Edwin's Stag

My "baby" cousin Edwin just had his stag. Gosh....he is now 32 years old (and that make me how old??)

Of course girls weren't allowed to come but Andrew went for dinner at the Keg followed by bowling. Edwin and Sharon will marry on October 13th in the scenic town of BobCaygeon.

Family Camping Trip in September

We went overnight camping in Presquile Provincial Park with my sister and family. Of course, we had decided on this arrangement in July during a heatwave. However, camping in September when the temperature goes down to 1C at night is a whole other ballgame. But, we all dressed appropriately and huddled beside a roaring fire to make this a very enjoyable weekend. At night time as we lay in our tents we could hear the howling of a pack of coyotes in the distance. This was a little intimitating in our paper-thin barriers.

We went for a nature hike and enjoyed watching the sunset over Lake Ontario.

Cousin "It"

We roasted JiffyPop popcorn over the campfire as well as marshmellows.

Rainbow over the Marshlands

Hansel and Gretal Woods

We went on a nature hike and we saw many species of fungi. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen as many types of mushroom in one park...ever! These photos are just a small sample of what we saw. Of course we were careful not to touch any. An emergency physician that I work with, Margaret Thompson, is also the head of the Poison Control Centre and had issued an alert this year reminding people not to eat mushrooms from the forests as a husband/wife were in need of a liver transplant due to hepatotoxicity from their mushroom foraging expedition. It reminded me of my childhood when my babysitter and I would go mushroom picking at the cottage. It was a delicious rite of summer to eat these sauteed mushrooms fresh off the bark. Now, I would never consider picking my own mushrooms.

The Toronto International Film Festival

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) took place over the past week. As usual Andrew staked a spot off the red carpet over several nights and captured many stars on film (his film).

Clive Owen Working the Crowd
Reese Witherspoon

Cate Blanchette

Many of the stars were gracious and inviting towards the audience. Some were not...(we won't tell who).

Ewan MacGregor

Colin Farrell

Donald SutherlandThe Very Talented Ben Kingsley

The Not So Talented Paris Hilton

Jimmy Smits

Chanteuse Artist Chantal Kreviazuk

The Circus Comes To Town

A travelling circus stopped off at the park beside our house for the weekend. Admission was free although gratuities were appreciated.
Trapeze Artist

For three days we were treated to acrobats, tightrope artists, jugglers, clowns etc...
Two Contortionist Artists


Russian GymnastsThey reminded me of a band of gypsies....setting up tents and then moving to the next town...always on the road. Well, I guess Dylan knows where to go if he ever wants to run away from home to join the circus.

Risk/Soccer/Kite Surfing

Dylan's Beach Soccer League had their final game. I had to admire his coaches who are all parent volunteers and who really fostered a fun yet challenging atmosphere. The soccer field is right at the end of our street beside the Beach which makes it an easy trek for us.
Dylan defending his territory

While Dylan played soccer I watched 11 kite surfers playing by the Beach. There was a lovely wind in the early evening and they sure looked like they were having fun. It made me think of Andrew's brother Greg who loves this sport. This would be a great way to unwind after work!

Dylan's grandparents had just left after spending a weekend babysitting Dylan (while Andrew and I were at a camp reunion). Dylan was recently introduced to the strategy game, RISK. I had never played this game as a child and I was quickly defeated. Grandmother, however, held on for considerably longer during her games with Dylan.

Grandma challenging Dylan at RISK

Meanwhile, Grandpa was in the park playing with his own surfkite....now to add some motion!

Grandpa working his kite

Camp Arrowhead Reunion

Andrew's childhood camp, Camp Arrowhead, recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. We made the trek up to Huntsville for the long weekend, along with 40 other camp counsellors.

The weekend was structured just like a regular camp day i.e. wakeup call, breakfast, water activity time, archery time, lunch, group games, dinner, clean up, campfire singsongs, dance in the rec hall etc...

Enjoying stories after dinner in the mess hall

It was fun!! There was a collective of counsellors representing various camp eras. Andrew had arranged to have 6 campmates from his era attend. Photos were viewed, memories discussed and the wall plaques with all their names and accomplishments were admired.

Andrew and fellow campmates

I spent the first night in the "boys" cabin bunking with Andrew and six of his buddies (and one chihauha dog). However, after enduring a night of cacaphonic snoring, flatulence and belching I quickly moved to another empty cabin.

Checking out my bunkmates

Andrew jumped into waterskiing the moment we arrived. It was like riding a bicycle for him---it all came back instantly. He got up on two skiis and immediately dropped a ski to continue his ride on one waterski (without ever falling). The next day we went sailing. I travelled in a sailboat with three of the boys and Andrew took out a laser. Poor us....we had a destination in mind which should have taken 20 minutes. However, after 1.5 hours of no wind we finally reached the cottage we wanted to visit. On the way home, Andrew turtled his laser trying to reach his hat which had fallen off!

Andrew manning the boat

At night we had a live band play in the rec hall and we danced until curfew.

Megan leading the congo line
Andrew and Jason

Antoinette and Donny

My partner likes to lead!

On the last night several mischievious boys woke up at 0530h to pull a prank. They carried the canoes and kayaks from the lake and artistically arranged them in the dining hall...

....around the flagpole (with the life jackets displayed to spell THANKS!)...

....and propped them up in the muskoka chairs. NAUGHTY CAMPERS!!