We're back...

from an amazing three week vacation in Texas! 

I am going to do my very best to recap the highlights of our trip.  This post is all about fishing!  The kids love to go fishing with Poppy.  In fact, it was one of the things that John couldn't wait to do when we got to Texas. 

John fishing with Poppy

Katie caught 3 catfish
on our first fishing trip!

John caught a bass
and a crappie on this evening!

My and my fishers!

Katie and one of her catfish!

You can't go fishing without a ride on the mule!

We spent more than one evening fishing on our vacation.  The kids wanted to catch enough fish so that we could have a fish fry before we had to go home.  Fishing with my dad always reminds me of when I was a kid and he used to take us fishing.  I love that my kids get to enjoy something with my dad that I did as a child. 

Such beautiful memories...

John caught a big catfish on this trip!

Too bad his fish tangled up all of the other lines
 before he could get him reeled in...
that was the end of fishing on this evening.

Luke's catfish!

Several fish got away when they were fishing (most of them were Luke's) but the kids did catch enough fish that we were able to have a fish fry on our last night in Texas! They were so excited!!  Thanks for all the trips to the dock for fishing, Poppy! 

I know they are looking forward to their next fishing trip!

Posted with Blogsy

Ferry Rides

Cape Vincent to Wolfe Island to Kingston, Ontario

We had a day full of ferry rides (4 total).  I must say, it is pretty cool!  The kids thought it was really fun!  I was a little nervous driving onto the small ferry and backing into the spot they decided my vehicle would fit best, but I did it!  The ferry to Wolfe Island is very small and only hold about 8 cars. 

The kids ready for their first ferry ride.

Luke loved watching the water!

Since this ferry was pretty small we stayed
in the car for most of the 10 minute ride.

Wolfe Island
This little Canadian island is mostly wind mills.
They also had a delicious little bakery.

The bigger ferry to Kingston.
 It holds about 50 cars.

Checking out the Canadian waters.

Real pirate ships!
John says that you know they are
real if they are shooting cannons at each other!
Boom!

Exploring the streets of Kingston.

Gelato after a nice lunch in Kingston.

Two ferry rides later we were back in the U.S. 

Cape Vincent is home to one of the oldest
working lighthouses and has the only
working Fresnel lens on Lake Ontario. 

It was a long day of sightseeing, but it was a fun little adventure that I am glad we had together!

Where's the Party?

Katie's Dance Recital

All of the dancers made a poster about themselves to decorate the lobby.  Katie took Miss Amy's Hip Hop dance class this year! 

Katie with her dance poster!

Katie received her first dance trophy and was a New Dancer Excellence Winner.  This was her first year to dance at Amy Earle School of Dance.  She was so excited!  Way to go, Katie!

Still no music, but at least you can see the dance now.

Hip Hop Dancer Katie

Katie was very exited that Auntie M 
was able to see her dance recital!

I can't get the video to load, so this is it for now!

1000 Islands

We took the Uncle Sam Boat Tour around the American and Canadian sections of the 1000 Islands.  The boat tour was pretty cool!  We saw lots of neat old mansions and some beautifully remodeled homes on "Millionaire's Row". 

Ready to start our cruise!
(nice face Katie)

We got to cruise right past this old pirate ship.
Not something everyone gets to do on this tour!

They even let all of the kids take a turn driving the boat.  They each received a Captains's License after driving the boat.  The Captain made sure they didn't hit anything!

The smallest island in the 1000 Islands.

Our boat tour ended at Heart Island where we toured Boldt Castle. This castle was built by George Boldt as a testimony of this love for his wife.  His wife passed away before the completion of the castle and he stopped all work on the castle.  No one would ever live in this beautiful mansion. 

View of Boldt Castle from the boat.

Boldt Castle's Yacht House

A side view of the castle from the island.

The Alster Tower (Play House)
This was completed before his wife passed away
and was occasionally occupied by the Boldt family.

John took this picture of us!

Katie took this picture.

We took a lunch break at the Admiral's Inn in Alexandia Bay, and then the kids went swimming and played in the sand at Scenic View Park. 

 

Another perfect summer day!