We are home safe and sound, it was a tremendous vacation. We saw so many amazing sights that our Creator has put on this planet.
We spent time with our family and friends and had such a great time.
But coming home is always the best part! Pulling in our driveway, unpacking and then sleeping in our own beds!!
Until next time!!!
Today is officially our last day of vacation, tomorrow is just a long day of driving to home with nothing exciting planned.
We woke up listening to the sweet sounds of the Lake lapping the shore. It was so nice, we slowly woke up and Brie was ready with fresh blueberry pancakes for breakfast! It was delicious. We all got into our suits and headed to the dock for a morning of fun!
It was a great morning, we had some wind and some waves but we enjoyed it. Alan loved jumping into the lake and floating around. My favorite part was him floating around in the pink tube…dad of girls! When we finally came up from the lake the kids played some games and did some crafts before lunch. After lunch the girls walked around the lake and had so much fun with Brie’s girls. Us adults got caught up chatting about the past 16 years!
When it was time to leave my girls were so sad, they had so much fun! It is always amazing to me when I meet up with old friends and our kids just hit it off.
Alan also was sad to leave, I see a lake vacation in our near future!
We had a short drive to Alans sister to see our other nephew! He’s walking!!!! It was so much fun to watch him toddle around. He has grown up so quickly. Laura fixed us up some dinner, we played some games, talked and then headed out again!
We have seen 5 out of our 6 nieces and nephews in a week! Being an aunt and uncle to these kiddos is awesome!
We got to our hotel around 2:45 am! Last night in a hotel, can’t wait for my bed tomorrow!
After our sad goodbyes and a late night of packing we got a few hours of sleep and we’re off early the next morning.
My girls woke up long enough to walk to the car and beg us to get them Tim Horton’s muffins before we left, then fell back asleep. I obliged and they had muffins when they woke up a few hours later in the car.
We had a long drive to New York today, we were stopping to visit a friend from college that I haven’t seen in over 16 years. Her place is conveniently located between Josh and Laura’s house!
It was an uneventful drive. We crossed back into the USA 🇺🇸 at Thousand Islands, such a beautiful crossing. We had a slightly longer wait, but all in all both of our border crossings have been awesome!
We drove the rest of the way to Keuka Lake to spend the evening with Brie and her family. When we got there, the water on the lake was so calm and beautiful. My girls instantly changed into suits and were in the lake with her kids.
It was a beautiful evening, the water was calm and warm. We sat on the docks while the kids played and caught up on 16 years of life that has flown by. Then she took us out on the boat, tubing. I was a big chicken and just rode in the boat, but the girls and Alan enjoyed being flung all over in a tube. It was so much fun.
After tubing we let the kids jump off the boat into the lake. It was neat to see my kids and hubby so carefree. Vacation really is the best for us!
We enjoyed dinner of tacos on the porch and watched the sun set over the bluff. It was breathtaking! Our Heavenly Father is such an artist!
Then we had a sweet treat of homemade ice cream from Seneca Farms. The kids have played so well together. It’s so surreal to be hanging out with a friend from my freshman year of college, that I haven’t seen for 16 years. Our daughters braiding each other’s hair and doing crafts together!
The kids all hunkered down once we got back and watched Zootopia, I was told when you are at the lake there are no schedules so I let the kids stay up late while I crashed. Thankfully super dad stayed up until it was over and put our girls to bed.
This morning dawned dark, gloomy, rainy, and cold but we didn’t let it damper our spirits at all!
We met at Paillard for breakfast, Alan and I had some kind of croissant breakfast sandwich Sarah recommended and it was delicious. Ryanna had a croissant with jelly and Bree had an escargot de raisin…cinnamon roll with raisins in English. She thought it somehow had snails in it!
After breakfast we headed out to go bowling…petit bowling with tiny little balls!
Our one and only group photo!
We had a great time bowling. The kids enjoyed it and Sophia managed to beat Uncle Alan in the first game. He couldn’t quite get the tiny little ball and that the lighter you threw it the better it went.
