Photo overdose!!

We headed to the Island last weekend to attend the annual Cutcliffe Family Picnic.  We arrived early afternoon on Friday to help Clara do some fund raising for her trip to Vimy Ridge.  We stayed with Janet and Gary in Lois' cottage at Richard's Point and woke to a very warm and sunny picnic day.  We were very thankful for nice weather because last year it was freezing cold and rainy and not at all enjoyable to be out in the tent.

I asked the nieces and nephews if they could all get together so I could take some photos for Grandma and Grampa Patterson's Christmas calendar.  There was some grumbling but I had enough of the whining and told everyone that this is a major highlight of their grandparent's year when they get their calendar and it is the least they could do to 'suck it up and smile'.  I guess that got through and Kayla took over to organize everyone into some interesting formations.  I just kept taking pics as long as they would  keep posing.  I got a ton of photos but with that many kids, it was hard to get everyone looking presentable.  Until I get Photoshop, I can't swap heads on anyone : - )

Here are a few of the good ones:

I think the calendar has lots of options that Grandma and Grampa will enjoy!!

Cottage break

We had renters coming in last Saturday, so Dave & I took the opportunity to take a few days break at the cottage.  Just the process of driving to the cottage makes us relax and the gorgeous breeze and salty tang in the air just reinforces how thankful we are to have this little escape to go to.

We arrived late Wednesday afternoon.  Mom and Dad joined us Thurs afternoon and Heather arrived on Friday afternoon.  Other than a trip into Oxford for some fresh berries and a run into Amherst for a Frenchy's outing, we hung out at the shore and did very little.  Well, Mom can't stand to do nothing for very long so she made strawberry jam and then I found her scrubbing something or other upstairs.  She says cleaning makes her happy so who am I to stand in the way of her happiness : - )

I love my family.  They are just a wee bit crazy and they make me laugh!!  Here is a supper conversation:

Mom:  Ang, you know what you need to do is make Dave some bread with some of that smelt flour!
Me: (staring rather confused-like) Do you mean spelt flour??
Mom:  Smelt, spelt...whatever!!
Dad:  Well, that sounds kind of fishy to me?

The whole table broke out laughing and, in typical Swan style, there was lots of pounding on knees and tables until we could get our breath back.  These little incidents are what we call 'pulling a Mom'.

At one point in time on Friday night, I realized that there were five people in the cottage and I hadn't heard one sound in quite a long time.  Everyone was curled up here and there reading (or on the computer, in Dave's case).  Complete relaxation!!!




Beachin' It

We have been having some gorgeous weather lately and have been enjoying quite a bit of beach time.  We are saying that we have had nicer weather in May, June & July this year than the entire spring/summer last year and we are taking full advantage.

The boardwalk to Aboiteau Beach

Our beach buddies for the day

I love the 'vibrant' setting on my camera.  It makes the colours just pop!!

Marilyne was home for a visit so we got to spend some quality time with her.

Heath and Rach acting sparky

Happy Birthday to my dear Dad!!  He turns mumble mumble tomorrow but we celebrated a bit early!

Randomness

The title is a description of things around here lately.  Many things happening with many random snapshots to go with the activity.

We have fit in a few trips to the beach.  We feel so blessed to be 20 minutes away from fantastic beaches!



The most disgusting mustard dispenser ever @ SS Picnic



Dad's dishwashing outfit @ Gospel Supper.  Nothing says style like yellow rubber!



Liz (Macho Woman) sawing branches at the rental property



Fixing up the property to sell.  It is amazing what a difference a bit of paint can do!



I forgot my camera at the property one day and when I got it back, I found some random lurker pics had been taken.  One good trick deserves another so I am putting it on my blog for everyone to see : - )

Transitions

We had our annual graduation banquet at the Hall last Friday.  Three young 'uns graduating from high school and it made me go back (....way back) to my graduation and how excited and yet terrified I was about what was to come.

When I was young, I never wanted to become an adult for the following three reasons:
1.  They didn't play...they only sat around and talked.  Boring!
2.  They read books with NO pictures.
3.  They burped all of the time!!

Graduating from high school, moving away from home to attend university and all of the unknowns that come with it were equal parts thrilling and scary.  The Lord preserved me from so much through my years at university.  I spent my first year in residence in the middle of all sorts of goings on but was never tempted to get involved in the 'fun' that others got involved in.  I still have many friends made that first year but stuck to my convictions throughout which was nothing in or of myself and truly God's hand on me constantly.

I pray for these young ones and their journey into untrod territory.  Will they hold firm to their beliefs and convictions?  What are their beliefs and convictions?  With some, you really can't tell, although when you step back and observe their actions instead of listening to their words, you really see what is important to them.  Universities/colleges seem to shake the foundations of those young ones that you thought were solid as a rock.  Education puts more importance on the intellect and logic and demeans God's Word as irrelevant and out of date.  I guess it is easy to fall into that way of thinking when it is all around you.

My nieces and nephews are reaching this point in their lives and I pray that they will not be caught up in trying to fit in and put aside what God may want for their lives.  Not having any children does not mean that you put aside the burden for children and since we have no control over their lives....prayer is our best option!!

A few pics from the evening:

The graduates

Parents of a graduated son : - )

Part of Jeff's slideshow