Chris turns 15!!!!!

Today was Chris's 15th birthday. We've been saying he was 15 for ages now so it was a bit weird to actually say he is officially 15 now! He worked this afternoon, but this morning he opened his gifts (a laptop for high school, a paintball gun set from Laurence a mug that says 'pissed off employee of the month' a Smirnoff Ice bottle and a Pinata shaped like a Movie camera).

This evening we had a fire outside and broke open the pinata (video to follow) which was fun, then Laurie and Chris had a war with the paintball guns through the woods.

We had the cake (a Tiramisu) with sparklers instead of candles just before bed.

Happy 15th Birthday Christopher!!

Amber last night

Amber at the beginning of our walk last night and Amber at the end of our walk last night (after wading into the pond). I think I prefer her at the beginning lol! She's 'blowing coat' right now so she has limps of her under coat popping out through her lovely golden outer coat right now and or lawn is dotted with lumps of white fluff here and there....

Both dogs are a bit of a mess right now really but Amber less so. Rosie is blowing coat too but she swims i the pond almost daily and so her blowing coat gets matted badly from swimming in the yucky pond and ends up just such a mess! Amber paddles but she won't swim so hers is easier keep groomed.

Summer guests

It looks like at least one of our bird boxes has been well used this year...we haven't been able to check them all yet, but this one shows obvious signs of being used :)

Once winter sets in we plan to take them all down and open them up and look inside before replacing them in the Spring :)

Few more piccies from our day at the lake :)

Kayaking at the beach

The younger ones were only allowed to kayak in the beach area - where the motor boats aren't allowed - and where we were close at hand - we were the only ones there so there were no other swimmers or people for them to bother either. Then when Chris and Lloyd went kayaking, they went out into the lake area and went further afield.

A day at the beach

Yesterday we headed to the beach for the day and had such a wonderful time. (Laurie didn't come with us as he was invited to the lake with his friends family instead - for a day on their boat to go tubing and wake-boarding, and he had wanted to do that for ages, so we couldn't say no)!

The weather was gorgeous (again!) and the part of the beach where we were was soooo quiet which was perfect for us :) We took the kayak and after swimming and paddling and picnicking for ages, we got the kayak out and the children went out in it before Chris and Lloyd went off for a while in it out in the deeper water amongst the motor boats and sail boats and jetskis etc etc.

We were really impressed with the lovely clean, shallow water, clean sand, shady trees and easy parking - and how close to home it was - we will probably head back next weekend! Even Lloyd loved it there because it wasn't crowded :) He HATES Miquelon lol!

It was a lovely relaxing day in the sun and the children enjoyed the water too :) Maybe next year the older ones will enjoy it more if we have a boat and toys to enjoy it with.