July began with a bang...as it always does. Fireworks and Canada Day go hand-in-hand...and this year we actually joined the masses to watch our local display.
At the beginning of the month...we went camping with the youngest grands. First...Maggie, Lucy and Micah joined us at Camperland. They remember exactly what we did last year and don't like to change things up at all! We eat the same foods, hike the same trail, play the same games...and always buy treats at the general store.
On the second day...Ryder and Ranen joined us for a day at the water slides. What fun...even for the oldsters!
Then the younger ones went home...and Ranen and Ryder stayed for night. Like I said...some things never change! One minute they are sitting in their chairs having a good time...and the next minute Ranen is on the ground. Funny...but I thought back to their first camping trip with us when they were just three...and had a similar experience.
And I have the photos to prove it. They found it a little funnier now though!
It was a good time again! How quickly these years are flying by.
Can our youngest grand really be four already? We celebrated Lucy's birthday with a picnic at BenAnna Lake earlier this month.
Also in July...we celebrated the arrival of another grand-niece (a granddaughter for my sister Dot). Teeny as could be and cute as a button!
One night...we drove into Vancouver to meet up with Debi and Bob who were vacationing from southern California. I knew Debi from her blog...Echo of My Heart...but how nice to meet face to face for the first time! We rode the gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain...had dinner together...and watched as the sun set over the city. It was such a lovely evening...with much to talk about and lots of laughs! We plan to meet again one day...and carry on where we left off. Next time they will stay longer!
Last week we had a family BBQ at a wonderful local venue...a new RV resort that my brother-in-law has been involved in developing these past few years. Lots are now on the market...but we were there as guests of my sister and BIL and had a wonderful evening with all who could make it.
And then there was the 'just for fun' party at the farm of friends on the weekend...which included a wonderful BBQ dinner, great entertainment (Abba Again), many friends to connect with and a field full of antique tractors and pick-ups to check out. I'm thinking 'just for fun' is a really good reason to throw a party! Did I mention that there was also a new barn to gather in...which turned out to be a good thing, since we actually had a few showers on Sunday.
We have had three very hot and dry months here...with little or no rain since the beginning of May. The crops are parched...the lawns are brown...and we were in 'stage three' water restrictions.
So...needless to say...we welcomed the rain that fell on the weekend. It can only help the grass and corn fields which are really suffering in the valley...and put a bit of a damper on the forest fires that are raging throughout the province.
The sun is shining again...the Okanagan is calling...and we are off to enjoy the last few days of July with family in another part of our province.
Here's hoping you are all having a wonderful summer!
