Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Visit of the Penagos Family















Cesar, Rocio, Cesar Sr, Anais, Rosalia and Fernanda 

During the first week of August we entertained the Penagos family at our home for three days. As Marie and I had cleared out the cabin and had the truck camper set up we had no lack of sleeping space for fourteen people! We drove two vehicles to Montreal to pick them up and with Phil driving his car we returned here the next day to some lovely mid summer weather. I had placed 50 Mexican flags along the driveway to the house and on the deck to welcome everyone in grand style! Cesar Jr had brought his wife Pili and son Nono with him and Anais had brought her daughter Aitana. For supper the first night Phil did amazing pork ribs on the BBQ, then as it was Cesar Jr's birthday another cake was in order - Marie had baked two delicious chocolate cheesecakes earlier in the week. An impromptu gathering by the fire pit followed until we all staggered off to bed after a very long day.


Amy and Rocio

Marie and Rosalia checking out Fer's amazing fried figs
  
Cesar with William, Amy, Aitana and Nono
Amy, Aitana, Nono and William


Cesar and Mama on his birthday
  



Phil, I/C  of the BBQ
 
Pili lighting the birthday cake candles
 
dancing by the cabin


The next day we all drove to Lac Megantic, spending the afternoon at the beach at Baie des Sables swimming and enjoying another hot day, then going to another park downtown that had a water splash area and enough swings and climbing obstacles to keep the four kids happy for hours.   


Cesar and Nono, Lac Megantic


Cesar with his wife Pili and son Nono

Amy doing somersaults

Rocio and Amy


William, king of the watergun

 The next morning before returning to the city we stopped at our local restaurant on the Domaine for a very special breakfast. Then it was time to climb into the three vehicles for another three hour drive to Montreal where we would be celebrating Fernanda's birthday this time. It was the first time we had ever entertained so many people at once and we were both surprised and pleased how well it all went. Hopefully the Penagos family had a wonderful time and will remember their visit for many years to come. The next morning we all had breakfast out again at one of Fer's favourite spots before returning home and getting ready for the party.



Restaurant at Domaine des Appalache
L'Oeufrier restaurant
Christina and Alex drove up from Ontario that afternoon with Damien for Fernanda's birthday. We celebrated in Phil's backyard with lots of kids and guests, breaking the pinata after Fernanda entered another year through a doorway hung with coloured paper - a Mexican tradition they had done for Cesar as well at our home. We said our goodbyes to the Penagos before returning home the next day, our invitation to visit them in Mexico still promised. Maybe this winter...gws




Fernanda breaking through to another year
 
Ben, Alex, Christina, Damien and Marie
Amy impressing the boys





Monday, August 27, 2018

July Days


 World Cup










 Sanding Deck


New Roof Shingles



New Cabin Toilet and Firepit



Shania Twain Now!


Reuben's, Montreal
 For my birthday this year Marie and I took in the "Shania Twain Now" concert at the Bell Centre on the 26th of June. We took the Metro downtown and had an early dinner at Dunne's Smoked Beef restaurant before heading out to join the long lines of excited ticket holders. It was a lovely warm evening and we wandered around for a bit looking at the past heroes from the Montreal Canadien's hockey teams that are memorialized in statues and signs all around the building. Bastien Baker, a Swiss country rocker opened the show, ending his set with a tribute to Leonard Cohen then introduced Shania to the packed house. We had good seats looking down on the stage and, as we were just above the giant speakers felt every bone shaking note. It was a great show, lasting over 2 hours and Shania sang most of her previous hits and some from her new album, the fans going crazy when she finally did her song "Man, I Feel Like a Woman!" This was Shania Twain's first tour since 2015 but she hadn't missed a step and looked as gorgeous as ever.  It was one of the most energetic concerts I have ever attended and we both felt drained at the finale - our ears were still buzzing on the ride back on the Metro! Thanks Shania for a fabulous evening!   gws





waiting to get into the Bell Centre
 
Club Level section 212 Row C Seats 1 and 2








 


June Fun


Amy's Graduation ceremony, Willingdon School
 
William, Willingdon School
 
Fun in the park with Grandpapa


Fun Fair, Willingdon School
 





 


William's 4th Birthday party
 
ice cream at Angrignon Mall

new outdoor mats

riding by William's daycare



Grandpapa's birthday