It was an amazing week to officially start summer. I got to the beach with my best friends, went to a ball game, hit the bars with my friends and even got another tattoo.

He said

Last week at this time we were at the Noah Kahan concert, officially starting our week off before heading up to the trailer on Monday for a week off everything. Early Monday afternoon we were at the trailer, ready to unwind and I am her to conform, we absolutely did just that for an entire week. We had incredible weather, albeit a record heat wave but it made taking a pool break daily an absolute must of each day. And, while there was a lot more sweating than we planned for,  there certainly was as much, if not more relaxing too. I know I speak for Danielle and I when I say we had some of the best sleeps in recent memory up there this week (thank modern science for AC in our trailer).

Each day I was able to get up when my body decided it was time to, grab a coffee and a turnover and then get out for my daily ride on the G2G down to the other side of Blyth & back before coming back to enjoy time on our Muskoka chairs on the deck. We’d then have our big breakfast together and decide on how slow and relaxing we were going to take the day. We set up the project on evenings there was a Jays game and would watch it outside—sometimes by the fire pit when it was too unbearably hot. And like I said, every day we’d get time to cool off in the pool too. It was utter bliss.

But the best part was Monday after arriving at the part our friend Dawn and our mutual friend Tim from LA arrived to spend the night at Auburn staying in one of the cabins with the intent of a long, over due visit with us. Dawn it’s been at least a few years since we’ve seen and I think well over ten since we’ve seen Tim so it was great to catch up. Tim has become quite the nature photographer so he was in his glory up at our trailer being able to see a lot of birds that are not native to his area of LA. We got to spend Monday evening and a good portion of Tuesday with them before they got on their way to rest of their rural Ontario tour.

We had such a restful and relaxing week up there, that by the time Saturday rolled around, as much as neither of us would not have said to another week off there if it would have been gifted to us, we were also ready to be back home. I had a bike race today and there was also Abi’s birthday in Kitchener today with the Teeter family. Originally we thought I wouldn’t be able to make it, but when I got done the race in much faster and better time than I anticipated, we realized I could come along to be with my family which was great! I hauled my keister back to London, got cleaned up and changed over and off we were to Testza and Jeremy’s to meet up with the family.

I was really happy to be able to make it – especially for Abi and Zoe (Greg’s kids) – but also to be together with the Teeter family collecting more of the good moments like the ones we had at Amy’s wedding recently too. We’ve had enough of the sad over the last few years I have recognized the need and focus on refilling the memory banks with better moments like today. Zoe and Emelia got lots of time to connect and we all got lots of time to laugh, smile and enjoy each other’s time over what turned out to be a really beautiful day in their back yard. It ended up being the perfect way to put the finishing point on a phenomenal week away!

She said

After a few very busy and stressful weeks at work we finally got to have our first week off at the trailer for the season. It was long overdue and it was one of those weeks that you did not realize how bad you needed it until you were there. With the Noah Kahan concert on Sunday we didn’t head up to the trailer until Monday. We started out with a lazier start, then John headed out on his ride while I started organizing the groceries and other essentials for the week. Once John was home we made quick work of it and packed up to head up to the trailer. We made it up there by mid afternoon and instantly started to relax. It wasn’t long after that we got a message from Dawn that she and Tim had arrived and we could start our visit. With everything that has happened over the last few years it has been so long since we have seen Dawn, we normally see her a few times a year and now it has been about 4 since we have seen her. Add in the visit from Tim who we haven’t seen in over 10 years it was incredible to catch up. These are both the type of friends that it does not matter how long it has been we pick things up right where we left them and the conversations came fast. We were up until late watching the Jays game and sitting by the fire.

Day two of our week off started out again with Tim and Dawn before they were on their way. it was s short but sweet visit. The rest of our week up there was about relaxing and finding ways to keep cool. The heat was crushing and I have never been happier to have a full shade site and the ability to get inside once in a while for a break from the insane heat. After years of loss and pain it was so incredible for us to have a week we could just relax, we sat around the fire some nights, relaxed on the deck, listened to music while I read. It was quiet and lazy, exactly what we needed. The week went by in a flash and we came home last night.

This morning John was up with the sun to head to another bike race near Sarnia. I am always so proud of how he trains and how dedicated he is to cycling. I was shocked this year when he was telling me pretty early he was about to the end of the race and ended up in first. Emelia and I are both so proud. What this quick result also allowed was the fact that John was going to be back home earlier than expected. We held off a bit so that John could come with us to Kitchener to celebrate Abi’s 6th birthday. We got together at Testza and Jeremy’s house along with all their kids, David, Andrew, Matthew, Shawn as well as Testza’s dad and step-mother. The kids spent ours in the pool and had an amazing time. After years of pain it was incredible to once again get together to celebrate as a family. Happy 6th birthday our sweet Abi, we love you with all our hearts.