Esker Lakes

 For our first camping trip of the year on this May long week-end, we decided not to go too far and camped at Esker Lakes.

I did not know what esker meant. For those ignorant people like me, here's a definition: 

1. a long ridge of gravel and other sediment, typically having a winding course, deposited by meltwater from a retreating glacier or ice sheet.

Now, we can look at Zack's picture again, admiring the eskers.

Since this was our first experience of the year, we got to try a couple of new things, like cameras for driving or a big tent to keep us warm and the bugs away.

As it was pooring rain on our way to the parc, we thought we would have to use the tent a lot more. Fortunately, the weather was actually pretty good and we were able to go outside (the beach with the playground was only a bike ride away) and cook outside too. 

We also went on most of the trails (I will post that later) but we enjoyed the camper as well. 

A great family time!

Track Star

 Julia joined her school's track team this year. They started their practices back in March when it was still full of snow so they would run outside on the sidewalks or inside in the school's halls...

They had their first meet in New Liskeard. Julia took the school bus and had a great day!

Last week, there was another meet at her school but she was too sick to participate. She was better for today's meet! Since it was in Timmins, I was able to go before and after my lunch monitoring, Keld went during his lunch and Special and Ivy were able to attend all her races!

Julia first run a 200 meters against her cousin Kendra. They are at opposite ends (Julia is close to the spectators, Kendra close to the field.)

Julia won! She finished 13 out of 29. She then ran a 4 X 100 meters relay. She was the last one to go. The end of the video is pretty good ;) 

In the end, their team was 3rd out of 8. After that, Julia ran another relay (one with different lengths, Julia was running 200 meters.) This time, it's the beginning of the video that is interesting. You can see how someone bumped into her while trying to pass her bâton, which completely destabilized our poor Julia who couldn't get her bâton. It's a good thing that the last girl, Maria (from Spain!) is a great runner who was able to catch up quite a bit of time!

Next week there is another meet at her school. It is the qualifications for the provincial meet, which will take place the week after. Good luck Julia !

And I want to finish by giving special thanks to Aunt Ashley who has been doing Julia's hair for all her meets !!

Happy Mother's Day

 It was actually a very nice day last Sunday!

Zack made me a candle and got some carnations for at the Mother's Day concert last Tuesday (Kelden was too sick to go.) Julia brought me a rose from church and the fake flowers are from Ryan.

I tried to take pictures, as always, but Ryan really can't smile on demand. Kelden tries to look super tall but he is not taller than his dad yet (he was just standing on higher ground I guess!)

Happy Mother's Day !

Dance and Temple 2

 We went back to the temple this week-end. The stake had organized 4 baptism sessions. We went to the first one. It was Ethyn's first time.

Kelden stayed in the truck during the danse as he wasn't feeling too well (although he was better than he had been all week.) This time the theme was Star Wars but I think more adults wore costums than youth.

I didn't go to the danse as a chaperon (I stayed at the temple where I was able to do a few initiatories, a couple of baptisms and a session with wet and unbrushed hair...) but I came at the end to help clean. Big mistake. The youth made me mad, especially the ones from our stake. They would ride on the big mops and then shake them around, bringing back dust where it had already been swept...Next time, they can clean on their own! 

Happy Birthday Keld!

 Keld turned 42 yesterday.

We celebrated on Friday. Aunt Ashley offered to make jambalaya and Special made the cake! (I know, I know, easy for me!!) A big thank you !

Ryan enjoyed helping Keld opened his gifts. He thought he would share his toys..he didn't appreciate the gifts as much as Keld did!

Thank you everyone!