Twenty

Wednesday
Twenty years! Goodness it feels like forever and not long enough all at once. Many months ago Ken and I decided that if Andrew could watch the girls, we'd go away for a night. Andrew agreed and off we went.

First thing this morning we took the dog for a walk together.

And then there was a ridiculous thing... Ken finished his puzzle last night. I got a pick of him almost finished, but then I went upstairs before he did, and well, I never took a pic of the completed puzzle. And Ken being Ken didn't take a pic of the completed puzzle, and I realized as he was putting the puzzle away, that horror of horrors, there was no pic of the completed puzzle!?!?! I then contemplated a silly facebook post "no pic of the completed puzzle, re-considering my life choices, happy anniversary Ken?" but I decided against it, because of course it is silly and I LOVE MY KEN!

After feeding the girls lunch, and taking a few pics, we were off on our anniversary adventure.

Our first stop was to the temple. Unfortunately the only sessions on a Wednesday are first thing in the morning so that didn't work with our schedule, but I still wanted to go walk around and take some pics.

After the temple we were off to Alton, Ontario and the Millcroft Inn and Spa. It was so, so lovely. We almost went there five years ago, but I don't think they had availability by the time we were booking. We booked early this year. It was such a beautiful place!

We went into Orangeville for dinner at Forage. They had some yummy GF options yay, and we both enjoyed our dinners very much!

We walked around a little bit after dinner. Such pretty grounds!

Thursday
It was so nice this year, knowing the girls are older and can take care of themselves for a bit, to not have to rush back home. The grounds are extensive and there were a few hiking trails, so off we went into the woods!

We walked up to the pinnacle, which is a lookout, and then we were looking for this other trail, but we didn't know where it was exactly, so we just went down the hill in the snow, Ken thinking he was kind of following footprints. I wasn't exactly sure, but I've learned over the years not to question Ken's orienteering in the woods. In a city, I can direct, but in the woods, that's all Ken! So I followed, and Ken found the way through.

It was such a gorgeous day today, above freezing, the sun shining!

This was our private two person hot tub out the back door of our room. 

And here's the cute front door of our room!

This is one of the historic buildings that used to be a mill. It's a restaurant and there are hotel rooms too. We didn't actually go inside - well I supposed Ken went in to check in. Such pretty buildings!

On our walk through the woods we met a woman who lives in Alton walking her dog, and her friend's dog. She was really friendly and asked us if we had been to the Alton Mill which is now a gallery. We said we hadn't and she told us we should go, so we did.

It was originally a knitting mill, and then was later a rubber factory. It's a really large building and it is now a gallery. There are stores and a café on the main floor and there are event spaces and offices in the basement. There's also some history in the basement - some of the old equipment, and lots of things to read about the history.

On the second floor there are lots of different gallery rooms and so much art, lots of paintings, and some photography. I don't think we saw any artists there today, but it is very much a working gallery with artists in residence.

This funky little clutch purse was in one of the stores. I thought it was so fun and quirky. It was made of pop tabs. (I thought Alice would be amused by it, she just thought it was too weird.)

I bought some awesome deerskin mitts as my leather mittens are just about worn out. They are so pretty, and so soft and so warm!

We also bought this sweet little ornament to put on the tree.

At this point we were hungry, so we started looking for a place with GF options. And we found one, in Woodbridge, Schiroso. Ken had a veal sandwich and I had a chicken sandwich. So good!

Then it was back home. We got home and caught up with the girls - it's nice to be missed and appreciated. Fiona and I took Milo for a walk and Ken got dinner organized.

I asked Fiona if she wanted to just keep walking until we wanted to stop and she said sure. Ken agreed that he would come pick us up when we were done, so we walked! And then walked some more. When we were coming up to the memorial area at Harwood I kind of explained to Fiona where we were and she decided that she wanted to walk all the way to Rotary, so we did. We walked 4.2 kms! Way to go Fiona! (And Milo lol)

After dinner - choose your own adventure night - almost everyone had something different, we went out to Bowmanville and Old Scugog Road to check out the fun Christmas lights. I should have taken pics of the more intensely decorated houses, but by the time I remembered that's what I wanted to do, we'd already passed all the crazy ones!

I am so grateful for my little family. I'm so grateful for my Ken. I love being his partner. I love our life. I'm so thankful for him and for what we've built together. Happy Twentieth Anniversary My Love!

Boxing Day

The day the staff got to celebrate Christmas, being sent home with boxes of things? Or something like that? Also known as the day that you hang out and chill after the Christmas fun!

Fiona played with her new toys!

Ken and Alice started Ken's puzzle.

Fiona experimented with Alice's inflatable lounger thing. I've been calling it the banana boat.

Fiona lives!

Ken still working on the puzzle.

Alice enjoying her lounger and lounge wear. 

Not really a different day for the dog...

Kate playing computer games.

Fiona playing with new toys in her bedroom.

And then the whole family went to the mall, and the rest of the universe too. There were some gift certificates and cash to spend and some discounts not to be missed out on.

Ken was back at his puzzle.

And I blogged!!! YAY!

