Canada Day Eight - Exploring Quebec City

We had another slow morning today and with the sun out I was finally able to enjoy reading on our balcony. I love the view but it was so cold! After a late breakfast and a little discussion we set out for the Plains of Abraham and the Citadel. 

Reading on the cold balcony

The Citadel is pretty close to our apartment but we couldn't find parking close enough for Camille and she was having trouble walking. James and I walked the boys up to the fort hoping to get a good glimpse but all we were able to see was the high walls. But we all did get a good view of the Saint Lawrence River and the boys had fun playing in the field. 

Our family at the Plains of Abraham

The Saint Lawrence River

Boys rolling on the grass

Me and the boys at the Citadel

James and Camille

James and the boys at the Citadel

It was a beautiful day so on a whim we decided to head up to the Montmorency Falls right outside of Quebec City. The waterfall was beautiful and we were able to walk up pretty close to the bottom of it. Christian and I held hands and went skipping down the path, it was pretty sweet. We hung out at the waterfall for a bit and threw rocks into the water. 

Montmorency Falls

Throwing rocks in the river

At the Montmorency Falls

Christian and I skipping down the path

Jon's picture of Grandma

Christian's picture of Grandma

Afterwards we headed back into the center of the Old Town, the part of Quebec that is behind a fortified wall. The boys were tired and just wanted to go home and I confess that I was ready to get away too. So after we parked the boys and I left James and Camille to shop and sightsee while we walked the kilometer back to our apartment. We walked along the wall and on the way we found a little playground. We stopped for a bit but the boys had more fun rolling down the steep hill than they did on the playground. Their pants were a mess with grass stains and mud and at one point Jon looked up at me and said "Grandma's not going to be happy with this!"

Jon on the wall

Jon walking the wall in Quebec City

Christian takes a rest

Old Town from the wall

 Rolling down the hill

Once home we had a snacky dinner. We seem to shop at the market every day so by this time of the trip we had accumulated a LOT of food. After dinner I left Will and Jon to clean the apartment and watch a show while Christian and went down the the plaza across the street. He's been wanting to drive his car in a larger area ever since he bought it but he was a little disappointed to find that the area had been taken over by a group of skateboarders.   But still he had fun racing his car around the outside and eventually the skateboarders took a break so he was able to drive it where he wanted. 

Christian really wanted a picture of this cute car

Driving his car in the plaza

On the way home we stopped to buy some milk and Christian insisted on carrying the groceries all the way. But he refused to accept my thanks and praise. When we arrived home we found Camille and James who had also decided to come back for a dinner at home. So James made eggs for us and we all watched the movie Instant Family. I love this movie. It is all about a real life family who adopts three children from foster care and their struggles, doubts, joys, and heartbreak are all so real. The ending perhaps wraps things up faster than is typical but it is really a beautiful movie. 

Afterwards James read the Hobbit to the boys and now that they are all settled the two of us are going to go out for a walk around the city to search for some ice cream. :-)
Goodnight!