HOUSE WONDERS

I have been contact by a lot of people lately wondering how our move is going....well...so far...NOT.
Here in Quebec, they have something called "construction holiday", that is when EVERYONE that lifts a hammer goes on holidays:) Sooo....we are now a month behind.
That is ok though, Nick is really busy with his contracts, so at least he can clean up with work and then put his 100% into the house, so it can get finished.
So far, as you can see by the pics, the house outside is finished--good sign..lol They just now have to come and do the stairs and around the foundation.

This is the bathroom off the master bedroom, and the only section completed, since Nick is putting our shower together on the opposite wall.

This is our new bedroom set that was suppose to arrive on the 1st of August...now only arriving on the 24Th of September.

And Sarah-Lou's Birthday present from mommy...her new bedroom set. (new mommy not included) lol

We are all pretty excited about this whole adventure, if it ever comes!! For now though...we are packing...packing to head East to visit for a couple of days. Nick hasn't had any vacation this summer and we are all looking forward to some beach time.

GRANDY-QC

I do have to say...it has been a very relaxing summer. Beside my trip back East, I have read nine books(The Last Lecture and My Sister, MySelf are ones I would recommend), gone to movies--7 total (Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 is a must see-as well as Mamma Mia-for you and your child-Journey to the centre of the Earth 3D) I have also taken the time to take picnics, to sit by the Lake and actually get to a beach in the area (So not like NB beaches though)

Yesterday we had really great intentions on taking the two kids to Le Ronde. We arrived, parked the car and decided that the kids would get maybe 3 rides in for the day. The line-were three hours long! Mitchell and Sarah at that time decided that they would prefer to use their tickets when it wasn't so busy. (During the week would be a better idea)

Nick came up with the idea of going to Granby. I always knew of Grandby since I have taken Sarah to the Zoo many of times, but who knew that there was sooo much more to Grandy then just the zoo? They have bike trails for miles and miles...it is like Vermont...but the Canadian version:) They have a beach off of the Lake, which looked really clean. We will take another day to make an adventure out of that:) We have decided that once we return from NB Aug. 18th we will check out the camping as well:)

Nick rented two bikes...strange I thought, we are four people. He laughed and pointed down the trail to two --two people bikes. Well, what an experience that was!! We all had so many laughs, and so much fun. The kids really enjoyed themselves, of course at Nick and my expense..,lol

After our bike ride, which was not planned, we were all tired and hungry, since the kids ate the picnic in the van on the way to Grandy...lol. Nick took us too an amazing Italian Rest. We filled our faces with great food...and the ride back was extremely quite..accept for a snore and a druel every now and then.

In this photo Nick was not being a very "polite" man. He decided that the air out in the woods was just too fresh for his liking..hence...the look on MY face...lol

HOUSE UPDATE

On our return to Montreal--one of our first stops was the new house. I was totally amazed to realize that all the brick was done.
The pictures really do not justify the color. It is a beautiful grey color with a sand in it. When we went up last night...they were finished up and had the flashing...and siding on...and of course I didn't have my camera..so I will do that this weekend and put them up.

We went inside to see that they also installed the furnace!! So as you could all imagine..we are very excited about finishing up and moving in:) That will happen on the 11th of August (our signing date)

MIRAMICHI VISIT

After a long 9 hour drive...which we enjoyed in my new car *insert huge smile here*, we arrived in the Miramichi. We enjoyed our 2 weeks so very much!!
We got to enjoy my mothers beautiful rock gardens...and even a deer walking out of the back yard to say hello. (During my visit with Paula --whom I miss horribly)
We were fortunate enough to be there during the Rock N Roll fest. We went and saw an evening boat parade and enjoyed a band in the street. Mom and Hubert seemed to really enjoy themselves.
We went to the "Goodie Shop" for breakfast, which is a huge must for us when we visit. Sarah loves their pancakes. We had some shopping days with Nanna...and we literally shopped until we dropped.

Our first week was relaxing since all we did was eat and read books. It rained horribly the first week...but...the second week was awesome!! The weather was great...the drive up to Bathurst was wonderful. We visited with Nanny and Pappa...and I took Pappa down to Jo's for a ride in the convertible. He looked sooo cute!! Hat and poloroid glasses...and a very huge smile. I think that was my highlight of the trip.

We visited Jo...her gardens are truly amazing!!I have never seen plants sooo huge. I told mom that she must have special water down that end of Bathurst...lol

I had the honor of going with my mother and my Aunt (DeeDee) on a bus to play Bingo. We came out winners...because it was such a great day..and the time flew by sooo fast. We left around 9am and only came home that evening 12 hours later:)

Sarah and I spent some time with Dad and Ginette down in Shediac. The weather was awesome. We got to spend two days at the beach. And can they ever BBQ!!! WOW

Sarah surprised me with reading a whole book and a half! If anyone knows this little girl...they also know that Sarah likes to be read too...never wanting to read herself....well..times have changed...Thank goodness:) She didn't do much digging in the sand like years past...she sat and read. My little angel is really growing up fast.

