A Christmas Surprise

Overslept on Christmas Eve Morning

We started Christmas Eve morning with the one big fight of our trip. Dave had gotten ready while I was asleep. When I woke up, there was only 45 minutes to get ready to go to his Dad's house. Being in Kingston for only five of the 11 days we would mean splitting up the time between Dave's mom's house and dad's house. I resented him for not waking me up sooner and when I got into the shower there was no conditioner. Granted everyone in Dave's family has short hair, they didn't need it, but this was the last straw. I had to go to the living room hiding in my towel to ask for conditioner where then his sister had to bring it down to me. Where was Dave in all this? To top it all off, the conditioner wasn't working in my hair and I sat on the bed de-tangling my hair in angst. Dave was sorry for leaving me in a house unfamiliar to me and I forgave him. But it was 30 minutes later when I finally untangled my hair.

Christmas Eve Day

For Christmas Eve, Dave and I packed an overnight bag to stay at his dad's. Three years ago, the house was heavily under construction with even a large bath tub on the dining room table. When we walked in, the humble little house was complete with no details to spare. His father was very proud of the house and all its furnishings, but his main interests had changed to sailing. Like my father and his guns, Dave's dad spoke fervently about his new found love in sailing.

To join us on the day was his dad's wife Helen, her daughter Kate and of course Dave’s siblings and partners. We started with brunch including quiches, pies and dessert from a local bakery. Everyone gave their updates on work, social lives, next steps etc over continuously filled glasses of drinks. The fireplace was going and it was a sunny day overlooking Lake Ontario where his dad lives – the perfect back drop to Christmas eve.

I Haven't Seen One of These in a While

Fancy Christmas Cracker Crowns

Father & Son Sharing a Technology Moment

After brunch, we exchanged gifts. We were unsure about our ‘Aussie themed’ gifts because Dave's dad has picked up a lot from his travels and has a distinctive taste, but he loved the Australian bloke hat (which suited his adventure seeker nature perfectly!) and of course the strange Vegemite and kangaroo jerky. He and Helen gave us hilarious ‘duck themed’ cards with money – thank goodness because we had none! After gifts were opened, we participated in British tradition by opening Christmas crackers or bon bons. I thought these were only in Great Britain and Australia, but they were also exported to Canadian homes. These were the fanciest crackers we'd ever seen since we got golden crowns made of nicer material than the regular tissue paper crowns and toys that actually were useful like key chain flashlights and a tripod for point and shoot cameras.

Sushi Boat Dinner

By mid afternoon, Dave’s siblings and partners had to leave to spend the other half of Christmas eve with their families. The rest of us continued chatting over drinks and decided to eat Asian food – Dave and I had only had Asian food two nights ago at my house, but were craving it! Dave's all-time favourite restaurant in Kingston is a tiny Vietnamese place called Saigon Delight, which he claims sets the benchmark for vermicelli bowls – even the ones we had in Vietnam could not top theirs... so he says. Unfortunately they were closed, so we drove through town looking at our options, finally settling on a sushi mainstay of Kingston. We ordered enough tempura for what we thought would be filling for five, but could have fed 10! We also chose the most ostentatious thing on the menu – the sushi boat (pretty fitting for the sailing conversations we had that day!).

The Manhattan

We ended the night trying Kate's favourite drink, the Manhattan, and discussing every families favourite topic – the family.

We slept for the first time at his dad's house. It's a small two bedroom house and we slept on a Murphy bed for the first time (the kind that lowers from the wall).

Christmas Morning Overlooking Lake Ontario

Woohoo Snow!

So Much Snow!

Reppin the Christmas Pants

The next morning to our surprise, we got exactly what we wanted – a white Christmas! We immediately took showers, gathered all our belongings together and went outside to see and feel the snow. Dave and I had seen snow in New Zealand, but not like this. This was fresh snow, still clinging to the trees and dispersing at each step. What a wonderful Christmas miracle.

Perfect Conditions for Snow Angels

We got back to Dave's mom’s house by 10 am and got the Christmas breakfast we had hoped for – bacon, eggs and waffles. Immediately after breakfast, we put on some winter gear to take advantage of all the snow. We played in the snow and walked around with Kendra and Sean for the next two hours admiring the beautiful white blanket that lay over their neighborhood.

