Holidays in New Brunswick

We drove to New Brunswick on Friday, August 3^rd, arriving in Fredericton around 3am. On Saturday, after a morning visit from Owen & Caleb, we headed to the market – Brendan’s Saturday morning samosa & donair run is mandatory whenever we’re in town. That afternoon we drove out to Burnt Church, where we met Bill & Susan. Liam was happy to see his Nana & Papa – as expected, Mom & Dad immediately took the back seat!

Blowing bubbles with Uncle Caleb on Saturday morning

Brendan and Bill played in the annual Burnt Church golf tournament on Sunday, and the whole community gathered for a potluck dinner in the evening. It was a nice opportunity to meet some of the folks from around the area, many of whom had grown up spending their summers in Burnt Church (as had Susan’s family).

On Monday morning, we made our way to the Marshall cottage at Bay du Vin, where we stayed until Friday. Bill & Susan joined us there later in the day and we spent the afternoon enjoying the sunshine and sandbars. Liam loves the beach, and though he’s a bit leery of seaweed (read: cries whenever a piece of it touches his foot), he still had fun playing in the sand and pouring water from one bucket to another.

That evening, Nana & Papa spent some quality time with their boy while Brendan and I went into town for dinner and a movie. We don’t get out on dates very often, so it was nice to spend the evening together.

Bill & Susan went back to Burnt Church on Tuesday evening, and on Wednesday, we were joined by Rob and Ole, and Toby and his nephew, Sam (who is just a few months older than Ole). They stayed two nights, leaving just before we did on Friday. We had a great couple of days. The little guys played really well together, and all three of them had naps and slept through the night – a winning combination! A highlight for the munchkins was the neighbour’s trampoline. They just couldn’t get enough! It was cute to see them running around in circles, bouncing each other up and down – and miraculously avoiding injury!

A stay at the cottage is never complete without a game of Ultimate Croquet. The 2012 edition took place on Thursday afternoon. The three big guys challenged each other on the course, little ones in tow, and me behind the camera. Brendan won the game and gloated for the rest of the day. He’s humble like that.

Friday morning was spent packing and cleaning to the soundtrack of Thomas and Friends and The Carebears. It was raining, so the babes had to stay inside – not the most fun thing to do at the cottage, but they held up all right. About half an hour before we were ready to go (the others had left by this time), Liam decided it was time to put his shoes on and get in the car. So on went the shoes, and out went the boy to stand by the car and wait. And there he stood, waiting for a good 30 minutes until Mom & Dad were finally ready. For an almost two-year-old, he has an amazing amount of patience and determination (probably mixed in with a healthy dose of stubbornness, if he’s anything like his parents!).

Dellica had been working while Rob and Ole were with us at the cottage, so we invited them all over for dinner in Fredericton on Friday evening. We took the boys to Queen Square after dinner, where they played on the jungle gym and Liam looked longingly at the pool. We told him we’d go back the next day, but today has been rainy and cool – fortunately he has a short memory (for the time being, at least!).

We did make it to the market this morning, despite the rain. No weather can keep Brendan from his samosas and donairs! Toby joined us this time and stayed for a short visit afterwards. We’re off to Owen & Amy’s for dinner this evening so that the cousins can play together. I’m hoping to get some good shots of the two of them!