Christmas Photo Shoot

 I just love all of these.  So precious.

Can't stop looking at them.

Wrapping up Christmas in TO

 Grandma arranged for the most special gift for me this year.  This muskrat fur coat that Grandma wore in the 50s when she first arrived in Canada was still in Grandma's closet.  My mom had it made into this teddy bear for me, I couldn't believe it!  I didn't even know you could do such a thing.

It was brought to a furrier in downtown Oakville and then sent to Montreal to be made.  It is gorgeous and so sentimental.  What an idea.  So precious to me.  This is a serious heirloom.

 Grandma and Papa also bought you both these enormous nerf guns.  They are honestly so heavy I can't even lift them!

So that you didn't shoot the heck out of eachother Papa MADE these targets for you to shoot at.  The balls actually collect inside and roll down the side channel.  Unreal!

You boys were so spoiled (as we knew you would be).

Big thanks to Grandpa and Papa and Great-Grandma too.

 On our way home we were delayed at Pearson and ended up spending ten hours at the Calgary airport.  Just shoot me.

Dad and I literally spent three days trying to get home.

 On your first day back you both started your lessons at Airhouse on Monday nights.  Will, no one else had signed up for this slot so you got a private lesson with this 17 year old, Brad.  You were over the moon about that of course.

 Charlie, you have a bigger class unfortunately.  Your coach can't even believe what you can do.  When I came to pick you both up Will's coach said "Wait a second, is your son the five year old that can back flip?"  I said "Yes, I'm sure."  He was aghast.  He said that he started doing back flips when he was 12.  You are both such forces.

Disaster in Charleston

 Mom and Dad decided to take a little getaway and go to Charleston, South Carolina.  We figured, it will be warm (in the 70s) and we could explore all of the historical sites the city has to offer.

When we arrived at Pearson it was absolute chaos!

 When we first arrived we couldn't believe how cold it was!  We went on a guided city tour and actually had to leave early because we were so cold!

Down by the water the wind was whipping and we just weren't enjoying ourselves so we ducked out early.  We got some good info and and a feel for the city.

 Definitely the highlight of the trip was this evening cooking class with Chef Bob Wagonner.  He was such a character and really the whole appeal.  The kitchen and set table were fabulous.  We made scallops, steak and a pear tart.  It was lovely and a good group.

 On New Year's Eve we went to a highly acclaimed restaurant called Magnolia.  I had fried green tomatoes and their signature fried chicken.  

And then the snow hit....

Charleston was hit with an ice storm the likes of which they have never seen before.  The entire downtown closed down since the bridges were shit down due to the ice.  Not one restaurant or shop opened for days.  We were stuck in our hotel room and when we finally wandered down for food the hotel restaurant had nine items on offer with three staff working.

The local airport closed down and West Jet offered us flights a week out which was totally unacceptable since that would mean delaying our flights out of TO with the kids, such a domino effect.  Dad and I decided to bite the bullet and rent a car, drive through the ice storm to Atlanta (which took all day) since that airport was still functioning.  Leave it to us to book a holiday during the worst winter weather the eastern seaboard has seen in decades!

Christmas in Oakville 2017

 We decided that it was time to get back to Oakville for Christmas this year since we had spent the last five Christmases in Mexico.  We hadn't been back since Charlie's first Christmas!
Aaron wanted to see his Grandma Grace and I wanted to make sure that I saw both of my Grandparents over the holidays while we still can.  Grandpa didn't make it to the holidays and it was so strange to be in the house without him for the first time.  The boys were upset by it too.  We will never forget you Papa.

Charlie, every morning you would go into the little front room and visit your Great-Grandma.

I came around the corner and found you two like this.  What a special moment.

When Great-Grandpa passed Great-Grandma moved into his room and Grandma changed the room for you both.  Look at this setup, complete with Christmas-themed PJs and all!  How thoughtful and special!

 Christmas Eve dinner was something special for sure, a feast!  Surf and Turf!

 You guys got the game du jour "Speak up".  Fortunately Dad and I have special training in deciphering speech through this equipment ;)

 Charlie, you left the sweetest note for Santa and the reindeer.  And left cookies and milk of course!

 You guys were sure busy on Christmas morning with all of these gifts to open!

 Grandma bought this book for you both since you will be seeing the play over the holidays.

 Such a gorgeous portrait for Great-Grandma!  Two handsome boys!

 LOL! It's funny because it's true!

 Char started celebrating early....

 On Boxing Day we tried out some Glow in the Dark mini golf.

 We saw the Broadway production of Annie later in the week!

Christmas at 5666

 We had a quick Christmas morning at home before we got on the plane to Oakville.  We decided it was time to go back this year since we hadn't been since Charlie's first birthday five years ago!

We drank hot chocolate from our Christmas mugs and then exchanged gifts.

Will made this beautiful bowl for me and Charlie made an ornament for the tree.

 Dad and I both got Glerups!  Dad got the booties.

 I had uncle Spencer's photo of the bomber framed, finally!

You boys were totally spoiled of course but we didn't get many photos of it??  

I recall lots of lego and candy...

Duncan Christmas Train

 We met this Hilchey's at the Christmas Train again this year.  It is an annual tradition for us for sure.

Of course, you guys were all super goofy as usual.  We all love the Christmas Train SO much!

 Bugs!

Afterwards we went to Saul's favourite fried chicken restaurant in Duncan: Lee's Chicken.  It sure was good but feels like a brick in your stomach after!

See you next year!

Some things Charlie did this fall

 Charlie made a play dough Panda in class the term.  

And killed it at glow in the dark bowling!

(He really did school us in one game)  Bumpers were in full effect...

Grandma and Papa bought a condo!

 This is huge!  Grandma and Papa bought a condo in Departure Bay!  We still don't know when exactly they will arrive or if they will be here 100% of the time or split their time between Toronto and Nanaimo but we sure know that we will be seeing a lot more of them soon!

We have been wishing for this for 13 years now and it is finally here.

Can't wait to have you both.

The condo itself is amazing and in a great location with access to the water in Departure Bay.  There is a dock that all owners can use and a kayak launch built into it.  We'll get you kayaking Departure Bay and walking the sea wall in no time!

XO

Subdividing the lots

 We have been working for almost a year on subdividing our 3.3 acre property in Lantzville.  We will split it into three parcels and hopefully make a bundle in the end.  We are so close now!

This is the crew bringing an additional sewer line across the road to service the third lot.