Date Night + 1

 This week Geoff had his week of vacation. We spent the majority of the week getting stuff done around the house. We did all of the usual things that a domesticated family does. Costco. Groceries. Cleaning. *YAWN* (except Costco-that place excites me!)

So, we opted to take a night and wander over to the Niagara region for the night. We spent the most beautiful October afternoon I think we've ever had (it was 20 degrees and sunny) in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was Grayson's first trip to the Niagara region (except when he was fetus).

 We sauntered through the stores that line the main drag of NOTL, sipping Starbucks and enjoying homemade date squares and macademia nut cookies.

We then made our way along the stunning Niagara parkway, following the meandering waterway, towards Niagara Falls. The leaves were all golden, red and orange. Stunning colours. The sun was radiating through the trees and made them all that more colourful.

Once in Niagara Falls, we took to the sidewalks and took in the cheesy, tacky sights that Niagara Falls has to offer. The stores that sell the el-cheapo tourist t-shirts and snow globes.

We stayed in the Hilton hotel, which is a place we have stayed before and LOVED. It's directly across from the U.S side of the falls and we had a room on the 23rd floor so we had amazing views.

Grayson sat, wide-eyed, in his stroller. He was in awe of the giant statues of crazy creatures and the noises coming from the fun houses and haunted mansions.

After our walk, we headed to the Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse, which was in our hotel. It's an all-you-can-eat meat fest. It's delicious. Scrumptious. Mouth-watering. Whatever word you choose to describe it. We ate until we were stuffed. We had pork, lamb, grilled pineapple with brown sugar and cinnamon, salmon, chicken, chicken wrapped in bacon, ribs, etc etc. Oh it was amazing. 

 Feeling guilty about our gluttonous meal, we headed across the walkway to the stores in the same building as the casino. Of course getting into the casino with a 4 month old would a) be just plain wrong and b) impossible with security, but we enjoyed the shops and candy stores.

We slept wonderfully that night, full and filled up with meats and sweets. We fell asleep to the changing colours of the falls.

Friday morning we woke bright and early to make our way to the Henley rowing club to watch my littlest brother row in the provincial finals. My father, stepmother, Tucker (my parents dog), Geoff, Grayson and I watched in the increasingly cold weather. Our nice warm temperatures slowly slipped away and the true feel of fall arrived. That was our cue. After Drew's race, we packed up and headed home. Layered in our warm fall clothing and ready for our weekend :)