Remembering...

It's hard to believe that it's been twelve years since I said goodbye to my Grandfather.  I was in my last year of high school...I've done so much since then...but it still seems like yesterday we were at the cottage talking! I wish we could have one last visit at the cottage and I could tell him all I've done in the last 12 years...but then again... he's probably been watching me...  My grandpa was a storyteller, historian and teacher....part of the reason I have a history/english undergrad...was because of him. This photo of him and I was taken at my Aunt and Uncle's wedding--26  1/2 years ago... (I was 3 1/2 years old!)

My grandpa told me once... "Life is like a train....there are many stops along the path... many side trips you can take...but in the end...when the whistle goes, it's time to get back on the train and continue on the journey".  Now that's something this week I've been thinking about a lot....

Grandpa I hold you in my heart still...

...and Christmas came early......

Yesterday when I arrived in Haliburton... I had a Christmas/ Birthday dinner(for me and kat)... it was pretty fun... (it was almost like that commerical where the family goes to their grandparents and they pact in as many holidays as possible?---didn't get any easter eggs OR halloween candy...but did end up with a full on turkey dinner.... and a birthday cake--for the first time in my life I wasn't TOO upset that the Christmas tree had been put up BEFORE my birthday... hmmm maybe being almost 30...is starting to make me a bit more 'mature'... ok back to the meal... my mum out did herself.. and made a FULL out christmas meal.... turkey, with all the sides and trimmings... and honestly it was delicious.... my grandma and her husband Bart came, my Aunt Anne and Uncle Andrew, my two Brothers John and Jamie and my two sisters-in-law Kat and Dana.. my mum and of course my nephews Samuel and Benjamin.... (wow they have grown SOOOO much in the last 6months!!)...

After dinner Kat and I blew out the candles on our cake....

Samuel gave me his present---decorations for the tree he made himself!!! he even helped me open the gifts.... while my Uncle Andrew, Aunt Anne and Mum looked on..

...we had to put them on my mum's tree....(but don't worry I brought them back home to Pang with me!)

After dinner... I managed to get some photos with my nephews...to get Benjamin to sit with me..(he was busy playing) I had to bribe him with 'little george' and then two little people from the train set!! but the end result was great!!

...my new fav photo!! I LUV being an AUNT!! :)

I took this before I headed into the car.... after a great brunch with my cousin Alison and her mum, my GREAT Aunt Anna...(she really is a wonderful aunt!)... my time in the south seemed too short.....I was pretty sad to leave Haliburton after a very brief stay just shy of 24hours.....(I had planned to stay longer..but had to fly to winnipeg on Thursday morning and flew back friday morning...so that cut out some time with the family in Haliburton... but the flight was worth it and I might even tell you what that was all about at some point in the future... who knows!!)

The view in front of my mum's place...... I so luv it!!! Thanks to all my family that came to help me celebrate my birthday and Christmas a bit early!!

When in Montreal.... let us watch HOCKEY!!!

Today I had the opportunity to hang out with my cousins.... Craig and Sarah are the proud parents to 5 boys!! They have an amazing family---and I had a lot of fun chill'n with them...  The four eldest Hodgson boys are playing hockey this year.... on four different teams.... (Sarah and Craig deserve props for getting everyone to the right practices, and arenas for games....--but Craig is helping coach a team.. and Sarah she's managing 2 of the teams)


So here are some of the photos I took today!.....

Here's the Oldest three in the bunch... waiting between games.... (9 years, soon to be 11years at the end of December and 7 years--in order of photo!)

The 2nd youngest is 5 1/2 years old.....

..and the youngest..he just turned 4 the week before, and made 'cowboy pony' at build a bear!!

Here's a shot of Craig on the bench with his 2nd oldest!  (I didnt' manage to get a photo of Sarah---or myself with anyone... ahhh the joys of being behind the camera!!)

It's been awhile since I've watched hockey at these levels.. and I so enjoyed it!! Thanks for opening up your home to me while I was in Montreal.... it was awesome.. I'll definitely have to find a way to visit again sooner....

 luv ya... Sarah :)

Happy Birthday Dana!!!

Hope you have a day filled with lots of laughter, love and happiness!!

Nice job 'rockin' the party hat!!!

Thanks for being an awesome sister... (none of that in-law stuff for us!!)

I'm so glad that my big bro found someone as cool as you to marry...
and I got the big sister I've always wanted!! :)

Wish I was there to have cake with you,

luv ya... Sarah

Best Wishes as you Start your New school Journey!

Just wanted to give a shout out to my sister-in-law, Kat! Today is the first day of classes-she's going back to school to do her Masters in Nursing at Ryerson(where I also did my MA!)... I hope your class goes well and you knock them dead!!! If you ever need to talk, complain or freak out about 'MA' work... I'm only a phone call away! luv you.. and wish you all the best in this new school experience... can't wait to welcome you into the Master's Club!!!

Happy Birthdays!!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BENJAMIN!!!May 25, 2007...hard to believe it's been a year!
December 13, 2008...

March 12th, 2009

I luv being an AUNT... Can't wait to see you on SUNDAY!!! :)