CONGRATULATIONS KEN & KATHLEEN

Flying back to New England in January wasn't something we had planned but my baby brother set the date for January 14, just one day after our 28th wedding anniversary and we found ourselves flying back for two nights. 

My brother Ken and his bride Kathleen had a cold yet blue sunny sky day for this special occasion.  The venue was decorated with white lights and white flowers.  They said their wedding vows in front of forty guests and there was not a dry eye.  Kathleen chose the reading from 1 Corinthians, which I read, her best friend Kim read a story and they had a Irish reading.   They had a warming of the rings ceremony which I've never seen before but it is a lovely tradition of passing the rings around and each of the guests lay their hands on the rings and silently say a blessing.

The wedding was elegant as was the beautiful gown Kathleen wore.  The food was five star with hot appetizers and the guests chose between filet mignon, swordfish, vegetable medley or chicken.  Ken's three grown children each gave a toast and again brought tears to everyone's eyes.

My son, Daniel, Karen and granddaughter, Kiev drove down through a snow storm from Quebec to join us and we shared a hotel room just minutes from the wedding restaurant.  I loved spending time with Kiev because at a little over two years old, she is full of energy and hugs. 

Beautiful Family

Kathleen was glowing - Such happy smiles

Beautiful granddaughter

 The flight back from Hartford to Yuma was longer than we anticipated due to delays.  We got back after midnight and our king size bed never felt better.

Thanks for stopping in to say hi and God Bles

MASSACHUSETTS VISIT

Had a beautiful week in Massachusetts visiting friends, family and business partners.  Weather was perfect, maybe a bit too hot, for the Big E and picnics.  This was the week for our annual company meeting and company dinner.  The dinner was so much fun at the Olive Garden.

Circus at the Big E - Brand new tent and seats - There's a man in the little glass box

Lead singer of Lovin Spoonful concert at the Big E

Yesterday we drove my Aunt Donna, Dale, Dean and pug Margo to my brothers for a picnic.  Again, another beautiful day for hamburgers and corn on the cob with all the fixings.  We surprised aunt Donna with a candle in Kathleen's home made apple crisp and sang happy birthday.  Ken had them pose for a picture in his new porsche.

Aunt Donna and Dale sitting pretty

Thanks for stopping in to say hi. God Bless

LOTS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE MY LAST POST

Denis hopped in the car and drove from Maine to Quebec to pick up our son, Daniel, and granddaughter, Kiev.  He spent one night in Quebec and they were on the road at 3AM the next morning for the drive back.  It was a very special bonding time with Kiev, she's now a little over 2-years old and we enjoyed the visit very much.

Kiev loved playing in the sand

At Portland Mall play area

Learning to swim at the campground

After a week's visit, we all piled into the coach and drove back to Quebec.  We found that staying one night in Jackman, ME is a perfect half way stop instead of driving the 6-hours straight through.  If you've never stopped at Jackman, you should.  With a population of around 900 there's not a whole lot there but people come from all around for fishing, ATVing and boating.  I think it's worth the stop to have a pulled pork sandwich at Bishop's Store.

Traveling in comfort

Kloe is such a little cutie

We spent a few nights at Daniel's visiting with our new granddaughter, Kloe.  Poor little thing is having gastro issues and is not feeling very well.

Denis and I took a nice drive to the island of Orleans and had lunch by the water.  It was a beautiful day of walking, shopping and eating.

We shared a plate of pesto pasta and watched the boats go by - the wine menu had a bottle of wine for $1200 WOW

Now we are back in Massachusetts at Aunt Donna's driveway for a week or so.  This is Big E time and we like spending a day at the exposition but we're waiting for this heat spell to stop.  This is our last chance to visit with friends and family before heading south for the winter.

Friends Brett & Jessica (middle) had us and their pastor over for a very nice dinner - They just bought a new home and
wanted to share with us their blessings

That'll catch you up on what we've been up to.  Thanks for stopping in to say hi and God Bless.

MAINE - VISIT FROM CHRISTI

Daughter Christi and Phil drove down from Montreal to stay with us.  It was a short visit but we managed to pack in a lot of fun while they were here.  The Journey sleeps everyone comfortably and having a half bath for guests is convenient. Instead of making up the pull-out couch every night, we found it easier to put an air mattress on top of the sofa bed.  In the morning, we simple pick up the air mattress and put it on top of our bed.

Phil & Christi on our beach walk

We had beautiful weather while they were here

A visit wouldn't be complete without one night of steamers, lobsters and corn

Everyone had a good time but the highlight for Phil was the shooting range.  That was his first time shooting and it's an experience he will always remember.

Thanks for stopping in to say and God Bless

A WEEK IN RHODE ISLAND

We drove the car down from Maine to Rhode Island to stay at my brother's beach house in Misquamicut.  We made a point of getting there in time to see my nephew, Ryan, before he headed back to Colorado.  We're excited for Ryan because he's moving back to New England after finding himself in Colorado.

Watch Hill and a beautiful sunset

 

The beach weather was perfect and the waves were some of the highest we've ever seen.  They were so strong that the beach was closed to swimmers because of the dangerous undertow and the tide was so high that over half the beach area was covered.  That was different.

Games on a rainy day - record number of stories in Jenga

Kathleen with two of her brothers

We celebrated Kathleen's, my sister-in-law, birthday at a nice restaurant with two of her brothers, my two nieces and my brother.  Great food and fun.  Thank you Ken for sharing her day with all of us in such a special way.

