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This vacation has been an incredible adventure. I can't believe we've been gone from home for so long. Our family has loved having this time together and we've had an amazing time. We are both sad and happy that today is our last full day in Ontario. Tomorrow we head home.

Nate's birthday was great. He loved having some time with people he hasn't seen in ages. There are aunts & uncles, many cousins younger and older, and family who have become friends. The Barker's are a crazy lot. The stories I've heard this weekend! Apparently they all had a little more fun at my wedding than I realized! The boys have enjoyed meeting the entire crew and have had a blast with some fun people.

Today we headed off to the scenic caves which were really interesting. It was quite a feat to walk through the moss-covered rocks and rickety stairs. There was one point called "Fat Man's Misery" where there was only 36" of clearance. Jericho and his Dad went through as I was a little nervous about the claustrophobia. Jericho loved it. He even said "This is a memory I will never forget." I think he's referring to the whole trip, because we feel the same way.

There was a little bit of worry the evening of Nate's birthday though as Jericho had a sore tummy for a few days. As he sat down to dinner, he told Nate that he was going to throw up. Nate responded with the typical parental response: "You'll be fine." Then he puked. We took turns sitting with him as he did vomit a few more times, but around 11:30 pm we started to worry as he was writhing in pain and asking us to help him. So we took him to emergency (both boys ended up in emergency on this trip!!). The doctor was kind, took his time looking him over.. but all he could deduce was that it must have been a stomach bug. No one has exhibited similar symptoms so we're hoping he was just the only one that caught it. Maybe food poisoning or something??

There is a girl here who is dating Nate's cousin and she's participated in Disney on Ice. She was Belle. The boys are enamoured with the fact that she knows Mickey and Goofy.

Our rooms are all disasters. There is a lot of stuff we need to clean so we can leave early in the morning. Then we will be on our way home.

It's been an adventurous endeavour where we've learned to hold tight to those we love, to invest time in each other; to stop and take pictures of random items along the way; to take the scenic detour whenever possible; to be silly; to relax; to give hugs whenever possible; to enjoy the afternoon and sleep-in in the morning; to listen; to dance and sing; and so many other treasures.

We love you, we miss you, and we're coming home.