The Old and the Restless

Christmas this year was at Daryl and Jane's house in Niagara-on-the Lake. Besides the two children, Joshua and Ella, there were twelve adults. Missing from the photos below are John (Jane's brother), Daryl and Paul. Women and children are more interesting! I think the turkey is ready! Joshua checking the tree. Going downstairs. Ella is looking very suspiciously at the photographer. Michael and Megan having a conversation. The oldest person at the party, Jane and John's mother, Vanda. She looks great! Cousin Michael drove 6 hours to get home for the party. Ella was dressed up in her Christmas clothes... but she did not want to be far from her mother. Eye to eye. Night, night, Ella. (Margot Ella and Susie) Time for supper? They ate it all!

Most of the following photos were taken by Michael's father. Some photos were taken by Michael or Paul and some (Photoshopped) ones by Sandra. Their farmhouse was decorated with icicles for the wedding. After wrenching his knee in Ottawa, John was still able to drive but needed a cane to walk. The snow was up to Pat's knees :-) This photo was in the previous Blog but it should be a bit sharper now. It was a cold and wintry day. The scarf stayed on. The stock market is not very good lately - I need a refill! Megan and Michael's mother, Pat. The Reverend Mark Waugh. The minister giving advice on repairing the antique bookshelf. Megan wore Cousin Helen's pearl necklace. This is a BIG step. Is everyone ready? With this ring... Got her! Sandra witnessing the marriage certificate. Receiving the marriage certificate.

It was a dark and snowy day. Megan and Michael's  wedding took place at their farm near Markdale. This car is stuck! The bride returning from driving her parents' car out of the snow. Michael, Paul and Sandra pushed. Relaxing now, ready for everyone else to arrive. The groom relaxing before going to pick up the minister. Michael and the minister, Mark Waugh. Mark need a lift because his wife had taken the car to Fergus. Michael's mother, Pat Smart, arriving at the farm. Michael's father, John Smart, two days after a nasty fall wrenching his knee. He and Pat drove the 7 hour trip from Ottawa the day before the wedding. Pat preparing for the Old Testament reading from Isaiah. Sandra and Paul later read from Corinthians. It's about time... Explaining the ceremony.   "Then I say, then you say... " After the ceremony. The wedding documents are longer than an exam! Signing the registry.  Pat Smart signing the witness book. A toast to the wedding party. Say... yo...

We were invited for dinner with Mark and Margot so that we could see their newly finished basement with its beautifully refinished "historic" French doors. We stayed overnight in Barrie, 60 km north of Toronto, because Paul was concerned about driving back in the snow. Also... we had to try out the new shower in the basement in the morning. Joshua relaxing after breakfast. Busy mother Margot. She said that she hadn't had time to do her hair yet. Later, when it was done, it still was spiky in the back, but the front part hung over her right eye, not her left. Ella did not want to let go of the tree. The same day it was sunny at Megan and Michael's house in Toronto with no sign of snow. I rode my bike to the grocery store. A carpet of colourful fall leaves in Megan and Michael's back yard.