I remember writing an autobiography in school when I was in grade 8 and describing how awesome going to Sauble was. “Sauble” isn’t just a place, it’s an event, an experience, an array of sensations. It’s so difficult to put the feeling of being there into words but to try to express how great it was I wrote that it was my favourite time of the year. Better than Christmas, better than my birthday, hands down the best two weeks of the year. I still feel that way and now the rest of the Carvalho peeps do too.
That's me...1977!Sauble has changed, well actually, physically it hasn’t changed that much but my experience of it changes every year. When I was really little I used to calculate how many times I planned to play mini golf over the two weeks plus how many treats I was going to buy to determine how much money I would bring. In our teenage years we did a lot of strolling on the main drag, playing balderdash and baking on the beach. During university sometimes I could only make it up for the “Middle weekend” (more on that later) so I would try to cram 2 weeks of Sauble activities into 2 or 3 days. In the past few years, although we really enjoyed our time there, we more or less felt that we accommodated the kids and their needs rather than it being a vacation for us. This year though was like a 2 week party for all 4 of us. It was awesome.
This was on Ian's actual birthday-I can't believe he's 4 already!
The middle weekend of the two weeks definitely has the most action. It’s the time when my cousins and their peeps who can’t get time off during the week come to get that little taste of Sauble to rejuvenate them and get them through to next July. We’ve always had a pot luck on the Saturday night with everyone there, I think in some years it’s been close to 50 people. Traditionally we have celebrated my cousin Matt and my Aunt Janice’s birthdays at the party and in recent years (ie the past 3) Ian has jumped on that birthday bandwagon.
This was on Ian's actual birthday-I can't believe he's 4 already!We had more campfires this year than any other. The perfect opportunity to discuss, debate, drink and devour hotdogs cooked over the open fire. One night we had a secrets of the ya ya sisterhood night where we watched (well helped) a piece of Allyson's past go up in flames. We went to bed once the flames had died down and only the embers were left, wanting to prolong every minute of every day spent at Sauble.
Eye protection for roasting marshmallows.
Adrienne, Me & Allyson
Watching the kites on a windy day.
Sauble was also a great two weeks of family bonding. No pagers, no paperwork, no early mornings (except maybe for golf). Instead it was 24-7 together- Ian's temper tantrums disappeared, my palpitations resolved, Lexi's language and walking exploded. Ian learned how to play crazy eights and go fish. Lexi learned how to say doggie (well, goggie). Cam and I actually had conversations about things other than who's picking up or dropping of the kids, what we're having for dinner and what groceries we need. Have I mentioned how awesome it was?
I love this picture.
Both Ian and Alexa are total water babies. We couldn't keep them out of the water even when their lips were blue and their fingers shrivelled like little raisins. Luckily Lake Huron is huge because I'm pretty sure Lexi drank a fair amount of it. My favourite part was taking the towel down to the water's edge and scooping them up for a warming snuggle and much needed snack. I could bask in the warmth of the Sauble sun and their huge smiles for hours (or at least the few seconds until they were off to their next activity).
Ciel's first year at Sauble- she loved it too!
We got our chariot 2-seater bike trailer just before we left for Sauble and used it pretty much every day. One morning we biked to the Sauble Falls to play on the rocks.
When the Cristelli boys left Sauble Ian cried, then I cried. For the next few weeks Ian kept saying "it's sad to leave Sauble". I agree 100% but we all know what makes Sauble so special is the fact that it's only two weeks every year. So we've made new memories, been rejuvenated and now the anticipation grows for next year. Only 319 sleeps to go!!
Eye protection for roasting marshmallows. 
Adrienne, Me & AllysonWatching the kites on a windy day.Sauble was also a great two weeks of family bonding. No pagers, no paperwork, no early mornings (except maybe for golf). Instead it was 24-7 together- Ian's temper tantrums disappeared, my palpitations resolved, Lexi's language and walking exploded. Ian learned how to play crazy eights and go fish. Lexi learned how to say doggie (well, goggie). Cam and I actually had conversations about things other than who's picking up or dropping of the kids, what we're having for dinner and what groceries we need. Have I mentioned how awesome it was?
I love this picture.Both Ian and Alexa are total water babies. We couldn't keep them out of the water even when their lips were blue and their fingers shrivelled like little raisins. Luckily Lake Huron is huge because I'm pretty sure Lexi drank a fair amount of it. My favourite part was taking the towel down to the water's edge and scooping them up for a warming snuggle and much needed snack. I could bask in the warmth of the Sauble sun and their huge smiles for hours (or at least the few seconds until they were off to their next activity).
Ciel's first year at Sauble- she loved it too!
We got our chariot 2-seater bike trailer just before we left for Sauble and used it pretty much every day. One morning we biked to the Sauble Falls to play on the rocks.
My cousin Matt has two sons Nick (aged 8) and Mike (aged 5) so Ian is in Heaven. This year we moved cottages so we could be closer to them and it was fantastic. Ian could ride his bike out side the cottage with the boys, he could run over to their place on his own, he loved it and we loved it.
Cowboy hats straight from the Calgary Stampede courtesy of Aunt Adrienne.
Cowboy hats straight from the Calgary Stampede courtesy of Aunt Adrienne.On the last day we took the boys to the amusement park to partake in the full carnie experience. Grandpa Bearss made the sacrifice of going on the rides with Ian :)
When the Cristelli boys left Sauble Ian cried, then I cried. For the next few weeks Ian kept saying "it's sad to leave Sauble". I agree 100% but we all know what makes Sauble so special is the fact that it's only two weeks every year. So we've made new memories, been rejuvenated and now the anticipation grows for next year. Only 319 sleeps to go!!