Fiona and Her Little People

I've posted about this before, when Kate was little. I love Little People, Fisher Price Little People. I generally love toys, but since I was a little kid, I've loved Little People. I loved setting up a town, and setting up families in the houses. Kate and Fiona are my toy people. Alice not so much, she enjoys different play activities. We have a lot of Little People houses and I love that Fiona is still enjoying them.

When Suzanne and I were little we'd set up a circular town with all of the houses facing open into the middle of the circle. We'd fight over who was who and who made up our families, and who'd get each building. But we'd play. I know memory does weird things, and what we think of as authentic memories are distorted over time. But I do remember not wanting to grow up. I loved playing with toys for I think much longer than most kids my age. I'm glad I was the oldest of four, that I got to play for longer with my younger siblings.

Fiona does a good job playing by herself. She wishes her sisters would play with her, but that doesn't really happen. This morning Fiona was feeling worried that she was too old and that someone would make fun of her - specifically because I picked out a new Little People toy for her from Grandma for Christmas. She actually shed a tear at the thought of someone making fun of her, of thinking she was too old for these toys. 

Fiona is 9.5 this Christmas. I hope she has a few more years of toys, because she has a lifetime ahead of "not" toy time. I think I got this when I was a kid. I didn't want to grow up, I didn't want to outgrow my toys. I remember crying when I had outgrown the kids area at Ontario Place the summer I was 12. I wasn't ready to grow up. Finding joy at different ages and stages of our lives can be very challenging. Today I'm so very grateful for my little person that still loves her Little People.

Christmas

The girls swear they didn't remember me saying 7:30 and came in excitedly at 7:00, which really isn't that early. The last few years I haven't gotten up to watch them do stockings - they take lots of pictures and I come down after. This year I really wanted to be there, so they patiently waiting until 7:30 and then it was stocking time!

After stockings they each opened one present.

Fiona opened Jeff. (She had a plastic squeaky banana that she named Jeff. She loved Jeff and then Milo ate him. Ken found a banana stuffy online and so Jeff lives again!)

Alice opened her two by two rubick's cube.

And Kate found her squirrel.

The girls helped Milo open his squeaky toy.

Then Ken made pancakes for the girls, made dough for rolls, and printed off his talk, while I took Milo for a walk. The sun was bright and beautiful, but it was cold!

We had one hour of church today and it was pretty perfect! There was lots of singing, one musical number - the bishopric sang Far Far Away on Judea's Plains, and three brief talks, Ken was the concluding speaker. He spoke about the gift of Jesus.

After church we came home and took a family picture in front of the tree. I love this pic, it's PERFECT!

We all changed into comfy clothes, Ken shaped the dough into rolls and then it was present time. I actually took pics of everyone opening everything. Part of me wants to post every picture! But I know that's ridiculous, so I will control myself.

I think what I loved most about the present opening was the time. Each present was opened one by one. Each was admired, and enjoyed one by one. Everyone was excited for everyone. It felt really, really lovely!

Ken's Presents: A puzzle, two pairs of comfy pants, and a book "A History of Canada in Ten Maps".
Wendy's Presents: Aveda shampoo and conditioner and Fruitfuls. (The girls dressing in matching jammies for Christmas morning!)

Kate's Presents: Pajamas, Indigo gift card, Corgi butt warming bag, Periwinkle (squishmallow), blanket - one from Mom and Dad and one from Auntie Suzanne, Luna's wand, two books, money for clothes from Grandma, squirrel plush, two soft decorative pillos, snowball maker, and a hooded sweatshirt.

Alice's Presents: An inflatable lounge chair thing, a book, pajamas, stretch bands, a yoga matt, a two by two rubik's cube, popit game, big huge hooded sweatshirt, sleep mask, puffy sticker kit, a water bottle, money for clothes from Grandma, and a blanket from Auntie Suzanne.

Fiona's Presents: Our Generation bed and picnic food, Magical Minis - Hogwarts castle and characters, Harry Potter Lego, pajamas, a book, warm pants, banana plush and bunny plush, $25 Robux, Rock climbing gift card, fruitfuls, a blanket from Auntie Suzanne and a Little People barbie dreamhouse from Grandma.

After the present opening there was much enjoying of the presents! Andrew came over around 2:30 and food preparation went into high gear. Andrew and Ken made everything. I cleaned off the table, under the table, and I set the table. And I did laundry lol. 

The missionaries came over around 5 and I made them sit and take pics so I could post them on Facebook for their Mamas. Elder Finch on the left is from Tennessee, and Elder King on the right is from Idaho. 

Then we feasted! For Christmas dinner we had: Turkey, roasted sweet potato and Brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, mashed carrot and turnip, rolls, cauliflower and cheese sauce, and for dessert apple crisp and ice cream. To drink there was apple cider, pomegranate soda and root beer. The foot was amazing, and almost entirely allergy safe, rolls and cheese sauce aside! Ken and Andrew are an amazing team in the kitchen.

After dinner the missionaries shared a spiritual thought, Alice played a bit with Fiona and then it was done.

Alice: Take my picture Mom.

We had a very, very happy Christmas. It was cozy and fun and full of happy voices. You could feel the love. If all good things come from God, which they do, then today was the fulfillment of all Christmas should be. It was happy time spent with family enjoying each other. I'm so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful for His birth and His death. I'm thankful for the joy and beauty of Christmas.