Buck Lake's Mini Ice Bar/Cafe - Grand Opening: December 26th, 2013

Serving up some Crush to Vanaisa (Grampa Andres)

Violetta trying out the "warm" seats

Come on down to the Buck Lake Ice Bar/Cafe...

It's the coolest place around.

Christmas 2013 at the Kirby-Olvets

Andres and Violetta arrive with the kids on Christmas Eve. We visited Tiiu and Peter during the ice storm and left the kids behind as we slowly made our way back home to prepare for the holidays and Andres and Violetta's visit.

Rein was the first one up at 7 a.m. on Christmas day. I got up with him and he opened a couple of presents while we waited for the rest to join us.

Silka and Rein sporting some of their Christmas loot - camo and wrist warmers. Yes, that is a Christmas stocking on Silka's left foot.

Andres has discovered a new use for Silka's flamingo pen.

We opened presents, enjoyed a hearty breakfast and then set out on a Christmas hike. We didn't get hit with the amount of freezing rain that Toronto received but the crust on our snowy landscape reminds me of the royal icing they use on gingerbread cookies. We could walk on top and rarely broke through.

Devastating beauty....

Father and son reunited after a long stretch between visits.

Silka peaking through one of nature's windows.

A stop at the icicle factory...

Climbing up to slide down...

Rein just keeps on going.

Violetta takes a turn.

Andres keeps Tom entertained as he creates in the kitchen.

The kids and Violetta keep themselves busy while they wait for the Christmas feast.

Tom's masterpiece - crown roast. Can't wait to dig in!

Nothing better than enjoying great food with those you love. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!

Nov 3rd, 2013: Silka Loses her first tooth!

I was looking forward to an extra sleep on Sunday morning. The clocks went back an hour at 2 a.m. Alas, it was not to be. Silka ran into our bedroom at 7:30, now 6:30, and when I cracked one eyelid open, a bloody grin with a hole where a tooth once was filled my vision. She lost her first tooth and she had to share...

Rein Became a Hero to Many...

The frogs set free...

A bucketful of frogs...

Goodbye frog!

Rein looks on as they swim away.

They were rescued from our neighbour's window wells - who knew that they could be such
death traps!

Thanksgiving 2013: At the Family Cottage, Chelsea, Quebec

The table is set...

Aunt Sally is working on the final additions to the feast...

The Spennato sisters, young and older...

Another Thanksgiving upon us and we headed up to my mom's family cottage to celebrate. Over the years, the tradition has been to gather with family and friends at this magical place. We eat, we laugh, we catch up with those we have not seen for a while. We all have a few more grey hairs and the youngest among us are no longer crawling around or bouncing in our laps. All we hear now are a screech or a giggle coming from Rein, Silka or Nicholas as the trio flash by a window, autumn leaves caught up in the draft they make as they go by.
My mom once again dazzled us all with the beautiful decorations that adorned the place. Silka has taken an interest in decorating as well and she followed gramma closely to learn what she could. We extended the decorating by weaving leaves in our hair.

Silka dressed for the occasion...

The food was delicious - we wouldn't expect less. After most left, Tom and I, the kids and Gramma Aida and Len slept our last night at the cottage for the season. We woke up the next day, helped gramma Aida and Len pack up and pull the boat and dock up on shore. Aunt Sally, Jessica and Nicholas showed up - Aunt Sally made pancakes for the whole gang. Pretty soon we were saying our goodbyes and were on our way. Until next spring...

and mom as well.