how much wood can Uncle John chop?

The boys had a great time stacking wood with their Uncle John in Canada and this photo that Granny Tina just sent me reminded me how beautiful it is on Vancouver Island.

Yesterday Cameron said he wanted to go back to Canada because it is not too hot there and it doesn't rain - oh yeah? - and he had a great time there in the summer.

canned salmon

Grant's canned salmon arrived today. The boys were so excited that Jamie told the FedEx lady that Uncle John kissed the salmon that was in the box in tins. She thought it was funny.

So here are the tins...

and here are the boys lining up the tins on the kitchen counter...

and here is Bear smelling the scent of an open can of fresh salmon....

and here is Bear after eating the salmon....think he likes it?? :-)

I'm sure it tastes amazing.....right Grant?

haircuts

Today was haircut day for Cameron and Jamie....fresh new cuts for a new year at school.

Here's the before photo - complete with silly faces...

and here is the after - so smart!

first day back at school

back to school today for the boys...and off to work for Grant!

US Open

Cameron is now Roger Federer. Granny Tina is the tennis coach. Jamie sometimes gets to be the ball boy or Roger Federer but has to wait his turn.

Here is Roger getting ready to practice.

Roger has been practicing every day because he knows he'll get better. Today it was hot so he asked his coach to bring a chair outside so he could take regular breaks like the real players. The US Open is all we are watching on tv - can you tell that Granny Tina, I mean coach, is having an influence here?

fruit picking with granny tina

What a great morning we had at a local u-pick farm. Apples and raspberries are ready for picking and they are delicious!

Jamie with his heavy bucket full of berries.

Here is Granny Tina with the raspberries.

Cameron and Granny showing off their bucket of raspberries.

The dynamic duo ready for action!

Reaching into those apple trees.

And we finished off the great morning with a picnic by a little pond. Perfect! Both boys slept in the car on the way home....zzzzz....the great outdoors! This afternoon we'll be making apple crumble - delicious!

Nanaimo #4

not sure when to stop with the photos but we did a lot in 3 weeks!

Jamie laughing at Grant at the water park...

Granny checking out the big fountain at the water park...
The lovely Long Beach in Tofino. Lots of logs at the back of the beach make for great climbing..
Cameron admires Long Beach....

Here's looking at you Crystal Cove...we love the log cabins and pretty beach.

Nanaimo #3

and a few more....

Granny and Cameron on Crystal Cove beach.

Jamie does the "I just stacked lots of wood" dance.

Hello over there...the boys walk around Colliery Dam with Granny.

After a swim in Westwood lake what better thing than a nice warm hug with a log.

Cameron looks passed out on this log...perhaps because it is nice and warm too.

Nanaimo #2

and more from our trip....

For Grant, no holiday is complete without a boat trip...this time he went fishing with John and they caught three big salmon.

Callie loves fish heads....

John and his big catch....

Auntie Stef went gleaning and brought home buckets of apples. Cameron discovered that he loves peeling apples - eat one, peel one, eat one, peel one...and then make apple pie...yum!

A trip to Canada wouldn't be complete without s'mores....Cameron has his mouth full and loves them!

Jamie licks his fingers clean.

Nanaimo #1

Just back from 3 weeks of fun in Canada.

It was a busy time, with lots of new things to see and do. It has also been 3 years since I last saw my brother John so it was good to catch up and spend some time together.

Here are a few photos from our travels....

Cameron learnt so much about starfish and other sea creatures from Auntie Stef. This one looks like it is about to swallow him whole!

The weather wasn't the best in Tofino but we just put on our rain coats and had lots of walks on the beach. It didn't keep the boys out of the water and by our third day it was sunny!

Waving goodbye to our train...the last train to Parksville!

Granny and the boys check the map at the train station.

Granny and John on the beach at Parksville.

The last day...a timer photo so we are all together....even Callie.