Day 35 - Toledo

The kids and adults alike had a nice sleep in after partying the night before

The kids got along so well and played together in the down times. 

This is Maureen’s dog Trip. What a cutie. Julian, who really wants us to get a dog, started putting on the pressure when he realized that Trip might be the kind of dog I would tolerate (I’m not a dog person)

These wooden blocks were a favourite toy. They were turned into sky scrapers, cities, roads and now a giant Jenga game

It was a very hot and humid day so Maureen suggested we try a DIY glass decoration craft place and she generously treated us. 

You use these glass shards to make a design on your glass plate and then they fire them to fuse it all together. It was a bit challenging but the kids rose to the occasion. We won’t get to see the finished product for a while because it has to stay in the kiln for seven days! But Maureen is coming up to Calgary so she will bring our creations to us 

Then we went for ice cream at “Mr. Freeze” a classic independent ice cream takeout stand.  We all had wonderful creations like sundaes, blizzards and slushes. 

Back at the house Maureen hosted a big dinner for us and four of her five kids who either live in town or a nearby city. It was great to see my second cousins Sarah, Emily, Paul and Beth. And the kids enjoyed spending time with Drew, Graham, Mia and Charlie

Not today sister, it’s MY birthday!

 We partied late into the night. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone and be treated to a delicious home cooked meal and fresh local corn, the best we’ve had a in a long time. At this point in the trip the comforts of home have become very appreciated