CAMPING TRIP

Now that Brian and I are kid-free, we decided to go out an enjoy ourselves. So, on Thursday we headed out camping. We meandered down the South Canol Highway to Quiet Lake. The drive took us through nothing but wilderness. It's only about 130km from Ross River, but takes about 3 1/2 hours to drive it.
The scenery along the way was gorgeous with all the fall colours.When we arrived at Quiet Lake, it was very quiet, but it was raining. We were feeling a little glum about camping in the rain until we saw the dining shelter. Since we were the only ones at the campground we made ourselves at home. We took over the shelter with all our gear. We set the tent up near the wood stove and were toasty all night.Brian got right to work chopping wood to get the fire going.Oscar was very happy there was a wood stove to curl up by. Like us, he doesn't like the rain much.Unfortunately with all the rain, Oscar tended to be a little muddy. He had to be wiped off before he could go in the tent.After we had enjoyed a steak dinner with steak marinated in the sauce Naomi brought from Ireland. Delicious. And all the work was done we were able to relax by the fire.Friday morning we put the canoe in the lake and trolled around hoping for fish. However, apparently there are no fish in the lake. LOL.On the way home we stopped for some grouse along the road. I actually killed my first grouse. I'm such a redneck. YAY! It was so good.We had a fabulous time just meandering around the country. We are looking forward to more of the same.

WATCH OUT WORLD

Yesterday Hannah took her road test in Whitehorse. My heart was beating a hundred beats a minute at least while she was out on the test. It took her 2 full years to complete her 50 hours of driving time. LOL. She is a very good driver, but she just doesn't like to drive. She was so relieved to pass because now she never has to drive again. She even told the driving instructor that. LOL.Congratulations Hannah! We are very proud of you.

CHANGES

Yesterday was the day we became empty nesters. After leaving Naomi in Kamloops in August, we left Hannah and Josh at the dorms yesterday. Both the kids were excited to be at the dorms. Hannah was ecstatic to be with her beloved Ben again.Josh was completely settled in, playing video games with his new roommate and his friends from Ross.While they were having the time of their lives, Brian and I were driving back from Whitehorse. The house is strangely quiet this morning - not that I'm complaining. I think this new chapter in our lives will be interesting for all of us.

SUMMER 2009

Well, it look like summer is coming to an end. I suddenly realized that I haven't blogged in a really long time and had lots to catch up on.

JULY
Naomi and Jaime left for Ireland on July 3. They had a fantastic time touring around the country.After putting them on the plane, the rest of us began the trek down south.Once we got there it was brutally hot. Hannah and Josh spent a lot of time at the beach in Kelowna, just floating in these boats.

AUGUST

We were still in Kamloops, but took time to go to Kelowna. While there we celebrated Adele's birthday (I not allowed to say how old she is, but look at the cake. LOL) before heading back home, sadly without Naomi.Once we arrived home it was time to do some yard work before winter settles in. Our big project was building this planter. We collected rocks from the river and soil from nearby and set to work. In the spring we will plant wild flowers in it.That about sums up our summer. I didn't take a lot of pictures, just relaxed and enjoyed the summer.

WHAT TO DO...

I guess it's been a long time since I last posted. So much has happened: we dropped Naomi at the Whitehorse airport, amid many tears, for her departure to Ireland; we visited with all our family down south until they were ready to kick us out; and arrived back home today.

Leaving Naomi in Kamloops was one of the hardest things I'd ever done. I had cried on and off during the previous few weeks, wondering how I would ever be able to manage it. The tears really came on Wednesday though as we had to say goodbye. Her absence really hits at certain moments. For instance when we were unpacking our suitcases I was ready to burst into tears. I know we will settle into life and its new routines. Sometimes its just very hard to leave the old routines behind. It's such a bitter-sweet moment. I'm so proud of her and all that she has become. She's the person I hoped she would be. But it feels bitter to leave her to live her own life so far away from me.

I know she will bring much joy to her family in Kamloops. Enjoy her. She's one of the best!