A visit from Papa, Gramma G, Uncle Mike and Miss Molly....

October 24th - 26th

We had a great visit with Papa, Gramma G and Uncle Mike during this past weekend. We haven't seen them since March, and we were worried that Silka may not have gotten past her fear of Papa's Gruff Grampa voice. However, after a few minutes of apprehension and holding tightly onto Daddy's hand, she warmed up to Papa rather quickly. They ate breakfast with each other Saturday morning - Papa's eyes twinkled as he watched and chuckled while his granddaughter roared like a lion with each bite of her chocolate pancakes.

It rained hard all day, so we played games, read books (Mike read every book that Silka dragged out to him from her bedroom). We went out in the late afternoon and walked grandma and grandpa canine, Miss Molly and Sir Chops-a-lot. Rein and Silka rode their bike and trike through the boat size puddles at the side of the road.

On Sunday we woke up to a much nicer day - the sun was shining and their was a warm breeze. We ate breakfast and got outside. We persuaded Big Uncle Mike and Papa to help get the boat out of the water and put the motor away. There was much grunting but we were successful.

Thanks for the visit Papa, Gramma G and Uncle Mike - and you too, Miss Molly. It was great to see you. See you at the christmas party!!

Rein was climbing the walls .......

This past Sunday at the MEC store in Ottawa. His first climb and he did our chimpanzee cousins proud.

Way to go Rein!

Rogain Race 2008 - Gatineau, Quebec

We grunted, we groaned. We ran down trails, climbed up steep hills. We trudged through swamps, we braved the hawthorn and stinging nettle. We stood atop cliffs to look down at hills ablaze with fall colours. We did all this during an 8 hour Rogaine race.

Rogaining is a type of orienteering where you try to find as many control points as you can in a specified amount of time. The most we could get that day were 46 - we found 21. Not bad for our first attempt. We adventured through the Gatineau hills with close friends. We are now hooked and look forward to doing it again!

Pre Rogaine Race Training - October 13th

Before our big 8 hour Rogaine race on October 18th, we did a trial run in between some local trails.

Rogaining is a type of orienteering where your goal is to find as many control points in a certain time period.

Andy and Violetta joined us for the hike. They kept us with us and we stopped here on this cliff top for a lunch break.

Glorious!

Rein Captures the Gold Medal...

It was a close race.....

It was for the gold medal for latest swim of the year. To qualify, you must swim at least thirty strokes.

Leslie swam on the morning of October 10th thinking that she had clinched the title "Latest Swimmer for 2008". She slipped in the standing to Silver medalist when a cottage neighbour, Tony, took a 42 stroke dip later that morning.

In the end, Rein Olvet surprised them when he slipped out of his clothes and daringly took a qualifying dip with a Thanksgiving crowd to act as a his witness.

Congratulations, Rein! Will someone dare to dip before the end of the year and usurp his reign? Stay tuned......

Thanksgiving 2008 - The Cirque Du Soleil visits Buck Lake

It was a glorious Thanksgiving Celebration. It was warm and sunny, and the leaves rained down on us all day. There were 13 of us that feasted on Turkey and all the trimmings. We ate outside under the late afternoon sun. The conversation was lively and entertaining - there was much laughter between bites. Besides, our family of four, we celebrated our thanks with the Spennato/MacNee 'Cirque Du Soleil' clan - the dapper Uncle George, Aunt Tacos and Garry, Sally, Robert and Katie, Grandma Aida and Grampa Len. We were also joined by some Olvetian representatives, Andy and his tennis partner extraordinaire, Violetta. There was never a dull moment.

Thank you everyone for coming!

Thanksgiving - Cont'd

Leslie's Second Half-Marathon, Toronto Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon

September 28th, 2008

I went, I ran....it was a tough race. I had no running partner that day and I was feeling a bit under the weather, but I still beat my previous time. I managed to come in six minutes earlier with a chip time of 2:02.

What's next? Orienteering race on October 18th.
Next year - adventure race and maybe a triathalon?

The Windsurfing Duo!

September 7th, 2008

It was a windy day on Buck Lake. Enough wind for a good windsurfing run is rare, so Tom got out the board and the sail and got out on the lake before the wind died down. Rein hopped on board and enjoyed his job as his dad's windsurfing sidekick (or ballast).

They were out there for a good half hour dancing in the wind and water back and forth across the lake.

September 6th, 2008 - The Kingston Fall Fair

It is becoming a yearly tradition...

We spend oodles of money on ride tickets, soft ice cream and carnival fare.

The highlights are the rides, of course, the petting zoo and the chicken barn. The kids meet the fanciest and funniest looking breeds of chickens and roosters - Rein and Silka visit each cage and squeal with laughter as their occupants strut around showing off their ridiculous yet majestic plumes.

AND, like any other fair, we enjoy the best people watching and the "carnies" are always entertaining.