Aunt Sandy's Cottage!! - Oh the life.

Before the crazyness of the week, we were able to spend a few glorious days at Aunt Sandy's Cottage. Every August Aunt Sandy rents out the cutest little cottage near Ipperwash that is right on the beach. For the second year in a row, we have been so fortunate to have been invited down to stay with her. Last year Riley stayed for an overnight and had a great little vacation, this year Emily and I were able to join them. We would like to thank Aunt Sandy so much for including us, we had such a great time and are so appreciative. This year we were joined by Juile and Curtis, Chloe, Auntie Kerri and Gramma Heather and of course, Aunt Sandy. and we were totally taken care of by cousin Jeff. Jeff was our chef, our firestarter and the provider of anything that required a little muscle - he was awesome. Emily was definitely a little intimidated by Jeff in the beginning, probably stemming from her fear of anything that is furry and moves (Jeff has quite the beard). She seemed to have gotten comfortable about the time that we were about to leave. We were graced with the most beautiful day that we have had all summer, which was perfect for hanging out at the beach, enjoying the sun and lazing around the patio. A bbq supper and roasted marshmallows at the fire in the evening topped off the great day. Riley unfortunately couldn't stay awake until dark, which unvealed the most spectacular starry night with the big dipper sitting front and centre. I awoke her from her slumber at around 10 o'clock to show her, but half alseep, she was barely opening her eyes to view - we'll try again some other time.



Riley LOVED the water on this trip (and I would be suprised if a few accidental injestions of the waters of Lake Huron contributed to her subsequent strep throat). She was in the water as much as possible. Gramma Heather had a blast with all of the kids in the water (which unfortunately she paid for later), but they all just has so much fun with her. Auntie Kerri was a contstant companion in the water too.



Emily, interestingly did NOT like the water, but she LOVED the beach, so that is where she stayed, digging and scooping and poking and playing and lounging.


A new addition to the cottage this year was a swingset. Though the seats were a bit tippy (the old fashion kind), the girls figured it out and enjoyed their time on the swings (looking cute as can be the entire time).

Emily spent almost all of her time in the biggest sandbox she had ever seen. The sand started as soon as you stepped of the patio and kept going until you hit the water. They all had so much fun running around, climbing the sand dunes and sliding down, playing catch and building sand cities, but Emily's favorite spot was perched upon a bucket scooping sand - it seemed she would have been content sitting there all day.






The girls had a fun time with their 2nd cousin Curtis (Chloe had an early departure), Emily took a real liking to him. I actually found them snuggled up on a chair together - so cute.
We finished off the trip Tuesday with a stroll down the beach and a stop at the ice cream shop, even though it was before lunch. Emily waited so patiently as she was the last to receive her cone (notice the hands turned up wondering where her cone was -ha, ha!). I think it was worth her wait, look at the size of that cone.