This weekend has been beautiful, so we took the opportunity to go for a hike at Lemoine Point.  The trails meander lazily through thick grassy prairie and dense forest to open up onto rocky beaches that overlook the water.  It is a perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring.

Cole was the head designer on our beach fort project.

Fun was had by all.  It was a wonderful adventure.

Every year around this time I start having dreams of taking my family to Disney World.  Maybe it's the thought of the cold weather that's coming.  Or maybe like most people, I've got issues with longing for  something I can't afford.  Or maybe I've just drank Disney's magic potion one too many times.  No matter what the problem is I just can't seem to help myself.  So to give myself a hit of Disney bliss and help me stave off any irrational thoughts of another trip to Disney, here are some pictures from the trip Clay and I took in 2007 as a belated honeymoon.

We told them we were on our honeymoon (because we were...just 4 years late) and they gave us "Just Married" buttons which I forced Clay to wear around all week.  Don't we look like newlyweds?  

Though all the parks are amazing, Epcot Center is probably my favorite.  It offers a ton of variety, boasting great rides, interesting attractions, and awesome food.  Plus, I love the street performers and the world showcase pavilions.

As far as I know, Disney World is the only place you can visit San Francisco and several different countries without leaving Florida.

What can I say?  Disney brings out the kid in me.  

We took this photo to show our Lego obsessed son all of the cool things you can do with building blocks.  I can't wait for him to see this in person.

We had such a good time.  Maybe that's why I dream about going back.  I think I may even be ready to tackle a Disney vacation with children.  It would certainly be great fun to experience the magic through the eyes of our kids.

The Canadian Forces had two boats docked in Kingston today, so we took the opportunity to go see what a naval ship is like.  Cole was in combat heaven.

There was a long gun.

And machine guns.  What more could a military obsessed child ask for?

There was other stuff too - like flags, lots and lots of flags.

And a workout room.

My personal favorite...

...a bike?  Not sure where exactly you'll be riding that at sea, but I suppose it comes in handy while in port.  We also saw a guy board the ship carrying golf clubs, so I'm guessing they allow some personal items.  Who knew the navy was so luxurious?

I have to admit it was pretty cool to tour the ship.  The kids had a great time and we got to experience another little piece of Canada as a family.  What more can I ask for?

I have a confession.  

I have a sad addiction to food.  

Not the kind of addiction where I get sad and eat food.  And not the kind of addiction where I crave food and can't stop eating, therefore making me sad.  

I'm addicted to food in the same way that Clay is addicted to science and everything that goes with it.  I love knowing that if Clay asks me what a mornay sauce is, I can tell him (it's a white sauce made with parmesan or swiss cheese - for those who wonder).  I love knowing what kind of pepper makes the best Chile Rellenos (Poblanos, of course!).  Worst of all, I love watching food shows, especially ones that feature restaurants because I love going out to eat.

It is a sad addiction.  Is it not?

Anyway, the farms around Kingston hosted an amazing event this past weekend called Open Farms.  Basically, as a farm you could participate by opening up your farm for tours, etc. and allowing the public to come and check you out.  

We checked out a family farm just north of Kingston that raises a variety of animals, keeps bees and runs a sugar shack for maple syrup.  There were cows and pigs and goats and pheasants and chickens and peacocks - all organic - and it's all done to custom order for their clients.

The farmer was so friendly and eager to share with the people who were visiting her home.  It was awesome.  In fact,  I was so impressed by her that I immediately wanted to order any meat we consume from her.

The kids really enjoyed the kittens that were roaming around and if Cole had his way we would have brought one home.  He was convinced that this little fellow here was in love with him and fate had brought them together.  (Much to his dismay, I supersede fate)

It was a perfect way to spend an afternoon, feeding my food addiction problem.  I love knowing where my food comes from and I hope more places offer these kind of opportunities for people everywhere.  It really makes you appreciate the people work so hard to bring you the good stuff. 

Apple picking is my all time favorite event of the fall season.  We do it every year.  Usually it takes up an entire afternoon because there's a wagon ride out to the orchard and then picking at different locations for all the different varieties of apple we want.  Then there's a wagon ride back.  Doughnuts and cider are purchased and consumed on site.  The kids play and life is good.

Well, up here in Canada there's no wagon ride and no doughnuts (which is the biggest tragedy of all!), so apple picking didn't take up the entire afternoon like it normally does.  But we still had a wonderful time.

Afterward, we took a little side trip and stopped at one of the lochs of the Rideau Canal.  

It was a bright, beautiful day - absolutely perfect for exploring the Canadian countryside.  These moments are wonderfully serendipitous, so I'm glad we have kids that are adventurous enough to go where our whims take us.  If you haven't yet been out to enjoy the fruits of fall, I highly recommend you find the time...soon!