Love Angels

Mine & Dave's Imprints

Ready... Set... Throw!

Lake Ontario View From Kingston

The Lake Shore

Icicles

Skipping Rocks

Dave & Rupert

By the time we got back, his brother and wife walked in with their dog Rupert. Dave and I really want to get a dog, but our transient lifestyle isn't helping our cause. So when we saw Rupert, we were overly excited as if he were our own dog.

As you do on Christmas day, phone calls to relatives not present were made. Watching the commotion of teaching Dave's grandparents how to use an iPad and Skype was hilarious giving his brother the title of Tech Support due to his calm demeanor, which hid his frustration. To his merit, he was trying to conduct a five screen Skype call, which in the end didn't work. He did get it running for both parties later in the evening using the traditional two screens display, although you could only see the top of his grandmother's face and the bottom half of his grand father's.

I called my parents who were spending Christmas alone for the first time. My brother was in Denver with our cousin and my sister was already gone to visit her in-laws by mid afternoon. My parents were still in their pajamas like children enjoying a fruit platter. Although they were alone, they looked very happy to have the house to themselves and enjoy each other’s company. That evening they would spend Christmas with their friends whose children were adults now. I'm glad they can finally think of themselves and spend time with their friends.

Can You Guess Which Ones We Brought?

By mid-afternoon we all gathered around the tree to exchange presents. Going green, we were instructed to get gifts that would fit into a stocking. We did not end up saving paper as we all individually wrapped the presents, which fit into the home-sewn stockings unique to each person made especially by Dave's mom. We went in alphabetical order giving the spotlight to each person, so everyone knew what that person got. I felt a little embarrassed when Dave decided to read aloud my private card to him! Oh well, they know how much I love him.

My Homemade Christmas Card to Dave

Bought him Zelda the Symphony Tickets at the Sydney Opera House

Everyone Gets a Turn

Everyone Looking at me Opening my Gifts

Afterwards, we all sat down at the Christmas feast his mom had prepared all day. There was a traditional Christmas spread including turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce from the can (my fav!), mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes and something new I hadn't had before – Yorkshire pudding. While everyone had one, I found out later that Dave quietly had four! To keep dinner interesting, there was a bowl with slips of paper with Christmas themed challenges such as sing the Twelve Days of Christmas or give the group a Christmas joke. I had probably the hardest challenge – recite T'was the Night Before Christmas, which we ended up googling. This wasn't a 10 line poem, but a five minute narration!

Christmas Dinner

The one thing his mom demanded after dinner were pictures to capture the first Christmas since Dave graduated that all the children were together. We took couple pictures, Dave’s family pictures and then group pictures.

The Entire Family

Just Me & Dave

Just the Kids (my fav!)

We ended the night playing games I had never played before – Wizard and Give me the brain.

Too Many Rules to These Card Games

The next morning, Dave and I attempted to reverse the affects of all the eating we had done by going for a jog. We knew it would be cold outside, but this was a cold that only Canada knew. The cold air bit our ears and hands. We only made it five blocks before turning around. Thankfully, there was a treadmill in his mom's basement.

At noon, all of the children and partners were picked up by his dad to go to lunch in downtown Kingston. Unfortunately, Saigon Delight was still closed. We ate at Windmills – a cafe that served breakfast, sandwiches and even pizzas. His dad was beaming because all of his children were gathered around him. We talked about travelling and what we had planned for the new year. Dave mentioned that he was looking to replace his favourite pajama pants, but wanted to find ones made of the same exact material – fleece inside and out. We walked all through the downtown, gladly finding shelter from the wind at various outdoor sporting goods stores. We drove across town to a group of box stores, where Dave finally found his pants. I found Canada's answer to Ross Dress for Less/Marshall's at a store called Winners. I found long socks that I desperately needed for our trip to Ottawa and Montreal in the next few days. Dave came in with a huge grin because he had found his pants. I saw he picked a grey pair with red plaid. “I'm surprised you picked this color and not the blue pair.” We immediately went back to the store to find a blue pair, but couldn't find his size. His dad gave up his blue pair for the grey like a dad does, but we knew we would hear about the pajama pants trade-off for years to come.