After wards we braved the rain and headed again to Eastside Marios this is Ashlyn’s favorite restaurant and we are celebrating her 10th birthday today while we are here so this is where she picked! It was once again delicious!
I can’t believe my first niece is 10 years old! Time sure flies!
In an effort to make every minute count on our last day we headed over to Mega Parc again, this time to ice skate!
When we got there the rink was only open for another 30 minutes so they let us skate for free! We quickly laced up and headed out. I was the photographer, and it was so funny to see everyone’s different personalities on the ice. Dakota was carefree, Ashlyn was cautious but skilled in every movement. Ryanna was NOT skilled in every movement and I thought we might end up with a broken bone but she was so happy. Bree was terrified, she barely let go of the edge and that was only to hold Daddy’s hand. Sophia was safe and tucked into her daddy’s legs enjoying her ride around the rink.
Due to free ice skating we had enough points to ride the coaster again, hip hop, and Sophia got to ride her turtles again!
The rain had stopped but the clouds were still sitting low, and we weren’t sure what to do, so we settled on heading home and playing with water balloons.
Uncle Josh made dinner and we enjoyed the last few hours together. I cuddled my littlest niece knowing the next time I see her she will be so very different.
Goodbyes are always hard, Bree couldn’t contain her tears and she ripped my heart from my chest as she broke down crying out she didn’t want to leave them. It’s always so hard when they are sad. The older girls were stoic, trying not to cry. I even held my tears until we reached the car…it’s times like these when Alan really feels being the only man in the family with 3 emotional girls. He did his best to console us with promises of more FaceTime and visits but we all know it could possibly be a year before we see them again.
Although our family is spread far and wide, and although there are times we all drive each other crazy, we love each other dearly. We might not always show it, we might harass or aggravate each other, we might cry and laugh, but in the end we are all The Campbells. I love my little family and every little member. From Daddy Campbell who leads our family, I know he is always there no mater how far away he is. Mama who keeps our family connected, she does her best to keep us together no matter how far apart we are. Alan who is in the best sense the big brother. He is always there to carry on in Daddy’s absence. A strong level headed figure in our family. Josh who is the care free middle child living life to the fullest experiencing all there is to experience. His compassion for Christ is addictive. Sarah who is the most loving caring mother one can ever see…watching her with her 4 children brought tears to my eyes. God blessed those kids giving them her as a mom. She always took time for each one, holding and cuddling each one. Travis is the brother who joined us later, but has slipped right into this family adding stories and laughter to our lives, a piece we didn’t know we were missing. Laura is the little sister, we have all at one point taken care of her, but sadly and proudly she doesn’t need us anymore. She has grown up into such a great woman/mama/wife.
Then the littles begin. Ryanna, happy, cheerful and exciting, she reminds me of Uncle Josh. Ashlyn, quiet, calm, and caring. Bree, shy, loyal and loving. Dakota, brave, sweet, and all boy. Sophia, cute, crazy and just adorable! Henry, loveable, smiley and downright handsome. Sweet Analee, quiet, sleepy and beautiful.
My family…so far away but always in my heart.
We are now on our way to see Henry!
After a late night, we all slept in. We got to Kosh and Sarah’s this morning a little later and the kids ran around and played. When our plans were finally set we headed out, first stop Canadian tire for some new brake lights for Josh. It’s always so interesting to me to watch the Campbell men work…they can do/fix anything. Next, lunch!
We headed to Scores!
After lunch we headed out to the town of Beaupre a little village about an hour north of Quebec City. It was a pretty drive up the St. Lawrence River. 
We arrived at the Canyon of St. Anne to do some hiking. I was very skeptical, I had a feeling it would be a long day! 606 stairs later and 6,000 actual steps I was right, but it had all been worth it, the canyon and waterfall were so pretty.
We had such a great time! The kids all hiked and ran and enjoyed so much of it.
Thes three girls have missed each other.
