Jul 31 - the summer flies by

This summer is flying by.  Very soon we'll be winging our way to Italy and won't be back until mid September !  It's hard to believe.

We finished the last full day with the gang in style; 19 for dinner.  Wing 'r us !  Fries 'r us !  Salads 'r us !  There you have it, the full menu, other than desert, of course.

I did get a group picture of our family as well as a group picture with the Davies.   I'll have to get those posted shortly. 

I started up the oil at 4pm planning to eat around 5 ... we didn't eat until 6:30.  It was windy and the oil took a long time to come up to temperature and then the wings & fries took time.  We polished off two Costco trays of wings and two big bags of frozen fries.  I'm betting that had we cooked more, they'd have been eaten.  Even Zoe and Emma got into the fries, of course.

Afterwards, we joined Jason and Lorraine in the gazebo for a bit and then I turned in.   Wiped.  I don't think that Sandy was long behind me !

The day started off with me up, of course, and Stef second.  She was determined to get out on her board when it was calm.  That worked out well.  As the day wore on every last piece of equipment was put to good use.  I'd plugged the leaking spot in the little boat, it went out several times.  Kylie took Chris out for a ride in the Whaler.  The Bayliner got more use pulling skiers (David, Chris, Aaron), tubers (Kylie & Chris at the same time), Lauren and Emma sharing a tube.  The kids swam off Davies' dock having a great time running and jumping.

The Merc 25 is running like a champ.  It was worth the fiddling getting it going.  I've got to replace the counter rotational thingy and it needs a new battery and fuel line and of course it needs a boat :).  I could haul it out of the water on one of the trailers, rather than dealing with the motor separately; we'll see.  Perhaps this year I'll get the Bayliner up to the barn, the Whaler in the boathouse and the little boat on the Whaler trailer.

I got some help with the boat ramp, adding some wood pieces at the bottom so that it's high enough to get the little boat out of the water.  That will hold me for this year.  That thing is falling apart and I'll replace it next year.  All I need is some long 6x6's; I don't know what lengths they have in town but I'll have to make do with what they can supply.

Kylie, Chris and Lauren will be heading to Hamilton today, probably leaving this a.m.  Stef, Aaron and Mya will also be heading out; not sure of the time.  Jeffrey et al will depart tomorrow, probably early.

Cassie just watches much of the action but joins in when someone cooperates and throws a ball for her.  She'll be even more confused when she goes on vacation for a month with Sheryl and Jim.  She leads a busy life.

It's great having everyone here but of course it's exhausting !  I wouldn't miss it for the world !

Onward !