2019 Summer Vacation in Ontario ( Embrum )

During the construction holiday this summer we decided to head west to visit with family and friends in Ontario. Originally we had plans to drive out to Nova Scotia but it had been awhile since we had seen my brother and Nancie in their new condo in Cambridge, my friend Bruce and Kirsten in Elliot Lake and we were eager to meet Marjorie Fergusson, a new cousin from Dundas we had found through Ancestry.com. Christina was also expecting in August and we had promised to help out and do a few things around her house while we were there. So after loading up the camper and watering the house plants we set off for the so called 'Province of Opportunity', bypassing Montreal till our return and hoping the weather held. We arrived late the first day in Embrun and set up the camper in Christina's driveway, the heat and humidity descending upon us for the next few weeks.

Damien

Christina's driveway, storm approaching

Damien eating and sleeping at the same time, Gabriel's Pizza, Embrun

The next few days with Christina, Alex and Damien were busy ones - Marie installed a new sink in their kitchen and I put up their large shelter in the back yard, cut the grass and spent an afternoon weeding. We went out for pizza one evening and watched Damien, who has problems sleeping all night, doze off while he was eating, much to the amusement (and consternation in case he choked) of us all! Damien and I went every day, sometimes twice, to the park in his battery powered car and I took long walks with Ben to give me and him a break from the two other dogs. He listens and travels well now, coming on command (usually) and, although he is barking more now, it is usually if there is an intruder or stranger around. For Alex's birthday we took him to a new local restaurant, Latin Table (Table Latine), serving delicious Mexican and Guatemalan cuisine I highly recommend.  The next day we were on the road early, promising to be back on the big day, expected around the 19th of August. And finally a name has been chosen for the new arrival - Declan!  It is a traditional Irish name meaning 'full of goodness' and we certainly hope he lives up to it!   🅶🆆🆂

Latin Table restaurant, Embrun

Bonne Fete, Alex

Early July in Pictures

relaxing on the deck, winter just a distant memory

playing with my remote controlled racing boat at the swimming hole

 

Marie checking out the new snow plow for the UTV

 

me and Ben, swimming for shore

going for a walk with Ben

 

Marie and Ben enjoying new location of fire pit in the woods behind the house

 

small woodpecker that hit the window and later flew off

 

starting work on the ground for the garage

Long weekend in Quebec

Lac de la Passe (Marie on bench in distance)

During the long weekend here in Quebec (Saint Jean Baptiste) Phil and Fer drove down from Montreal with the grand kids to enjoy some peace and quiet on the Domaine. We rented a pontoon boat and cruised Lac Megantic, going from end to the other, stopping for an ice cream at the marina in Piopolis on the way back. We spent a few hours afterwards at the local park in Baie des Sables after returning the boat, swimming and eating before returning home. The next day we put the kayaks in the trailer and drove down the hill to Lac de la Passe where we spent a fun few hours, the only ones on the water. I also took the kids in the UTV to see my Romanian friend Aaron who had some baby chicks and ducks to show them. As usual the time goes by too fast when the kids visit. Hopefully we will see everyone back this away before school starts in September.   gws

lady-slipper behind the house

three varieties of lilac

Piopolis marina, Lac Megantic

Phil and Fer

Amy, Piopolis, Quebec

Amy running, Baie des Sables, Lac Megantic

Amy, the handstand queen

William and his beautiful smile

Amy and William with Aaron

looking for frogs and showing off

kayaking, Lac de la Passe

William helping to bring in kayaks

William's 5th birthday

Marie and I spent the weekend of the 15th and 16th to help celebrate William's 5th birthday. He has grown into a smart, handsome and loving boy who we cherish deeply. He now reminds of so much of his Dad Philippe when he was that age! About seven kids showed up and they had fun eating, playing games and having their faces painted. I dressed up as a tyrannosaurus rex to go along with the 'dinosaur' theme and terrorized the kids to no end. Of course we did the inevitable pinata and it was Amy who delivered the mortal blow! I also celebrated my birthday which was the following week and got a nice Beatles cap and watch from Phil.

Amy, 7 years old, and a little lady

Phil cooking the dogs

the kids, eating healthy

Fernanda supervising 'pin the donkey on the tail'

William putting his face on

4 down, 1 to go!

me terrorizing Vizma, the neighbor's daughter

 

Amy giving it her best shot

opening the gifts

 Later that day I walked William and Mathias to the local park to run off some energy, the weather still cool and rainy but we had fun anyhow. The next day was sunny and hot so Marie and I took William and Amy on the Metro to the Atwater market, buying an ice cream and stopping to play in a park nearby. It was time to head back home the next day. Next time we will be in Montreal will be on our way east during our summer holiday in July. Stay tuned for that!   gws

Mathias and William 

getting ready for bed

Amy and Ben

fun in a park near Atwater market

me and my Beatles 'Abbey Road' cap