Summer is over...

The big event that really capped of the summer for the family came in late August. Parker and Jaclyn's engagement party! Lots of people came to stay for a few days (including Wendy's brother and our nephew, and Wendy's best friend). The party itself lasted most of the day and was a big hit! We had lots of food, games, Adam ran the BBQ, and the drinks flowed.  One of my friends makes spectacular cheesecakes, so we commissioned 4 because Parker and Jaclyn quite like cheesecake.

Key Lime

Chocolate oreo

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and Strawberry

Cheesecake was a hit!

Later in August the flowers were still spectacular in the back yard. Ruby, however, seemed to get bitten by something (she snaps at all flying insects). She had to get some ice and a collar to keep her from licking her paw. 

She couldn't use her right front paw

On the Labour Day weekend we went for lunch in Oakville with our close friend Anne. It was a great time and a great restaurant (the Oakville Pump and Grill).

Ruby having a play date with a friend

It was back to school for me - 260 new students!

Wendy hosted a cribbage tournament last weekend for some friends and neighbours. It was a lot of fun!

My third surgery of the summer came in early August, but this one was just my routine vocal cord tune-up. It didn't go so well, as I had pain on swallowing for over a month.  All in all, the summer for me was one of constant recovery, followed by health problems, then more recovery, followed by more problems. Kind of glad it is over. This fall will hopefully see less health issues... although I am having a prostate biopsy at the end of October to determine if a new spot that we found on an MRI late in the summer means more surgeries or treatments. The saga continues!

More 2026 events!

Another big event was taking Parker and Jaclyn's engagement photos. They got a permit for the Royal Botanical Gardens and Wendy and I did the photoshoot with the happy couple on a very sunny but chilly day in April. 

At the end of April, Wendy and I took a trip to Quebec City while I attended the Canadian Pain Society annual conference. Lots of great food and good sightseeing in the lower city.

Spring really got into gear in May (a bit late) but Ruby certainly enjoyed being outside more.

Wendy decided to try more cooking, now that she is retired.

I had another surgery near the end of May and it seemed to take a very long time to recover. 

Also at the end of May, Wendy went to the Canadian National puzzle competition in Georgetown. She did individual, pairs (with out niece Laura), and team events. 

I volunteered as a spotter

The event was live streamed!

As summer began, we had a lot of forest fire smoke, and it generated some great sunsets.

Ruby learned to swim at the dog training centre. We rented the pool several times over the summer.

Adam received his first command and is now the commanding officer of 822 Tutor squadron in Kitchener. 

We had a very brief storm that knocked down our fence. I suppose that 29 years out of a wooden fence is not too bad.  It took months to get it repaired, and essentially it was just rehung on some new posts.

Wendy and I headed out to Manitoba to visit my family. We stayed with my dad as he has a 2 bed, 2 bath apartment. 

One of the reasons to go to Manitoba is for Wendy to attend another puzzle competition. She did individual and pairs, with my sister-in-law.

Later in the summer our great niece and great nephew visited for a week. We kept them busy.

Adam gave us a tour of his work

Ruby showing off her skills!