L e a n n e   V e r k l e y

March started off with an outdoor skate at Greenwood.  The ice was fantastic, and Easton even got a few clinks by shooting the puck at some tins attached to hockey nets.  

When my dad arrived back from Hawaii on March 5th, I picked him up from the airport and took him to see Hadley's campus.  She gave him a tour around campus with dinner out and gelato for dessert.  Three generations wandering around.  
My dad must have been so tired from the day but he was so happy to be there too.  

Easton had his last house league hockey game on March 10th, and it was an exciting hockey game! So fun to be part of this team with great kids, parents and coaches. Nice we got the game win but also just great energy and fun!

March 14th, of course we had pie for pie day...in Ottawa.  
For March break Easton and I headed to Ottawa while Brian travelled for work and Hadley was at school.  We started at 5 am, shovelling snow, and drove through crazy weather to get to the Carlton University Open House.  This is where Rilla works.  Easton's best friend Robin will be going here as there are perks to having parents work at the University, so we decided to check it out while on our Ottawa visit.  Rilla gave us a lovely tour of the Raven's home turf.  From Residence, to sports, to classes, and food.  We would be staying at Rilla and Scott's house for our visit. While in Ottawa Robin had bring a friend day to his curling club, so Easton gave it a try.  I think it was harder than he thought it would be.  Balance is way different than on ice skates but Robin did a great job showing him the ropes.  Easton tried throwing rocks and even tried being a skip.  We also ventured to the Canadian Tire Centre to watch the Senators play.  We arrived just in time to grab some drinks and popcorn, and then head in for the anthem and puck drop.  Celebrini from the Sharks was also in the house! #71!  YAY for Canadian hockey players!  Between each period we refilled our popcorn... so much popcorn, but the boys didn't want a real meal even though it was offered.  They had such a good time.  7-4 win for Senators.  I felt a little weird cheering for the Sens but with no Leafs around... the next Canadian team made sense.  I did wear a leafs t -shirt under the borrowed jersey just for good measure.  After the game we wandered around waiting for people to leave so traffic would be better.  We checked out the ice from different levels.  It was so cold outside once we actually went outside but we managed to find our way to the unmarked parking and got home through a crazy storm.  The boys were still eager to spend some more time together so they organized an unofficial OYP (Ontario Youth Parliament) bowling night with those that live in Ottawa and could make it.  I know Easton had a great time with Robin, Seb, Bushra, Jack and Ben.
Robin’s sister Norah bowled with the parents, his other sister Kennedy was out with friends and we let the teens bowl together.  While we stayed longer than expected, when the roads finally opened back up from the terrible weather we headed back home.  

March 20th, Hadley turned 19!  Brian flew home from work travels just in time for her special day.  Her request for cake was a Costco cake with the cream inside.  It feeds an army, but we got it and sent half of it back with her to school to celebrate with her friends as they had a fun day planned of video gaming and such.  She also researched Osaka Sushi.  A restaurant that gave us our own tea room and a menu of fun sushi.  A few of the sushi rolls were very large.  She has been asking for the Lego One Piece set for a long time now and this coveted set was gifted to her for this special event and there was so much joy!  She also wanted to try sake (Japanese rice wine), so we got her that but she was disappointed and didn't enjoy it.  She also tried some other fun alcohol, but it turns out, just because you are 19, doesn't mean you have to enjoy alcohol.  After a few sips, she moved on.  She had such a lovely weekend being celebrated and was so happy to also celebrate with her friends at school.  

The end of the month finished our beginner plus line dancing classes, so we went out as a group with Marta, Marsha, Amanda, Josee, Katie, Melissa and myself.  Good food, good fun, good company.

A while back I reserved snow shoes from the library and early in February, my name came up to have them for a weekend.  This particular weekend Hadley was home, and Brian and Easton were in London for a LAN party, so Hadley and I tried them out in the backyard.  

