Last Half

I really don't want to write this post.  I am almost done my last half of my holiday.  It has gone far too fast.  I have had the most incredible time with my friends and family.  Leaving this time will be the worst yet.  I am only comforted by the fact that next summer I will be back permanently.  With that said I can't wait for another year with my kids at school, my British friends and family and another year of traveling England and parts of Europe.  What a gift I've been given.  On my list of places I'd like to see are: Whitby UK, Holy Island UK, Amsterdam and Venice.  We'll see what my budget can afford me.
Here are the pics from my holiday at home, far better than any other place I've been. xo…..

Lexi loves to paint ceramics, this time she made a travel mug for Leah.

Walking a tight rope in Port Elgin.

She is totally photo bombing us and I love it.

On the way home from the beach we had an impromptu photo shoot.

In Port Severn and the train boat At Big Chute.  This is a rail system that carries boats from one lake across the road and then into the next lake.

This rocky terrain is part of the Canadian Shield in Port Severn.

Sunset in Nipissing.  We took a couple days and travelled by bike to North Bay to visit my friend and her family.  We hiked up to the beautiful falls behind the school but we were caught in a terrible rain storm.

Picnic at Winter Wheat near London with Beth and Marjorie.  Below are the incredible sculptures in the gardens.

You are invited to just sit and relax.  We did so but not in this room.

This is Webster's falls near Brantford.  Another bike ride but this time with the Gold Wing club.

This is Turtle, an important member of the Chapter E Gold Wing Club.  He is a service dog and rides in the side car.

At Devil's Bowl, overlooking Hamilton.

I couldn't escape Kareoke with mom.

Wonderland again????  Yes, Lexi prefers we make memories for her birthday gift and she requested Wonderland again, who am I to complain.  This year we brought Jim (A Wonderland Virgin).  With Jim not wanting to ride roundabout rides, I didn't want swinging rides and Leah did not want wooden rides, Lexi always had one of us to go on with her.  This year she was tall enough for almost all the rides and she was not afraid.

Last year she got mad at us for taking her to the kiddie rides and this year she wanted to go on them but don't be fooled, she wanted top gun this year but she was too short.  She is an adventurous girl and fearless, this is a terrible combination.  Tears were shed but not by me.  Below is "Top Gun".

Feeling very blessed.

Half Way

It is so depressing to realize that your holiday is half over, where has the time gone?  I have been busy every day with friends and family, dinners, lunches and beaches.  I am so blessed and I try to remember this every day.  There are still lots of plans in the works but this is a small sample of our adventures.

We went to get ice cream and although we could have easily gone in one vehicle, Jim took Lexi on the bike.  Here she is trying to look cool but it's difficult to do when nana is next to you taking your picture.

I spent the day with Maureen; we had lunch, visited the library, Waterloo Clay and Glass Gallery, some shopping and Tim's. Thank's Maureen.

I visited Marj and Rob for a weekend.  They always spoil me.  In all my travels these past two years none compare to the log cabin in Woodstock with two of the most wonderful friends.  Marj and I enjoyed a great day at the beach at Longpoint and this year I avoided sun burn.

Jim and I visited his mom in Mitchell and took Lexi with us.  I was in awe at how much she has matured and grown in one year.  I love this picture of her.  I think she is so beautiful.

Jim tried to teach her how to skip stones but….

she needs practice in picking the right stone and throwing.

The beach was empty due to inclement weather.  But the Inuksuks lined the beach.  The Inuit people used Inuksuks as navigation tools.   They look like people pointing the way.

Where did all the people go?   They went that way.

Maureen, Kathy, Ruthie and I went to a filming of the TV show "The Social".  It was a great day in Toronto and fun to see the process of making a TV show.

I have had so many moments of telling friends and family of my plans for the next year and although I don't want to leave England I am looking forward to coming home permanently.  I've had time to reflect on my choices of the last many years and I do not regret a thing.  I believe that God has placed these opportunities before me and I have made the most of every one of them.