Sarah's Thirteenth Birthday Bash!!!!!

Sarah's thirteenth birthday party, Saturday August 7th, 2010. Oakfield Park, NS. So glad we made it, because Sarah started off that morning throwing up repeatedly with a wicked case of the stomach flu. She was tearfully begging me not to cancel her party, as she ran to the bathroom. Fortunately, she pulled it together, and we packed up the car with lots of food and drove off to Oakfield Park to meet our whole family for a big picnic lunch. Sarah's such a great sport, you'd never know she was suffering that day. Typically I make the kids whatever they want for their birthday cake, whether that be cake, cup cakes or even pie on occasion. We were on vacation, however, so off to the bakery we went!

Riley was all about the cake. He's the cool dude in sunglasses.

Here's a shot of Oakfield Park. I went here a lot when I was a kid. I have really fond memories of Oakfield and Laurie Park.

Sarah, the Birthday Princess.

Riley really liked the cake.

Aunt Erin insisted that Sarah's nose be buttered, in that old Hants County tradition, which I then had to explain to all of Scott's family. You butter the birthday girl's nose, it makes her so slippery the devil can't catch her. It's an old gaelic thing. No butter available, hence the chocolate frosting.

Sarah didn't want to waste the frosting.

Riley denied there was any cake on his face.

Then he got back to business.

Sarah opening some of her presents. She really likes this hat she bought in Truro.

Sarah and Grandma enjoying a moment.

Sarah and Auntie Erin.

Sarah and Nanny San.

Joshua stayed in the water so long he was a little blue, and we had to warm him up. He still got back in the water after that, he's a tough kid.

The older kids swimming in the lake.

Riley paddling in the water.

He sure is a cute kid.

Sarah's friend Julia taking a shot.

Hi Julia! Julia and Kristie, Sarah's great friends from Herring Cove, made a special trip out to spend her birthday with her. They sure made it a special day for her! Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate our girl's special day!

Upper Stewiacke Family Photos

While we were at my mother's, Jeff and Josh slept on the hide a bed in Erin's living room. It always amazes me how those two have such a tolerance for each other's close proximity. I guess it's because they're only 20 months apart. Josh always sleeps with his legs up in the air, peculiar, hey?

Here's some random shots from when we were staying with my mother. Scott, Mum and I are absent in these photos. Always behind the camera or in front of a sink or stove, I guess. Here's Nanny's grandchildren: Back row: Colton, Justin and Jason. Second row: Jeffrey and Sarah. Front row: Sasha the dog, Joshua, and Maddie. Erin loooooves to have her picture taken. I have cured her of actually hiding from the camera. She has definitely improved and at least tolerates us pointing a camera in her direction. You're a good sport, porkchop! My Uncle Eric! Love ya lots, Uncle Ric!!!!

My sweet Aunt Colleen! Such a doll!

Erin's birthday. Time to blow out the candles, Erin-O! What's that we see on the cake, a 40? Say it ain't so!

Yes, forty. The big four-oh. No longer a puma. Officially a cougar. Sigh. Hard to believe our little girl is all growed up. Ah well, at least she doesn't act her age! Rock on , sistah friend!

Finding Caribou

We went to Pictou on August 5th, with the five kids and cousins Maddie and Colton. It was a great day for a drive, and we had lots of fun. After lunch, we tried to find Caribou Island beach. We've been there before, and it's not hard to find. However, we still got hopelessly lost. While pulled over on a red dirt road trying to figure out where we'd gone wrong, I flagged down an oncoming car. A nice elderly couple pulled over, and I begged for help in finding the beach. "Oh, you want to go swimming...." said the nice gentleman, "well, keep on going down this road, and you'll see some cars pulled over on the side of the road. That's where the locals go to swim. The best beach around." Well, if you're in the Maritimes and someone tells you where the locals go, you know you're in for a treat. So we took his advice and drove down the red dirt road. Pulled over on the side, climbed a sand dune, and found the prettiest private beach you'd hope for. The water was warm, there was lots of shells and beach glass and driftwood for the beachcombers, and the older boys built a great sandcastle. Thanks very much, nice old man! Come on in, the water's fine!

Joshua wading.

Maddie-O is a great little beachcomber, always finding shells and beach glass.

Colton and Joshua being buried by Jeffrey.

Every beach we went to, someone had to be buried.

Joshua resting peacefully. The sand must have been warm.

The architects at work.

Jason and Justin sculpting their castle.

We dragged them away before they were finished, but it was shaping up to be a masterpiece.

Family Photo Day!!!

August 2, 2010. Natal Day. Also known as family picture day, dun dun dunnnnn.

We all wanted to have a great ocean view in the background, which meant a bit of a hike to a good location.

It takes a few minutes to get a crowd this big under control.

I won't lie, there were tears, there were meltdowns. There were sunglasses. We were all staring directly into the sun so there was serious squinting. But we all said "cheeeeeese" when we were supposed to, and that's all that matters.

Doug Jr. branch of the clan MacIntyre.

Grandma, Grandpa and the grandchildren.

Scott's motley crew.

Doug and Judy, looking gorgeous!

Doug and Judy and their wonderful children.

Another great shot of Doug and Judy and children.

I know, I know, you'd think a woman my age would be more mature.

The Girlz.

The Boyz. (Except Jared, who had to leave early to go to work.)

Kerri, Josh, Ava and Riley. You have no idea the work that went into getting this shot. Gold stars for everyone!!

Another great shot of Doug and Judy. These two can't take a bad picture!

Our Shannon, looking beautiful. (She was wearing a fabulous pair of sandals that day, too.)

Josh trying really hard to be good.

Jeff waiting patiently for the mayhem to be over.

Jason also waiting patiently.

Justin, 2 legit 2 quit.

Sarah lost in thought.

Sarah and Ava.

Justin and Riley, the fast and the furious. You guess which is which.