It was a big month for Verkley birthday's.  Birthday wishes for 65th, 70, and 75th birthdays! Anne Marie, Joe, Maria, Nora and Cathy and... Teresa (but she is March 1).  
We even had a surprise up our sleeve.  We got Brian's mom's cousin Sharon to drive to our house, so we could drive her the rest of the way to surprise Brian's mom.  She loved the surprise.  I parked at my dad's and he even came over to Brian's uncle Joe's house which is only a few doors down from him to celebrate and enjoy some cake.  The snow banks were higher than my head!  We enjoyed sjoelbak, Baby Rhett cuddles, pool table fun, and lots of food and family time.  We got Brian's mom 75 gifts to open which I think took her a week to open.  She loved it.  

Brian's 49th birthday we celebrated with a heart shaped cake, with Olympic decor and lots of Olympics to enjoy.  Hadley was home for the weekend and we went down to Nathan Philips Square where we skated on the rink.  I love that the Olympics were represented on the rink as well.  While Brian and Easton had a small race and totally snowed me, Hadley proved that she could still twirl with ease.  
Birthday dinner for Brian was at the Cactus Club in Toronto.  The food was so beautifully plated and the atmosphere was lovely.

My dad came to watch Easton play hockey the night before he flew out to Hawaii for his vacation.  Getting him to the airport was interesting as it was a snow day for the schools, but we luckily left early enough to get him there and me back home before it got too crazy.  There was only about 15 minutes each way that were touch and go for the drive.  Eeek.  He left his truck at our place while he enjoyed summer temperatures and adventures for two weeks.  He loved the trip!

Easton and Robin went to the OYP (Ontario Youth Parliament) weekend again this year and Easton came back telling fun stories and wanting to go again as soon as possible.  Easton even spoke in the house this year for the first time.  Rilla also sent me a couple of photos from the weekend as well, so I could see what the fun was all about.  From bus travel, parliament time, game time and hotel time, I think it was another weekend to remember for Easton.  

Another fun month in the books.

News years had the usual teenagers gather together: Hadley, Kennedy, Todd, Robin, Easton and Nora the kid of the group but she certainly holds her own.  The adults: Rilla, Scott, Synthia, Ryan, Shawn B., Brian and I.  
Rilla, Kennedy and I all wore overalls to the event. Triplets.  
Hadley added sparkle to her hair for the festivities.
We enjoyed the usual cooking experience with shrimp tartlets, cold pizza for the win and some new recipes.  From chocolate covered cheese to haggis (which doesn’t photograph well), we enjoyed many fun appetizers. The evening went well in to the night/morning with fun and games.  Followed by the next day of more fun and games.

January 7th had some reflection for me as it was my mom's birthday.  Sometimes I really wish I could call her up and talk with her.  

Our family went to see Descendants at the High school. They always put on a great performance! Costumes and sets were also fantastic!  Hadley came home for this.

Easton achieved a Certificate of Distinction for the Beaver Computing Challenge put on by the University of Waterloo. Easton scored the top mark for his school and top 25% of all contestants worldwide.

January had some significant snow storms but also some beautiful sunrises which we are fortunate enough to see from our dining room.  
I will be honest when I thought maybe playing in the snow with the neighbours might be a thing of the past but with all the snow, it melted my heart to watch Easton, Matthew and Ellie dig tunnels together.  Making four entrances through a giant hill.  This particular dump had Toronto digging out of a 56 cm storm, while we had a little less at 21 cm.
I love the seasons.  Get outside and enjoy!

December was a whirlwind month.  The first of the month started with getting the tree up when Hadley was home for the weekend.  I always love the tree up, the lights make my heart happy.  Plus the Christmas train and tree.  Among other ornaments that fill a special place in my heart, I just love the warmth Christmas decor brings.  

After that, Brian travelled for work for a week, and when he got back, he worked from home while I spent a week with Brian's mom while she had a procedure done.  Since I took the train to be with her in Kitchener, that weekend Brian came to pick me up as well as Hadley as she was now off for Christmas break and we enjoyed the extended Verkley Christmas at Tina's.

