Blackflies and bruises at The River, May long weekend

It was a big May long weekend up at The River.  We got some great photos (see below).

Greta, Max, and I were arrived Friday morning, a full day before everyone else.  We spent the morning at a mom & tot event at nearby Edge Hill, a small, private Waldorf school just a few kilometers from The River.  It was a nice opportunity to learn about the school (if ever we intend to send our children there) and to meet people.

Shortly thereafter, Hailey got into a porcupine.  We tried pulling out the quills ourselves, but she was having none of it.  We tried alcohol and acetaminophen to no avail.  Out of options, we bit the bullet and took her to a vet.  $250 later we had a very groggy dog with no more quills in her mouth.  Not the best way to spend a Friday up at the River, but all's well that ends well.  Sorry, no pictures of the porcupine, quills, or sedated dog.

Tom and Jean arrived on Saturday, with Sue, Jeff, and Anne hot on their heels.  Everyone stayed until Monday -- a nice long stay up at The River.  Highlights include:

• Gus was the only person to do any significant swimming in the chilly May river water, though Greta and Max joined for a brief spell.
• The blackflies were out in force, as evidenced by the photos of Max below.  By day he gave no outward sign that the bugbites bothered him.  But by night he would grind his face into the mattress or bang his face into the wall to scratch the itch -- all while sleeping!
• Max took a couple nasty spills, as evidenced by the lumps and black-eye in the photos below.
• Max drove the tractor with grampa.  Max loves the tractor.
• Gus and Greta used their new trailer hitch for the first time to bring home the trailer.

But enough of my yakin'.  Enjoy the photos, courtesy of Jean and Sue!  More can be found here.

He's a natural.

How could anyone fall asleep while riding a tractor?! 

Blackfly bites, black eye.  All in a day's work.

This shot is great.

Gramma with baby Anne.

Max investigates his cousin.

Uncle Jeff rarely makes it into this blog.  But this shot was to good to leave out.