Everyone We Know is Just Giving Out Candy!?

To see Oliver move from severe disdain for the costume ritual to the realization that the primary objective of the evening is to collect candy was a wonderful sight. The tears and non-participation turned into smiles and boundless (or sugar-fueled) energy as Oliver played follow-the-leader with big sister Isabelle and pal Logan. The big kids did the hard work, yelling trick-or-treat, ringing doorbells and knocking on doors, then Oliver would just swoop in behind them, present his treat bag and collect the loot. At the first house his eyes widened and he reached for the Smarties as they went into the bag, but as the houses and the candy piled up, he was getting in the swing of it, no longer even wanting to be carried around. Isabelle was also smiling from ear to ear, just like a bride would be on her wedding day, except her joy had more to do with gummies than a groom. She and Stormtrooper Logan are old veterans now, this being their fifth Hallowe'en traversing this street. It is such a blast to see them having so much fun, made even better by the number of kids we know on our block and the time spent with other residents at the street party last month. The trio sauntered home, dragging their heavy bags into the living room for dumping, sorting and instant snacking. A truly Happy Hallowe'en for everyone, with way too many treats now in the cupboard. If they only have one a night, we might make it to next October 31st before we run out!

Intergalactic wedding or Hallowe'en costumes?

Trick or treat! Three candy lovers here, please answer the door! 

Hurry up, before they decide to keep the candy!

Which house has the best stuff?

Sheep and his Mommy stop for a rest

Siblings collecting sweets

Chilling on the porch after a job well done

Look, I got the light sabre!

How do I pick which one to eat first?

Bride decides on chips before chocolate

Check it out, Mom!  Hallowe'en is awesome!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Lots of festivities around here lately! Weddings, birthdays, parties, Hallowe'en...how do we keep up? We wish Dad a happy birthday as he starts the last year of his 4th decade. Even if he decided to hold steady at 39 for a few years, the kids won't help him slow down the aging process! Happy birthday Dad, hope this year is as great as the last few have been!

Glebe Rocks at Hallowe'en!

Hallowe'en appeared to come one day early today in our part of the city. Not one, but two Hallowe'en events took over the Glebe Community Centre today, and we were lucky enough to take part and have a wicked time at both! This morning, the Great Hall at the GCC was blasting music and teeming with toddlers at the Frankendance fundraiser the Glebe Cooperative Nursery School, a bash that included dance lessons, pumpkin painting, caramel apple making and, of course, snacks and treats for all in attendance. Lots of kids but not overwhelming so Oliver and Isabelle had a blast roaming around and especially testing out the riding cars on the big floor. Tonight was the main event, the annual Great Glebe Pumpkin Patch, when all four floors of the centre are transformed into a Hallowe'en haven for young and old alike. From the haunted house in the basement to the preschool-friendly snacks and activities in the dance studio, the party had something for any kid or kid at heart. Brooklyn and Kaitlyn met up with us so we had a crew that was prepped and ready to celebrate the season in style. After taking in a book reading from some green and blue witches, we made our way to the Great Hall again, which featured two huge bouncy castles, a whole bunch of carnival games with candy prizes, plus a favourite stop for us: cookie decorating! Everyone had an awesome night, time flew by and soon they were wrapping things up. "It's over already?!" was a familiar refrain around the building but off we went to get our coats and step outside to a scarey sight indeed, huge and heavy snowflakes!!?! Didn't seem like the time of year for those but all the kids were excited by the white stuff and in the mood for snowballs to go with their trick-or-treating. The Glebe Centre looks like it will definitely be an annual destination for us every October. What a great prelude to the big day tomorrow! Have a great Hallowe'en everyone!

Kailena's eager students, ready to rock the dance floor

One pays attention, the other looks for new friends!

Hey, you need a lift home from the party?

Awesome pumpkin creation

Cookie decorating frenzy

Siblings who love their sweets

Raking in the candy at the carnival games

Hey Mother Nature, wrong holiday!

Arrived back home, primed for a big night tomorrow. Shovels at the ready!

Lovin' the Lakehouse

Earlier this week while the girls were off the the Nordic Spa for the afternoon, the boys (plus Isabelle) ventured off to the Andrews' lakehouse for the afternoon. The place is coming along nicely and although not complete enough to host a crowd during the wedding weekend, it will surely be the home to all manner of future events beginning next spring. We got a tour of the newly-installed insulation and siding and enjoyed some time amidst the fall colours. Olan explored the house inside and out and went off on a bear hunt with Ron, Trystan and Grandpa. Isabelle, still smarting from a few consecutive late nights, decided to hang back and chill with her dad and her brother. Oliver, meanwhile, headed back to his favourite place, along the shore, to toss rocks into the lake. We envision him spending many summer afternoons doing just the same in the coming years. Thanks, Ron and Menna, for such a great weekend with your daughter and new son-in law, as well as for having us up to visit your upcoming sanctuary a few times this fall. We appreciate all your generosity and kindness. Next summer will be awesome!

