Christmas Re-Cap

As most of you know we had been in New Brunswick over the Christmas holiday visiting family and friends. We had a wonderful time despite the horrible drive there in the middle of a snow storm that made for 20 hours of white knuckle driving and a 7 hour stay in a hotel. To jump ahead, our drive back to Ontario was much less eventful with only some black ice and slow going near Kingston. Despite this improvement, we have decided that we are now going to be "flyers"vs "drivers" at Christmas time.

It was great to be home for Christmas. I was surprised once again that I was actually able to get time off . I feel as though my luck is bound to run out soon regarding time off around the holidays but I'll take what I can get.

Despite only having 4 full days, I think that we both managed to do everything that we had planned even with a few changes in the regular Christmas routine. Cookies were decorated (I am now Cookie Decorating Champion for the 4th year running) and outrageous amounts of food was consumed (esp by Robbie). I was able to get together with my good friend Becky on Christmas and we had dinner at her sister Jill's house. Normally dinner is at her mom's but we decided we could be flexible this year and it was OK because her mom brought the traditional raspberry trifle for dessert. We had boxing day roast beef a day late this year on the 27th in Westfield with my aunt, uncle and cousins of my dad's side and we got to see cousin Charlotte via skype who is currently living in NZ. Robbie had to miss out on this delicious feast as he was getting winter tires put on the car but I am greatful that we had better quality tires for our drive home, so his abscence was justified:) I was also able to get together with some classmates of mine, Crystal and Sue, and we caught up over nachos at Jungle Jims and discussed crazy vet stories.

Robbie spent Christmas eve this year at his dad's place and Christmas day with his mom. Traditionally they alternate every year. Mandy and Penny were both home but unfortunately Tracy was unable to come this year so I 'm hoping she was able to spend the holidays with good friends and that we will see her next year! By the look of their tree, Santa found all the Smiths and they must have been really good this year:) Robbie will have to recount the rest of his holiday first hand but it sounds like they were very relaxed and played alot of cards and games.

Our Christmas present to ourselves is a new 40'' LCD tv which we get to pick up on the 14th as well as a new coffee table!! We are pretty excited to get the tv mounted on the wall and watch Robbie's new Planet Earth DVD's. It should look pretty amazing! Now we might have to concider getting cable.

But now our holiday is over. I was back to work yesterday (30th) and worked a half day today an again Saturday and Robbie has been into the University tending to his cells and will be back to TAing next week once classes resume. We don't have any real plans for New Years save hanging out with one of Robbie's lab mates from school and having a few drinks but tomorrow we have plans for dinner and a movie. My New Years resolutions are to 1. be more active (so we are signing up for a ball room dance class and I'm going to resume pilates) and 2. to write more consistantly on the blog.

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Years and that 2010 is a great year!

Settling In

Its been nice being back in Kitchener and being surrounded by all of my stuff including my boys, Robbie, Cooper and Bailey. In my rush between moving here and leaving 3 months ago to Pembroke I have seem to have misplaced certain items that continue to be missing such as my nice black leather mittens, my purple neck warmer and random veterinary books that I know must be somewhere. It is very frustrating not knowing where things are and after having searched in every possible box and tote I am left wondering if they have just got up and walked away. Eventually I will get organized and go through all of my things, through a bunch of junk out and hopefully find my mittens!!
I have been off all week enjoying being able to sit around but at the same time being somewhat productive. I've been out to see Bailey every other day, working him on the lunge line and he is doing very well. We had a Bell technician out and she got our internet up and running so I no longer have to steal it from the random signal I was picking up from somewhere in our building. (Although less convenient, pirated internet would have been much cheaper)!
This past week Robbie and I headed out to take in some of the holiday events in downtown Kitchener. There is a German market that is taking place this weekend called the Christkindl Market down at city hall which seems similar to the christmas market put on by the Boyce Farmers market at home. There are lots of craft tables, food vendors, apple cider and a skating rink set up! We only briefly walked through on Friday but plan on going back again today to see what its all about. Friday we also went out to dinner at the Rum Runners pub which was very tasty. Robbie had pecan encrusted chicken and I had the maple and chili glazed salmon. After wards we headed over to the adjoining Yuk Yuks club and took in a standup comedy show. I thought is was hilarious (but had also had three beer) and Robbie thought that it was "alright".
Yesterday we traveled to Richmond Hill to visit with Rob's mom, relatives and Mandy. It was great catching up and as expected we left a few pounds heavier. Thank you for the wonderful day!
Today Robbie is supposed to be marking student papers but doesn't appear to be getting much done as he is snoozing with the cat. Later we plan on heading back downtown and running errands and hopefully I'll make it out to the barn.
We are keeping our fingers crossed that we don't get any snow between now and our trip home on the 22nd but it looks and feels as though winter is on its way, but hopefully our drive will be uneventful and we'll see everyone soon!!