Port Hope 2017

Good grief, I'm so behind with blogging that an entire summer needs to be documented! We'll start with Port Hope since its the best week of the summer, and go from there. ;)

This was the first year that the Port Hope Mercantile was open! We drove into town and straight up to the Mercantile to check it out. Its amazing. After 2+ years of seeing Mom and Dad's progress on the building and the idea of the Mercantile take shape, it was so incredible to actually step into the store and see the idea come to fruition. We couldn't get enough of the store and we all took multiple trips across the street to visit each day.

 I thought my heart would explode every time I saw the kids "take inventory". We gave each kid a pad of paper and a pen and taught them to count items and write them down. They took it so seriously! Joel especially was just the cutest because you know he can't write his numbers but you better believe he was serious about his job! Grandad also taught them how to straighten shelves, line up products and turn the labels to the front. Isaac got to practice at the cash register and would make change for the many soda and candy stick purchases each day.

See what I mean? How cute is that little shopkeeper?!

Straightening shelves...

and tagging merchandise!

I came into the Mercantile one afternoon to see these two laying in the display window giggling up a storm. They were laughing at the thought of "booties for sale!" and Courtney mentioned that people would have to decide if they want to buy a girl booty or a boy booty, and those two just lost it. And so did I. ;)

This was Eli's first year at Port Hope (and Reid's first summer to do more than take naps on people's laps). The middle three cousins-- Cana, Jake and Joel-- were thick as thieves again and they dubbed themselves The Pirate Ice Cream Band when they played their harmonicas.

Only in Port Hope do we eat ice cream every day for an entire week!

I could barely get Reid to sit still long enough for a photo--see that grip I've got on his leg?

Jake and Joel accompanied Grandad Dean to the post office one afternoon to pick up Grandma Carol's packages. There's always exciting packages thanks to Amazon! ;)

Jake was my breakfast buddy one morning. This is what I love about Port Hope: windows open, a beautiful view, time to relax and be together during the day. (And I'm realizing that the picture makes it look like I was drinking from a sippy cup!)

You better believe Reid would not leave the Mule alone-- if he could see it, he was trying to climb on it! We brought the paddle boards down to the shore one afternoon and go figure, Jake was actually in swim gear and stayed totally dry, but Reid was in a regular diaper and clothes and was totally soaked (and saggy!). But he was happy and that's what matters.

Waiting for someone to get the hint and push him around on the trike!

This is just Reid, in a nutshell. ;)

Middle cousins, totally entranced with the gravel. They dug, and dug, and dug some more on this path. Every day.

Uncle Marc sure stays busy each year! When he's not giving piggy back rides he's giving drum lessons.

For some reason, Reid really likes to perch on bouncy balls and see how long he can keep his balance. I love all these little quirks of his, and it blows me away that at barely a year old, people have preferences and quirks that make them unique! 

Love these brothers! (And so far they love each other, so we're in good shape!)

Cana does a good job loving on all these boy cousins of hers!

Cana and Jake ran inside for a snack after swimming in the pool and hung out the window to show us their carrot noses!

I don't know what it was, but our week in Port Hope this summer just flew by! I think that in the back of my mind, I assume I'll have plenty of time to relax, knit and talk with everyone like I used to do but those days are out of sight for now! Instead we're riding the Mule, swimming in the kiddie pool, taking trips to get candy sticks and these busy days just fly by! I'm already looking forward to next summer!