First Thanksgiving/Christmas Celebration and A Birthday Visit.

Our Location today is McGregor, Ontario, Canada. 

Having forgotten to set the alarm clock before going to bed last night we only woke a few minutes past our planned wake up time. We didn’t realize we did get such a fair amount of fresh air while we were out yesterday because it wasn’t raining but we did. Last night’s rain added another inch of rain to our rain gauge overnight. 

Spotted while leaving the park this morning.

As soon as breakfast was over the trailer was reorganized for the purpose of entertaining. Which meant closing up the computers and moving all the extra Christmas Gifts that would not be given out today into the trunk for safe keeping. 

At least we see some blue skies  today.

Shortly after 11:00 we were on our way towards Windsor to meet up with our son Gary, our daughter-in-law Jen and their family at Boston Pizza. This may not sound like a big deal to most but it was for us. Due to the fact that they live nearly five hours away every year for the last nine years just before Christmas we would get together at a restaurant for our celebratory meal. This year there are two things different. First they are presently in the process of moving the family back to the town Essex which will only be ten minutes away. Second we won’t be here for Christmas so we are combining this with our Canadian Thanksgiving. 

(L - R) Haigan, Jen, Gary, Emma and Connor
at Boston Pizza.

When our grandsons Connor and Haigan came in they immediately ran through the restaurant for a hug. Our granddaughter Emma was more subdued but still got in line for her hugs. Since Emma is now in grade thirteen this year she has been staying at Jen’s folks and going to school in the area since the start of the school year. Her new friends at school heard about the singing competitions she’s been in the Niagara Region of Ontario so they asked if she could do them a favour. This morning in Windsor they were having their local “Run For The Cure” which is a fundraiser against Cancer. The favour was they needed someone to sing the Canadian National Anthem before the start of the marathon. Since Emma has done this in cities across Canada and in France while she was there with the military cadets she had no problem doing it today. The entire family had to be at Dieppe Park in Windsor by 8:00 this morning and had just left before joining us for lunch at noon. 

Connor and Haigan opening their Christmas gifts.

The entire time we ate our meal we were getting caught up on how their move is coming along. They won’t have the keys for the house in Essex until the end of the month but they are about halfway moved. With Gary already working down here every weekend Jen packs up their SUV and the boys and brings a load of clothes along with smaller personal items down. At this point they are temporarily renting a Storage Unit that is now Full.  

Emma happy with her gifts.

Everyone ordered something different and it all tasted great. Our waitress was very attentive making certain everybody’s drinks were full and because we were eating from the luncheon menu the bill was very reasonable. 

Jen and Gary opening their gifts.
Gary thought it was funny the way one gift was wrapped.

Shortly after 1:00 we were all on our way back to the trailer. Once we were settled in Kathy started handing out Christmas Gifts to the grandchildren. Both Connor and Emma have upcoming birthdays as well so each had an additional gift to make up for our absence since we’ll be away. Kathy seems to be better in tune as to what gifts should be given sometimes more than the parents and today was no different. 

Haigan watching Jen and Gary open their gifts.

Once the kids had opened their gifts and starting to make use of them at the dining room table it was time for their parents to have their gifts. Once again Kathy surprised both Gary and Jen by getting them things they were just about ready to go buy for themselves. As per our personal request we received a gift card that we’ll be able to make use of when we feel like going out for a meal. 

Emma making herself comfortable on the ottoman.

Kathy and Jen were talking about work, the kids and friends while I took Gary outside to answer the RV related questions about the proper way of Dumping Black Tanks and how to Winterize a trailer. They have plans to get a travel trailer in the near future plus Gary would like to winterize his friend’s trailer as a way of paying him back for allowing him to use it as a bedroom for the last two months. 

At 3:30 Gary reminded Jen she still had a five-hour drive home to Welland so we had to say our goodbyes. We are hoping we have everything ready to go south so we might see them in their home before we leave if not we’ll see them in the Spring. 

Connor and Haigan made the special note on the left.
Kathy made the response on the right.

While I was setting our office back up Kathy was cleaning the dining room table and came across a special note that none of the adults were aware the boys had made for us. We Love You Too Boys and are so looking forward to you living closer to us. 

Shortly after the 6 o’clock News we were on our way to Tecumseh to help celebrate the birthday of our grandson Tyler. Our daughter Karen had called earlier to say they were stepping out for a quick dinner but should be back by the time we got there. When we arrived after 7:30 the house was in darkness and the carpet and padding from their basement that flooded this week along with everyone elses in the area was piled by the road.  

Water damaged carpet and padding at the road for pickup.
It was dark when this picture was taken
and I don't use a flash.

Having been their backups for years when the kids needed something at school or had to come home sick we have our own key to the house. We were immediately welcomed with a very fast wagging tail as Sanford was home by himself keeping a keen eye on things. We checked out the progress they had made cleaning out their basement in an attempt to rid the house of the putrid smell of the wet carpeting. Back upstairs Sanford had no problem going back and forth between the both of us getting scratched behind his ears. 

The basement with all the carpeting removed.

Normally when we attend any birthday parties we splurge and have a piece of the birthday cake. Kathy found a single piece on the counter so we shared the one piece between the two of us. By 8:30 we thought that someone forgot we were supposed to be there, so Kathy left a note saying “The cake was delicious, Sanford was the perfect host and a Happy Birthday wish to Tyler”. 

Sanford getting his chin scratched.

We were home shortly after 9:00 when the phone rang. It was Tyler thanking us for his gift and apologizing that he wasn’t there to greet us. “Happy Birthday Tyler”, hope you had a great day and we’ll see you again next weekend. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy! 

It’s about time.

Krackers 

You Might Be a Redneck If 

You can't sleep the night before the new dollar store opens.