We got back at 4 pm, and his mom told us a huge snow storm was coming and we would need to leave for Ottawa that night. We packed up the car and were only the road by 5 pm. It only took 2.5 hours. If we left the next morning, it would have taken anywhere from 2.5 to 5! We stayed at an airport motel where Dave and I shared a double room with Kendra and Sean giving their mom her own room. We treated everyone to dinner at a local Chinese buffet where Dave and I learned about how his sister met Sean online and it was pointed out that I don't like my food items touching each other on my plate. It made us wonder how much we would know about each other if we all lived closer. But we were all very happy to know that everyone was doing great as parents’ would like their children to be - adults living away from home, creating and establishing their own independent lives.

Welcome to Canada

We arrived around 1 pm into Toronto International Airport. Going through immigration was simple, straight forward and best of all, not as busy as Los Angeles. We grabbed our suitcases and made our way to the arrivals gate to find Dave's mom and her partner John. It had been more than 3 years since we last stepped foot on Canadian soil and Dave's family was more than eager to see him in the flesh.

Tears of joy ran down his mom's face when they embraced. It was a sweet reunion that we could all cherish at least for the next eleven days we were in Canada. The winter was mild in the sense there was no snow, just below freezing temperature and wind. We were hoping for a white Christmas, but it wasn't looking likely. We drove 2.5 hours back to Kingston only stopping once for lunch at Harvey's, Canada’s answer to McDonald's or Burger King. Dave of course ordered a poutine, grabbing it away from me anytime he could. He and his mom caught up on life on that ride back. I fell asleep after the halfway point lunch break and woke right outside of his hometown, Kingston.

When we walked into his home, it was like we walked into a Hallmark moment. His house was filled with Christmas decorations with Christmas villages adorning each main room. His mom had a story to tell about each decoration even pointing out the one lighthouse Dave never finished painting.

We were also greeted by his sister Kendra and her boyfriend Sean, whom we had never met although they had been dating for more than a year and living in St. John’s – the Maine of Canada. His big brother Peter and his wife Lena also came over a little later and we all sat around the fireplace trading quick updates on life and bringing up old memories.

Dave's Birthday Meal at Red Lobster

That night, we went out to celebrate not only everyone's return, but to celebrate their birthdays just as they did when they were younger – at Red Lobster. Funny how Dave requested this particular restaurant as Ontario is nowhere near the ocean nor lobsters, but this was a treat even if the seafood had been driven/flown from hundreds of miles away. The nine of us sat down at a long table enjoying shrimp, crab, lobster a plenty and Dave's mom took in this moment cherishing that all her children were gathered together for Christmas.

A Texas History Lesson

Thank You Mom For Letting Me Borrow Your Car!

The next morning, we set off on the open road for Austin and San Antonio. The last time we were in Texas was Dave's first time and we only saw Lufkin. This time, I wanted to show him more of why Texas is such a great state and where all my Texas pride came from. I would take him through Austin and San Antonio, major cities referencing major historical events. But we had one stop before our road trip was underway – we had to visit my ‘second parents’ Dr. Neal and Mary Ann Naranjo, the parents of one of my best friend’s Katie Naranjo.

Dr. Neal is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. For over 40 years, he has been digging and collecting dinosaur bones. This year, he and his wife opened up East Texas’ one and only dinosaur museum! We arrived to see him giving a speech to over 50 5th graders from Garrison, a city nearly 45 minutes away! It was so good to see them both and working towards something they are passionate about; leaving a legacy that would educate and enlighten the community.

Mom Saves the Day By Letting Me Borrow Her iPhone!

We were finally on the road by midday and stopped once to fill our bellies with Sonic Drive-in and once again to fill up on gas. We arrived in Austin at 6pm and waited for Katie at the W Hotel bar.

Katie is another dynamic person that is not only my friend, but someone I look up to. She went to University of Texas at Austin, made a big splash on the College Democrats scene, worked on various political campaigns and worked for a senator in Washington D.C. The last time I saw her was in D.C. during her semester there. Since then, she has still been a huge influence in the College Dems and in the last 3 years built her own consulting business for campaign management and digital marketing. She just launched a new arm of her business to help lawyers with their brand presence and marketing strategies. Now that Katie is her own boss and a boss of 6 others, she is taking the reins and it was so wonderful to see her passion and resilience in having a growing company and employees to think about.

