Sunday, July 31, 2011

Cottage Visitors

The best part about owning a cottage is the visitors that you get.  While being alone at the cottage is great, having people over to share in the beauty is even better!  This weekend Cara-Li's school friends and their parents came to saty with us.  They are also our Cuba travelling partners so we all get along extremely well.  The kids just kept finding things to do such as pedaloing, playing on Party Isalnd, picking lily pads and capturing crayfish (who knew we had this in the lake??).  All the while the parents were eating, drinking and soaking up some rays.  A fantastic and relaxing weekend for all!








Wednesday, July 27, 2011

8 years later...

This darling little baby of 16 months, Li Cui, became our daughter 8 years ago somewhere far, far away.  What a wonderful day that was!  There are no words to describe the emotions I was feeling.  All I can say is, Wow!  And to my beautiful daughter, Cara-Li, I love you with all my heart and I am so glad that our paths crossed on the very special day.  Wo ai ni.






Sunday, July 24, 2011

Italian Picnic

As I am secretary to this Italian Association, I am also responsible for planning many of the activities.  Our latest, Picnic in the Park.  Yup, we fed over 200 Italians lasagna and sausage in the park!  A big feat when you have to drag all this stuff up to Mascouche, 45 minutes outside of Montreal only to realize that some stuff was forgotten in my garage.  Poor Gord had to go back.  It was a great day.  Weather was fabulous, food was delicious and everyone had a great time!  Love seeing all the older folks getting together like this.  This is why I do this every single year.  To our next event... apple picking!






Saturday, July 23, 2011

Lake Hughes Regatta 2011

Every year, our lake association holds a regatta where everyone, young and old, come out to play.  There are kayak races, swimming races, canoes races, fun and games for all.  Everyone is entered by age group and at the end of the day, ribbons and trophies are given out to the winners.  Alexia woke up this morning exclaiming that today she would win the trophy.  And guess what?  She did!  The trophy is practically larger than she is so it was very funny to see her walk off with it, with no help from anyone of course.  Cara-Li, on the other hand, did not win the trophy for her age group.  She got lazy and stopped entering the races.  She did smoke everyone in the swim for her age group though.  I guess being in swim team paid off. 

All in all, a fabulous day at Lake Hughes!







Monday, July 11, 2011

After one week...

Of renos, I believe we've come a long way.  Everyone that was scheduled for the first day showed up.   I say this because often enough we you hire people especially in the construction world, they either don't show up on time or don't show up at all.  So for this, I am thankful!  Next week, floors...


Our kitchen was completely gutted in a matter of a couple of days.  Gone is 1970 and in is 2011!


All the celings have been painted and some rooms have already received a first coat of paint as you can see here in our living room.



Others, such as our stairway are still in patch up mode.


So is Cara-Li's room.


The girls' bathroom did get some new subway tiles, a last minute decision.


And one of the reasons we bought this house, the double doors with the stained glass windows.  Love them!


Sunday, July 10, 2011

Hepu Reunion 2011

As we have for 8 consecutive years, we got together for the weekend with all the other families who adopted at the same as we did Cara-Li.  Nothing much has changed over the years.  The dynamics are still great, the bonds are still there and the girls are just as beautiful.  The only difference is that the girls have gotten bigger and the parents have gotten older :)  It's funny.  Every time we get together, the same stories are told and the same laughs are shared.  There is something about these families, they mean the world to me.  Not only did our children share the first part of their lives together but also these people were there with us, for us, clear across the world when we were alone with our new experiences as parents.  I will also remember each and every one of them :) 


 

Here we all are on our annual boat ride around the lake.



The girls swimming around.



All the girls dining on their own at the kids table.


The Mammas. 



And The Papas.


Our little family of 4.



The girls.


Friday, July 08, 2011

And they are gone :)

Just kidding D, C, and N  :)

We were very lucky to have had family visit us and stay at the cottage over the last week or so, Gordie's sister and children.  Of course, our kids and her kids are best buds.  We spent a weekend together and after their visit to the city for the day, they kidnapped Cara-Li for a few days at the cottage.  I hear they had lots of fun there.  Surprised?  Not really!

Capturing frogs and watching them make babies in the pool.  Nice!  They actually laid eggs.  Too funny!


The bigger kids in the tree climbing and gliding gear.


A not-so-happy C up in the trees.  A little afraid of heights perhaps...


An uneasy N up in the trees also.  No pics of Cara-Li as she just kept going from station to station.  It was not her first time so she was completely comfortable with it.


A nice swim in the lake is what is needed after a few hours of hard work!


And a much happier C with a fish on the end of his line.  A perfect way to end the day!



Friday, July 01, 2011

Happy Canada Day!



To all my fellow Canadians!