This place is super-fun. You can throw stuff and no one tells you to stop!

Sweetie by the shore

Isabelle has dance fever on the dock

Cutest little monkey ever

I Do. Let's Party!

Isabelle has been to a few weddings in her short life. She has had a blast at each and every one of them. This past weekend was no exception and she even broke her own personal record for late nights out partying. Our little Cinderella made it all the way until her pumpkin turned into a carriage at midnight, still smiling, dancing and having a grand old time. Matt and Rhiannon made sure the kids were well fed with chicken fingers, fries and the best dessert of all: candy! Isabelle started out with some crayons and colouring (also courtesy the happy couple), but quickly moved on to the party itself. With her brother already home with Caitlin, she then lost her partner in crime Olan to the Sandman early in the night but soldiered on, getting to see all the events normally reserved for taller and older guests. She saw (and took part in!) the first dance, the daddy-daughter dance, the cake cutting, the speeches, the garter and bouquet tosses, you name it. All the guests were so impressed with her limitless energy and staying power. She danced with anyone who would carry her, making her the only girl to dance the night away without her feet actually touching the floor! Finally you could literally see her running out of gas, but wanting to keep going, until she finally dozed off in her Mommy's arms and headed home. You would think she would slept until Noon, right? No such luck, up at 7:30 and ready for another day! Isabelle the energizer bunny strikes again!

Who says first dances are just for the bride and groom?

The only flower girl to take in the reception, she partied hard for all of them!

Two visions in white. Rhiannon was awesome with all the kids, amazing.

Daddy and daughter, always a tear-jerker. Glad Isabelle is decades away!

Picture perfect couple

Enough cake. It's dancey-dance time!

Auntie Rhiannon, can we do this again next weekend?

And to all a good night!

Congratulations, Matt and Rhiannon!

What a special ceremony that we were all blessed to be a part of on Saturday. Matt and Rhiannon tied the knot with flair and style in front of a packed house of friends, family and well-wishers. The bride looked amazing, Matt happily hung up his single shoes for good and it is likely the smartest decision he has ever made. Rhiannon and Matt battled over a cab on Elgin Street a few years ago and it turns out that fateful disagreement led to eternal love and happiness for both of them. Uncanny how fate plays a hand in all that we do, what if one of them was 15 seconds earlier for that cab than they were? Luckily they weren't and we were all able to witness the confirmation of their love and the start of their combined life together. To have Isabelle and Olan be a part of the big day only amplified how much it meant to us to be there. All the best to our great friends as they begin their marriage, if it's half as awesome as the wedding was it will be a smashing success!

Doesn't look like any last minute jitters here!

Proud mother of the bride with Trystan and Jareese

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of the bride

The traditional handoff. Treat my little angel right, Matt!

How to keep a toddler occupied during a wedding: candy!

Making it official. What a wicked dress!

Cutiepie cousins congratulate each other on a job well done

Posing Party

A little girl's dream came true. She got to put on a beautiful white dress and walk down the aisle grinning from ear to ear as wedding guests oohed and aahed at every step she took, basking in her radiant glow and overwhelming beauty. Am I talking about Rhiannon or Isabelle? Of course, Rhiannon, who was as flawless a bride as anyone has ever seen, in a show-stopper of a dress that was truly one of a kind. However, her inclusion of Isabelle in not only the wedding but all the pre-events, the showers, the spa day, the high tea and the photo shoot made our little girl's dream come true too. Isabelle has been looking forward to this day for months and although with much less at stake than the bride herself, she definitely tried her best to match the excitement level. They both braved their nerves admirably and didn't disappoint their many fans. Stay tuned for more on the ceremony and the awesome party that followed, for now enjoy some of the formal and not-so-formal shots at the traditional photo shoot!

Rhiannon and her train of adoring flower girls

Sharp dressed dude chills out at the photo shoot

Cutest cousins in wedding history

Big O and Little O sharing a moment

Olan cranks up the charm for the cute girls

Proud mother of a darling little groomsman

Alex and Belle, inseparable friends all afternoon long

Ready for the main event

Three angels, thrilled that Rhiannon made them princesses for a day