Uncle Josh was the only one that could solve this puzzle! ⬆️
The kids did this, they all worked together to solve it.
They also loved this inaguac rock formation place. Everyone had their picture made with their creation.
When we finished we headed back into Quebec City, from the hill at the canyon you could see Quebec City in the distance.
We saw a huge Catholic Church, the Catholic influence here is everywhere. When we got back into town we were starving so Josh took us to their favorite place. East side Marios, an Italian place. It was soooooo good! I’m not sure if it was because we were starving or not but it tasted delicious! The best part for me was hearing Sophia speak French here at this restaurant. She called her pasta “papillon” which is French for butterflies. Ok, that tied for the best part along with the garlic bread, and the pasta. 😬
Josh has been trying to get us on the ferry to Levi at night since we got here, so tonight was the night. Only it was the coldest night so far…I was freezing!!!! We arrived a little earlier and had an hour before the ferry ran so we decided to visit the plains of Abraham. Alan has got some books about Quebec and informed us it was a place where a famous battle was fought…and also a perfect high place for the winds to whip around us as we walked around. Alan, Josh and the kids ran and played all over while Aunt Sam just watched it all. Watching Alan and Josh is a favorite past time of mine. They are so different, yet so alike and when they haven’t a care in the world and are just having fun with their kids and nieces and nephews is when they are at their best. They ran around, down hills and through bushes the wind was blowing and it was cold but none of them noticed. It was very sweet!
FERRY TIME!! ⛴
We made it onto the 8:30 pm ferry. The wind was whipping, rain was pelting us and stinging our skin but everyone was happy! It was such a different view of Quebec City, Josh was right it was beautiful. Even though there was no sunset because of the clouds it was still beautiful. The kids loved watching them untie and tie up the boat and enjoyed the wind.
We my toured around Levi (the south shore) and then headed home. It was a full long day, we pulled into the driveway around 10pm.
A perfect day!
Today was exhausting, but so much fun!
We got up early, and were at Josh and Sarah’s at 8:30 for breakfast. Ryanna had requested homemade biscuits and Aunt Sarah obliged. Even though she was busy feeding Analee she called out directions so Josh could make them for Ryanna. She is such a great Aunt to my girls. We had a strict timeline, we had to be out the door by 9. Today we were headed to the changing of the guard at La Citadelle de Québec. Josh is a great tour guide, he had all the kids fed, to the bathroom, and in the car by 8:56…now to get us adults out!
We made it, Québec drivers (Josh included) are crazy! It makes me nervous, but Alan and Josh zigzagged their way into the old city. We were hoarded into the Citadelle to purchase tickets to see the changing of the guard and then went straight into the fortress. Before we knew what was happening a very loud man in a fancy bearskin cap was shouting orders in French to his men.
We hurried our group of 11 to a spot around the parade ground to get a better view. However, we got stopped because the Royal 22nd regiment’s mascot was waiting to enter the parade ground, Batisse…the goat!
We waited for Batisse to enter then continued around to a great spot. We watched them inspect the new guards and salute, march around and even the huge band came out and played during the ceremony. I was enthralled with it. Even the kids were quiet during the entire thing. 35 minutes of silence when the Campbell cousins are together is unheard of!
After the ceremony we decided. To forego the tour, because an hour long tour would never work for the Campbell cousins, they just need to run and play! So our tour guide Josh decided it was time for us to see Québec City. Sarah, and the two younger girls headed back to the house. I forget Sarah just gave birth a few weeks ago, and Analee is still so tiny, so it was nice to be able to have them get out with us even for a short time.
Away we went, Josh and Alan at the front and I was bringing up the rear in case any kiddos straggled behind. Josh first took us to the walls of the Citadelle where we could see all of Québec City, the Old City, lower city, and the south shore of Levi across the St. Lawrence River. It was a beautiful view, this picture will for sure go on my travel wall!
