Canada Trip 2013

Our annual trip to Canada has come and gone.  The girls and I flew into Minot, North Dakota where Mark and all the puppies met us.  We had almost 3 weeks of family time-hunting, playing with the dogs and visiting our friends.  I say it every year, but it's always so bittersweet leaving.  Part of my heart is always left there in this beautiful country with these dear people.

Crossing the border

Grace and me on one of the flights

Emma got sick our first day there!  Her buddy Duke was trying to make her feel better

Me and Emma hanging out in the duck blind!

Our girl Thicket posing with a duck she fetched.

Mary, Emma, our friend Mrs. Phyllis, me and Grace

Emma catching up on some school reading on our drive back from Delta Beach.

Our favorite coffee shop and some of our favorite  people.  Mary, Emma, Mrs.Phyllis, Mr.Henry and Grace.

The one time of year we get to ice skate.  We had the whole rink to ourselves.

Grace and Emma lighting our paper lantern.

Emma got to go to school with her friend Samantha.  It was her first time in public school (she has only been home schooled).  She had a blast!

The Bahamas

After Disney World, we took a short flight from Orlando to Marsh Harbor, Abaco. With all the walking and waiting at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, we were worn out and needed a break! A short boat ride from Marsh Harbor landed us in Hopetown, Elbow Cay. We would call this minuscule island home for the next two weeks. Our only mode of transportation besides foot was an old golf cart we named General Lee. We could get from one end of the island to the other in about 25 minutes on General Lee. Our rental house was on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean. We spent a lot of time on the Sea of Abaco boating, snorkeling, and fly fishing. We also enjoyed combing the beaches for shells and sea glass. One day we visited the island's beautiful lighthouse. It was built in the 1800's by the British, and is one of only three working kerosene lighthouses in the world. The view from the top was spectacular.

It took a golf cart, a boat, a taxi, a plane, and our personal car to get us back home after a beautiful and restful stay on this quaint little island.

Dreams Do Come True

The last time our family went to Disney World, Emma was just 4 months old. The big girls and I made a scrapbook of the trip. When she got older, Emma would flip through the pages, and repeatedly say "I want go back to Disney!" A few weeks ago, her Daddy surprised all of us with a trip to Disney World. We packed in as much as we could in the short time we were there. Emma finally got to meet all her favorite princesses. The whole family had a fabulous time at the place where dreams really do come true.

Our road trip north...way north!

For over 10 years now we've been going to Canada.  I've posted about it every year.  Every year I leave totally renewed.  There's always something different, something more, something special.  The people take time to get to know you, to visit, to make you feel special...

The sunsets and sunrise are bigger and more colorful.

The snow...oh the snow!  It's what we wait for! It never disappoints.

This year we happened upon a little coffee/gift shop.  We couldn't wait to go back everyday! Our new friends there were so much fun! (Mr. Mike, me and my Grace)

The whole gang in Rossburn at the coffee shop.

One of our favorite friends finally brought his violin on the last day. He played Ukrainian songs while my girls played their music.

Another favorite stop is Mrs. Marion's store in Olha. She always takes time to visit with us and always has everything we need.  She's more than the 'shopkeeper', she's like family to us.

Here's me and my crazy friend Cheryl. She makes me laugh more than anyone. I love this girl!

The kitchen of the little farm house we rented this year-playing cards with one of our buddies Taras. He's the most kind-hearted, giving person you could know.

Mr. Steve at the Olha store. So shy! he's so kind to pump our gas for us. So many stories to tell. Such a sweet man.

My favorite latte at the coffee shop in Rossburn. Better than Starbucks

Another favorite find.  This one is online too!

I never told you about New York!

For my eldest daughter's 16th birthday we surprised her (and the whole family) with a trip to New York City!  Mark was in the Middle East and was meeting us in NYC.  I revealed the destination in Atlanta.

Before leaving I made a booklet of all the places I thought we might want to visit.  I included the address, hours, prices, etc.  For the last flight I told Mary to look through this list and see what she really wanted to do

Here are Grace, Mary (the birthday girl) and Emma in Atlanta right after they found out where we were going.

The 9/11 Memorial-the one place I insisted that we see.  I was totally overcome with emotion as I read the names.  I don't know anyone personally who perished on this awful day, yet I cried uncontrollably as I walked through this beautiful monument.

Leave it to us girls to find the library!  We've managed to find one in every city we've ever been in! We just love the library.

Our hotel was in Time Square.  This was the view at night. Gorgeous!

One day we went to The Top of the Rock. What a n amazing panoramic look we had at the whole city!

We had to go see Central Park.  Here are the girls on our last day.

One of the 'must see' things was a Broadway show-Wicked!  We all love  the Wizard of Oz and couldn't wait to see this show.  It was amazing!!

We have to go to Hard Rock in every city/country that we visit.(that has one)   We're never been disappointed!

Here are me and the girls waiting on the subway to take us to Lincoln Center to the see NYC Ballet perform The Nutcracker.  It was so beautiful!

American Girl!  One of our favorite places!  This is the 3rd one we've seen.  They never grow old!