Haircuts, Halloween, Skating and San Fran…in no particular order.

In mid-October, Jenn, Teagan, Quinn, Atty (my mom), Grandpa (my Dad) and myself, went down to San Francisco for a friend's wedding. The wedding was up in Napa, so my parents kindly stayed with the girls so that Jenn and I could attend on our own. 

Having never been to San Francisco, I was excited that we were going to have a few days to explore before heading up to the wedding. The girls had other plans! Their sleep was completely disrupted for the first two nights. It reminded me of some of the worst nights during the newborn phase. As a result, we were all quite exhausted during the day. We made the most of it though and still got some exploring in! We walked (part of) the Golden Gate Bridge. The height and loudness of the cars driving over it was a little nerve-wracking for the girls. We explored Golden Gate Park and found the most incredible playground, Koret's Children Quarter. Quinn quickly zero'd in on the concrete slides, that have apparently been there since before my time. Many children were zipping down them on a piece of cardboard. When they visited the playground with my parents, Quinn apparently got her hands on a piece of cardboard and flew down the slide, like the true kamikaze that she is. We also explored the marina district and look our first ride (not Jenn's) on a cable car. We picked it up at Fisherman's Wharf and rode it up and down the hilly streets to Union Square. We managed to score seats right in front, so Quinn was actually able to look out the front window. Teagan stayed safely nestled between Jenn and me. The Toronto girl wasn't sure about the open concept "streetcar.  

After dinner run down the pier.

Dock dancing with Atty after taking some
photos of a napping sea lion.

The obligatory bridge shot!

The following day, Jenn and I headed up to Napa early. We had a reservation at the most amazing restaurant, Auberge Du Soleil. After dining on pumpkin soup, gnocchi, scallops and braised beef short rib, while drinking some spectacular wines, we quickly stopped into a favourite vineyard. 

We didn't have time for a wine tasting or tour, but wanted to stop into Frog's Leap anyways. I quickly spotted Abby, the resident dog, upon our arrival. We became fast friends, although Jenn says that I use the word friends a little too loosely. After picking a piece of fruit for her (she tried herself unsuccessfully), she darted off. She may have simply used me for the fruit. After walking around for a few minutes, we picked up a few bottles of wine and headed to our inn to check in and get ready for the wedding. 

Abby.

I was thrilled to be able to attend my good friend Beanie's wedding (her real name is Jill). She became one of my first friends when I moved to Boston in 2005. We worked together, so she helped me get settled both in the office and in a new city. We were lucky enough to get together with Jill and her now husband, Clancy, who is Australian, a few days before the wedding in San Franscisco. We even got to meet Clancy's parents and sister, who are incredibly sweet people. Jill and Clancy now live in Sydney.  

A newly married Jill and Clancy.

A perfect evening for a Napa wedding!

My beautiful date!

Evening s'mores to cook over the campfire. 

Two weeks ago, I took the girls for haircuts. Teagan's first! She was mostly bald until nearly two. Then the adorable blond curls appeared. Her hair had started to get a little frizzy and was actually quite long when it was wet and the curls were brushed out. Quinn is an old pro having sat in the salon chair several times. 

The girls were fascinated by the whole process and were therefore fairly quiet. I'm sure next time will be a different story!

Hair washed and ready to be cut!

Q and Violet check it all out.

The diffuser was fascinating. 

Even Violet got her own gown.

The finished product!

About a month ago, while wandering through a Target, we let the girls pick out their Halloween costumes. Teagan went from Sp:derman to shark to lion in the span of 5 minutes. Quinn spotted the Hello K!tty costume and there was no turning back. I'm not sure where the obsession came from, but that's what it is at this point. 

Here are the frightening cats themselves!

Our rainy Halloween night started out as a lovely rainy walk. The girls had never been trick or treating and I wasn't going to encourage it (but did bring bags, just in case). About 10 minutes into our walk, Teagan said, "I want to go trick or treating!" "Isn't that what you're doing, Teagan?" Jenn said. "No." She said as she watched a group of kids walk up to a door and hold out their bags. She ran and never looked back. She confidently banged on a door…and banged again if they didn't answer within 2 seconds. "Trick or treat!" She said with gusto. She remembered her thank you most of the time. Naturally, the adorable 3-year old in a lion costume was a hit. Quinn reluctantly followed along, but quickly got cold. Jenn took her home, while Teagan and I spent another half hour walking through the rain. The kid was warm as can be in her lion costume and would have lasted for another hour, but Mommy's feet started to get a little chilly. 

As most of you know, we're a good ol Canadian family who grew up skating and playing hockey. So, of course, our little twins were on the ice within months of walking. As an early Christmas present, my Mom bought the girls new skates this year. What a difference a year makes! The girls are so much more stable on the ice and are absolutely loving it. We are usually dragging them off. Videos coming soon!

Rob & Kelly

Ahh I'm falling behind once again. How does this happen? Just when I think that we have a "quiet" week ahead of us, activities, appointments and the unexpected fill it up. This is life!

I've been wanting to do a post about my brother's wedding for a while now. In my defence, I wanted to wait until I had some photos to post. I didn't have my phone handy for much of the night, so I wasn't able to snap any myself.