Québec is a very old city with cobblestone streets and a very European feel. I loved it! Josh took us down to the lower city and we searched for some lunch. I love my brother in law dearly, but he just about killed me with all the walking. He is so full of energy and I liked to have died, but I made it and saw so much in the process! After walking around, we vetoed a restaurant that serves only rabbit and settled on Casse-Cou, it served burgers and fries!
It was such a cute little space, we were seated on the second floor and despite the stifling heat and no air we had a great time. It was delicious food and our view out the window was beautiful. After lunch we were off again! We visited little shops and Josh took us to the site where Samuel de Champlain first lived (founder of Québec).
One of the prettiest buildings in the Old city is the Chateau de Frontenac. So Josh took us up to see it. It is a hotel that is beautiful. It reminded me a lot of the Plaza in NYC. He had a fun way for us to get up to the Chateau that involved a very tiny, hot claustrophobic funiculaire up the side of the wall…I opted out of that ride and took the stairs. Sarah told me later it was like 207 stairs…it felt like a thousand to me. The kids enjoyed their ride though!
We toured the beautiful hotel and then watched a street performer. I was less than interested so I opted for the extremely long line at Starbucks. In Québec They don’t use ice, as an ice lover, filled to the top with ice I am hating it…but not my Starbucks! They still use ice! I was so glad to have a drink with ice in it! Yum!
After the performance was over we decided to head home, we had dinner and church tonight! A total of 4.5 miles we walked in the old city. 😳
We fought the afternoon traffic with Josh at the wheel! We made it safely and Sarah had chicken pot pie cooking in the oven when we got home! We had picked up some vol la vont for us to put the pot pie filling in, they were so yummy! Just like pea pods that I make in the states. I did not take any pics of dinner because we were changing, eating, and running out the door to head to church.
We arrived at their church and were greeted with so many friendly church people. They made us feel so welcome. When Josh started the service I was so proud of him, to see him stand at the pulpit and speak French was so amazing. I remember meeting him at like 16 or 17 years old and how he had such a desire then to be a missionary. It was so neat to see him now 15 years later following what the Lord had called him to do. I enjoyed the service, Alan was able to play the piano for them and we all sang along in French. We had prayer and praise time, Ashlyn translated for us, which was another proud moment for this aunt. She is so great at it. The girls would listen to her so intently as she translated, even Alan and I were listening to her. When the message started the girls went with Ashlyn and Dakota to a children’s class. Josh had a friend Max translate for us, and we then had prayer time. I went with the ladies to pray and it was so neat to hear them pray with such passion to the same God I pray to. I could not understand anything they said but God did. They asked me to pray in English and I just felt an overwhelming love for these people and the God we serve. Afterwards we talked for a few minutes, I in my very limited French and they in their very limited English! We made it though and understood everyone.
One sweet lady, Claire, is so burdened for her children. She was a Catholic and was saved, but her older children do not understand how what she had told them their whole lives is now not true. I told her I would be praying for them, Pierre, Philip, and Dennis. Please pray for their salvation. She was so happy that I would pray for them.
We came back together for a song and then we fellowshipped for awhile! They are a small church, please pray that they can grow and reach many others for Christ.
After church Josh introduced me to Tim Hortons – coffee, beignets, and muffins! I was so tired from all day that I needed a pick me up!
We also picked up a couch for Josh and Sarah at the church, so after we delivered that and got it in their basement we finally went back to the hotel and collapsed into bed. My watch read 5.2 miles today…over 10,000 steps. Tomorrow is another day!
Rise and shine, another super early morning after a late night. We were out of the door by 8 and headed to see our family.
We drove for about an hour and a half through beautiful country into Quebec City. Alan and I have the navigating down now and we pulled into Josh and Sarah’s at 10am. We had the whole day together!
We jumped out of the car, kids were squealing, hugging and kissing! It was so good to be with our family. Then, when I walked in the door Sarah was standing there with Analee. She was so tiny in her arms, my first glimpse of this little girl who stole a piece of my heart 19 days ago! Sarah gave her to me, such a sweet tiny baby girl!
