A little late, but still noteworthy

I haven't posted for a while - somehow the less busy time that is supposed to happen after the university school year is over never seemed to materialize.

The end of May saw Adam get possession of his car from his grandfather (he had virtual possession of it, more or less, for a few weeks while Ron was not able to drive).

New plate went on in a flash

Ron got his new car a few weeks later and it certainly has more gizmo's than the old one.

As expected, now that Adam can connect to the sound system with Bluetooth in his own car, we always can hear when he comes home, long before the door opens...

Parker has continued to periodically caddie, but I don't think he has actually gone out on the course since his first day (mostly just sat there and waited... collecting $11 for sitting and waiting). It is very difficult to get him to look at the camera, but I took a picture of his badge and hat. It will have to do.

Also in the end of May we did our second Bruce trail hike but it was unfortunate that two team members had a schedule change that made it difficult for them to go on our hikes. Below are a few shots from that hike. The selfie to start it off is the group just as we are starting where we left off from hike #1.

The Bruce Trail gang selfie #2

There were certainly more birds and bugs on this hike, but the weather was nice and the terrain was not too difficult. We did walk along a few roads and crossed a few more with purpose built pedestrian bridges. Thanks go to the driver who honked as they went under us on the bridge - it certainly woke us up!

A few bridges to cross

Not certain what this shoe tree was all about, but it was interesting enough to stop for a picture. I think this qualifies as being "random".

There were also many more spring flowers than last time, but I liked how this one turned out. I think the dandelion can be very nice to look at (in an artistic way) if you can repress the homeowner's urge to rip it out and kill it at all costs.

I noticed that some of the trail markers were becoming more "imaginative" and we did get confused/lost a few times. Well, at least when I was leading the way. The tree below looks just as confused as I was looking at it, so I don't think it was all my fault for going off the beaten path. Just saying...

To finish off this post, here's another random find, close to the end of the hike at the Woodend Environmental area we came across the area's administration building. 

Great name for a company

I wonder if their head office is next door to a Taco Bell... that would be even better, right?

Another busy week

Lots of things to update in this post...

Wendy and I started with our group on the official 2015 Bruce Trail adventure! Turned out to be a great day (too warm for a jacket most of the day). Here is the whole crew for this adventure

The Bruce Trail hike 2015 begins! Eric, Wendy, Maddy, Theresa, Terry, Dave, and Nicole.

The trails were in great condition compared to the mud bath 2 weeks ago. Part of the route included the Laura Secord Legacy Trail, adding a dose of history to the beginning of the adventure.

When we got home after the long and hot hike, it felt positively freezing in Dundas - only 6C. We had been less than an hour away and the weather was completely different at home!

That same evening (after the hike) we had Adam's 19th birthday party. We had all the family in attendance, including his Uncle Peter from North Carolina. Adam had asked the day before the party if we could buy some vegetarian hot dogs... a strange request coming from him, until he explained that he would be bringing his girlfriend to the party to meet us! Wow! She has got to have some gumption to meet us all at once like this! Sorry, no pictures. Wendy has smacked me for this already...

Adam received a number of different gifts, many of which were liquid. His cousin suggested that she might get a bottle for him, although the alternative was dessert with strippers. You had to be there to see his face change colour.

I think three or four bottles were among the gifts

Now that Adam is "old", this is what he should expect to have happen to him every time he has a birthday cake. He may need to ensure that there is a fire extinguisher nearby from here on out!

Yes, 19 candles!

During the party, 2 year old Laura really warmed up to Maddy and had lots of fun. Laura also was very impressed by Mel and Murray's dog Abby - she threw the ball for her for a long time in the back yard.  Here are a few extra shots from the party.

Peter and Marion

Ron

Mel, Carrie, and Jacob

Marion and Jacob

Laura (and Abby)

Carrie

Abby

On Adam's real birthday, he attended his last cadet function and officially retired that evening. He is now working on the paperwork to return as a civilian (adult) volunteer.

His first retirement!

Parker has some news as well. In addition to his twice weekly volunteering at the local seniors residence (Wentworth Lodge), he is in training at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club as part of their caddie program (their spelling, not mine... I prefer "caddy"). He will be trying out his hand as a caddie this summer to make some money, in addition to working as a baseball/T-ball umpire. He will certainly be busy.

Another change that happened this week is that Parker got his braces! Here he is with braces on his upper teeth.

Well, that is about all of the major things that happened in the past week. I'll post again as new developments arise!