After the Adirondacks, we returned home to camp with Irene and her kids at our own Algonquin Park. We camped at the Lake of Two Rivers for three nights. We went swimming one day, but the rest of the time was very cold and we got soaked by a big thunderstorm on our last night. We hiked trails and the kids climbed on beaver dams (above) as well as on rocks. And Mya created a monster -- a chimpmunk that would climb up on everyone looking for food!

After Chris and Julee and Sam returned home, we went camping in the Adirondacks in New York State. We had a thoroughly relaxing time there. Mom took a picture of Dad getting the coals going for dinner and in the background is the new tent that we bought (for $79!) as a temporary solution until we get a new fly for our old tent (we hope). We hiked the Au Sable Chasm near Lake Champlain, a gorge with cliffs up to 200 feet high! We met a turtle, among other things, at the Wild Centre in Tupper Lake, a very interesting museum dedicated to the wild life and natural history of the Adirondacks. And we visited Howe Cavern, which isn't really part of the Adirondacks, being a bit farther south. It included a trip through an underground lake or river. Our guide -- Mr. Bill -- was a hoot! He was 75 years old and guides tours 3 times a day for the fun of it! He shamelessly makes up stories and terrible jokes about the cave.

We figured that Chris and Julee wouldn't care to sleep in a bunk bed when they visited, so we decided it was time to turn the boys' bedroom into a guest room. We've included a photo of the bunk bed for nostalgia's sake. It went to a family related to the church and we are told that their son loves it, especially the light that Michael fixed to the underside of the top bunk!

We decided to base the room colours on a fabulous poster that we brought back from Bryce Canyon last year. We replaced the bunk bed with a double bed, got rid of the desk to make more room and reconfigured the two bookshelves into one larger bookshelf and flipped it to the opposite side of the room. The results can be seen above. We love the vibrant colours and seeing the poster of Bryce every time we come up the stairs!

Chris, Julee and Sam came to visit for 5 days after visiting with Julee's parents in Nova Scotia. It was really great to have them here, and especially, to get to know Sam -- and for him to get to know grandpa and oma -- and to watch him grow and develop. He got steadier on his feet all week long and even walked a few steps, probably by accident as he has not done that again! He has a great smile and takes a lot of interest in the world around him.