the last few months
It has been a while since I updated my blog as it has been down.
So, a "brief" update on things I can remember from the past two months:
This year we went to Hopes tree farm. Just a short drive from our house and it felt authentic and wholesome. We got a lovely tree, and explored their fire pit area and gift shop.
Brian and I continued playing floor hockey on Tuesday nights and this allowed for us to drive by some lovely holiday lights.
Jordan turned 2, so we went to Julie's to enjoy some good food and to fully celebrate him. He is getting so big! Time goes by so fast.
Easton was fortunate enough to be selected with his team to play an exhibition game ahead of the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa. A fun night! When he went into the change room he found his official name card printed above where his change area was. We also enjoyed dinner at the rink. Easton had fish and chips and then later he was still hungry and enjoyed pizza halfway through the Generals game! During intermission his team had a chance to meet some of the players and get their autographs. Deke the mascot came out too. The Oshawa Generals won 6-2 against the Mississauga Steelheads.
December also had me baking, because Christmas baking is just good! I made some shortbread and it made me think of my mom, I made some gumdrop squares and it made me think of my mother in law. Among other baked goods.
Easton played in the school band for the holiday concert.
I went with my friend Margo to the Holiday of Lights at Scarborough Town Centre. We walked around and talked and then after a most enjoyable walk through the beautiful lights we went inside to warm up and catch up some more at a local restaurant.
This time of year I really can't get enough Christmas lights. I love them! So on the way home I had a few places mapped out that I wanted to check out. I went to Illona Park, which I have been to before and it was fun as always. Then I headed over to Hills Road to see the neighbourhood of Santa's displayed. There were so many blow up Santa's. 59 Taylor Road had a mesmerizing display that I could have watched for a long time that was displayed to music! Handley Cres. had Christmas arches along the sidewalk throughout the neighbourhood.
All fun neighbourhoods!
Hadley made such wonderful sugar cookies on Christmas Eve with the best icing I have seen her make ever! They looked amazing and tasted even better!
Christmas PJ's are still a thing on Christmas Eve but neither kid likes to wear PJ's anymore but they both want Christmas PJ's. So... they humoured themselves with a Christmas picture in the new PJ's.
Christmas day is always so much fun. We try to make it last! We wake up, open stockings, then pause for a breakfast. This is followed by gifts with music that lasts until lunch.
Everyone was so happy! This year I gifted back to Easton the journal that he got me from the year before, only now it had notes in it from our summer trip. He LOVED it!
I felt like we really got the kids gifts that they loved this year, from a gaming chair, and trumpet to a new phone among other gifts.
Of course there was a beautiful Christmas dinner. And the next few days were with extended family, more presents, more food, and catching up.
New Years we had the the regular crew here but to start the night off we prepared some recipes and purchased the ingredients and had people help cook the appetizers. All fun!
We played games and toasted to the New Year! The kids and adults all stayed up way too late, but a good time for all! Of course we had the balloon drop as well!
I had been wanting to go see Illumi - a very expensive light display for over a year, but it never happened and when they announced that it would close in a few days, I took the opportunity to ask who wanted to go. Easton came with me. It was a fun date night out and the lights were spectacular! However, it was REALLY expensive!
We had Christmas with Julie and her kids and Brian's mom in January after they got through the sickness that was running through.
Then it was off to the Bender's for a game night / sleep over to celebrate Shawn and his dad's birthday.
This year the ice rink that we set up in the back yard was a bust. I think we have had one week of snow all winter. All that work! Oh well. Maybe snow will come yet. It's only February.
We recently celebrated Brian's dad's birthday with a day a the rink to watch Easton play hockey and cake back at our house.
Brian and I went out for a date night in Stouffvile to have dinner at a cute little local place, followed by a talk about some travellers and their hike across the continent. A hike across the camino de Costa Rica. This was put on by the Oakridges trail association. While it was interesting we found that the average age was 70. So... we may have to wait 30 years to attend again. haha. Still fun to have date nights.
Hadley just finished her first semester which was very heavy in subject content and she is relieved to have a much lighter load this semester. She is doing a co-op which will have all kinds of new experiences for her with her first job experience, finding out if this is the direction she wants to head professionally with video editing, and even riding the city bus.
Easton just won the academic award at his school and finished the mathalon. He has worked hard every year to earn this and this is his final year! He has earned a medal every year since grade 3!
We are in the stages of helping the kids pick their courses for next year! I can't believe Hadley will be going into grade 12 and Easton will be in high-school too! Grade 9!
He also just had his graduation photos taken.
Brian's mom also just had a birthday! Time slow down!!!
Lots always going on.
Life is good!