Chris, myself, and both girls left for Canada the day before New Year's Eve. We left Connecticut just after noon and got to Windsor, ON (just north of Detroit) around 11:30 PM, where Chris's aunt, uncle, and three cousins live. Chris's grandparents were also there visiting from Christmas. We would have been there even sooner but got hung up at the border for an hour! But the girls were great in the car and we just had a great trip and enjoyed each others company.
The next day a bunch of us went to eat at Swiss Chalet. This was my one request this trip because in the six years Chris and I have been together and the many trips we have taken to Canada, I had yet to eat there! And Swiss Chalet is the epitome of "Canadian culture". It was sooo good! Sort of like a Boston Market, only way better! As dipped the juicy chicken into Swiss Chalet's signature dipping sauce, there was a moment I thought I might have died and gone to Canadian heaven!
After our awesome lunch, we took a bunch of the kids to see Marley & Me. If you don't already know what the movie is about then you must be living under a rock! Just kidding! It must just mean that you don't have kids! At any rate, it was really cute, though more geared toward the adult population than kids. It didn't quite keep Allison's attention. But the rest of us enjoyed it and Gaelyn and I even shared some Kleenex at the end!
Afterward, we headed back to Chuck and Gaelyn's, where Kevin & Karianne (Chris's brother and his wife) and my in-laws and Chris's other brother arrived. The rest of the evening and following day was spent eating (including AMAZING sushi!), playing games, playing Guitar Hero for HOURS on end (I won't mention any names-you all know who you are!), and just relaxing! We had an absolute blast! Oh and adding to the "playing games" bit, we played a Canadian version of electronic Monopoly (no, I'm not kidding! It DOES exist!) which by the way, I took pleasure in whooping some Canadian butt at their own game! HA!
Friday afternoon ALL of us headed about an hour away to a really cool hotel in Alliston, ON (also where Chris's other aunt, uncle, and three cousins live). We swam in the indoor pool with the HUGE slide and played some indoor mini-golf. More fun, hanging out!
The next morning we headed to Toronto to go the the Uconn International Bowl versus Buffalo. Many went to check out the CN Tower. I passed as I am not a huge fan of being 100 miles up in the air while standing on a glass floor. The girls and Chris loved it though. After, we headed to the INDOOR football game (is there ANY other way to go to a football game in Canada, in January??) We had PERFECT seats and got to watch Andrew (my bro-in-law) in the marching band. What a GREAT game!! SOO much fun! And as a huge added bonus, Uconn won! After the game we all went to eat at a really nice buffet place with a total count of 28 people!
Later we went to the family in Alliston's house and visited, just sharing stories and laughter and then headed back to the hotel. The next morning we snuck in a quick swim and then off we went, headed back to Connecticut.
It was such a great way to bring in the new year. There is no better way to bring in a New Year then with those you love! I absolutely adore my husband's family, immediate and extended, and each year I grow to love them more. I am incredibly blessed to be part of such a wonderful, generous, and loving family! Happy New Year to all!
