creativelykate

Two weeks ago we headed north towards Buckhorn, Ontario to spend the last official weekend of summer at the cottage with my Aunt Joanne and Aunt Shirl.  All summer we had been trying to make plans to go and visit them but needless to say - we were pretty busy.  Instead we opted for a September weekend...hoping that the weather would cooperate.  Not only did we have one of the most beautiful weekends of the summer (weather wise), it was also one of the buggiest!  Anyone who knows me, knows I hate using real bug spray - I try to go more au natural.  But we honestly had no choice that weekend.  It was either spray ourselves down with deet, get outside and enjoy the weather or get outside and be eaten alive (staying in wasn't an option). Although the water was a little chilly we still managed to have a great couple days...playing outdoors, relaxing on the dock, cooking some yummy meals, enjoying  movie night (both nights - ha) and celebrating my Aunt Joanne's 70th birt

A couple weeks ago I took our younger two children to the Brampton Flight Center for their annual Airport Day .  Both my mother and grandfather decided to join us for the festivities.  The entire day was very exciting for my little guy Jack, but it was also very special for my grandfather William Russell Brown who was a pilot and flight instructor during WW2.  He was given the opportunity to meet with one of the pilots who would be taking flight that afternoon in one of the old Harvard airplanes.  My grandfather was even invited to stand on the wing of the plane and pose for a photo with his great-grandson.  The very model he used to fly during the war!   It was actually quite inspiring to see him standing there with the pilot, but let's be honest - he was probably giving the guy a lesson or two haha (the photos say it all). The rest of the morning was spent exploring the grounds and trying to take it all in before nap time.  There was plenty to do for all ages and the we

This past summer we had the opportunity to take our family to Balsam Resort for a week long family vacation.  It was baby Irelynn's first trip and our first big adventure as a family of six. When I was a little girl, until I turned about sixteen, my grandfather used to take us to Balsam each summer for two weeks.  Considering it had been almost twenty years since I had been there I was beyond excited to take my family to one of the places I used to call my summer home.  For the past few years I had been contemplating someday returning to Balsam and to be honest at one point I had decided that my memories from there were better left untouched.  I thought to myself that perhaps it was better to start some new traditions.  However last winter when my grandfather offered to send my family on a summer vacation, the idea crossed my mind once again.  With baby number four on the way, my hubby and I were looking to spend our vacation somewhere that catered to families with you