The week that was

Well I am back! Did you all miss me while I was away?? It was kind of nice to get away from the pressures and deadlines of a personal blog so now I am ready to start fresh and pour myself into it again. With that being said, here is the week that was.

Thursday, Dec. 22. - The first real event of this day was the transport of Mercy to where he would be staying for the week. Katie was working so it was my job to get him in his cat carrier and pack up all his stuff. Katie always has some probs getting him in the carrier and I was not sure what to expect. I tried to leave it to the very last minute before I let on something was happening. But when I went to get the carrier from the attic, Mercy saw me and of course went and hid. I found him under the couch quickly just moved the couch and lifted it til he ran out. I think it was then he knew he was fighting a losing battle because he just layed down and gave up. I carried him up to his crate and with one quick motion, stuffed him in. The wining started but he was pretty good in the car and when we dropped him off.

What else was there that night? Oh yah, that night after a day of naps and taking care of last minute Christmas stuff our friend Andrew (Beer and News) came over for some pizza and brewtender before a night out on the town. I won’t go into too much detail since he already has but I will say Andrew ended up crashing at our place and sleeping with Bosco. Here are a few pics

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Friday, Dec 23. - Today was leaving for Toronto day but there was a lot to do still. After driving Andrew home I walked Bosco and finished all my little Christmas erands before Katie got home from her half day of work. I was not feeling that great from the night out and just wanted to get it all done. I packed Bosco up and took him over to Sara’s and he was very excited as I am sure she was as well. Once I got home Katie and I finished packing up and then just tried to relax and enjoy some quiet time before heading to the airport. For the first time we drove to the airport and that was very easy and the park n fly was a great and cheap way to do it. It was only nine bucks a day to leave the car out there so why not! The whole door to door process of our trip was pretty easy, a few delays going to Toronto but it was nothing major. Around 9:30 pm eastern time we landed and once we got our bags we were greeted by Katie’s parents and a video camera. I am sure there will be a movie of some sort soon.

After the drive back into the city we were all pretty tired but we did have a few drinks and stayed up to watch the Raptors big win over Portland. It was a good start to what would be a really great Christmas week.

Saturday , Dec. 23 - After finally getting some sleep it was time to get up and start the fun. Every morning was pretty similar. I would get up before Katie and go down to the kitchen for some tea with Jamie and Casey who would be having some food and doing a crossword. There was a lot of catching up and hanging out for most of the day. Once Katie was up we got ready to go out for brunch with Baker and Nicole down on King Street. We went to this trendy little place called Le Petit Dejeuner and it was very good food. My spinach omelette with brie was worth the trip by itself. I highly suggest checking this place out if you are in Toronto. It was great to see them and catch up and here about everything going on with them.

Next we hit some stores and got some last minute presents before going home to chill out before the next events of the day. Iwatched college basketball while Katie napped and Jamie and Casey went out to get more groceries for the festive days ahead. On side note in case I forget to mention it later, we were very well taken care of and fed while we were staying at Katie’s parents so I just wanted to say thanks for that.

Once I heard that my parents had arrived safely and were chilling out over at the Mariott on Bloor Street, the next phase of stuff began. The plan now was to head over there and hang out for a bit and then we were heading over to our friend Lindsay’s condo downtown for some dinner. After that we were going to Katie’s brother’s place to watch another late Raptors game. Man that seems like a full night so I better get to describing it.

Around 5pm we headed over to the Mariott on Bloor to see my parents and that was a nice visit and very good to see them. They were staying in a fancy room with all the fixins. We visited and caught up on things and had a drink. After about an hour we had to head off to Lindsay’s for a 7 pm dinner. So it was goodbye to be family til Sunday. They went out for a dinner on Yonge Street and had a nice evening at the hotel. It was a mild and rainy night so the trip down to the Rogers Center area was not ideal but we got to Lindsay’s just as our tummy’s were ready to eat. We got to see her new condo and had lots of wine and apps and then a very filling and tasty lasanga dinner. It was good to catch up with Lindsay. I may of drank a bit too much so if I look a little silly in some pics that is why.

After a lot of wine and food it was time to finish the evening off with a stop at Jackson’s place for some Raptors ball. His place is in Little Italy so after a quick street car ride we were there. We were pre-warned to look for a place with a lot of Christmas lights and that was certainly true. I guess the landlord of the building they rent in went all out and we got a first hand look. Once there we got a tour and just hung out and watched the Raps lose to Seattle. That was a bit of a bummer but it could not slow down the Christmas joy that was had by all. Finally it was time to head back to the Rocks and get some rest for what would be another VERY long day.

Sunday, Dec. 24. - Who knew that when this day ended it would last almost 24 hours. Well it did and it was one of the more fun Christmas eves I can remember having. It started the same, tea and breakfast in the kitchen and then I got ready and headed over to the hotel to spend the afternoon with my family. We walked around the stores and hit a Starbucks as well. Kind of nice day and the bright sun and mild weather made it enjoyable. My sister had not finished her shopping for me yet so I got to pick out a book at Indigo and without me even knowing the next Patterson book was out!! So that quicky because my present and I could not of been happier. We went back to the hotel to rest and open gifts. That was a lot of fun too. I got some cool stuff and my family liked what I had brought for them. There will be a tally at the end of this post so if you are curious what I got for Christmas you will just have to wait. Once this was over we were all pretty tired and I headed back to the Rocks to relax for a few hours before everyone came over got Christmas eve dinner. The Cusdens and the Rocks were going to meet for the first time.