After we got home, we finished packing and we all went to the airport to head to Dawson City Yukon for Brian's sister Lisa's 50th birthday.  We took Easton out of school a week early.  
We flew from Toronto to Vancouver, then Vancouver to Whitehorse.  
At the Airport Chalet in Whitehorse, our cold weather gear that we pre-ordered was waiting for us, so we tried it all on and only a few pieces needed to be traded in for difference sizing.  Before our flight the next morning, we arrived at 10 am to exchanged our cold weather gear at The Base Outdoor Rentals and they were amazing to deal with.  Highly recommend.  They even threw in free neck warmers.
Amazing to me...While in the taxi, we noticed it was still dark outside as we looked at Christmas lights on display.  
While we waited at the Airport for the prop plane to take us to Dawson City we managed to see Garbage Truck Santa drive past the airport.  He is apparently famous in the area.  His truck is decked out in a million lights and he dresses like Santa as he drives around.  
Getting on our third flight, the Air North prop plane to Dawson City had fantastic food, and service for approximately 15 passengers.  The plane was mostly cargo for the two stops after Dawson.  Supplies and food in bins.  The plane felt different.  Like you were sitting on lawn chairs and it was cold and loud, but somehow you felt safe.  
When we arrived in Dawson, Lisa and Jeff picked us up from the airport and drove us to their house where their friend Tarie had made a welcome package for our family.  Snacks, games and and so much welcome love.  
Before dark, we got all our outdoor gear on for the first time and went to take their dog Hank for a walk.  Lisa and Jeff's house had a beautiful set of Christmas lights.  Our first real experience with -40 C.  We walked past the Mammoth made by local artists, we walked past the Klondike and my lashes had beautiful snow/frost.  I was was actually warm and I had to vent in order not to sweat.  The snow was so crunchy!  
I think our gear was rated to -73 C.  We got the pro package that included a down jacket, liner down jacket, down pants, winter boots, down gloves, liner gloves, arctic style cap, and like I said before, they threw in a free neck warmer.  I would again definitely highly recommend The Base Outdoor Rentals.  
On the morning of Lisa's 50th birthday, we began by watching her open 50 wrapped gifts from her friend Janet.  She loved it, and it took a while!  Jeff made cakes with extra sprinkles for the party later that night where a group of their friends would join us after walking in the cold to their place.  We enjoyed homemade pizza that night that Jeff was prepared for as the possibility and then eventuality of the pizza shop in town could not operate because the propane was too cold.  
In their house, we learned that if you don't open certain cupboards at night, the pipes will freeze, and the neighbour even had their furnace go while we were there.  We were kept warm with lots of firewood.  Easton braved the spare room at the back of their house which I think got down to +8 but Easton sleeps hot, so he didn't mind at all.  To note, he was in a -20 sleeping bag.  
We went for a lovely hike behind Lisa and Jeff's house.  Hadley and Jeff stayed back in the warmth while we wandered around.  We saw tall trees, look outs and sun dogs, and again with -38C, we felt warm with our gear as we hiked and even had to vent in order to prevent sweating.  That night for dinner, we had a full turkey dinner that Lisa won for her birthday.  Well, Jeff put Lisa's name on the ballot, but his phone number, so they both won, plus we got to eat it so I think we won, but it was on Lisa's birthday, so Lisa won, and Jeff cooked.  That night we drove around town looking for the 12 days of Christmas light displays.  Some were easy to spot and some took some serious effort.  Next we stopped to have dinner and we found one was hiding inside in the arena.  We put our bids in for the best gingerbread house contest.  My favourite was the kissing buildings gingerbread house.  Jeff also drove us up to the Midnight dome to see the ice fog and the city below.   We drove through town to see the Christmas tree at Minto Park.  We saw Diamond Tooth Gerties which was closed for the season.  The Dawson City General Store, the colourful Westmark Hotel, and the actual The kissing buildings.  
The next day Lisa and I went out to get a few Christmas gifts that she still needed, and it was fun to see how they shopped... at the local tourist shops.  Hmmmm, what touristy thing does my friend need for Christmas?
While lots of our time was indoors, Jeff also drove us across the ice bridge that went from Dawson to West Dawson that just opened that day and with our cold weather gear we were able to wander around for a little to investigate even when it was -41C.  
