Gone Outside

What a lovely couple of days we have had! 

After a remarkably smooth Whitehorse-Vancouver-Toronto-Windsor flight - in which I even found 2 minutes to grab a sandwich to go!! (much better than my last flight when there was so little time between connections all I ate was cup of soup - twice in 9 hours), I was back in remarkably warm Essex  County. 

It was a weekend of highlights! In a terrific 48 hours, I was able to spend quality time with my brother, which rarely happens since we're typically very engaged by the niece and nephews, and of course a very nice time with all of my family. I LOVE play time with Emma and Kael! They are soooo awesome and every bit of time I get to spend with them makes me very, very happy! They grow so much between visits and get to be a lot more fun every day. 

And I got to meet Owen!!!  I loved cuddling with him (who wouldn't?), and the sounds that he makes while sleeping - and his frequent farting, makes for much fascination.  

I have to admit that a highlight of the weekend was getting to spend a couple of days with Mike and Maui. It has been weeks since I have seen Mike and more than 6 weeks since we were all together as a family.  It was great, and it nearly killed me to leave Maui behind this morning - the looks she was giving me once she realized she wasn't coming......

Saturday was a fabulous day, and I was so thrilled to have aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and family friends all come out to visit. It was an unbelievable day (around 74 degrees) and as small groups of people came, went and came and went, it was just so incredibly nice to visit and catch up! Thanks very much to my parents who provided a delicious feast too! I think Mike ate for 3 straight hours - and then it was time for dinner!  A very relaxing day all around, and a very touching one. 

Sunday was equally great. More quality time with Emma (and Aaron M), a delicious breakfast(Yay! Jules' Diner) with fantastic (surprising) company (thanks again, Uncle Ray!) and then a great visit with Chris, Angela and Carter.  As I sit here very full (I LOVE the Danforth), I am not looking forward to our 4:30 am departure for Pearson Airport, but I am looking forward to Phase Two of our trip. Viva Cuba! Viva Amanda and Kelly!!