A family vacation to Canada

Eric has been wanting to take his family back home to meet his parents and siblings and all his Canadian friends for a really long time now. There was never a good or right time to go, so we decided to go when everyone else was going for Bonnehomme's wedding. To say I was very nervous & apprehensive is the understatement of the year. But time after time, things were falling into place so I couldn't NOT go. We got our passports in time, we booked our tickets to go with the generous help of my mom and her airline miles, the kids were healthy and ready to go. So we went. The kids are FANTASTIC flyers. They are really great and easier travelers to my delight. But 10 days. 3 kids. That equals lots of work. Especially with them all getting sick while we were there and then staying at someone else's home. But Nini and Ben were amazing. They loved our kids like their own and they took us in so graciously. They made it very easy for us to feel welcome and at home. I couldn't have asked for a better place to stay. The kids loved them too. It took Kate a little bit to warm up to her, but Nini accepted the challenge...lol. She eventually got her but we all know our little Kate. She always takes time to adjust and she can't be pushed. Charlie and Ella are easy. They love anyone who gives them attention and time. Kate and Charlie were especially in love with Bobby, Nini's youngest boy who is such a sweet boy. He taught Charlie how to play hockey (In the house, no less!) Charlie and Bobby played tricks on Ben and Brendan (The older brothers) Kate didn't really make any new friends aside from Bebe, the family dog, which Charlie so nicely claimed as his own along with Nini and Ben's house. Charlie on the other hand made friends easily. He loved Tristan and Billie. He also loved that they found him a frog. It was actually a toad. Very gross. It rained almost every day while we were there ... but Canada is beautiful. The trees weren't quite turned in color yet but they were starting to and it was breath taking! I made lots of new friends and I have to admit, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was good for the kids to meet the other side of their family and I hope they can keep up the relationship with them. Eric was proud to show off his kids to the people he knew growing up. (with good reason, they're really something to be proud of, if I do say so myself... ;o) We had lots of fun going to all the parties and I got to go visit Montreal with my mom and her sisters and their hubbies and my grandmere Titite. I had a really good time there. I realized that I miss my aunts who don't live in CA with us. Eric got to reconnect with all his old buddies and really got a vacation cause I didn't bother him too often with the kids. I've had vacations every now and then but this was the one Eric had been dreaming about for a long time so I let him have it...aren't I nice? lol... All in all, it was a fun experience and I'm glad to have been at the wedding and to have seen a little piece of my husband's past and for the kids to meet their family. BUT DAMN I'M GLAD TO BE HOME! Eric with the kids before our flight to Canada.

Suzanne and Grandma Minou with my little Ella Eric and his dad, Claude.
Eric, Claude with the kids. First time meeting their grandfather.

At dinner with Grandpa Claude Our Whole Gosselin side of the Family except for me ( I was taking the photo)

... and le beau pere for obvious reasons.

Eric with his mom and siblings

Charlie and his cousins Alehandro and Diego. He really loved these boys, especially Diego.

In bed Arts & Crafts on a rainy day with Nini

Kate, Charlie, Jesse, Adam and Ava

Ella with her buddy EmerieJack & Charlie playing hockey in Dominic's basementKate, Charlie, Nia, Madison & AbigailOur little family at the wedding
Vieux Montreal, very beautiful Me and some of the gang at Schwartz's Smoked Meat...
The changing colors... Ella asleep on the flight home.Eric and Kate and a bit of Charlie going BACK HOME!! Woo hoo!