All and all...our trip was wonderful. We got to have "the" chocolate chip cookies. We had our Danny Burger with the top down at the "Big D" and I had the most wonderful Mother/Daughter time I could imagine. Not only with my own daughter...but with my mom also...

Thanks MOM:)

Even better news is that we will be back in August to attend a cousins wedding!! whoohooo

PROUD MOMMA

Sarah plays soccer this year in the U12 section of the Pointe-Claire soccer league. She is only 10 and would of been in the U11 but since there wasn't enough players they stuck all the girls from u11 and u12 together.
To make a long story short...Sarah was asked to play defense on the "ALL STAR" team. We are very proud of Sarah to be asked. This is quite a huge thing:) Thought I should share...just being a very proud momma:)))))

FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND

We had a very busy weekend. We decided to take the children to Park Safari on Saturday. We all had a really fun time.
Park Safari is a place where you can really get close to the animals. Sarah and Mitchell both wanted to take my new car, since you drive through one part, and the animals come right to the car. They thought it would be really fun to have the animals that close, but...I stuck my ground (since I had already been there) and we took the van. Thank goodness is alllll I can say!!!! They slobbered...they had horns and rubbed against the van...and at least with the van we had a place to hide...lol Take a look at the pictures...lol

I took everyone out for brunch on Sunday to celebrate Father's Day. We went to Portavino. VERY yummy!! There is anything and everything you could ever imagine to eat. The kids loved the chocolate fountain;)
After we had brunch, we were invited to Mitchell's Aunts for a BBQ...we looked like we could of been rolled out of her place...hehhee

Mitchell and Nick...having a father/son moment.

It was nice to celebrate as a family.

Even my little birdie ate ALOT...lol We look like we are both ready for a nap...hehehe

PARK SAFARI PICTURES

Sarah loves the camera her Nana bought her for Christmas..she took most of these pictures. The Bears practically waved at us..they were just sooo cute.

The tigers and lions were so pretty...they have a tunnel that is made of plexi-glass and the lions sit on them...you are able to touch and see just how big their paws are compared to your hands.

I was making Sarah laugh that this statue had me by the leg. Mitchell couldn't resist the picture.

As you can see the animals come right to your car. It doesn't help when Nick kept making them come to my side...especially the big --slobbering ones!! lol

The children couldn't stop laughing..and the screams from the back seat...it was so much fun!

My two favorite animals of alll:))))

The animals can get pretty aggressive though...they knew we had food..and wouldn't let us drive on until most of it was gone.

HOMEWORD BOUND

Sarah and I went to New Brunswick the long weekend in May. We actually played hooky from school and took two extra days;) We left Friday, May 16Th and arrived Saturday afternoon. I decided to go as far as Edmonston and stay the night....GOOOOOd choice!! When we got back on the road Saturday we saw 4 moose! We first saw a little guy strutting his stuff in the middle of the road. We honked...and for a good ten minutes, followed him up the road. Then we came upon another three. We laughed so much since our cameras were packed in the back of the van and couldn't get to them on time to take some pictures!

When we did arrive, we were back in the car heading to the Bay for some tasty red things!! Actually, they are green before you cook them. YUP...we had lobster every day we were home...lol. We had lobster Saturday with butter, lobster omelette's on Sunday morning, lobster pasta sunday night....AND...lobster and steak monday night! What a treat!!

We were fortunate enough to get to Bathurst for the day on Monday. We had the chance to check out Dad and Ginette's work in progress:) Great job guys! And also we got to spend some time eating cookies and fudge with Nana "O" and Papa Lou Lou.

I am always sad when I go back to Bathurst since most times there is always a huge change. This time one of the restaurants were closed. It does make me sad to see such changes, but it is my place of birth and will always be my "home".

Sarah and I took on a project while we were visiting Nana. We decided that the huge tree in the back should have bird houses hanging. So we painted some houses and hung them. We had so much fun, even Nana got into it. Sarah, when we arrived back in Montreal, made me buy more so when we go back this summer we can keep adding to tree.

We left on the wed. (may 21st) to come back to Montreal. It was difficult to leave, it always is. I enjoy so much having my morning coffee with my mom. Shopping...and doing the girl thing with two of my favorite people--my daughter and my mother. I love the after supper talk in the living with Hubie and staying up late watching TV with them.

I realize at times...I am very lucky to be living close enough to be able to drive, unlike my two sisters who live so far away (and are missed very much) but even saying this, it can feel like the other side of the world at times.

I will be going back this summer to spend some time gardening with my mom--going to the beach with Dad and Ginette...and enjoying the life of a maritimer----there isn't anything like it:) SEE YOU ALL SOON