There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.

Cole's 10th Birthday, Part Two.

Today was Cole's 'friend' party. Unfortunately 2 of his friends cancelled at the last second but they will pop in over the next week to visit. Cole was a little disappointed but his day went so well that his disappointment disappeared rather quickly!

He had Fergus, Quinn & Alexandria over for lunch and of course Chad :)

They played around with guns for a while before eating Quesilladas and a strawberry shortcake! Cole found a piece of fuzz on his piece of cake and thought that maybe the bakery had added belly button lint to the recipe and therefor grossed out all of his guests.

Time was limited as we had to be on Dundas Street in Mississauga by 2 PM so Cole ripped open all of his presents and then we all hoped into the minivan! All the kids had a great time at Laser Quest playing air hockey, basketball & then a half hour game of Laser Tag, except Chad though. Apparently he didn't realize that it was going to be so dark and that there was 3 levels of glow in the dark 'scariness'! Fergus came in first place within their group, then Cole, then Quinn, followed by Chad and Alex ended up with a score of -5; I think she was more interested in helping Chad :)

On our way home we stopped at Fergus & Quinns to drop them off, then returned the minivan, ordered pizza and rented a movie which we will be watching shortly. Alexandria is spending the night and we will be heading to Aurora in the morning to take her home.

Cole had a fabulous day, he is in love with all of his gifts and more than thankful.

Calgary

Back in September I took a little trip out to Calgary, Alberta. It was my first trip within Canada and loved every single second that took me from Toronto to Calgary and back. Every second except when I had found out that my bag which housed my digital SLR, digital point & shoot, and my mobile phone had been taken from my parents hotel room. I learned of this news on the morning I was due to return back to Toronto, all of my 800 or so pictures of my trip were gone.

It has since been 2 months and I have had all of my stolen items replaced, they are even better than what I had before, but the thought of never seeing the pictures I took ever again haunts me quite often. 

My brother moved out West with his girlfriend Michelle back in May, I think it was May, so my parents & I decided to go out and visit. My parents flew from North Bay and we all met up in downtown Calgary. I stayed in my brothers apartment, with an amazing view of the city, and my parents stayed at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Calgary. 

We drove out to Canmore and had an amazing lunch, enjoyed the fresh mountain air and then visited the small town of Banff. The most amazing part of the trip was the Banff Springs Hotel, it was a place I had dreamed of visiting since I was a little girl. The experience was overwhelming. Every room was so grande and elegant. The Bow River was just steps away and the mountains were touchable and prodigious.

My parents took a few pictures, but knew I was a little more of an adept photographer than they were and left that part to me. *Sigh*

We dined in amazing restaurants such as the Saltlik and the best all natural and organic restaurant we found in the woods in the central park 'The River Cafe'. (My all time favourite restaurant) We played golf at the Inglewood Golf & Country Club, we shot pool and mingled throughout various locations in the downtown area. The weather was amazing, time felt as if it stood still the entire trip, and the company was perfect. I can't wait to do it again this spring.

So, my parents were down this weekend and they gave me most of the pictures that they took which was very thoughtful. They still have many on their camera that they have yet to do anything with and I can not wait to see them as well. That said, here are some of our experiences, enjoy!  :)

Cole's 10th Birthday. Part One.

Cole's Nanny & Papa came down to visit for the night last night to be with Cole in celebrating his birthday, a little earlier than his actual birthday but they are busy over the next few weekends. We had French Onion soup for starters, at Cole's request, it's his favorite appetizer. Followed by Rainbow Trout and baked Potatoes :) MMmmm, sometimes I surprise myself :)

Of course we had Angel Cake covered in a delectably creamy chocolate icing and then Cole opened his gift that he had been waiting so long to do. He wanted an iShuffle, and that is what he received so he was very happy with that. I was planning on getting the boys an iPod Classic each for Christmas and this now challenges my idea.

Later on in the evening we put on a movie and chit-chatted throughout, laughing and giggling like we were all 10 years old. Bedtime was at 2 AM and we woke at 9 AM. Eggs Benedict for breakfast, shortbread for a snack and about an hour looking at many pictures of Calgary that my parents brought me.

All in all it was a fabulous visit, never long enough and Cole is a very happy camper. After my parents left (in the freshly fallen snow) that is one thing Cole did mention: "Why is it that I feel sad every time people leave?"

My Herman :)

My Stud :)

Herman, my Quarter Horse, is the most gentle and amazing animal EVER! He is so careful when the boys are on his back, his eyes are so gentle looking and tries very hard not get too excited.

He is quite plump right now as all he has done all summer is eat & eat & then eat some more. Time to whip him back into shape (not literally though).

Cole is a little nervous yet when riding, but he is doing very well. Chad on the other hand, he thinks he is a professional jockey already and rides around like the pro's!

"Yes We Can"

What strikes me about Barack Obama is not so much his liberalism,
which like JFK's is moderate and rather centrist, it's his
quiet depth of his spirituality. To me, despite whatever flaws or lacks
one sees in his resume, the sincerity and warmth of his spiritual side is a
breath of fresh air on the political landscape. We need the other types, the
doubters and hard-headed wits and critics. But after so much coolness toward
matters of the heart, how represhing to hear the word faith spoken with so
much appreciation from a candidate's lips.

Life is like a box of chocolates.....

You never know what your gonna get :)

Today was such a beautiful day, the weather was fabulous, the boys and I spent a couple of hours out and about doing some skating with the Georgetown Clan :)

We arrived home in time to help James break the yearling and go out for a little hack.

Tomorrow is the big day!! Our big girl is hoping to bring us some big money in the Kentucky sale *crossing fingers*.

Halloween has finally come and gone. The boys, especially Chad, were so excited about trick or treating. Our original plans were to dress up in costume, go see a scary movie at the theatre and then come home to find treats throughout the house. These plans changed several times the week of Halloween. Chad really wanted to go out trick or treating, yet Cole wanted to see the movie. To make everyone happy we decided to stay close to home, go trick or treating and then come home & watch a movie. It all worked out :)

Yay!