Nieces Amanda & Jaclyn

Kathleen, Ken and me

The downside of all this fun was I caught the cold that Ryan gave his dad and that lingering cough is annoying.

Meeting up with new and old friends is why we love this lifestyle.

Met Larry & Gail at Shaines of Maine for famous lobster rolls

New friends Dan & June

Now we're back in our favorite campground in Wells, Maine and our daughter, Christi and Phil, came down from Montreal for a visit.  We love having them visit with us.  Yesterday was a cool beach day but still very relaxing.  Last night Christi and Phil treated us to chicken and beef kabobs on the grill and we all ate like pigs.  We challenged each other to a aggressive game of Mexican Train followed by a comedy before heading bedtime.

Thanks for stopping in to say hi and God bless.

A WEEK WITH GRAND BABIES

Left the beaches of Maine to the mountains of Mont St Anne, Quebec to visit our son and granddaughters.  The best way to visit, of course, is to bring your house with you and have full hookups when you get there.  The view of the St. Lawrence River and ski mountain are so pretty from our coach window.

I was super excited to spend time with Kiev and watch her 2-year old acting skills and it was the first time we got to hold baby Kloe.  We loved our visit and hated to say goodbye.

Grampa with Kloe - almost 2-weeks old

She sleeps a lot but we got one good picture with her beautiful eyes opened

Papa has lots of patience and not getting much sleep

Kiev's not quite sure what to make of her baby sister

We moved back into our favorite beach spot here in Wells, Maine today.  We're all settled in and looking forward to days in the sun.

Thanks for stopping in to say hi and God bless you.

A DAY AT THE MALL AMUSEMENT PARK

We used to bring our kids to this mall for ice skating and roller coaster rides.  Now we're bringing our granddaughter, who would have thought.  She's still a bit young to appreciate the rides but a couple of things caught her attention, like whack a mole and shooting a rifle.

Kiev moves so fast it's difficult to get a good picture

Papa, Kiev and Mama - Mama is expecting our second granddaughter anytime

Grandma, Mama and Kiev being fresh

Kiev with papa taking careful aim

This is one of the few rides she liked

Thanks for stopping in to say hi. God Bless

ST. FERREOL-LES-NEIGES, QUEBEC

Daniel and Karen are expecting our second granddaughter sometime before July 14th and are busy getting the house ready for her arrival.  They're trying to finish the basement so they can move their bedroom downstairs and each of the baby girls can have a room upstairs.  It's a large task with limited time and we're here to help them as much as possible.

Everyone pitching in to help install the floor

Kiev in a very serious moment

Kiev loves the slide

She also loves the swing

Karen is such a good sport, even during contractions she manages to keep a good attitude

Thanks for stopping in to say hi.  God bless

QUEBEC ENJOYING OUR VISIT

Summer is family time for us and we're enjoying every minute of it.  When we built our retirement home in Quebec, before the idea of full-time travel, we had the foresight to put in two level spots with full hookups.  Now that our son, Daniel, owns our retirement home, it's very nice to pull in with our motorhome and have a place to stay with our home on wheels.

We've been on the lazy side, not even doing our 10,000 steps, shame on us, but we're getting to bond with our granddaughter and waiting for the second granddaughter to arrive.

Went to the park today

Kiev loves to swing with grandpa pushing

Kiev wanted to try the big-girl's swing

Cooling off with some ice cream

A new toy for her birthday - Finding Dory

It was a hot summer day and a good time to be outside.  Thanks for stopping in to say hi.  God Bless.

QUEBEC - HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY KIEV

After pulling out of Aunt Donna's driveway we headed north to Quebec.  Denis found a nice, quiet Walmart in Drummondville for one night.  In the old days, we made the trip from Massachusetts to Quebec in 5 hours, but that was in a car and we were always in a hurry.  Now we make the drive in two days, relaxed and enjoying the journey.   I like it better that way.

We are officially moving from Alberta to Quebec and spent most of Friday in government buildings changing over our driver's license and health insurance cards.  We also noticed that it was close to time to renew our passports so we did that too.  The change over went unexpectedly smooth and we were in our son's driveway by late afternoon.

Friday night, daughter Christi and Phil, arrived to spent a couple of nights visiting.  They were surprised to find us awake at 10:30 pm when they arrived.  I guess we're not as old as they think we are.

Saturday morning we met with son Daniel, his wife Karen and her mom, Michele, with granddaughter Kiev at Aquarium du Quebec.  The beautiful park is home to more than 10,000 animals representing more than 300 species so it was a full day.  Everyone's favorite was the polar bear exhibit.  Watching the younger bear diving underwater was amazing.

That night they had a birthday party with their friends with babies of their own.  The big surprise for Kiev was a trampoline, she loves to jump and it was the perfect gift for her.

Sunday morning after attending mass at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre we all went out for breakfast.  The last time son, daughter and family were together was in November for Thanksgiving so it was extra special all getting together again.

Denis with daughter Christi

Son Daniel with Kiev

Denis, Christi & Phil

Karen is so creative - She made this birthday poster for Kiev

She gets air

Yes, I know, she is the most beautiful little girl ever

I think we woke her too early for breakfast

Kiev's silly parents our for breakfast

Thanks all for stopping in to say hi.  Til next time, safe travels and God bless.