Year Two Day One Hundred and Ninety Four - Mum and Dad at The Cottage

Dear all 

After a lovely hot tub at Stouffer Mill with Darren, we set off to the cottage *hurray*. FYI - check out the view from the solarium - amazing!

Mutter managed to find a great seat on the boat (she still hates having her photo taken). So did Dad!

Ahhh.. summer

I tried to impress with my 'coiling' skills - the rope was new and not the best... Here is Darren in the background too. 

Ahhhh... soon relaxing on the dock. 

And on the rock

Mum and Dad in the lake! The water was like a bath! Bliss. 

And here is Mutter doing her 25th lap. 

We even went out on a boat trip around the lake - check out this guy on the Red Jet ski... he has a very cute passenger - his dog, fully equipped with doggy wet suit! So cute!

Year Two Day One Hundred and Ninety Three - Stouffer Mill

Dear all, 

Still playing catch up... My parents *have been and gone* in Canada!!! 

During their whistle stop tour, we stayed at Stouffer Mill - They had found it on their last visit back in 2010 and wanted to go again...it was wonderful! http://stouffermill.com/

Here are many, many photos from the wonderful Stouffer Mill - if ever you are looking for a place to stay in Muskoka - give Jessie and Don a call - it's such a fab place!

Nice flowers... lots of sun... 

A gorgeous pool... 

They even put up the Union Jack flag!

Star attraction, Chloe (seen here with her pet 'bear'). 

A FOUR course breakfast... (here are the homemade pancakes...half eaten *of course*)

Lots of relaxing time on the balcony.. 

And by the pool... 

It was wonderful! We have more pics... but I don't want to bore you. Just go visit! 

Year Two Day One Hundred and Ninety Two - Darren the Firework Master

Dear all, 

So sorry folks, i have got a little behind with my blogging, but now I am back with a vengeance! Here we are, back with a bang, as Darren takes on Canada Day celebratory fireworks!

After a little test run in the open air ( and daylight - much to the delight of the kids) D felt confident that we could fire off the pyrotechnic display with ease.

Here is Darren checking out what he's dealing with.. 

An interesting assortment as you can see..

Once it started to get dark, the boys got everyone assembled ( check out Todd's head torch - very useful) and we were off!

In the meantime, the kids got busy with some sparklers ( always a good time).

This is not actually our display... but my goodness, it was close to this. The boys did BRILLIANTLY! It was possibly the best firework display I have ever seen, Darren was amazing as leader/ health and safety coordinator. It was awesome!

Year Two Day One Hundred and Ninety One - Racoon in the Tree

Dear all, 

Today, I have some classic Canadiana for you delight - check out this baby racoon in a tree!!! While we were up with Kerry and Vince in Owen Sound, a flash of black and white caught my eye running across the lawn... turns out, Todd, had caught this racoon's little brother in his trap and this little guy wouldn't leave him! He ran up a nearby tree and spent the morning watching over proceedings... isn't it wonderful??

And he finally decided to get close... here he is chatting to his friend ( isn't it heart breaking!). Todd eventually let his brother go... friends reunited again! Hurray!

Year Two Day One Hundred and Ninety - Owen Sound Market

Dear all, 

Today, while on a wonderful visit to Owen Sound, Kerry, Payton, Kerry's Mum Michelle and I went to visit, Owen Sound Farmers Market!

It's an impressive market, expansive with an indoor and outdoor section. http://owensoundfarmersmarket.ca/. There was anything you could want: fruit, breads, meat, jewelry, clothing... and all local, organic or hand made produce. wonderful!

There was even a street dedicated to artists and artisans.. lovely. 

We then popped across the road to check out the famous 'Rocking Horse', a toy shop that has been in Owen Sound since 1977 http://www.therockinghorse.ca/owen-sound where Paytie got a Canada Day Tattoo!!!

And in other news:

1. Here are Darren and Olivia surfing on the plant supplies... 

Livi wins the championship!

Next time, we'll try surfing out in the Bay! Here is Owen Sound by the water..

3. Me looking professional... hmmm. Although I do love photo booth on the mac.