The Harding Family Adventures: First Long Weekend of the Summer

This past weekend was our first long weekend of the summer, which the Oakville Harding clan spent in Ottawa with the Ottawa Hardings.

Our little rabbit entertaining herself on the long drive

Dustin was competing in the National Masters Swimming Competition, so we loaded up the car and drove down to Ottawa for Friday - Monday. Abby and I spent our days on the observation deck of the pool, cheering D on. He competed in 3 relays (mixed 4x50 free, mens 4x50 free, mixed 4x100 IM - free and mixed 4x50 IM - backstroke) and then 3 individual events (200, 100 and 50m free). He PB'ed (personal best) in 3 events (his freestyle in the individual 200 and 50m, and his 100m in a relay), and of course he bested his backstroke 50m in his relay, as he had never competed in backstroke before.

Getting in the Zone!

Watch how fast D comes off the start!

And they're off...

D's first time racing backstroke!

D at the wall while Amie dives over to start her lap

The whole team had a great time and did really well. It was fun to see all the different events and levels of swimmers - man, some of the men can SWIM!!

The mixed 4x50m IM Relay Team:
Amie (Breaststroke), D (Back), Sylvie (Fly), Bobby (Free)

Coach and Swimmer Amie with D and Abs

Abby was wonderful the whole time. She was really observant - she wanted to stand on my lap and watch the swimmers, until she got tired and hungry, then she would conk out and sleep for a bit. Only to be awoken by a cheer or a whistle and begin the process all over again! Before we left Oakville, D and I made Abby some onesies with the Oakville Masters Swim Club logo on them and a cute little sayings on the back. Everyone in the club was totally impressed with her team spirit! They loved their youngest cheerleader and kept saying that she should get into the pool - she would dominate her age group!

A's shirt says: Swim Daddy Swim!

Cheering D on!

Taking it all in

Walk break for a change of scenery

A little tummy time in the trunk of the car - to help get the wiggles out

After our days at the pool, we spent our time at Scott and Veronique's house, mostly playing with their puppy Gonzo. Such a cutie! He's quite the energetic and smart little guy. Vero has spent a lot of time training him and he's such a good pup. D was a little jealous of his fetching skills - he's always wanted a dog to play fetch with! Nana Cheryl stopped in on her way back from her reunion in Montreal on Sunday, and brought a squeaky toy from Great Nana - boy, did Gonzo love his toy (see video below). He squeaked it all through dinner - to the point that all the humans around the table were laughing so hard we were crying. And then we had to hide it, as it started to get on our nerves! But it was amusing.