Quebec City Day 3: Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré

Talia and I just got home from dropping Brooklyn off at college.  The tears were falling so fast on the way home that I thought Talia might have to drive at one point.  I can't write more about that today or the waterworks will begin again.  Buttermilk, we love you and miss you already!

Instead of procrasti-blogging, I guess this is distracti-blogging.  Although looking at the cute faces of my kids growing up, I'm not sure it will really take my mind off her moving out.  Only thing left is to sing "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler.

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Quebec City Day 3.  No early morning run.  We were tired and needed the extra sleep.

We all had to be out the door fairly early anyway in order to catch a ferry.  Here's Uncle Justin torturing Ruby with a hairbrush.  Some parenting experiences feel universal, especially when you have daughters.  Hang in there, Ruby!

Here's Violet waiting for the ferry.  She looked so cute that the rest of the kids decided to hop in the photo.

It started to rain right before we boarded.

Fortunately the ferry kept us all dry.

Grandpa Charles chatting with Ruby.

Violet sure seems interested.

Good thing there was plenty of bike storage!  I think more passengers traveled with wheels than without.

Our destination?  Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.  Not only is the region stunning, but there's rich family history here as well.

Love these smiles.

Here we have the magnificent Basilica of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré. The site has been known as a place of miracles since the construction of the original shrine back in the mid-1600s..  Inside the basilica is a pillar of crutches that have been left behind.  We just happened to arrive on Saint Anne's day, so the basilica was extra busy, with occasional glimpses of bishops and so forth.  (These bishops have taller hats than Jason.)

Saint Anne was the mother of Mary (Jesus's grandmother), so it seemed appropriate that we should all gather as family. 

This small chapel across the street was of particular interest to the Wheelers. Robert Giguere, a direct ancestor of Charles, was one of the founding settlers of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré. He donated land for this chapel all the way back in the 1600s. While the chapel has been rebuilt, it still has some of the orginial stones.

Photo shoots in front of his plaque.

Descendants.

Charles, pointing to Robert's name as listed among original land owners.

A peek inside.

It's special to think about those who have walked these grounds before and helped to shape who and where we are today.

Up the hill form the church they have the twelve stations of the cross represented in sculpture.  It was a moving experience to walk this path.

Equally touching was watching Annie engage.  Since her cardiac arrest, she's been far more sensitive to spiritual experiences than she was before.  She silently joined this group of nuns who were singing and praying at each station.  After a while, Ruby joined her.  If we'd had enough time, I'm pretty sure they would have stuck with them for all twelve stations.  

I didn't take any pictures inside the basilica, but Annika was equally reverent and attentive there, soaking it all in.  She doesn't have any memories of being "elsewhere" during her days of unconsciousness, but since awakening, I think she feels this keen awareness of being saved for a reason.

Lunch time!  Christy oversaw the most del

Saluting the river before getting back on the ferry.

The weather for the ferry ride was absolutely perfect.  We enjoyed soaking in the sun and scenery.

Eli and his uncle Lance.

The wind wildly whips Wooby's wig.  (Okay, it's Ruby's hair, but I prefer the alliteration.)

Back in Quebec City, we took a little more time to explore Old Quebec.

I love the angles in this picture, especially with Brooklyn and Ruby swing dancing.

Explanation of the silver building facade coming in a future post.

More ice cream and more cannons.

Last but not least, Poutine for dinner!

Don't worry, it tastes better than it looks.

A final evening snack of popcorn.  Thanks for sharing Violet!

 And hey!  It took me a bit to get this composed so Brooklyn has now made it through her first night, and so did I.  Downstairs, I can overhear her talking to Eli on speaker phone.  She sounds bubbly and enthusiastic.  It's gonna be a bright year for you Buttermilk!  Keep sharing that light.