Go Crosby Go!

August 7 was a big day in the HRM and for all Crosby/Penguins fans! Sid the Kid brought the Stanley Cup home along with a special guest - Max Talbot! The Smith fam went to Cole Harbour Place to battle the crowds (75,000 fans!) to get a peak at Sid and Max. I almost got Talbot's autograph, but just wasn't pushy enough. We stayed for the Q&A and enjoyed being part of the festivities. Matthew was doing lots of cheering - Go Crosby Go! - and clapped and yelled everytime to crowd did - I guess forcing the kids to watch Pens games on tv is paying off...I've got a little Crosby fan :-)

Camping at Jellystone

The long weekend in August we went on our first family camping trip - to Jellystone Park in Kingston. Nana and Grampy came too, thankfully, as camping with the kids and Riley is a lot of work - even more work than I expected! The first day was quite exhausting, but we really enjoyed ourselves on day two. Grammie, Grampy, Sean, Cathy, and Shay visited at campfire time, so the kids really had a family weekend. The campground has a waterslide, playground, bouncy pillow, pool - endless activities for kids. Matthew's favorite part was the waterslide - he went again and again and again :-) Sissy enjoyed lots of stroller rides and meeting Yogi Bear. The weekend was not without a couple of miss-haps...Riley broke his collar trying to sniff a dog passing by and then took off through the campground to search out Grampy S. Chad didn't give Grampy B warning when throwing a football in the dark...and it ended up in a neighbour's fire pit - Matthew will tell you an animated play by play of each event :-) Overall, it was a fun weekend and the kids did great!

Anna was a little skeptical of Yogi Bear...

Sissy exploring the camper...this may be the only time the kids were in this camper as we're trying to sell it. Time will tell, but either way I'm sure they will grow up with lots of camping experiences! Mom just might have to suck it up and go back to tent camping :-)

Dollar Lake Provincial Park

Capping off a very busy July was a trip to Dollar Lake Provincial Park. It's near the airport and has a small lakeside beach that is quite nice. We went early and left around noon - it was getting really packed by then! It's also a camping park and we drove through the campground area, which looked really nice. Hopefully we can camp there soon :-)

Dad and his babies :-)

beach girls!

Exploring the beach - what fun!

Anna loved sitting in the water at the beach.

Matthew and Dad learning to swim.

Citadel Hill

Chad returned from a week in Salt Lake City and we headed to the Citadel where a family camp out was getting set up (SD was a sponsor for the event - we hope to camp next year too). Sissy enjoyed exploring with Dad in the pack. Can you find Matthew in this picture?

Me and my boy exploring...he especially liked the hills and tunnels.


View from the top of the wall - a cannon demonstration was happening while we were there and the bang really scared Matthew!

Port Royal

From Fort Anne we were off to Port Royal

Me and my babes at the entrance

Matthew wasn't too keen on all the dark rooms, so he and Nana read the skunk book outside.

Matthew and Gramps aiming a little cannon. Matthew couldn't understand why he couldn't pick up the "balls" and put them in the cannon. He wanted to shoot them in the water so that they would make a big splash!

Fort Anne

During the week in Middleton we visited Fort Anne - an old favorite of mine. We had a really nice afternoon. Here's a classic cannon shot - Matthew and Gramps
We also walked around Annapolis Royal and I picked up a book about skunks that we read back at the fort.

Matthew loved running through the tunnels and rolling down the hills.

After our exploring we had a picnic snack and Sissy enjoyed some cheese and crackers :-)

Randoms from a week at Nana and Grampy's

Here are some random pictures from our stay in Middleton a couple of weeks ago while Chad was in Salt Lake City. We were at playhouse a couple of times and it's fun that Anna now really enjoys playing too.

Matthew also rides the train at treehouse!

Matthew had Anna just roaring with laughter on this afternoon :-)

Matthew and Anna peeking out the window looking for Nana and Grampy

Matthew and Nana are regulars on Wednesday afternoon's at the Middleton Bowling Alley - Matthew loves to bowl!

Anna is all over the stairs and boy is she fast! You'll notice Rosie is this picture too...Rosie is quickly reaching "Teddy status" - she is pretty important!