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 :)

17 weeks (4 months)

Our little guy is just about 4 months old. For those of you who count in weeks, he's 17 weeks. Just changes I have seen in my little love bug. He is now rolling around, cooing and smiling at everyone and everything. He is in love with his big sister. His face lights up when he sees her.

He remains my chilled little guy who doesn't get too worked up about anything. His favourite hobby is grabbing his toes and trying to shove them in his mouth. He is on the verge of a full tilt belly laugh.

Our children are my sunshine. They are my everything. They bring me so much joy. We love watching every little change in our kids as they grow older. They are figuring out this world around them and I love it. Love every second of it.

I love you Grayson and Mira. You are my life. I love sharing my life with you and including you in the things that I love and I look forward to supporting you as you find the things that you love.

Thanksgiving Thanks

Thanksgiving weekend is here again. I love this weekend every year. It offers the best combination ever. Fantastic food, wonderful fall weather and scenery and my daughter's birthday.

 My precious first born Mira. My sensitive beautiful little soul. She thrives on the beauty in the little things that I tend to take for granted every day. She sees the beauty in everything.

She is a caring girl who offers me hugs when she somehow senses that I need it most. She is intuitive and to me, she seems to have this way about her that tells me she is wise beyond her years. For those who believe in reincarnation, she is an old soul.

Everyday she makes me proud. Every single morning she lights up my day with her smile and crazy morning hair.

Her humour is outstanding. Her perspective on things is entertaining and often times makes me stop and say "hmmm.Never thought of it that way". Pretty awesome from a 6 year old.

This year we celebrated by taking 13 kids and their parents to Lil Monkeys indoor play gym. The kids could run off all the of pent up energy while the adults sipped on free coffee and lounged in big comfy leather chairs and couches. It was fantastic.

After the party, we turned around to race home and prepare our turkey dinner. We shared the night with our much loved friends and family. Geoff's Thanksgiving turkey turned out just as great as last year's turkey. We enjoyed ham, squash, veggies....and of course pie :) What a great night. Love love love Thanksgiving.
It was also the last Thanksgiving in our little house.

Good progress is being made in our new place. Windows and doors are installed and shingles are being applied. Love seeing the creation of our new family home.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I know that some of our family and friends are going through some really tough times right now. I am thinking of them and wishing them a happy thanksgiving.

The Highs and Lows

The month of September was filled with highs and lows for us and our families.

Grayson and his "sophie"

This month found 2 of our parents in the hospital. Both will thankfully be okay, but scary regardless. Geoff's mom underwent surgery and my father fell from a 20 foot ladder and fractured several of his vertebrae. Luckily, everyone is going to be okay and they are both on the mend. Both sound like they are going stir crazy, but hopefully they will be up and about sooner than later.

Geoff fought in his jiu jitsu tournament and lost, but he lost to the guy who won his entire age bracket. So, as much as that's a low that he lost, he did well overall. There is a lot to learn from when competing and it makes you take a new fresh look at your training to figure out where you need to improve. It's all the cycle of learning and training to do better the next time around. 

Despite the awful news about our parents, etc, we have had some real highs to celebrate. My grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary! They invited the whole family out for a nice dinner and we walked down memory lane with pictures from their entire lives both together and in marriage. It was wonderful seeing all of my aunts and uncles, cousins, etc.

As well, we sold our house very quickly. We had our house up on the market for 2 days. We had one showing and that one showing produced a terrific offer. No more having to show the house and keep it perfectly clean for those last minute realtor phone calls. It's fantastic.

Date night with sushi 

Amongst other things this weekend, we enjoyed some date nights and family times. It was a busy busy month of September and October is shaping up to be just as busy! 

We have Thanksgiving weekend where we are hosting Thanksgiving dinner. We have Mira's 6th birthday party, a visit from my friend Vicky and her son Lincoln (from PA), another jiu jitsu tournament for Geoff, and a wedding.

So much to do and so much to look forward to. :) I'll take the lows with the highs. It's a part of life and it keeps us on our toes. We never learn anything from things being easy and perfect all the time do we?