Niagara Falls 2016

So after the race and awards, we were on our way to Niagara Falls.  Two days prior to our arrival, our beloved Hampton Inn was taken over by the Ramada.  You might think "No big deal!". Except it was kind of disappointing.  Ramada serves no breakfast and charges you to park your vehicle!! Bah Humbug.  We've been going here for 15 years though and after searching online for far too long for something with a pool, breakfast, for the right price, in the right area, found that it no longer exists.  So in order to not utterly deflate our kids and in order to still have a bit of a weekend away, we booked and we still had a lovely time.  Knowing that there was no breakfast, we just packed a big cooler with lots of options and in the end we only missed it a bit :)

The pool and hot tub were not idle for long and the kids had a wonderful time hopping from one to the next.

It was so beautifully sunny still that it wasn't hard to pretend we were out on the deck by the pool in Florida. The sun was so warm through the windows that I had to open the patio door and sit outside for a bit - and even that was LOVELY!

The kids even sat outside on the lounge chairs for a bit - but being wet, they didn't find it quite as warm and lovely as I did.

THIS IS NOVEMBER!!!

After some time at the pool we headed out for a drive. We ended up going to the Isaac Brock memorial and the park and trails around it.  The colours were still so nice and it was just really wonderful to spend time outside together in God's glorious creation.  We should do it more often . . .but sadly it just doesn't happen.

It's one of the reasons it is so good to go away - even if it is not that far or for not that long!

We got lots of good pictures as we walked along.

On Sunday morning we went to River of Life URC in Niagara Falls. This is a church plant and it is a blessing to be there and worship with these believers - many who come from very different backgrounds and life situations than we are used to. We met and talked to some neat people.
We had lunch with JM and Becky and had a quick visit and some picture taking there too.

Thanks for lunch and having us!

Then we were on our way to Redeeming Grace URC another church we had been wanting to visit. We were also blessed by many familiar faces and quick conversations there as well.  We are often one of the very last to leave at our own church, and apparently that is a hard habit to break - as we stuck with it here too.  That means it was a very warm and welcoming place to be!

It was a good day. It was a good weekend.  I am thankful for the family we could get away with, the fellow believers we could fellowship with and be encouraged by, and the refreshment we received in this mini vacation.

EduDeo 2016

The weather could not have been more perfect!! This race day has been known to be very chilly, so looking ahead to the forecast and seeing above zero and sunshine is exciting .  . and I think this day got up to plus 12ish!  It started out cool - but not coat weather which is just right for running.

It was a very good day. We see lots of familiar faces, meet a few new ones, and just enjoy this tradition of being together and doing something hard as a family.

Kylie and Karter ran the 1km.  Kylie kept talking about how she was going to come in first.  We all just smiled and nodded.  When the group took off (there are a LOT of kids and parents!!) I didn't see her as she was in the throng, but when the runners started pouring in a few minutes later, I was SHOCKED to see her come around the corner.  She ended up being the fourth one done and the first girl! We were proud.  She was proud.  Now we tell her that because of her success, that means she is obviously ready to move up to the 5km next year. She just groans. She has a year to adjust to that reality and a year for her legs to heal from that 1km😂.

Jonathan ran along side Karter and he was a real trooper again this year!  It is fun to watch his determination. 

He gave it his all and still talks about this race and how he can't wait till he is as big as Kevin and can run the big race with Dad.

Proud of their medals and finishing!

Then it was time for the 5km and Kade and I got ready. Kade had been helping me practice and was my unwilling running partner.  Ya I'm a mean mom.  He never regrets it when he is done, but it is a bit of work to drag him out with me sometimes.  I always console him with the fact that it will just be a slow jog for him since he is WAY faster than I am if he tries.

Kade ran another good race with a time of 22:32 coming in 73rd over all (out of over 1000 people).

I was very pleased with my run as well as I beat my best time by about a minute. That made me happy.  I came in 150th with a time of 25:25 . . .and 7th in my age group - which makes me smile b/c Jonathan was also 7th in his age group. 

Kade and I upon completion.

Then Jonthan and Kevin's turn at the 10km.

The fans enjoying the temperatures and watching all the runners pass by.  It is a beautiful park right on the water and on a beautiful day it is all just so enjoyable.

Jonathan finished 28th with a time of 42:03 (he was bummed b/c he had a really bad cramp and therefore a really bad kilometre), and Kevin came in 34th with a time of 43:00. 

Kevin ended up third in his age group and cousin Tim (who ran an amazing race with a time of 39:25) ended up 2nd so they both got additional medals for placing.

A cool fact: Reid Coolsaet also ran this 10km race and came in first. He ran in the Olympics if you are like me and didn't know that.