I gave her kisses and reluctantly passed her off to Uncle Alan. We love our nieces and nephews so much. We now have equal amounts of nieces as nephews! Alan was soon pulled away to spend brother time with Josh checking out the house, so she was mine again. I went to find all the kiddos and get a picture for Nana.
This day has just begun! The kids all played together, They ran inside, they ran outside, they went down the stairs, they went in their rooms. Everywhere they went it was a pack of 4, with Sophia trailing only about 3 steps behind!
Uncle Josh kicked in to tour guide and away we went, the kids one place they wanted to visit was Mega Parc, an indoor amusement park. Whenever Ashlyn and Dakota call they always talk about Mega Parc, so that was our first stop. Unfortunately we were all hungry so We had lunch in the food court and had to stare at the rides while we ate!
Off to Mega Parc!
The Ferris wheel with Uncle Alan
The capital express! I think this was their favorite.
Aunt Sam bravely rode the Hip Hop, none of the other adults wanted to and this is actually one I’m not afraid of!
There were turtles and planes, hot air balloons and a rock wall!
They had to ride the capital express again! The dads loved it to. Then Uncle Al and Aunt Sam took Sophia on her train ride, Rapido…so not rapido, but she loved it!
Mega Parc was a huge hit! Now off to the bunny! An ice cream place Dakota always talks about.
Cremerie Bunny! I was too busy eating my giant ice cream I didn’t get everyones pictures!
We finished the 4th of July off with burgers and hot dogs on the grill and marshmallows over a fire. Josh had found one firework in the basement so us Americans shot off one firework to wish our country Happy Birthday. The kids loved it! We called for an early night and headed off to bed!
Tomorrow it’s the changing of the guard and Old Quebec!
☀️🇺🇸 Good Morning!!
We got out early from New Jersey and headed due north through the Adirondack Park! It was once again absolutely beautiful! I never dreamed New York would be this beautiful!
It was an uneventful drive and we were at the border to Canada before we even knew it.
We sailed through with no problems in less than 10 minutes!
Bienvenue!! All the signs changed from English & French, to just French! Alan and I had to rely on nothing but our high school French classes, oh wait we both took Spanish!!!! It was the blind leading the blind, but we are an awesome team and together we navigated our way to the big city of Montreal!
We found parking downtown and got out to walk to the Notre Dame basilica. It’s a beautiful Church, very old in the middle of town. We were starving and also managed to find a McDonalds. We were pretty worried about ordering in French, but thankfully inside they had kiosks and an English option! We ordered our nuggets and burgers and enjoyed lunch on the second floor of the McDonald’s in downtown Montreal. Across the street was a Starbucks where I found my souvenir, then off to the church. It was Sunday and there was a long line of people waiting to get in to pray or light a candle. My heart ached thinking of all those people praying to a god who doesn’t hear them.
After leaving Montreal we once again navigated out and headed towards Trois Rivières and the Hamby family. They are missionaries from our church here in Quebec. We arrived in time for some fellowship and sweet tea! They are such a kind family who offered us lodging for the night and treated us like family! We were there also for their Sunday night service. We were able to hear them beautifully sing hymns in French and Bro. Jason translated for us the message. So awesome to be in their church! They had a special service since a few of their members were on vacation so they had sword drills! Alan really got into it, and one time he won using a French Bible and my man jumped up and did his best to read it in French. They were all so proud of him, I was beaming at my hubby and how awesome he is! 😍 We enjoyed the fellowship with their church. A great group of believers. I especially enjoyed the way the Quebec people greet others, a kiss on each cheek!! It’s my favorite thing!
We spent the rest of the evening talking and eating and enjoying our time together. The girls played so well with their youngest son and we enjoyed fellowshipping! We talked until the wee hours of the morning before we all headed to bed! Tomorrow we are getting up early to meet our newest niece!
Pray for the Hamby family as they minister to the people in Trois Rivières. Jason, Amanda, Joshua, Noah and Luke.
