After many years of living in the West Coast, it was nice this year to finally be able to spend Canadian Thanksgiving with family again. We spent the weekend with family in Prince Edward County, a few hours drive from Toronto--an agricultural getaway island surrounded by Lake Ontario, farms, wineries and the host to myriad small towns.
We stopped through a few of the little towns and local wineries, which allegedly have some terrific local wines. We enjoyed the firebrick oven pizzas instead and admired the vines, the brilliant change in leaf colour along the way and the many old tractors and agricultural equipment on display. Of course, we couldn't just drive by without stopping. Gabriel had to give some of them a "go." He bounced up and down on that rusty old tractor making engine sounds and pretending to drive over bumpy fields.
Over the years, we have had the good fortune to have a tremendous group of supportive friends wherever we've been and have been happy to have hosted Thanksgiving to those friends over the years at our place. But this year, it was kind of nice to be spoiled by family again. Gabriel lapped up the attention from his grandparents, while we enjoyed spending time together, especially seeing Jordan's sister Emma and her boyfriend, Marc who we feel like we so rarely get to see!
As the moon glistened and sparkled on Lake Ontario, Gabriel serenaded us with his increasingly gentle strumming on the guitar. It might be time for his own little guitar and some lessons soon.
We couldn't have ordered up any better weather ourselves and spent almost the entire daylight of three days outside. In between the many hours spent walking, biking, at the beach (!!) sunning and throwing rocks into the clearest waters I've ever seen, Gabriel stood at the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the water, looking out longingly to the outdoors. This kid sure loves being outside. He's forever bringing us our shoes and "helping" us put them on. I think this is his not-so-subtle way of saying "Come on, you guys, let's go play!" Although we were on Lake Ontario, because of its size, we felt like we were on the ocean--minus the lack of chill and sea salt air.
I think his grandparents get a lot of pleasure out of seeing a smile on this little guy's face. Or maybe it's the infectious giggle that gets them going.
One happy kid, to be spending all day outdoors dragging sticks around and throwing rocks. We had quite the rock collection outside of each exterior door of the beach house and now the backseat of the car. This boy could be found at any one time with several rocks in each hand and a stick, and never more than a few feet from the dog.
We had such a wonderful time in Prince Edward County and hope to go back. I think I'd be right in supposing these two had a pretty fantastic time too. They both flaked out in the backseat all the way home through three hours of traffic--all cuddled up. Heart is feeling pretty full this weekend. :)
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