I Haven't Forgotten...

I have so much to update...we have been having a busy and fun Summer...no promises, but hopefully I can get back to blogging next week.

On The Road Again

Sometimes I think we just can't sit still.  We always need to be going or doing something.  And I really do like to have nothing to do sometimes, but that rarely happens anymore, at least not since having Arabella.  I am sure those days will be here faster than I can imagine.

We didn't really plan on going on another trip so quick after Montreal, but Arabella was begging to go visit Uncle Mike and Jay was out of town for most of the month, so I decided to do a road trip.  I know, it was a kind of crazy idea to make the 7 hour drive by myself with 2 kids but I did it...and it wasn't too bad.  Arabella is a huge help with Max and they are pretty good in the car...the DVD player and iPad help too!  We got on the road early and in no time we arrived in Ohio.  The weather was great for driving and I was able to snap some pictures along the way in Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio!

Beauty In The Sky

One day we have sunsets like this...

And the next day we have storm clouds like this...

Mother Nature sure is amazing.

Mini Picasso's

Before it got too hot and steamy, I took Max and Arabella outside to do some painting.  It was max's first time having fun in paint like this and he loved it!

Arabella did a great job with her painting.  She was very focused and decided to do a self portrait of sorts...

She painted her as a vet helping an injured dog...I love it!

Summer In Montreal - A Final Montreal Sunset

I love watching the sun set and there was something totally captivating to me about the last sunset of our trip. It had rained all day and then it stopped just in time for a bit of evening sun and then this...

Mother Nature sure knows how to dazzle.  Thank you for such a beautiful send off.

Summer In Montreal - Our Last Night

After saying goodbye and settling into our hotel room a bit, we had some time to burn in the hotel.  It was nice that it was right in the terminal and I would totally stay there again.  We passed the time watching the planes on the runway right outside our window.

We checked out the pool in the hotel.  We had it all to ourselves!

We took a walk through the airport and checked out a few stores to pass some time.

Arabella relaxed in bed watching TV as I walked the hall outside our room with Max to try and get him to go to sleep...it took a while, but he finally dozed off!

And before I knew it, all our bags were packed and ready to go for the morning and it was time to say good night to Montreal!

It is amazing how time flies when you are having fun!  We had a great trip and are looking forward to heading back to the Great White North soon.

Summer In Montreal - Just a Little While More...Before We Say Goodbye

It's true, what they say about saying goodbye, it is so hard to do.  And so painful when you miss a place terribly and you love the people there.  I know that it was just as hard for me to say goodbye as it was for Arabella (and Max).  I (we) are so lucky to have these friendships and experiences.  Canada and Montreal will always be a part of me (us) and we will hold those memories with us forever.  I know that I am already planning my next trip back, and can't wait.

We were so lucky to have Tanya and June help us at the airport and returning the car.  We stayed at the Marriott right at the airport our last night - as much as I would have loved to spend it at June's house, it was just easier to be right where we needed to be in the morning.  Even though we didn't have crack of dawn flights, it was less stress and I was able to return the rental car without a hassle.  Tanya stayed with the kids in the room while June and I returned the car and made sure to take the car seats and anything else that was left behind in it.  We had Thai Express (one of my favorite take out places) for dinner in the hotel room and then we let Arabella, Christopher and Ryan (and Max) play for a bit before the hard goodbye.  I hated to say goodbye to Tanya and June and there were tears shed.  It is so hard to leave them - they are so very important to me and I miss the sisterhood that we shared while we were in Montreal.  Part of it is there still, but the everyday part of being so near and sharing in the day in and day  out stuff is missing.  Arabella had a hard time saying goodbye and didn't want to let go.  The boys were sad too.  I am still amazed at the bonds that these kids have.  We are so very, very lucky.