View of Austin From Katie's Condo

Her condo was amazing. It sat on top of the W Hotel and overlooked Downtown Austin and beyond. I could say, “What a lucky girl”, but she's not...well maybe she is. She's a hard working and determined girl who deserves the best.

Texas Pride All Over this Beer Menu

W Hotel Austin

We caught up that night over delicious guacamole, soft tacos and drinks. Afterwards, we met up with her friend Amber, whom I actually met in D.C. when I visited her! We walked through the Trail of Lights, Austin’s display of Christmas cheer and decorations. To get back we walked through Zilkder Park and through the downtown to Amber’s apartment. We shared Saint Arnold's, a local Christmas beer and were off again to 4th street. We enjoyed live music, Mexican martinis and Amber bock at Cedar Street. According to them, we hit almost everything you needed to do on a night out in Austin. We ordered room service back at Katie’s apartment and laughed at old high school pictures of us at graduation, our last day in Lufkin and beach trips before college.

Enjoying Austin's Trail of Lights

Katie & Me

Austin Trail of Lights

Zilker Park

Saint Arnold's

Texas Beer

Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World

Enjoying some Country Music at Cedar Street

Late Night Eats

So Miss Cheetos!

Austin CBD View from South Congress

The next morning, we said our goodbyes because we were on our way to San Antonio and Katie had a full work day ahead. We walked to South Congress, the hipster part of town with galleries, treasure/junk stores and more food trucks than the stomach can handle. For a winter day, it was hot! I could have worn a t-shirt and shorts and would have been perfect. We were sweaty and exhausted walking around 3 miles that day to South Congress and back again to the Capitol.

Warm Winters Day at the Texas Capitol

Entering Senate Chambers

Floor to Ceiling

Sitting View in the House Chambers

The Capitol was impressive. Seeing the names and portraits of past governors and heroes of Texas’ history brought me back to 7th grade when I learned about these people who made Texas what it is today. I explained to Dave how the theme park Six Flags over Texas derives its name and how Texas was its own country. (The six flags are from the reign of Spain, France, Mexico, USA, Texas and Confederate States of America if you didn't know). Dave was breaking in his new boat shoes and could barely walk at the end of the day. We picked up our car at the W Hotel and began the 1.5 hour journey south to San Antonio. This 1.5 hour journey turned in a 3 hour journey due to an accident and the clean up. We didn't mind too much because we had been walking all day and built our hunger for a large Cajun meal I had planned for us.

This is a Starter?

Aligator, Crawfish and Salmon

Seafood Platter for One?

Everything is Bigger in Texas!

We arrived at Pappadeux's Cajun restaurant on the north side of San Antonio at about 7 pm. There was a 15 minute wait, but we didn't mind to be standing after the 3 hour traffic jam. I wanted Dave to try not only one of my favorite restaurants but also something truly southern; craw fish. We not only had craw fish, but had alligator! This was a true testament to why ‘Everything is bigger in Texas’.

That night we slept hard in a big suite only a 5 minute walk from the Downtown San Antonio. The next day, we woke up to a freezing city. How could it be t-shirt weather the day before and coat and scarves weather today?! We set out for the one thing you should see in San Antonio; The Alamo. It was a lot bigger the last time I can remember, which was when I was 12 on a family vacation. Dave got a good education on where Texas came from, the battles fought and how it became the great state it is today.

Standing in Front of the Alamo after 15 Years

Dave Learning About Texas History

Our next stop was a trio of silly attractions; Guinness World Records, a haunted house and a ride killing mummies with lasers. It was really corny, but the look on Dave's face when we were getting scared in the haunted house was priceless!

World's Largest Man

The Most Decorated Hockey Player

Inside a Hotel on the Riverwalk

Small Falls Along the Riverwalk

Canals on the Riverwalk

Beautiful Day for a Stroll on the Riverwalk

Selfies on the Riverwalk

Taking the Stage at Arneson Ampitheater

San Fernando Cathedral

We shared a classic lunch of salt and vinegar chips, a 6 inch sub sandwich and iced tea. We walked through the next best attraction after the Alamo; the Riverwalk. I think the hotels or at least the Marriot carved out the downtown for the river to flow through creating a mini-Vienna with restaurants and retail stores. We went to the mall and walked around and decided on our last night, we would enjoy a movie. The Hobbit had just come out and was available in IMAX. It was only $14 per person, half the price of seeing an IMAX movie in Sydney!

