Life in The Bay

I frequently mention the wonderful neighbourhood that we live in. It really is quite special, and when the weather starts to warm up we see more of 'the street' because everyone is out and about. Another thing that happens is as the lobster season draws to a close there is a lobster feast in Billy's garage, aka James Street headquarters. I personally love lobster, however Mike was working and with so many James Street events I either have to miss or can only make a small appearance. This time I decided to get a baby sitter, and headed over to Billy's garage. Yum, yum... I was like a stuffed pig rolling home in the pouring rain. Before the lobster feast (and the rain) we arranged for a fire and the kids got to roast hotdogs and marshmallows. Robbie learned how to say "hot dog" and just kept repeating it over and over, even while he smeared marshmallows all over his face.

Billy watching the lobsters

Ahhh, 30+ lobsters in a rusty wheel barrel. Only in The Bay.
Rick with his two!!!

Still waiting for more lobsters to come...

Cheers!
Happy Girl!

Other news in Prospect Bay is that Robbie got a racing car bed. We weren't really looking for a racing car bed, but we found it 2nd hand and couldn't find a quality real bed for cheap. Robbie is thrilled!! We couldn't have found a better bed for him. Last night was his first night in it. He was a little confused when it was time to sleep, but I layed with him and he easily fell asleep. Tonight I left him in his room until he started to get upset, I went in layed him down, stroked his head and he fell asleep. Hopefully it won;t take long and he'll be comfortable falling asleep on his own. I know he is still young but Mike and I both thought we'd try him in the bed, and so far it seems to be working.

Bump. Lumps. and Scrapes. also seem to be a popular occurrence in this household. Robbie fell down the stairs yesterday. I was really upset and shaken, so was Robbie (obviously). I am trying to not blame Mike, but I must give some background details. Mike has done this trick with all 3 kids. He has them stand at the top of the 3 stairs in our entrance and they jump into his hand. I have said so many times "one day they will jump and you won't catch them". Well yesterday it happened. Robbie walked right off the steps, being top heavy and airborne sent his head smack into the ceramic tiles. Oh the tears. The poor boy!!! Even Charlotte was upset for him, and kept saying "it will get better". Of course he eventually calmed down, but I worry about that poor brain of his, it takes so many bumps. Even yesterday afternoon he slammed his head into the window ledge, leaving a red line/scrape across his forehead. And Charlotte isn't immune to the tumbles. Today Mike had her at a soccer game and she scraped her back on one of the steps. It is a long and red scrape and must have hurt like heck, but thankfully not deep so should heal quickly.

Here are a few photos from our afternoon. It was a beautiful day.

More photos from the weekend.

Here are some misc photos from our trip up to Cape Breton. They aren't in any particular order.

Driving home from Cape Breton, Robbie was wiped out from the weekend. He is such a boy, messy face, monkey in one hand and a dinkie toy in the other.

We have a bonfire on Sunday night. Here is Mike and I, the kids were in the hotel with Grandma.The Currie family
Me and Uncle Denis
Mark and Jenn
I thought I went to bed before the singing started, but guess not!

Sitting wth the Baby's Breath team Sunday afternoon.

Grandma and Charlotte on the beach

A sitting area on the hotel grounds.

Charlotte on the beach

At the end of my leg

We even get a lobster and steak banquet at the end of the race. Charlotte was more of a fan of the carrot cake

Team Photo

Even the fast guys get tired... here is Colin post-run.

Proof that Mark hit "The Mat". You can see them pulling up the mat behind him. Well Done Mark! I am in awe of anyone who gets up and over Smokey Mountain.

The Currie Family

Mom, Uncle Denis and the kids playing on the side of Smokey Mnt, obviously the Non-Ocean/Verticle Drop side.

Pit Stop for a Popsicle

The only time my husband has ever looked short.

Charlotte cheering for Daddy

Robbie was less than thrilled that a lady put her Chicken Hat on his head. She was from the team called Chicks Running Clicks

Some teams go all out on their costumes.

Spaghetti Supper on Friday Night

Robbie loves spaghetti and garlic bread

Stopping for a picnic by a stream on the drive up to Cape Breton

The Blowing Kisses Team

We had another successful Cabot Trail. Together as a team we ran the 298km loop in 24hrs 6min and 43sec. This is our fastest time ever, and placed us in the top half of the final results again (There are 70 teams in the event). The race goes through some incredible sites along the Atlantic coast, up and down mountains and through the night with temperatures pushing freezing. And we LOVE it! This year I couldn't help myself but laugh and question the sanity of runners as I drove around one of the most isolated parts of Canada at 3:00 in the morning in search of a coffee, not only for the caffeine but the warmth. I think I got 3-4 hours of sleep for the entire weekend, and an hour of that was in a car with no blankets while it was only 2 degrees outside. Did I say how much we love this!?#?!

For those of you who wonder who the crazy souls we manage to convince to conquer the Island of Cape Breton with us, here is our 2009 Team. Forgive me the order is reversed, but you'll get the idea.

Leg 17 - Danny (4th time on our team)
Leg 16 - Cordele (my 4th time running, one year I was prego)

Leg 15 - Sarah (She is so fast, I've named her The Blur. This is her 3rd year)

Leg 14 - Chad (3rd year)

Leg 13 - Karen (She has ran all 5 years)

Leg 12 - Anne (another Young Gun with her #1 supporters Mom and Dad. This was Anne's first year, but her dad ran with us twice)

Leg 11 - Trevor (3rd year)

Leg 10 McKenzie Mountain- Denis (2nd year)

Leg 9 North Mountain - Paul (2nd year)

Leg 8 - Frank (4th year)

Leg 8 - Ed (2nd year)

Leg 6 - Colin (We stole Colin from another team. This is his 1st year with us)

Leg 5 - Mike (enjoying a post run beverage. This is Mike's 3rd year)

Leg 4 Smokey Mountain - Mark (Has ran all 5 years)

Leg 3 - Jenn (2nd year)

Leg 2 - Adele (4th year)

Leg 1 - Mike (Has ran all 5 years)

And of course we all run in memory of our beautiful son James. Not everyone on our team had the pleasure of meeting James, but they all know of his wonderful life, and they all run out of kindness, and love. It touches my heart that they understand how important it is for us that James is remembered and honoured. If all we can do is haul ourselves around this island that holds so many memories of James, it is the least we can do for such a special boy, son, grandson and big brother.