Becky also ran the 10km and came in third in her age group so here are the two champs!

After all the races, we enjoyed the soup, snacks, and atmosphere. It is a fun place to be. There were games and bouncy castles for the kids and they had a good time there and picking up all their little prizes and balloons.  But when all was said and done, it was time to move on . . . to Niagara Falls for the night!  We did this last year and decided it should be part of the tradition - a reward/incentive of sorts.  

Thanksgiving in Vermont

After Kade's cross country race in Copetown, we carried on down the highway headed for Vermont.  We often struggle with the decision about whether to make the trek or not. It is a long drive for a short time away. But we LOVE Vermont and we LOVE spending time at Dan and Sarah's and we LOVE seeing our kids connect so easily and so well with their cousins. Yes that is a lot of LOVE and that I guess is why we just bite the bullet and decide to go for it!

Sarah is a wonderful host and she keeps us busy and makes sure that every calorie we gain with her fantastic cooking and baking, we burn off soon after with her hikes up monster mountains!

Kevin taking Konnor for a little jaunt down the driveway.

We arrived Friday night around 8pm and first thing Saturday morning (after breakfast) we headed for Mount Killington. We were originally going to watch the sunrise from the top, but after doing the math, realized we'd have to be up at some unearthly hour like 4am.  So we went for the relaxed approach and headed out when we were ready.  Kevin and Kade stayed behind with Konnor, Josh, and Jacob and the rest of us headed out and up!

This was a tough climb! We went up that ski hill in the picture above. It is steep. 

I definitely needed to stop and take pictures every once in a while.  The rest of the troopers were patient with me :)  

Thankfully we had a few rests as we journeyed to the summit!

This is the method of transportation that everyone else takes up to the top. Smart people!

The views as we clambered up and along were amazing. Colours were definitely at their peak and it is hard to imagine not believing in a Creator!  The heavens really do declare the glory of God!!

Kylie and Josiah made it to the top long before the rest of us and when we all got to the top and went in the restaurant at the top, we were referred to as "those crazy people who CLIMBED up!" The restaurant was amazing with glass walls all the way around. The views were splendid. 

A camera never captures it like it really is, but as usual, being at the top was well worth it.

You could just look out and see mountain range after mountain range filled with so much colour!

Vermont in the Fall is something everyone should experience!

There was about a 10 degrees drop in temperature when we reached the top. There were a lot of winter coats and hats up there.  Being that we just exerted ourselves, we were warm . . .but we cooled down quickly with the temperature drop and the wind.

These two are so fun together. Kylie is the only girl of the 10 kids, but she has no problem with that. She loves to hang out with Josiah and though he definitely doesn't like girls, he does "tolerate" her quite well :)

We did snag a ride down on the gondola which was a very nice way to go down :)

Later in the afternoon we went to one of Sarah's friends house who has all sorts of "boot camp" obstacles set up in her yard. The kids and adults had fun trying out the obstacles. I realized that I actually am very weak and lacking in upper body strength. 

Kylie looking her best!

We attempted family pictures after church on Sunday.

The four wheeler was a major attraction for the boys. Kevin and Kade spent a lot of time bombing around the farm on it.

After lunch on Sunday it was time for mountain number 2.  This was "just a little one". 

Needless to say, resting spots were still very welcome. We strapped Konnor on to Sarah's back in order to slow her down a bit.  It only worked a tiny bit.

Beautiful views again from the top.

Our wondeful hosts.

Konnor enjoying breakfast.

Josiah and Kylie doing some early morning colouring/drawing.

Monday morning we awoke to COLD!!! It was slowly cooling down as the weekend progressed, but Monday morning was downright chilly!  Out came the winter coats! Though it was thanksgiving in Canada, it is not in the US, but Sarah let the kids stay home from school for the morning so the kids could visit for one last morning.

We went out to one of the other farms where they are putting up a new barn.

The kids enjoyed seeing the cows and tractors and life on the farm.

One last ride . . .

Our last stop was visiting Jacob's maple syrup operation. Jacob and a friend are working together to set things up to produce maple syrup in the spring. They have worked hard and invested time and money and it should be very exciting (and busy) for them in the Spring when things start flowing.  They are very enterprising and hard working boys!

Then it was time for good bye.  Never our favorite part at all, but we needed to get on the road and they needed to get to school! 

Thanks again Dan and Sarah for such a wonderful weekend. We are so spoiled when we visit and we really enjoy the adventures you take us on.  Though we wish you lived a lot closer, we are thankful for the opportunities to visit you and enjoy another part of the world and we are thankful for the "one on one" time we get to spend with your family. Thank you!