The Old Shadow Lake Camp

Our little cedar cabin on Shadow Lake is the most special place on earth. Thank God my parents bought the land from my Pépé in the 50's and built our humble camp, which carries endless memories for so many people, young and and old.
Here are a ton of photos from the many many days we were at this camp over my 5 week stay in Vermont. They were countless barbeques with different combinations of people, and lots of fun in the water.
Think Mary is singing something? Think you're right.Léna is in my niece Sara's old high chair, still going strong. Below - Lessons in life preservers!
Running up the bank with Wayne and Jacob
Observation tower?
Martha taught me to swim at Turcotte's Pond, now she taught Estelle!
Mary testing Peter's prescription goggles, the new "fad" of the family...
Chris manning the grill!
Complete privacy on our deck
Joan tests the hammock chair, Cole explores....
Sandy and Elijah beating the heat
Wayne and Ed
2 peas in a pod, guarding the canoe
Lotta talk, lotta talk - this was some endless conversation between Wes and Ed about a lawn mower, Sandy and I were ready to push both of them into the drink.
Katie and Owen drop by for a splash
Thomas arrives from France - Low sun on the dock:Learning to spear a marshmallow:
The big cedar that I adore
Glover Day weekend: Work bee with all 5 brothers, 3 sisters and 3 brother-in-laws! Ed caulking a corner....
New red stain on the cedar logs!
A sleepy baby amidst all those workers, snug as a bug in a rug.
Working on replacing the stovepipe - they look like a rough lot, don't they?
Taking a lunch break in the sweetest little spot on earth: Goulash anyone?
Costco Cupcake?
Estelle got out from underfoot with the Little Mermaid coloring book from 1987.
The crew: On ladders, Martha, Chris, Peter.
Below Danny hiding far left, Cedric, Wesley, Edwin & Paul.
The starlet swims:
Lillian, the star rower was giving a run for her money by cousin Estelle one afternoon...

Estelle learns a few water tips
Thomas borrows Peter's old suit!
Léna enjoys the wading pool
Uncle Cedric shows how to operate the cemet truck
Give Lily a pat
Don't get much better than this
Changing glasses? This was just before Ced produced some G & T's in plastic tumblers, thanks Ced!
2004 popcorn? Yowza.

Darlene holds 2-ton Tessy and gives me a chance to dive in....

A rare shot of Léna and I
One little 4 year old who enjoyed every second in this quaint little abode. Thanks Shadow.

Goodbye Nice, Hello Calvinet

It's 11:00 p.m. Friday night, we are leaving in 4 hours (yes, that's right, 3 a.m.) to drive to the Auvergne to Calvinet.
My daughters are literally living out of the suitcase:



This Canadian ball is from my friend Larissa, visiting from Toronto. More on that later.
See you in a week!

Uncle, Cousin, Summer

Sometimes all it takes is a summer evening and a trampoline or an inflatable pool to bring out the kid in everybody.

Missing in Action: Vermont

Flight back to Nice this morning.
5 weeks + summer + Vermont + 10 siblings + a lot of cousins = a fantastic time:
The proof is in the pudding - a slice of photos to give a quick glance.
Berries -
Moss on logs:
Petting zoos
Swingsets
Spoon tricks, old highchairs
Corn on the Cob
Afternoon pool parties
Sewing quilts
Walks in the woods
Giggling on the dock
Shady spots
Learning to swim
Goats
Maple creemees
Haying
And much much more....
Thanks to ALL my sibilings and my mom for helping my family have an amazing vacation and give Estelle some wonderful memories.

Last Times

Wrapping up the end of the year over here. Tomorrow is the last day of school but Estelle will miss it as we'll be crossing the ocean.

Yesterday: last Gym Club class with Catherine, when the parents were invited to see what the little group of 6 kids had been up to all year.



This little fan-club of one loved all the space and all the mats!

Yesterday afternoon, last visit with my friend Helen who is going to Vancouver for a year! So great! But as you can see Estelle is sad about it.
And today, last day at school:
Above: Estelle and her spitfire buddy Edgar. Thank you lord my kid doesn't have THAT much energy. Below: Estelle and her teacher Patricia, who gave Estelle this book on Van Gogh.
Think my camera is acting up....sorry for the quality.
Who knows when this blog will be updated again - happy summer to all and Happy 4th of July to the Americans!

5 Years!

Well I can tell you what I WASN'T doing right now 5 years ago tonight - packing suitcases for me and my 2 daughters.
Who is that young couple above? They didn't even know they would have 2 daughters! Not a care in the world.
June 30th 2005 - married in the eyes of the law, albeit not the Lord.


Lisa's dress, held together with an earring.....
Seems like a loooooooooooooonnnnnnnggggg time ago, 2 kids later. 5 years is nothin' though!