Apologies for the No Posting for Awhile...But Here's A Summary of the Last Three Months

October 2017

On a Saturday in October, we had 300+ visitors come through our home as part of the first annual Hidden Gems Home Tour. Quelle surprise! Really expected only 30 guests in the three hour window of visiting hours. Needed to put our feet up after that afternoon!

At the age of thirteen, Edward’s participation in his first half marathon took place this month. He achieved a PR and placed second overall in his age group. We are incredibly proud and impressed with his endurance. Yay for Edward!

Aaron enjoying his Tanker costume Andrew constructed for him and Edward as an “Old Man” on Hallowe’en.

N. Chauncey neighborhood moms on Hallowe’en.

 Andrew and I dancing the night away last night. Really groovin’ sounds at the Black Sparrow for their Hallowe’en DJ battle.

November 2017

 Andrew as D.J. C* spinning the night away in November at a local musical bar called The Spot.  Second gig this year.  He's very happy to be mixing with his turntables again.

Aaron as entry 132 with Cub Pack 3337 in the Lafayette Christmas Parade!  Exhausted but thrilled to be marching with the group.

Our First Holiday Open House invitation to hopefully become an annual tradition.  Great turnout and loads of fun.  The spiced lamb meatballs were especially popular!

December 2017

Celebrating Aaron’s actual 8th Birthday at the Star Wars movie premiere this past Friday. Happy Birthday Aaron! May the Force Be With You.

Taking Aaron to a Birthday Sunday brunch with Andrew (Edward was studying for his two finals).  Star Wars inspired drawings by Aaron while waiting for our meals.

Finally U.S. Citizens! Fall 2017

On our way to the Naturalization Ceremony on Friday, September 15, 2017 in West Lafayette, Indiana.

In the auditorium, along with 103 other citizens-to-be and a bevy of government officials, representatives and officers.

Our celebratory dinner with Aaron and Edward with mom and dad as new U.S. citizens.

Edward Won but He Lost! September 2017

He did get first in the 5km Hunger Hike run last weekend for youths but because he is 13 years old he didn't qualify as an actual youth (12 and under). Since the next runner's age up was 20 years old he was given the second place youth trophy for his efforts and first was given to the 12 year old who came in after him. Yay Edward!

First Day Back to School August 2017

Edward, now thirteen years old, started eighth grade and Aaron, now seven years old, entered second grade this past Thursday.  Great to see them smiling so.  Hope it stays that way! :)  Congratulations on your first day back to school, boys!

Sailboat Tour Summer 2017

Enjoyed a 90 minute tour of Toronto's Harbourfront on Lake Ontario via the Kajama.  Gorgeous day, thankfully.  Wanted to go to Center Island as a family but was flooded due to recent heavy rains.   No complaints discovering this beauty instead!

Aaron Earns His Blue Belt in Taekwondo Spring 2017

This past spring, Aaron earned his Blue belt in taekwondo and has now decided to move on to other athletic interests.  We are very proud of his time and effort in achieving this level.  Well done!  Thank you for all your teachings and instruction, Master Chai.

Indiana Springtime May 2017

We planted this Celebration Maple last fall and are happy it has survived the winter.  It has much more foliage than we expected.  We decided on the Maple over a Tulip tree in commemoration of our Canadian citizenship.

My very first Peony of the season.  It is of a Dr. Alexander Fleming variety.

These are our unusual Lucerne perennials which are photo sensitive and only open when warm and sunny.  Such a bright purple!

Finally!  Our trilliums are blooming this year, after six years of perseverance.  Last year I posted about them for the first time but alas, they perished not more than a month after the post.  Patiently, I hoped they would do better this year and luckily, with all the rain this spring, they have flourished and finally shown a bloom, a red one in fact.  In Ontario, where I was born, there was an abundance of white trilliums over red ones in the dense forest where I'd hiked once during a school retreat but here in West Lafayette, at the Horticultural Forest nearby, there was the opposite.  Mostly red trilliums were observed on our last family hike there and only one white trillium was chanced upon.  Regardless, just pleased ours has finally bloomed!

Lastly, our lavender.  Such a pleasant aroma when walking by.  Hopefully these will return next year for they are supposed to be perennials.  The last bunch of lavender I grew, I harvested and harvested the numerous blossoms, drying it to put into potpourri sachets to give away as gifts.  But then suddenly, the next year, they passed away.  Trying again this year with two plantings.  So far so good.  It's finally become warmer and sunnier, allowing us to finally enjoy Indiana springtime.  Here's to sunshine!

New Trampoline Winter 2017

Instead of the highly anticipated new puppy, due to complications that arose, Edward and Aaron had to choose buying a new pro ACON trampoline instead.  They put all their hard earned savings towards it this winter and now are excited that spring is coming to really enjoy their new equipment.    No complaints from their neighborhood friends who get to enjoy it too.  Edward just mastered the double front flip.  They are really excited about their athletic attempts and benefit from the outdoor exercise.

Aaron Earns His Blue Tip for Taek Won Do!

Aaron most recently passed his Blue Tip test for Taek Won Do. Here he is with his certificate and blue tip as well as doing a jump kick. Awesome Aaron!

Aaron's First Official Pinewood Derby Car Entry 2017

Aaron's Cub Scout Pinewood Derby car is finally ready for the big race this Saturday. He's so excited to see how it will perform. We're hoping it will get voted for in the Most Unique category. Keeping our fingers crossed!

Get Well Soon!

During the holiday break, on the night of an ice storm, Andrew fell down and unbeknownst to him, broke his ankle.  Stubbornly, he refused to believe he broke it but after two weeks, finally agreed to get an x-ray.  Clear as crystal, there was a fracture.  Thankfully, he was able to have surgery scheduled right away.  He is now recovering, getting around on crutches and a four wheeled knee scooter.  His parents, Dave and Valerie, came to visit during his recovery time for about a week from P.E.I. for moral support.  Luckily, there have been no complications and he can start walking on it in four weeks.  We all hope he gets well soon!

Happy 2017!

We opted to have an all ages party open to our friends' families to spend the early hours of New Year's Eve in our home in West Lafayette.  Really, the best New Year's Eve countdown we've had in years with unmatched excitement levels by the 18 to 22 (?, lost count) kids present.  Then some parents headed out for some late night dancing at a favorite local spot to ring in the actual New Year (EST).  Here are Aaron and Edward in our living room after we finally dealt with the unavoidable aftermath of large scale entertaining.  Thank you for your help boys!  

Happy New Year Everyone!