Goodnight! 🇨🇦🌛
We woke up this morning and emptied out the RV. It was a sad morning, the girls really enjoy the RV and everything that comes along with camping. When we were ready to pull out we still had to dump 💩 unfortunately a tree had come down during the storm the night before and blocked the dump station. We couldn’t return the RV without all the tanks being empty. The guy clearing the tree was less than helpful, so we went inside and used our southern charm to ask if we could use a full hookups site to dump. She said yes! And away we went.
We again traveled side roads, because everything around here is a toll road. We were following good ole Siri when we came to a closed bridge. We had to find a way around it, only to be stopped by a train! I don’t think the RV wanted us to return her!
Unfortunately, we had to. I had some sad girls on my hands. 😥
Once all off loaded back into the Pilot we headed for New York City! Well, actually Jersey City, we were taking the ferry from Jersey to the Statue of Liberty. Bree is the only one of the four of us that hasn’t been. Let’s be honest though when we took Ryanna she was 6 months old, so it was like she had never been. We arrived 30 minutes early to see a huge line waiting to get on the ferry. Thankfully we found a nice lady who said oh you have reserved tickets you get to go in this line, the line was empty for us!! We sailed through security and waited about 15 minutes for the next boat to pull in. While we were waiting we got a great view of the city and our boat pulled in to get in the picture too!
It was a beautiful day! ☀️ We rode the ferry over to Ellis Island first, toured around and then rode Miss Gateway over to see Miss Liberty!
To capture this pic, Alan hung my phone on the selfie stick out over the railing above the Hudson River! 😱 It was totally worth it, I love this pic! It’s going on my travel wall for sure!
We toured the island with the other 10,000 people on it. We got fresh squeezed lemonade, pretzels, ice cream, and souvenirs! True Americans! 🇺🇸 Then back to the mainland we went. Alan and Ryanna couldn’t help but take a few silly pics on the way back!
We had all been kissed by the sun a little on our time out on the island so we were zapped on the short ride to our hotel in Mahwah, NJ. Once there, right in the parking lot was The Mason jar restaurant, it boasted true southern BBQ…it was calling our name! After Brisket and pulled pork we were stuffed!
We headed back to the hotel, took a dip in the pool, then nice long hot showers for each of us. A luxury you do not get in an RV, or campground shower. My babies were exhausted! 😴
Tomorrow Canada! 🇨🇦
A family together, never apart, maybe in distance, but never in heart!
We started out our last day leisurely, we did some laundry and sat by the river. We had breakfast outside and watched ducks crossing the river. We finally reluctantly broke camp and headed out. Our first stop was across the street at the Herkimer Diamond mines!
We geared up with some hammers and headed out to the mines…little did we know this was not a tourist trap with a guarantee you will find something. This was a legit diamond mine! We were picking up rocks and breaking them with our hammers in the hopes of striking it rich. Some people were out there to actually find diamonds! It was hot, hard, and unfruitful. It took us girls all of 10 minutes to be done. Daddy cracked a few rocks but then reluctantly gave up too. We decided a bag of gemstones we could sift through and were guanrateed handfuls of pretty rocks was way better!
Serious diamond miners ⬆️
Not so serious diamond miners ⬆️
After mining we hopped in the RV, this was our longest day of travel so that we could be close by the RV return in the morning. We headed out, again avoiding the highway and traveling some beautiful back country roads!
We stopped for lunch at a pull out and found a tree to climb and swing in!
Right as we finished packing up, the bottom dropped out. It rained on and off the rest of the night making for a soggy, yucky last evening. We tried to make the best of it with a roaring fire and some marshmallows. After moving in to the camper we decided to end our trip with the movie RV! So funny, especially after living in an RV for a week!
As we settled in for our last night a huge storm came over us, thunder, lightning, wind & rain. It took down a tree in our campground! It was rather scary but I was so thankful for that RV as I looked out the window at the poor tent campers. 🍃⛈💦⛺️