I <3 Canada

I bought the girls Olympic Mitts for Christmas but with the Olympic Torch Run coming through town... it was an early Christmas Gift. I asked Katrina if I could take a picture of her mitts.. she made the heart. I am proud to be a Canadian!!

Once in a Lifetime

I was a teen when the Calgary Olympics and torch run happened in Canada. I had a friend that carried the torch but didn't actually witness it. Why? I have no idea?

So as I approach the end of my 30's I wasn't going to let this Olympic Torch Run pass me by. On my day off, I awoke the family bright and early to stand outside in the cold and watch the Olympic torch being passed between runners.

My Patti's Preschool Site is no longer... due to changes made at geocities. Therefore, I thought I would publish this on my personal blog. These cute litte gingerbread houses were made out of paper bags.. Construction paper roofs.. So simple and so cute.

What would a trip to the Sault be without a visit to Bellevue Park
http://www.townies.ca/sault/extras/BellevuePark/bellevueparkinterpretationprogram.htm
This is the best link I could find with some info about the park.

As a Mom this piece of playground equipment makes me nervous. Why, because when I was a kid I had way too much fun on it until I got hurt.

We visited the park again on Tuesday with my friend Stefan for a picnic in the park.

Day Three ended with a rousing game of jump in the hula hoops.. The kids made this all up themselves.. just so clever..

Next entry is Day Four - Monday, August 10th, 2009

Day 3 - August 9 th

Back at My Mom's house.. Grant with Bear and Sandy.

My Mommy and Brother

Brother and Sister!

Day 3 Continued... St. Joseph Island, Ontario.

I don't often get in pictures... .but I try on purpose try to hand the camera over to make sure I do get in a few... My husband did a great job.. This is in front of the barn at the St. Joseph Island Museum.

Kevin and Kristen checking out a few other exhibits.

Kevin checking out the hand made Fire Truck made in Stevensville (part of The Greater Fort Erie).

When helping the kids with a school project we located a reference to a local fire company selling a fire truck to Hilton Beach... The excerpt "In 1926 a Graham Bus chassis was acquired and converted into a fire truck by Edgar Heximer, the first chief and owner of the Stevensville Garage, and Charles Sherk. In the notes --- this "hand-made" truck was sent to Hilton Beach on St. Joseph's Island (40 miles east of Sault Ste Marie) because they did not have a fire truck. eventually it went to a museum there. Stepahnie Freeman, "Stevensville Company #5 celebrates 50 years," Fort Erie Times Review, August 25, 1992 --- from the book Many Voices - A Collective History of Greater Fort Erie.

One of he first things we saw at the St. Joseph Island Museum is "the fire truck". I guess there is some more connections between Northern Ontario than just Kevin and I...

My Mom lives outside of Sault Ste. Marie on and Island called St. Joseph Island. Here is a link for more information.

http://www.algomacountry.com/st-joseph-island-algoma-country-northern-ontario-canada

Day 3 - Sunday August 9th

Our 3rd day started off with breakfast at Grandma's. Grandma Fern had made arrangements with her neighbour who raises ponies for us to visit. The ponies were very sweet. The three older kids enjoyed it. However, they were quite scary to a two year old.

This white pony was about 4 months old. Although the owner was concerned the young ponies might try to nibble on the kids, this pony was very gentle.. He didn't have a name as yet, so my girls called him Ice Cream.

The Taylors headed to SSM to visit family. Our family stayed on the Island for the day. We had several more days to visit. Although their never seems like there is enough time to visit everyone.

Next entry will be St. Joseph Island Museum and some more family pics...

Paige at Fort St. Joseph. She couldn't be any cuter.

Start of Day #3 - August 9th

It was a rainy day so we enjoyed a drive across the Island to Old Fort St. Joseph. This is a picture of the kids in front of the chimney, my Dad helped restore in the 1980's.

Owen dressed up to fight for the British.

The girls ready to fight off those Americans..

My nephew just walking into the clearing at the ruins at Fort St. Joseph. I almost missed this picture perfect moment when he decided instead of looking cute was going to start disco dancing..

To end a perfect Day #2

Since it is Christmas we are celebrating my Mom even puts the lights up.. She asked me a couple times.. did you get a picture of the lights.. Yes Mom, I got some pictures of the lights.

Christmas Lights and bonfires..

A close up of the Christmas tree and the Christmas Lights. Next posted with be Day 3 of our vacation Aug 9th.

Day Two - St. Joseph Island

This is the family that was able to come this year. Denise, my sister, just had a baby, Maria, the week prior to the vacation and couldn't make it. Her and her family were greatly missed.

Andy and Rebecca and Family enjoying the sunset.

We than drove down to the waterfront to get some family photos. This is Andy and Rebecca enjoying a beautiful sunset on St. Joseph Island.

Some frisbee

After the pool its off to Grandma's - although I don't have pictures we had some awesome homemade Pizza. No one makes it like Grandma.

Day Two Continued - August 7th

We arrived on St. Joseph Island to check into our motel, meet the Taylor family and go for a swim.

Fly and be free...

Cousins

The next was on to Grandma's!

Day Two - Friday August 7th, 2009

My kids didn't remember the bears, so to start day two we headed down to the boardwalk to check it out.

These bears were put here in the 90's, long after I left the Sault. However, I think it is the Official Must Take Photo Place in the Sault.

Day One Continued...

Thursday August 6th continued....

we stopped on the island for lunch
.
This waterfall was very pretty.



Strawberry Island Lookout.. Kristen is thrilled with her picture being taken.




Another picturesque view on the Manitoulin

We arrived in Sault Ste Marie around 7 pm... that means a 9 hour trip turned into a 15 hour trip..