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Published: July 16th 2008
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Well another Canada Day has come and gone and again the Melville clan was lucky enough to spend it together in one of the most beautiful locations around. Thanks to George an Sylvia we were all able to stay together for 5 days surrounding our country's birthday. There was a whopping 35 people, including all the little people who make for a very lively and entertaining time. We were missing some of the key people who usually partake in this annual weekend event. Bruce and Gerry are doing some amazing work with the children in Tanzania and Karen is working hard at then end of the year with her classes in London. We very much missed all three of you and were amazed that everyone else in the family was able to make this years festivities and we even had a few new faces join the group.
On Saturday Nick and I picked up Alison and her friend Stuart up at the Tsawassen ferry terminal and began our journey up to Peachland. We had come to the conclusion that although this trip should take about 4.5 hours it might take a bit more due to usual long weekend traffic. Unfortunately
we didn't listen to the radio soon enough and we ended up taking approximately 3 hours more due to a burnt out trailer truck on the number 1 hwy. During this time we were able to catch up with Alison and get to know Stuart a little bit and even started to plan out the skit we would all do about waiting in traffic for the upcoming talent show. We finally made it to George and Sylvia's and were just in time to sit down to a much anticipated Boston Pizza meal.
The whole time we were staying at Casa Melville we were blessed with fantastic weather, we even got to enjoy a thunder and lighting storm without getting too wet. After our exceptionally cold spring it was such a treat to spend time in the hot sun and have the lake and pool to cool down in when we got too hot. Nick and I set up our tent as usual in our favourite camp spot in all of BC and every morning we were woken up early when the sun started streaming into our tent causing the tent to heat up so much that we just had
to jump in the lake. Most mornings we were in the lake by 7am which reminded me so much of the early morning swims Grandmother use to take every morning in the summer. The lake was icy cold, but very refreshing.
Activities this year included waterskiing, wakebording, wine tasting, mini golf (the 1st annual mini golf tournament on Grandmothers birthday), relay races, the Peachland 5km run, and the 1st annual Canada Day scavenger hunt. After all the water sports there seemed to be an number of sore muscles, but other than poor Mikaela's bloody nose I think everyone had a great time. The mini golf tournament was good fun and a few people even got holes in one. This was a great way to celebrate Grandmother's birthday; over the years she took so many of us to that mini golf course. Captain Fun came through this year with a very elaborate scavenger hunt which spanned the whole property. Through clues everyone ran around to find out fun facts about Canada. The marmots even got involved deciding that one of the red envelopes would look better as wall paper in their hole. This fun event showed everyone's true competitive nature.
In the end the Wheatley family was victorious and won the coveted dancing, singing, garden gnome trophy. Before going to the Peachland parade Anna, Mikaela, Sarah, and Autumn organized some great relay races which had everyone jumping and throwing marshmallows.
As is tradition we all got decked out in our red and white and headed off to the parade in Peachland. We were the biggest attraction not in the parade!!! There is some discussion of Tobin bringing his truck up next year and the Melvilles putting a float together for the parade. The difficult part is going to be agreeing on what should be thrown to the crowd....maybe we should put Richard in charge of this part (he had an excellent idea that must be approved before it proceeds). After fish and chips we went back to the house for some great dessert and enjoyed the unique and sporadic fireworks put on by Peachland.
All in all it was a wonderful time. The food was fantastic (thank you to all who contributed to all the wonderful meals!!), the activities were great fun, and getting the whole family together is always wonderful. It was great to have everyone from
far away be able to come for the holiday and to meet and get to know all the new editions to the family. Watching all the kids play together (and argue...Kieran and Zack were hilarious) was such a treat. As always it was wonderful and we can't wait until next year.
A HUGE thanks to George and Sylvia for hosting yet another wonderful Canada Day and for all the organization and hard work that goes into making such a large gathering come together!!!
Until next year...
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Karen
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Until next year!
Thanks Sarah! It looks like you all had an amazing weekend! I look forward to joining you all next year!!! What a gorgeous family we are a part of! Sending love, Karenx