Owen Sound

Over the Christmas holidays we had an opportunity to visit with friends in Owen Sound. So 6 of us packed up and headed up the day after Boxing Day to stay for the night. We drove in a very thick fog pretty much the entire way up - and also some spurts of very heavy rain. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed as I was hoping to see piles and piles of snow when we got up there.

By the time we arrived in the early afternoon, it was clear to us that we would not be encountering any snow falls during our stay (it was 10 degrees out there!!). But that was ok, we were there with friends and that was the main reason of our stay!

The kids were all very excited to see each other again - knowing that there would be one big sleepover that night too - it couldn't get much better for them!

Our initial plans for the weekend were sledding and skating, so obviously that was not going to work out. Instead we were able to hang out at the Owen Sound Canadian Reformed Church gym...which was also the school. The kids were able to run around and get rid of lots of energy - even the adults played some basketball and a soccer game in the end too. It was a lot of fun! Then we headed back home for some supper. After dinner we headed out to the "Festival of Northern Lights" - a great light display for us to walk around and enjoy in the city of Owen Sound (and it even stopped raining for that hour!).

The kids enjoyed some more play time after the light show, a chocolate hunt and a little down time with some t.v. before bed. We had 4 kids in one room - and it actually worked out very well. Caleb was super excited about sleeping somewhere else, so he could hardly wait to go to bed. They all actually fell asleep quite fast (much to our delight!). Then the adults were able to enjoy the evening playing some games and just chatting.

Sunday we went to Church (and left on time too!! we had 11 of us getting ready at the same time, that was quite a feat!) and about 1/4 of the way thru the service the power went out (there were severe wind warnings out for the area...and boy did it blow!!). The service continued on despite the lack of lights (it was bright enough anyway with the windows). I think this probably either sedated the kids a bit or made them a bit worried being there in the dark!

We stayed for the second service yet, had some supper and then made our way home. The drive home was uneventful, no more fog, no rain - maybe a couple little flurries, but that was it. We stopped in at Alvar's parents again (we had done this on the way there too) to give ourselves and the kids a break - having a quick coffee and then heading out again. Danielle kept the kids quite happy taking turns telling stories with each other and then we all broke out in song when the Lion King c.d. was put on the stereo!

We all had a great time together - the kids got along great and the adults did too!! Just a few pictures yet of the hi-lites of our little adventure.

Danielle giving some much loved attention to Dora the Cat

The favourite toy of the weekend...Alvar really enjoyed this one!

Trying to hold the kids back while Alvar got the toy ready

Here's the final product of the toy :)

Light Show!

This one is for Alvar's Dad and Mom!!

Going warp speed!!! Well, not exactly, this was my desperate attempt to take some nice pictures of the decorations in the town - didn't work out so well...next time I'll use a tri-pod!