My brother, Rob, married Kelly on August 31st. If you're followed my blog for a while, you've heard all about Uncle Rob. He became a fixture in the girls' lives from the early days, when he would pop over with lunch to feed this overwhelmed and exhausted new mom. He handled a tiny 5 1/2 pound Quinn with ease, even changing diapers without complaint. When most people would run the other way at the thought of babysitting newborn twins, Uncle Rob calmly embraced it, allowing Jenn and me a night out. At 17 months old, he even took on the challenge of babysitting them overnight (with the help of my parents and a few others). Aside from the role of amazing uncle, he has always been an incredible brother. While we fought like crazy as kids, we always had each other's backs. When we weren't fighting, we were battling it out on the tennis court, in front of Ninten.do or on the road hockey "rink". We were fiercely competitive, but (usually) good winners and losers. For those who know Rob well, know that he likes to create nicknames for people. Mine was Chuck or often Chuckles or Charles.  I remember long drives (namely a 8+ hour drive to Boston) and quiet dinners (he kept me company while Jenn was traveling) with great conversation. We'd sit with wine (not in the car!) and chat for ages. As we entered into adulthood and our conversations matured, I remember thinking that he was becoming so much like our Dad. My Dad is the ultimate role model as both a husband and father. I knew that Rob would be a fantastic husband and father one day. For all of these reasons and many more, I've always felt a little protective of Rob. Call it a "sister-thing" because I certainly know that he can handle things himself!

I remember a cold winter day in early 2013. Jenn was away on business. Rob came over in the late afternoon to entertain the girls. He also brought dinner for the two of us. After the girls were down, we settled in with some delicious food and a bottle of wine. Shortly into the meal, Rob says, "Sooooo, there's a girl." I knew that he was dating, but rarely was there anyone worthy of mentioning. It was the way he said it. It was different this time. He said that they had been hanging out for a while. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?!" I said. "Well I'm telling you now!" He said, very matter-of-factly. "You're the first person I'm telling."

He described Kelly with a huge smile on his face. He's not a man of many words, unless a few glasses of wine are involved. I was grateful for the wine that night! Kelly was the one. While he didn't use those words, I could tell. I couldn't wait to meet her.

And she truly was as amazing as he described! She was so easy-going, kind and genuinely happy to meet us. Even Quinn, who vowed to marry Uncle Rob from the time she could talk, took to Kelly within minutes. As I've gotten to know Kelly, I've grown to like her even more. She always has such a positive attitude and a smile on her face. It is something that I love most about her. I always love chatting with her because she really is the sister that I never had. She's super sporty (a great runner and overall athlete) and is always willing to give something new a try, whether it's a food or an activity. Seeing her almost immediate love for the girls warmed my heart. The feeling was certainly mutual because the girls quickly grew to love her too. I'll never forget an email forward l that I received from Rob a few months after they started dating. Kelly had written to him that morning. She wrote, "...but I just had a craving for some time with the little people [T&Q]…think we may be able to squeeze in a quick visit with them sometime soon?" She was definitely the one for Rob :)

And back to the wedding! It was a blast. It was in a town a few hours north of Toronto so we made a weekend of it. For the afternoon/night of the wedding, we brought up a friend/babysitter to watch the girls. Best decision ever (and big thanks for my parents for pushing this one). It allowed Jenn and I a night to enjoy ourselves and even stay up until 1am (wild, I know!). Rob and Kelly have the most incredible collection of friends and family, who absolutely adore them. I wish them a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness. 

And now, what you've all been waiting for…photos! 

Beauty and the Cry Baby (as Rob called them!)

The whole family!

Kelly gives each of the girls a "flower girl" bracelet

The girls and I make our way to the aisle

Kelly and her bridesmaids

The wedding party and the happy couple!

Sibling love. 

Get ready to see the world's cutest twin flower girls!

Blowing Bubbles for Georgia

On July 16th, 7-year old Georgia was hit by a minivan in a residential neighbourhood. I remember the day clearly. At 5:00pm, a friend texted me asking if I had heard about the little girl who was hit by a car on Millwood. I googled it and found limited information since it had only happened an hour before. The girls and I had been one block away at the time that Georgia was struck, but had driven in a different direction. We had also walked through that intersection at 4:00pm the day before. I felt sick to my stomach. I prayed over and over again that she would be ok. Sadly, her head injuries were too severe and she died a few hours later at the hospital.

I've thought about Georgia almost every day since. On that first night, I prayed for her family. I couldn't help but put myself in their shoes. Thinking about the unimaginable. The heartache.

Within days of her death, a beautiful memorial filled with flowers, teddy bears, toys, sidewalk chalk and bubbles was set up on the corner to pay tribute to a life cut tragically short. Georgia's parents had a large photo of her printed and a note placed next to it thanking the community for their support. I drive by the intersection on most days. It is rare that there isn't an adult looking at the photo, while children draw a picture with the sidewalk chalk.

A few weeks later, the girls and I walked to the park that is on the corner where Georgia was killed. On  our return walk, the girls spotted Georgia's photo. Who's that girl, Mommy? I explained that Georgia had been hit by a car and she died. Then they spotted the bubbles and chalk.

After spending several minutes blowing bubbles for Georgia, we walked and talked. Their inquisitive 3-year old minds had many questions. Why did she die? Why did the car hit her? Why did she run into the street? When will she come back? The permenance of death was confusing. I did my best to be honest, but also keep it simple. I chose to explain heaven, because that is what I believe. They can choose their beliefs when they're older. We spoke about Nana who passed away when they were 17 months old. They knew her, but likely only remember her now from the photos.

Georgia remains in everyone's thoughts. In the neighbourhood where she was killed, pink ribbons are tied on lamp posts, trees, stop signs, street lights…

A neighbour of Georgia's family had these signs made as well…

The campaign has taken off. The sign can be seen in neighbourhoods across the city. The individual who started the campaign was actually just interviewed on the radio a few minutes ago. One homeowner said that the sign on his lawn is not only a reminder to drivers coming down his street, but also to himself to practice what he preaches. 

Rest in peace, Georgia.