 10:35PM and didn't enter Canada until 11:10PM. There was a lot of traffic! We ate breakfast at Jim Horton's at 6:10AM. While I was driving (340AM-520AM), I saw a road sign that indicated it was a moose crossing. I was looking forward to seeing a moose...just one! This is a picture as we are driving next to Lake Kipawa...before we reached the dock. We arrived at the dock at 8:21AM and Brad was waiting for us with the boat. We were able to get everything from the Yukon into the boat in one trip...including us! As we drove across the water to the cabin, the scenery was breathtaking...

When we arrived, Monica, Haley, Tyler, Chloe, and Blake were waiting on the dock. The kids were especially excited to see each other. They got busy painting rocks they had found around the cabin.

Haley made a duck with her rock! Aleigha was busy painting.

Lunch! Notice the girls are wearing their matching shirts! The boys were absent in this photo because they all went on a boat ride before lunch...and had a little boat trouble (so they say).

A Visit to "Sandy Beach"

After lunch, Nathan and I took the big kids (all except Blake and Aleigha...it was naptime) to "Sandy Beach."

Whittney, Haley, Chloe, Tyler, and Gavin...happy to be together again!

Playing in the sand...

Chloe and Haley looking for treasures.

Gavin...looking a little cold.

Nathan was trying to get the kids to skip rocks...It was fun to watch them try!

Chloe's sandy hands...

Playing...

Haley is holding a small frog that she found on the shore.

On the way back to the cabin, Tyler drove! He is a great driver!

A Walk Through the Woods

This afternoon, we took a walk behind the cabin to see the newest construction. A developer is creating a road to bring more cabins to Lake Kipawa. The kids had fun exploring! Brad and Monica were disappointed with the possibility of having neighbors on the lake.

The boys were first to venture down the hill and throw rocks in the standing water...there were some frogs in the water and Daddy thought it would be funny to through a rock in from the top of the hill...

Aleigha was NOT impressed that the rock Daddy threw landed on the frog in the water...Daddy thought it was funny...

Haley and Aleigha...buddies through the whole trip!

The kids were enjoying the beautiful weather...the rocks...and the frogs!

Our First Evening...

Brad and Daddy were getting ready to go out fishing for the evening...after supper. It was perfect with the Ohio State and Indiana shirts! The competition begins to see who can catch the most fish over the next week...Ohio State or Indiana!

After the dads left, it was time for Blake's bath. Since there was no running water, Monica boiled water to put in the "washing machine" for his bath. He seemed to LOVE the bath!

Smiling...

One happy guy...

Monica and the kids brought "Model Magic" with them. It was new to us, but the kids thought it was wonderful. Aleigha created some things by mixing red and yellow tonight. After things are made, you set it out and it dries to become hard...for a keepsake!

Leaving For Canada

Today the kids and I packed the Yukon for our next family vacation. We had the truck packed to the limit...with just a little room for the kids and us! We left the house and stopped to say good bye to Grandpa Pat and Grandma Suzie...then to say good bye to Grandpa and Grandma (and drop off Max). Then we headed on our way at 7PM...knowing we had at least 12 hours of driving ahead of us! The kids were anxious and excited to start our voyage!

Monica (my cousin), Brad, and their four children invited us to spend the week with them. Brad's family owns a cabin in Laniel, Quebec on Lake Kipawa. They usually go every summer to spend time there fishing and enjoying nature. We were looking forward to getting to spend time with them and see what Canada was like!

Happy Birthday, Aubrey!

Today we went to Aubrey's first birthday party! It is amazing that she is 1!!! Here is the birthday girl.

Of course Aleigha wanted to hold Aubrey...the birthday girl!

Uncle Andy grilling alone...
...but not for long. Gavin wanted to help Uncle Andy out.

Olivia and Whittney made Aubrey a party hat. We were entertained because it looked just like a graduation hat.

When it was time for Aubrey to open gifts, Uncle Andy was taking pictures. Gavin was sitting by Uncle Andy and actually started taking some pictures...we hope they turn out okay!

Gavin is talking to Uncle Andy about the pictures.

Aubrey opening her books...

The birthday girl...

Cake time!

Hmmm...this cake looks delicious.

Yumm.....

This cake is wonderful...but I'm getting a little tired.

If you look close, you will see finger marks in the side of the cake. Aubrey grabbed the cake and we thought she was going to pick up the cake and shove it in her face. We think she liked it!!!

Gavin looking pretty suspicious! Before we left, Gavin asked if he could spend the night with Uncle Andy. Although it sounds like a fun idea, Uncle Andy has to go to work in the morning...no sleepover tonight!

An Afternoon With Friends

Thane (Daddy's friend) invited us to his parent's house for lunch today. I went to take pictures of the girls...Whittney was NOT impressed and didn't want her picture taken. Aleigha on the other hand, was posing for the pictures.

Still posing...

Then she wanted to jump on the trampoline...still posing!

Gavin and Joel had fun swimming and floating around in the paddle boat. Gavin is trying to tell me something, I think.

Aleigha took this picture of Neal and Bev's Boston Terrier. What a cutie!

The Reception

Aleigha was happy holding Jake.

Kevin and Brianna enjoying the cake...

Olivia thinking about dancing.

Whittney and Daddy...

Gavin and Mommy...