December 2013

After much anticipation, December finally arrived!  And with it the Christmas season was in full swing.  Parties, anticipation, holiday concerts, anticipation, Christmas cards sent and received... and more anticipation. 

Zoe's gingerbread house

Right before the big holiday, Toronto was hit with a huge ice storm.  Many people were out of power for days (8+ days for some) and many suffered damage to cars, homes, and other property.  We were extremely lucky!  We did not lose power and had no damage.  For us it was simply a winter wonderland everywhere we looked!

Julian's mother and brother were coming for Christmas and due to arrive Monday morning.  The ice storm was Saturday night and trees were still falling all day Sunday and into Monday.  Though we escaped the damage, our car was blocked in and most streets in our neighbourhood were closed due to fallen trees.  We advised our guests to take a taxi from the airport since we were stuck.  Their taxi meandered around fallen trees and downed wires to deliver them safely to our icy front door where the festivities could then begin.





Santa seemed to know what Mother Nature had in store for the next few months when he left a new sled in Zoe's stocking.



 



A Christmas morning hug.

A Christmas morning wrestling match.

Somebody got a new Tilley hat.

Zoe painted a picture for our gift.

Christmas dinner - cheers!

We enjoyed several fun outings with Grandma Elaine and Uncle Mark including stage productions of The Little Mermaid (this year's pantomime) and The Nutcracker.  We also spent a day at the zoo which, like the rest of Toronto, had been transformed into a magical ice kingdom after the big storm.

 



 



Back at home we took a few parting shots.



Uncle Mark and Zoe

Zoe with Grandma Elaine (and Taryn)

 

We had a wonderful (and sometimes silly) week with Grandma Elaine and Uncle Mark!