This was the first movie we had seen in the States since our last trip seeing the disappointment Invictus. We got a large popcorn and pumped butter 3x and shook popcorn salt 3x as well. This was a mistake. It was good to see the Lord of the Rings saga continue with the prequel. I enjoyed the story line and the graphics, but was a little disappointed with the ending – however it is a series, so I will be there to see the next edition.

We were a little hungry and stopped at Hooters just for a small bite. We ended up ordering 10 wings and an appetizer platter of fried pickles, mozzarella sticks and onion rings. We walked out with bellyaches – I think we've had enough of American food. Is it too soon to say that?

Riverwalk Lights at Night

View of The Tower of Americas from the Riverwalk

The next day, we set out for home. Again, there was one stop to make and this stop was the retail therapy I have been craving. San Marcos is a retail mecca of more than 140 outlet stores by any shop you'd see in a mall. The best snag was a 50% off sale the lowest ticketed price sale at Banana Republic. Dave finally replaced his work pants with two new pairs, and I gained another set of work clothes. One top was $6.99! We thought we dominated the outlet stores, but at a second turn, we found a whole new section of even more stores. My dad to call to ask if we’d be home for dinner. We said “Yes.” A few hours later, he called again and we said, “We’ll be home late, but leave us a little.” He called us one more time and it was already dark out and nearly time for dinner. “Dad we’ll be home around 11pm. We found another section of the outlets and had to stop.”

Shopped for 7+ Hours Fueled by Taco Bell

The Outcome

Packed the Miata to the Brim!

We drove back to Lufkin and stopped at College Station for one of my favorite fast food places; Shlotzskys Deli. Dave loves sandwiches as he worked at Subway all through college and this place had the best, refreshing, healthy and super yeasty sour dough bread. We befriended the lady at the counter because it took me more than 15 minutes to make a decision. We ended up getting roast beef sandwich and a Cinnabon. We were half-way through our meal and she came over with an extra pizza that no one had ordered and gave it to us! What a treat!

We arrived back at my house a little after 11pm. My mom and dad were awake. My brother was at my aunts spending time with my cousin and her friend from NYC. Catfish, coleslaw and fries were ready on the table. We were so full from our dinner and still guilty from all the Cajun and hot wings we had on our road trip, but we ate a plate anyways. My mom shows her love through her food and we showed our love back by enjoying every bite.

The Sweetest Way to Ask a Friend to be a Bridesmaid

Saturday was our last day in Texas. Dave left for the afternoon to shoot guns with my dad. I finally got in touch with Catherine, one of my best friends from high school and soccer. She came over to my house with a package. Emily, our other best friend had left it to her during Thanksgiving to give to me. I opened it and it said “Be my bridesmaid?” It was such a thoughtful box of treasures including a well-written thoughtful explanation of our duties and expectations. We hadn't seen each other since our senior year when I flew out to Kansas from NYC for her homecoming. No matter the miles and time between us, we still are great friends and I was happy to represent her past and usher her into her future.

We sat at Olive Garden with an appetizer sampler and unlimited salad and bread sticks. Strangely we didn't reminisce at all, but talked about the present and the future. We both have had a trying year with loved ones who passed away and finding stability and happiness in adulthood. We were teenage friends graduated into adult friends. The conversations were different, but the feeling of friendship was the same.

Targets at the Shooting Range

I Wasn't There, but Dave had a Great Time

That night, my mom prepared our last home cooked meal. My grandma came over. My brother had already left to go to Denver, Colorado to see our cousins on our dad side. Christina and her friend were back in NYC and my sister took her kids to see her in-law family in Dallas. It was OK though because I love my parent's company. They bicker and nag a lot, but they complement each other. It was sad to see them one last time, but I knew we would see each other again. My dad would be off to the Philippines for the next four months to kick-start the pharmacy and cafe. My brother would be in training leaving my mom on her own. I am excited for everyone though. My dad would have a new challenge. My brother would embark on his new career and my mom desperately needed to find her passions again. She's looking for culinary courses at the local junior college. And Dave and I were going back to our lives in Sydney. This was a great new chapter for all of us.