When we lived in Michigan, one of our favorite places to spend the day was The Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI.  We loved it so much we had a family membership for 3 years running.  In fact, I considered renewing it despite the fact that we had made the move to Canada and couldn't go hardly ever.  In my mind, the once-in-while opportunity would have been worth it.  We love it that much.

Cole was a huge fan of the Henry Ford because of its collection of cars, airplanes, farm equipment, trains, etc.  He spent hours folding paper airplanes and creating vehicles out of Kinex.

Isabel on the other hand loved Greenfield Village.  She spent hours watching the glass blowers.

Personally, I love both.  We had so many great times there as a family.  We went to Halloween in Greenfield Village, twice.  We were for the 4th of July celebration, twice.  We went to the Maker Fair and the Lego exhibit.  The list goes on and on.  Basically it's an all around fabulous place and if you ever have the chance to go, you NEED to check it out.  Here are some of the great memories I have.

Our kid-free time has come to an end.  We picked them up yesterday and the house is already in chaos again.  I'm glad for it though.  As much as I like there to be order in my house, I like having my kids around more.

Anyway, for our last hurrah before the kids came home, Clay and I went hiking out at the Little Cataraqui Conservation Area.  It's a beautiful place full of wilderness to get lost in.

The marshes were loaded with frogs and you had to be careful of where you stepped as they hopped away by the dozens.

We walked through pine forests, as well as areas of vast Sugar Maples that towered above us.

And followed the rocky course of a dry creek bed.

We even discovered the rusted frame of an old coupe.  With the forest grown up around it, there's no telling how it got there in the first place.

With adventures like these in the world, it's a wonder we ever make it home.

For those of you who have no idea what the Thousand Islands are, don't feel bad.  Neither did I before I moved to Kingston.  The St. Lawrence river has thousands, hence the name, of islands exactly like the one pictured above.  They are all different shapes and sizes.  There's even a few man-made islands.  Some are big enough for many homes; others can barely fit one.  One thing is certain though, it's a beautiful area full of rock, trees, and water.  

So far, we have been on two tours of the Thousand Islands this year.  The first we took with my parents while they were visiting the kids and me at the end of June.  We took my dad for Father's Day and had a lovely time despite Cole complaining that the trip was too long.

The second time we went was when Clay's mom and step-dad came to visit us in July.

It rained for the first half hour of the trip, hard enough that we even had to keep the windows closed, but when it finished the sun came out and it was a beautiful day.  The kids enjoyed taking pictures with their cameras and driving the captain's wheel on the top deck.

They even enjoyed each other, which is usually difficult for siblings in a confined space for a long period of time.

My favorite part was seeing all the boats.

I highly recommend the Thousand Islands if you're looking for a breathtaking vacation.  There are many cities along the river that offer day cruises.  There are places to rent boats and a few islands are national parks where you can camp.  There is even a Thousand Island Cruise line if you're looking for something more substantial.  I know we will be visiting them again, hopefully soon.

A few weeks ago we took a day trip to Sand Banks provincial park in Prince Edward Island County (not to be confused with Prince Edward Island that is on the Atlantic Ocean).

Being from West Michigan has spoiled me when it comes to going to the beach, so since summer has arrived we have been on  a quest to find a place as beautiful and sandy as the shores of Lake Michigan.

Sand Banks is it.

We packed a picnic lunched and spent the afternoon enjoying the warm sunshine and cool lake breeze.  There was sand castle building and wave jumping.  

It was the perfect day for almost everyone.  Unfortunately, a seagull spelled disaster when it took aim and bombed Cole.  That's right.  It pooped on him.  He wanted to leave the beach immediately and his attitude afterward threatened to cast a dark shadow on our fun-filled day.

However, some quick thinking got him back on track.  I distracted him by building a rock mosaic which he quickly took over.

On the way home we found a spot to buy some delicious swiss chard to have with dinner.  Personally, I couldn't imagine a better way to end such a wonderful day.

The heat this summer has been unbearable for many parts of the U.S.  It's even been too hot to handle up here in Kingston, so we've been finding ways to cool ourselves down when the sun starts blazing down.  

Our answer to beat the summer heat is the splash pad at City Park in Kingston, Ontario.  Here are my top 5 reasons why we love this cool destination.

1. It's free and in this day where everything costs something, you can't shake a stick at that.
2. It's right across the street. We happen to live in a premier location, so we can have spontaneous "let's go to the splash pad" moments.  Everyday if we like.
3. It's a great picnic destination.  People come from all over the city to eat and play, so it definitely feels like a community destination. Furthermore, it's right across from Clay's office so he can meet us for lunch on weekdays when he's at work.
4. There's a playground, so when the water gets too cold for the kids we can work up a sweat swinging on the monkey bars.

5. There's always a chance you'll see someone you know. Our school's ward is so small that everyone lives near this little piece of heaven.   And if no you know is there, you're likely to make a new friend.