We came back to their house to warm up and play some Scrabble, Balderdash and Magnetic games.
It was light out for a few hours each day.  The sun was behind the mountain range for the entire time we were there.  We had daylight just after noon until just before 4pm.  Our evening walks past the Jack London museum and down by the water, my phone wasn’t sure it wanted to take photos in that temperature.  Jeff and Hank set the pace but we were usually lagging behind.  There were always more evening games in store with UNO and Yatzee.  
Jeff was able to take Easton out on his sled, which I think was Easton's first ever snowmobile ride, and they braved the cold to Sunnydale Lookout.  
After all the fun and games, we had one more sleep until it was time to head back to Whitehorse.  That morning when we got up, Jeff let us know that there were finally northern lights.  I had gotten up with him every morning in the quiet hour while the others slept all week but this morning I slept in for half an hour longer than normal.  We had so many dark hours and no luck...So this morning as soon as he told me, I quickly went out side... and saw... basically nothing.  Maybe a little green something but not like what he showed me from his phone photos just moments before.  I have seen better from my backyard in southern Ontario.  Better luck next time I guess.  However, Jeff was such a sport and we quickly got everyone ready and headed to the dome with hopes they would come out for us.  No such luck but we did get a beautiful sunrise.  -44C.  Both Lisa and Jeff had such great hospitality, but honourable mentions for the moose jerky that Easton enjoyed throughout our time there.  Then it was off to the airport.  Again, good food and service.  Including samples of bison meat.
When we got to Whitehorse, Air Canada said -42 was too cold to fly.  Our flight was cancelled.  Maybe tomorrow.  So we wandered around and ended up at the Baked Cafe where we had treats-that came with a cold weather discount, across from the Edgewater Hotel in Whitehorse that Air Canada put us up in.
Dinner out at Belly of the Bison.  The restaurant in our hotel.  It was 9C at Belly of the Bison (indoors) but by the end of the meal it was 11C in the restaurant.  They almost closed because they couldn’t heat the restaurant but with full tables they stayed open.  We enjoyed the elk and steak meals which were delicious!  Plus we had a nice view of Christmas lights from inside the “warm” restaurant.  Hadley and I shared a room with our own beds and Easton and Brian shared a room with their own beds.  Thanks Air Canada.  
We got to the airport in Whitehorse at 3:50am as requested by the airline.  Air Canada still couldn’t fly since it was -44C.  I don't know when they expected it to warm up through the night without any sun, but we arrived at 3:50am anyway.  They then booked us on Air North as Air North has their own airport hanger and their plane was warm enough to fly.  Air Canada's plane was just sitting outside in the cold.  After spending all day travelling we arrived at Toronto Pearson just after midnight (the last trek Vancouver to Toronto on Air Canada) on Christmas Eve!  We enjoyed much free food for all the inconveniences along the way.  
We left Lisa and Jeff’s on the 21st arriving early morning on the 24th in Toronto.  Time to get luggage, and head home. At 1:20am we arrived home... we are home for Christmas Eve!  
Luckily most of the prep for Christmas was done in advance, who knows how that happened, but there were still some finishing touches that miraculously happened before the big day!
Christmas miracles.  We even watched The Cat in the Hat Christmas as we have done every year.  
Christmas morning was full of happiness, good food, and of course presents.  I am not really sure how this miracle happened.  But I am thankful.  
The next few days were busy with the Vinen Christmas at my dads with our usual Chinese food, and oh so many snacks.  The Verkley Christmas which was at our house, because why not cook a full turkey dinner with all the fixings.  
December was so busy for us, this was also a mini birthday celebration for Jordan too.  Then that night we drove to hockey but it was cancelled due to weather.  We didn’t check before we left home because we were in GO mode, and it is never cancelled.  However, this time it was.  So back home we went.
The next day Easton picked a beautiful new guitar.  We got him a gift certificate to pick out his own new guitar and he was eager to get it!  I can’t wait to hear the music fill my house.  Snow and beautiful sunrises and even deer on the hill filled the remainder of December.  What a busy month.