6pm hits and people start arriving at the Rock’s Xmas eve bash. The food is prepped and the party is ready to start. My parents called to say they were leaving the hotel and I went to meet them at Broadview subway station. I brought them over and the introductions were made and from there it was a good time by all. Apps were great, sitting around by the fire drinking Christmas cocktails and talking about everything and anything. Once dinner time came the spread was amazing. As always JPRout does himself and everyone left full and happy. Dinner was full of more convo and laughing and Jackson certainly provided some entertainment. Once dessert and coffee were on it was time to open some gifts. It was so cool seeing my family and Katie’s family exchange gifts as if they knew each other much better. The choices of presents were bang on and everyone was pleased. From here it was more sitting and chatting and having a few more drinks. Once midnight was approaching it was time to end phase one of the party. My family packed up and got in a cab to go back to the hotel and the other guests headed home. Great party everyone! Oh but there is more…..

Now there was a small break in the action to find the energy to stay up for a few more hours. While Casey and Jamie headed for the airport to pick up Jesse, Kate and Anne, we headed whereever we could to relax and grab a quick nap. There were some holiday movies on but in the end we ended up sitting in the window seat in the living room waiting for a car to pull up. Around 215 am the party fired back up when Katie’s brother, his wife and mother in law all stopped in for a lay over on their way to Mexico! Wow then the party really got loud and fun. After breaking out the left overs and filling up on food again we all went to the living room to have drinks and open presents. This went on for some time and in the end it was 4am. Some people went to bed and I went shortly after this. It was great to see Jesse who I do not get to see that much and to meet Kate for the first time. As I said, long time friends, first time meeting. I also liked the standing ovation I got from the Rock clan for staying up so late and partaking in the family fun. I guess I have earned a way into the circle! I hear that everyone else stayed up til past 530 am and everyone did get off safe and sound for the airport. Now that was one tiring day but one of the most fun you could have.

Monday, Dec. 25. - Okay so I know this day already had a lot going on but there was more to come. I was up pretty early because I was meeting my parents for brunch before they headed back home. It was hard moving on very little sleep but it was Christmas day, who needs sleep when there is so much fun to be had. I hopped on the subway and headed over. They were not quite ready to check out so we hung out and then we put all the stuff into the truck and they checked out. We hit Yonge Street and went to Toby’s and luckily they were open and had and all day breakfast. It was just what the doctor ordered after a long night. We ate and talked about the night before and had a good time. Then it was time for my fam to head back home. It was great seeing them and I certainly liked spending all the time with them and that they got to meet Katie’s family and see why I like them so much.

Once back to the house I walked right into the gift opening and that was a lot of fun. I got pretty spoiled and it was fun to see them opening all their presents to each other. From here it was nap time and sitting around doing whatever. I watched some of the Heat-Lakers game and then the UK Office Christmas special from a few years ago. Katie had a nice long nap that was muchly needed. That evening finding the energy from I don’t know where, Jamie whipped up some home made pizzas for dinner that were so good. More wine and dessert as well. Man I need to go on a diet. After this we played a game called Apples to Apples that Casey had bought the family. It was a lot of fun with Jackson winning both times. After this Jamie called it a night and then Jackson, Katie, Casey and me tried out the new scrabble board that Casey got for a gift. It was the nice, big one that spins and holds all the contents in a drawer underneath. I won’t go into details but I did not know I was that good at scrabble. After this knowing there was another late night on Tuesday we took the chance for an early night to catch up on sleep. I read some of my new book and quickly crashed.

Oh we also watched this SNL scit many, many times so for those of you who have not seen it, please check it out.

Tuesday, Dec. 26. - A day of lazy and much needed. Usual getting up, tea and some breakfast. Jamie made some french toast after getting back from the gym that pretty much finished me off for the week. My tummy could be heard yelling mercy, no more. Katie went out for brunch with a friend and I just hung out at the house reading and catching up on my surfing. We played another game of scrabble later on and I won again to the evil looks from Casey and Katie. I watched a movie with Jamie while trying to stay awake and then it was dinner time again. You can tell from the brief rundown of this day not a lot went on and I am running out of energy for this post. Dinner this time was meatloaf and salad and a baked tator. Pretty darn good once again. I am not going to like having to cook for myself again. After that we did some packing and watched TV until we heard from Katie’s friends. Two of her closest friends were getting in the from the airport and we were all going to meet up before we headed home on Wednesday. So that was alot of fun to see all those guys. Another late night as we got home around 2:30am. Man what a wall to wall week in Toronto. Time to get ready to head back home.

Wednesday, Dec. 27. - The return home. Woke up pretty early to make sure we were up before Jamie went to work. It would not of been right to miss him and not say bye. Katie’s parents arranged a car for us to the airport which was awesome and it was coming at 10:45am. One last pack and look around and we were all set. Time to head to the airport and start the big trip home. Thanks again to everyone who made the time in Toronto the best.

Once in the cab we were pretty tired and were just hoping for an easy trip home. We pretty much got it, nothing eventful happened and we were back on Kline around 5pm our time. What a day. Bosco was dropped off and everything was back to normal. Katie’s friend Peggy flew back with us as she is visiting family in town and she is staying with us. The girls caught up on everything and that is all good. Before we got some good Katie and I finally got to open the best presents, the ones from each other! That was a lot of fun and we sure spread the gift opening over many days. Then I went to Subway and got some dinner and we spent the night watching the Raptors big win and of course I used my new thundersticks. Phew time for bed and back to normal life. What a great week it was.

The gift haul - some of the highlights

From Katie: Going shopping for clothes, a puzzle, an aveda bath bar, stocking stuffers

From parents: Gift cards to chapters, sears, a meat thermometer, pj pants

From the Rock’s: Casoral dish, cook book, thundersticks and raptors dice for car

From Sarah: Book

From Jackson: some socks and a fancy ice cream scooper

thanks all

Back to regular life and blogging we go.

Just Cuz thats the way it is.

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