Desert Tour

 I signed us up for a sunset jeep trip into the desert and to see the San Andreas Fault Line.  Kinda cool!

We rode is this beast and you guys loved it.  We learned about the native indians that used to live here and about the history of the area.

We were hoping to see some animal life but didn't get the chance.  I was specifically hoping to see a road runner, our guide said he sees them all the time, too bad!

 The sunset was absolutely stunning. 

More Palm Springs

 We stayed at a really fun resort with lots of kids amenities and pools to explore.  They had lots of ping pong tables and pool tables, waterslides and hot tubs and a turtle and hare exhibit.  It was fun!

Driving class in Palm Springs

 There was a cloud hanging over our trip to Palm Springs.  Grandma insisted there was nothing to do in Oakville to help so we carried on with our trip but it was in the back of our minds the whole time.

The reason we chose Palm Springs was because Dad got a gift certificate for his birthday to do some race car driving and this was one of the locations available across the US.

 You boys were both over the moon with the cars!

 Look at that smile!  I thought many times that day that no gift I could have bought you would make a smile that wide!  This experience was the best.

 Look at that smile!

 And that's Dad tearing up the track in his Lambo!

When Great-Grandpa passed

 

In November Great -Grandpa was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia.  At first, this was not all that surprising.  Both my Grandma and Grandpa get pneumonia regularly and they take antibiotics and recover and go home just as before.

This time was different.  His kidneys started failing and the Dr was hesitant to increase his dose of meds when the pneumonia wasn't responding because she thought his kidneys couldn't handle it.

Very quickly his organs started shutting down and he was gone.

We were away in Palm Springs when I got the call.  We had just checked in to our hotel and I had a voice mail to call my mom.  I knew it had to be important but I still never expected to hear this news.

You boys took it pretty hard too, like me.  We all shed tears and told stories about Great-Grandpa.  We shared all of our favourite memories of him.

My favourite was the time he took me to the park in the winter when I was about Charlie's age.  I said "Push me." and Grandpa said "Say please."  I said "Push me." and he said "Say please."

This went on for a very long time and finally I said "Fine.  I'm going to say it now.  Please."

And he pushed me.  Who knew stubbornness ran in our family?

Grandma sent us laminated cards with a photo and his obituary.  You both keep them by your beds.  Sometimes when I tuck Charlie in at night and go to close the door behind me I hear you say "Goodnight Great-Grandpa."

Grandpa was cremated and his ashes will be brought to the West Coast to be scattered by us later this year.  Love you so much Great-Grandpa, we will always remember you.

Charlie's first Red Wings game!

 

We flew over to Vancouver on a Monday night to take Charlie to his first Red Wings game!  We were all outfitted in our jerseys and ready to go and cheer our guts out!

Of course, Charlie needed a nap since we were in a moving vehicle..but he rallied!

 

 

Char's boy Larkin!  Aka D-Boss.

 

 The good guys won and everything.  You must be their good luck charm Char!

Later Daddy got super sick with his annual 24 hour flu/food poisoning bout and spent the night on our hotel bathroom floor.  Poor dad!

Halloween

 This year Charlie you went as a ninja and Will as Jack Skellington and mom and dad went at double stuffed OREOs.  We're such dorks!  You guys had such a blast running from house to house with the Mahon boys and even the Eaves' who we ran into.

We always let you guys just have at it that one night and eat all that you can.  Surprisingly you don't go too out of control so no biggy.

This year Jackson, who is 12, only came out at the last minute.  Seems he's too cool for Halloween now.  It really made me realize that we have a precious few years left of these traditions before you both decide to bail out too.  Sniff.

Some things we did this fall

 This fall we hiked Westwood Lake.  Char and Will both took skating lessons through school and sometimes I could even make it there to help kids lace up.

 

 I had the opportunity to meet Dave and Devon's little Landon!  He was only two weeks and oh so sweet.  He slept the entire time I was there holding him, what a doll.

 I went on a school trip with Charlie's Kindergarten class to the Morrell Sanctuary.  It was not rainy but wet and we learned a lot about nature!

 Will, one of the recommendations the school has made for you has been to participate in the online Caribou Math Contests that are nationwide.  You placed higher than all of the grade fours that participated, in the top 5%.  Crushed it!  So proud!