Big thanks, little thanks

We've just returned from celebrating Thanksgiving at my mother's place in the Annapolis Valley. What an amazing way to kick of the fall season. Although we rarely do any sightseeing when we visit, the farmhouse itself, the cozy company, delicious food, rural setting, and always-festive atmosphere (ie: cocktails served on the dot of noon) embodies the season of harvest and giving thanks for a bounteous year.

Of course, it was a ton of fun getting "the twins" together again. How awesome is it that Tim has a cousin exactly his age? Right now, I think the benefit is all for the parents. The boys seem to not mind each other, and are certainly enthusiastic about reuniting first thing in the morning, but the novelty wears a bit thin as the day wears on, and they're ready to get back to having the parents all to themselves. As the grow, their individual personalities are emerging clearly. Lucas is the wild man, always on the move, exuberant and enthusiastic, ready to have fun no matter what. Tim is a little more cautious, takes his time to check things out before diving in, is a little skeptical of strangers, likes his personal space, but still has a ready smile.

I found this picture, which pretty much sums them up.  (Note also that Lucas is not wearing pants. So like him.)

But ultimately, they got along well, and shared certain passions. Such as berries.

The only hitch in the vacation wasy the return odyssey. After arriving at the airport to return home, Air Canada first delayed our flight for over an hour, then cancelled it altogether. "Pick up your luggage from the carousel, and good luck!" We had to scramble to find another flight home. Note to Air Canada: "Ottawa via Toronto" is not a flight. It's a flight to Toronto, then another one to Ottawa. So rather than arriving home at 5 pm (perfect! Dinner time! Return to routine and a good night's sleep!), we arrived home at 2 am after two ups-and-downs, and five hours in various airports. It would've been easier to DRIVE home from Halifax.

On the up side, Sweetie McPie has aeroplan elite status thanks to his trips to China, so we got to chill in the Maple Leaf Lounge in Toronto. Tim chose those two hours to sleep, so we could really sit back and relax. It took a little work for McPie to convince me that you really could help yourself to anything at the bar, but I finally got the hang of it. Who can complain about unlimited access to Grand Marnier? Not I. Air Canada is forgiven, for now.