November / December
On November 2, after visiting one of four open house days for post secondary schools with Hadley this month, we went across the city to celebrate Cecilia's 70th birthday. Brian's cousin Wes had arranged a surprise party that she truly didn't see coming at the community centre with food and good company. It was a busy day as Brian and Easton were at hockey, while Hadley and I were checking out another school and then we joined each other at the party. Brian and Easton drove there after hockey while Hadley and I took the Go Train/Uber.
Mid terms for the kids took place and Hadley also walked across the stage to accept another year of honour roll. We are so proud of how well she is doing with her school work.
Hadley again volunteered with the Teen Advisory Committee for the Santa Claus parade at the library where she helped with the kid crafts. I think she really loves this event.
For Shaye's birthday she and I got together to go to the One of a Kind Show in Toronto where we found so much creativity. Plus it was just a really fun day out together. So many steps, so much talking, so much fun. dWe came back to our place to get the rest of the family before going out for a birthday dinner.
Hadley and I have been enjoying the show The Voice for a few years and this fall we continued to watch this together. It is a nice way to hang out, listen to music and just do something low key together at home.
On November 30th we went to celebrate the wedding of Brian's cousin Patrick and his new wife Meg. Lisa also came home for the event! It is nice to see her more. She has been to Ontario many times this year! The wedding was lovely with a nice Christmas theme to it. Lots of red and green. Then a lovely party with food and dancing. The night ended early for many as there was a crazy snow storm headed for the Listowel area. While we were supposed to head that way, we decided to get a hotel in London instead so the kids stayed in the hotel while we were at the wedding. I think they loved the independence of that and then we joined them after the wedding and then we went to Julie's the next day to celebrate Jordan's birthday. Unfortunately, Brian's mom and sister Lisa who went to Listowel after the wedding were now storm-stayed in Listowel. However, they got home safe from the wedding so that's a win.
Easton has been on the ice quite a bit with the three hockey teams he is on. Monday and Wednesday with the school varsity team, Friday with the Select team, and Saturday and Sunday with the Whitby house league. He has also been practicing weekly with the band club at school with his trumpet every week.
Hadley had a potluck for her Teen Advisory council to celebrate the season and had a senior box making night at the school for any grade 12's that wanted to paint a memory box.
I managed to get a night out with the Mommy Group to touch base with the girls as we all navigate what it is like to have our first borns in their last year of highschool.
Brian travelled for two weeks in the month of December making the month go by very fast as there was a lot to do, especially since we were hosting the Verkley Christmas, his family Christmas and New Years. Aside from buying and wrapping presents, we also headed to my dad's house for my side's Christmas. Which I think my dad did very well as this was his first Chrsitmas without Brenda.
Easton also had an additional Christmas that our entire family was invited to for his Select hockey team. We went to a restaurant and the boys exchanged secret santa gifts. I think he had fun with that as well.
For New Years Eve we had every family bring an appetizer, and we worked together to make the cuisine of the evening, followed by games, beverages and laughter. This year Shawn K had other engagements but Synthia joined in the fun as she was house sitting next door. We stayed up until 3am, rang in the new year and had a day of more gaming before people headed home.
It's been a busy couple of months but here's to 2025 and what it may bring! Cheers!