Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving twice! The first one was in October, and American Thanksgiving. The American Thanksgiving found us in Atlanta visiting our family. Jayson also ran his half marathon with Jeff Thanksgiving morning. I was proud of Jayson, he ran it in 1:59:02! I was proud of Jeff too! His time was 2:03! Good job guys!

We left Toronto Tuesday after skating lessons and pulled into Uncle Jeff and Aunt Lynne's house around 4ish on Wednesday.

 Her the kids are drinking a mug of milk with their favorite Uncle Bryan! And no, there is nothing wrong with the kids' heads. They just love band aids!

Caitlin smiling for the camera!

Cheesy Connor always ready to ham it up!

That's okay Connor, I don't think Uncle Bryan wanted to rest at all!

Enjoying some ice cream

Connor couldn't decide which dessert was his favorite, so he enjoyed both

Aunt Lynne decided to put the kids in a bubble bath, and they helped clean her bathtub! And here Shelby is seriously thinking of joining them!

Enjoying a bubble bath

They enjoyed playing soccer at Great Granddad's house

They enjoyed Great Grandma's swing

The remembered to ring the bell

Connor ringing the bell for like the third time. I am sure the neighbors missed this.

They found climbing Granddad's magnolia tree was a ton of fun

They played crochet

At the Georgia Aquarium enjoying a chocolate cupcake that Uncle Bryan decided they needed

The Manta Ray and Whale Shark swimming by

On our way to see the Dolphin exhibit with Uncle Bryan and Aunt Lynne

The dolphins and their trainers were right in front of us! Hearing them laugh was an awesome experience!

Picture with Uncle Bryan in front of the coral wall

We went to Stone Mountain to see the Sparklies (Christmas Lights as the kids call them)

Connor and Uncle Jeff waiting for the train

Connor and Aunt Lynne on the train

It was a sing along train around the mountain! I haven't sang that many Christmas carols in forever!

A family picture in front of the water wheel

We had Granddad's famous breakfast! Here Caitlin is with Aunt Lynne

We played in the leaves with Uncle Jeff and Uncle Bryan

Then they raked up the mess the made!

Granddad with Connor and Caitlin

We had a great time and I realized how much I missed everyone!

Sayig Goodbye....

It has been a very upsetting and sad week here in our house. The unexpected death of a very wonderful person who was like a big brother, only better. In our sadness we always ask ourselves why? What would have happened if we hadn't let life put us on our separate paths? Why didn't I call more? And I fear, these will always be there in the back of my mind nagging on me. So I am going to remember all of the things that made Brian so special to me. My first memory of Brian was right before he entered the U.S. Air Force. I may have met him earlier, but I don't remember. I remember one rainy night going to the movies with him in his Toyota Supra. And laughing so hard it hurt. Then shortly after my sister Sara married and moved away, Brian came to my parents house for a visit and left many years later. I remember his snoring keeping me awake at nights. I remember meeting Kristin for the first time. She had just flown in from Mississippi and I was on my way out the door to Georgia. I remember his idea of a cooked steak was 2 seconds, flip 2 seconds done. After I married Jayson and we bought our first house, I remember Brian spending most of his weekends at our house. Sometimes you'd come home from work and Brian would be there waiting. Because of him, I learned how to fry eggs. I remember the night my cousin Anna was staying with us and the four of us went out and Brian had encouraged Jayson to change my phone over to Japanese. Thankfully Anna had the same phone, but it still took us hours to change it back. I remember the night Brian put on Jayson's roller blades and leashed a 10 month old Kaiser and went to the store. We found them both in the ditch Kaiser dragged him into. And the time he let me crash at his house for a long weekend for Anna's wedding. I am sure he didn't really want to see Phantom of the Opera, but he was nice enough to go. So many memories.
Maybe he needed us as a family, but I know we needed him more. With Brian, my family was complete. So with a heavy heart, I am learning to say Good Bye to the best big brother any one could ever wish for. You may not have realized how much you were loved by us. And how we valued your friendship. I hope you at peace. We love you and miss you terribly!
Until we meet again good friend.

Exploring The York Regional Forest

 This weekend we took the kids on a hiking trail in the York Regional Forest. A new area to explore!

 Caitlin found a rock while she was looking for a walking stick

 It was like walking in a puzzle! The pathway lined by the towering trees! It was beautiful, but I bet it was much more spectacular when the trees where changing colors!

 Even Kaiser enjoyed himself!

 Caitlin running ahead to catch up to Connor, daddy and Kaiser!

 Connor just found him a walking stick!

 Deciding which pathway to follow...

 We packed a lunch, so we found a nice sunny spot to sit and have a picnic. Here Connor is eating his sandwich!

 Caitlin sitting and eating her sandwich.

 Trying to play hid and seek in the trees. But with that bright coat on, the game was short!

 I wanted to get a picture of the two of them together. I guess I should have specified them looking at me at the same time and smiling!

 The puzzle picture!

Me and the kids towards the ed of our walk

 

This pond is at the beginning of our trail. Connor wanted to go fishing, but I didn't see any fish, it was pretty clear and pretty shallow.

A good time was had by all, and we are thinking of taking the kids on the Jingle Bell walk in a couple of weeks!

Boo at the Zoo

I had this brilliant idea. I would take the kids to the Boo at the Zoo, we'd march in their parade, and go Trick or Treating and have a very enjoyable day at the zoo. Well, it didn't go as planned. Caitlin, who has been wearing her costume daily has decided she doesn't want to wear it anywhere. Connor, I don't think he cares one way or another. He just wanted to see some animals.

Here the kids are watching the peacocks. I would have thought that the 45 degrees would have been a little too cold for them, but I guess I was wrong.

 Caitlin took this picture of the peacock. She loves them and tries to give them hugs.

 Here they are watching the other little kids walk pass in their costumes.

 The trees are still changing colors up here. Toronto Zoo is located in the Rogue River park. It is gorgeous!

 Looking at the pumpkins. I tried to get them to sit and let me take their picture, but I was informed they didn't want to smile anymore!

 Yeah, still not cooperating with the whole picture thing.

 Inside a teepee. This is the first time we had actually went in. I think they enjoyed running around inside.

 Because it was a little chilly out today, the Artic Wolves were out and very active today. I think they have become one of my favorite animals. Connor likes them too, and was telling everyone that passed by what they were! Smart Boy!

 The kids love the movie Tangled. So every time we visit the zoo, they want to see Pascal. He doesn't look like he likes being called Pascal.

 Another favorite animal of ours is the elephants. I think the kids just like sitting on the cement elephants.

The secret to keeping one of the kids from running wild? Make them hold hands.

The American Eagle has a maimed wing and wouldn't survive in the wild. He is a beautiful animal and as we were walking away from admiring him, he was talking up a storm!
So although we weren't in any costumes, we still were able to trick or treat. The kids came home with a pencil, an Addams family tattoo, a yo-yo and stickers! Score!
Maybe next year they will actually want to wear their costumes!