Trip Around the Trail

Here are some photos from our trip around the Trail. We went around with Charmaine and Cameron and had a blast regardless of the cold temperature. We packed sandwiches because just about everything is closed for the season there. There was lots of sea foam on the beaches and we saw some fly in the air from the wind. Tyler found a heart shaped rock for me to take home. It was a wonderful day!! No matter the season, the Cabot Trail remains so beautiful.

Boxing Day Fun with the Greencorns

Our friends, Charmaine and Kelly, invited us over to their house. While there we took some fun photos together:

Happy Birthday, Jesus

What a nice Christmas we had with Nanny. Tyler, of course, woke us up early. When we told him he could finally open his presents, he insisted that I be the first to open one. He was excited to see the look on my face. So sweet of him!! He picked out some items that I needed for my cakes. Tyler loved all his presents, he said he didn't have a favorite. This year he got a Lego Train set, snowplow truck, books, clothes, Wii games, a basketball, two Elf on the Shelves, and DVDs. Thank you everyone who sent us gifts. We loved it all!! After gift opening, Tyler gave us all mustaches to wear that Grammy and Grandpa in Rhode Island gave him, and so we thought it would be fun to take some family photos. Later that night, we went to my brother's house for a delicious Christmas dinner.

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve started with a visit to the cemetery to put flowers on my dad's, nana's and grampy's graves. It had been the first time since my grandmother passed away that I could visit her grave.

We came home to a beautiful lobster dinner. It was seriously the best tasting lobster I've had in years. It reminded me of the lobster we would get right off the wharf from the lobster fishermen when I was growing up.

After dinner, our time to make cookies for Santa was getting shorter. Nanny and Tyler had fun baking together and the cookies turned out delicious!!

Then it was time to get jammies on, throw some carrot out to the reindeer on the lawn, and Tyler wrote a letter to Santa and left milk and cookies for him.

Christmas Tree Shopping

Before we even landed in Cape Breton, Steve read an ad for a Christmas tree lot that we could check out to get our tree this year. The lot had a great selection, but one tree totally stood out and we knew immediately that was the perfect tree for us. We loaded it up in our rental car and took it home for decorating. There's nothing like the smell of a real tree in your home to make the Christmas feeling come alive.

From the Kingdom of Bahrain to Cape Breton Island

So after a 32.5 hour trip to Halifax and a four and a half hour drive, we made it safe and sound to Nanny's house. We flew from Bahrain to Dubai, then Dubai to Amsterdam. Amsterdam to New York where we had to switch airports by bus. We arrived in Halifax Sunday at midnight and stayed the night at the hotel located at the airport. Picked up our rental car and then drove straight to Nanny's. To say the least, we were pretty exhausted but happy to finally see Nanny again.

Goodbye Elf

Tyler came excitedly in our room this morning to tell us that we needed to go downstairs right away to see something. He wouldn't say what, but he said we would be very surprised. So we went downstairs and low and behold all kinds of presents were there with a not from the elf. He said he left some presents, with a few from Santa (to lighten his load Christmas Eve). He said he enjoyed being Tyler's elf, but reminded him he had he had listen to his parents at all times because Santa is watching and sees all. So we gathered in the living room and watched Tyler open his presents. Dad and I got a present too! Dad got Christmas Vacation glass tumblers and I got some DVDs. Tyler received some Hot Wheels, a chess set, a basketball hoop, a circuit board, and a microscope with slides. He said his favorite thing is the circuit board. It took no time at all before he started creating things. We also opened up the two big crates that were delivered last month. Inside were two beautiful paper mache sculptures from India. Dad got an crocodile and I got an elephant. Today we also sadly dropped off Tiara. She will be staying at the vet boarding place until we get home. We'll miss her greatly, but we know she is in good hands. Tonight we board the plane to Canada. It will be a 32.5 hour trip to Halifax, then we stay the night. Monday morning, we wake up, pick up our rental car and then head to Nanny's house (about a 4 hour drive). Oye! We'll be soo tired, but excited to see everyone again. :)

Shopping and Lunch at the Souq with Friends

Myself and a few friends finally found a day that we were weren't all busy doing something. We went down to the souq for some shopping. Shopping at the souq is a lot a fun. There's so much going on and so much to see. The place is packed with everything from spices to produce to clothing and tourist souvenirs. After our shopping was done, we went over to our favorite little Indian restaurant where we enjoyed some delicious vegetarian dishes. It was a great time and we plan on getting together a lot more in the new year.

Chess Club Tournament

Tyler's chess club came to an end with a big tournament at the school. The tournament went on for two hours during which several games were played. For each game, a new player was chosen by the chess master for them to play against, also each move made was timed. Tyler enjoyed going to the Chess Club each Monday after school. He was taught by a certified chess master.