Dan had a great 3 weeks at Cadet camp and Vicki and Cheryl had some great bonding time this summer. Vicki took swimming lessons from the Bluefins group and spent a week at camp Seggie for Survivor camp. we got the beach a few times, but I really notice this summer how busy everyone was. I remember the days when the kids all moved on our schedule. I could call home and say "get ready, we're heading to the beach when I get home" and we could be ready on the beach by 4:30 with a picnic lunch for supper. I really noticed this summer how busy it gets when everyone has their own agenda. Dan worked at Cow's for the summer which was a great experience for him, both learning to handle money and dealing with customers and management. Between Dan's job and Andrew's job it was difficult to get everyone together this summer. Which, I guess, is typical as kids get older.
We had a great time at Parlee Beach for our family reunion. It was great seeing all of the family including cousins, aunts, uncles etc., but I have to say the best part for me was the 2 day lead-up to the reunion when it was mainly my immediate family together. It was great not having to rush to be anywhere for those days. We walked to the beach, had bonfires, and really connected with each other. One of the highlights of the reunion was Dan's tub of Cow's ice cream that he bought with his own money and doled out to everyone.
The play in Georgetown turned out alright, but it was tough being tied up every sunday all summer long. Overall, the show went well and it reminded me how much I love using my creative side, something that is definitely lacking in my regular job. As a side project, I have started working with Fox Henderson on his
Zombie movie project, even roping in Mark, Billy, Steve, Janice, and Rob as actors/zombies for the shoots. It's been pretty cool being a part of something so creative.
Once again, we had our "end of summer blowout". This year, we travelled with Mark & Cathy, and Rob Murphy to beautiful Baddeck, NS. I think this was our best end of summer trip yet. The Cottage was perfect. Large, but rustic with a pier leading out to the Bras D'or lakes. From the deck of our cottage we could watch the kids jumping in the lake which they did non-stop for the entire week. We had great weather and managed to make it to the Fortress of Louisbourg as well as the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. Willy & Kelly, Karen & Rob, and Rob Murphy's family made it out to see us at the cottage. One of the nicest parts of the week for me was watching Dan & Vicki get along so well. We had a rule that no one was allowed to swim alone, so Dan & Vicki (and Gavin) spent a lot of time together jumping and swimming. The best story of the week happened on our first day when we were on the raft. Mark, Rob and I each had a beer and Vicki was there as well. The raft was a little unsteady and when the weight shifted I realized that I was about to fall in. In a last ditch attempt to save my half-full beer, I tossed it mid-fall towards the middle of the raft. Rob swears it was in slow-motion as Vicki reached out and snagged my beer without spilling a drop. As I surfaced from the water, she yelled, "Got your beer, Dad". I knew at that moment it was going to be a good week.
A couple of final notes as this post is getting to be long. I am still preparing for my first full marathon in 4 weeks. I ran 33k last week which is my longest to date and I have only one long run left before the marathon on October 14. It has been a real challenge trying to squeeze in long runs over the past couple of months and, as such, I think this will be my only marathon. After this, I am hoping to work harder at running faster half-marathons.
Finally, I am taking an economics course from UPEI as part of my job which has been another unique experience. It is different being back 17 years after having graduated, especially now that Cheryl teaches there and Andrew is also a full-time student. On the plus side, it is nice to be in an environment that promotes free-thought.
