Saturday, January 7, 2017

Our lovely Christmas 2016

Happy New Year! I'm still in Trinidad soaking up the sun and loads of family time but wanted to pop in to share our Christmas festivities before it's February already! This season was a busy one filled with fun, friends, family and food! We had a blast!

On Christmas Eve Eve (also the last day of school), we headed to our family friend Jenn's house for a lovely dinner, great conversations, drinks and movies for the kids.

Such a beautiful tree and I just love her gift wrap-- I want to do something similar next year but my kids love bright, shiny wrapping paper! Let's see....



I totally spaced and didn't take any pictures of the actual people that day but the food was so yum! Salmon topped with crab in a hollandaise sauce and mushroom risotto. 

Christmas Eve was spent at our aunt and uncle's place... our usual fam jam. Christmas Eve is probably my most favourite day of the entire year-- so filled with anticipation and that 'christmas feeling'. 


My kids dominate a cheese platter!

 We did Christmas crafts, chatted, carolled a bit and of course ate and ate.. and ate!




Our aunt made this delicious, festive cheesecake!
We take one of these almost every year by their beautiful tree.



When we went home... can you tell that excitement is in the air!!? This might be my favourite picture of the entire season.

My phone wasn't charged on Christmas morning. Just imagine wrapping paper and tons of gifts EVERYWHERE!  After a mad scramble to clean up, a delicious traditional breakfast of trini 'ham & hops' ensued -- or in our case- smoked turkey and croissants.

Our friends Petal, John and their kids joined us for a four course absolutely divine dinner! 
I bought the ingredients and he cooked! #winning


The second course of gnocchi and salmon in a mushroom cream sauce. SO, SO GOOD.

Oh and Darin paired the wine... an essential element, obvs.


Our main-- cornish hens deboned in their own reduction, served over baked polenta and wilted greens. Another fabulous treat.

My gorgeous friend Petal!


Just Dance-- my kiddo's joint present from D and me.



BFFs after that meal.

All of us!

We stayed up late into the night as our friends overnighted. The next day after a lazy breakfast, they headed out and we headed to another friend's house for another holiday sesh.




 The lovely hostess

We were exhausted after all of the late nights and the next day, we had a few of our favourite people over... The pictures are less because by then I was super tired and also in getting ready to pack for Trinidad mode. 

My framily Priya made this crab rangoon dip which I almost demolished by myself within the two days before I left.


A high school friend of mine. There were 5 families, tons of food and ridiculous amounts of desserts! I gave ALL of it away because leaving the country in 36 hours!

If you've made it to the end of this post-- good for you. It's a LOT and it took me about three days to write it all #vacationmode

See you next week when I'm back in Canada!


Saturday, December 31, 2016

Best of 2016

I'm in beautiful Trinidad and Tobago sipping a cup of tea, peering through an open window and looking at the lush greenery outside. What a wonderful time to reflect on 2016.

We started in January by unpacking and moving all our stuff our lives into our new home. We will not forget the kindness of our family (my brother and my sister in law especially) and friends during this very hectic time in our lives.


In February, we went on a very appreciated vacation to Mexico (crutches for D and all)


March brought March break, lots of friends coming to see our new home and our introductory visit to Great Wolf Lodge



In April, we celebrated our firstborn's seventh (!) birthday and welcomed spring.


Our in-laws visited us in May to celebrate D's birthday, oh and this happened. 


June brought lots of visitors(my in laws returned and my mom) to help out with my broken collarbone and we sadly had to say a 'see you soon' to my brother and his family.



In July, lots more pool time, swimming, horse back riding and girls rock camp, a quick roadtrip to Rochester and this little lady's birthday party!


My love and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary with 5 days in Calfornia: San Fran, Napa and Sonoma. The girls chilled out in the NYC with my mom.


Oh and we glamped in our backyard with friends.


School began again in September. And so did our 21 day fix ;-s

 

In October, we celebrated Thanksgiving, went to Oktoberfest, did Divali and then had a mad rush to get ready for Halloween the day after in October
 



November was fun with my first girls' night away and another family trip to GWL. (and I got a new nephew)


And then December was a wonderful Christmas once more with family and friends (recap coming when I get my act together) and a trip to Trinidad.

Wishing all my readers, friends and family all wonderful and happy things in 2017. Thank you for following along on our little adventures.



Friday, December 23, 2016

Merry Everything!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve! School's finally out at the end of today! Too late this year, IMO. The next few days are stacked and packed with lots of friend and family time, dinners, parties and good cheer.

Wishing you and yours the most festive of seasons filled with beautiful moments and cherished memories... with a cookie or two thrown in there!

Here are just a few shots from our holiday shoot.


Our friend, the amazing Andrea took them in our new home/back yard. I highly recommend her if you're in the GTA!!

During this festive season more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to our family and friends who have been there for us this past year bringing little bits of happy, support, fun and friendship. In the season's spirit, we say simply and sincerely THANK YOU and best wishes for the most Merry Christmas! 

#becauselifeisprecious

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...