It was probably my first time to celebrate a Canadian Thanksgiving in over ten years. The insurmountable Francina, my sister-in-law, invited and provided for the extended family – nearly thirty people (including a horde of kids) for a lavish turkey dinner.
A driveway floor hockey game was organized and both Zach and Galuh played for the first time. Zach learned how to ride a bike that weekend. The kids watched a Jackie Chan Kung Fu flick on my brother’s massive flatscreen TV. Later the kids bedded down in the basement in sleeping bags. Zach ended up with a coughing fit(his asthma) and Jacob inexplicably ended up in the middle of the night with a bleeding nose (probably due to the dry air that his tropical nose is not used to.
The next day, as per tradition, Francina organized a clan picture with our steadfast family photographer, Mark Van Dam who has been capturing our group portrait for years. Whenever, the Cheung clan is reunited in Peterborough, Francina has been sure to whip together an outdoor photo shoot – no easy feat with the growing number of unruly kids. Nature accommodated us with a fabulous day and a spectacular show of colours painted in the autumn leaves.
Toronto Today
Taken by Byron
I cooked lasagna, salad, sweet-spiced squash, and pesto toast. Thanks to Parni (our housekeeper) who helped me to cook the lasagna. For the dissert, Court brought apple struddle. Unfortunately, I did not take the picture of my cooking. Ugh I can not show you how beautiful and yummy my cooking. Though, seemed that everybody liked the foods. At least, Court and Jeremy gave me a compliment for my cooking. Jerome also said that the squash was good with lasagna. He even wants to have another dinner with same menu as above for his other friends.
Also, Jerome opened his old wine. Fondation Barton&Guestier, Bordeaux 1990. Very yummy!Usually I can not finish my glass of wine but at that night I could finish it all!
Zach had a great time too because he got new friends, Frea (1.5years, Jeremy's daughter) and Settena (10 months, Byron's daughter). They played together at Zach's room. Zach and Frea run around the house and played nicely together. Meanwhile, Settena crowled around the house.
Galuh
Last night, Jake could not sleep and kept us up most of the night. He is still jet lagged. The reward for the sleepless night is a sleeping baby throughout the day. Zach with Galuh in Aquarium Dolphin Zach with Jelly Fish Dolphin Show Beluga Show Dinner at Dean's House Welcome Cake Dean and Madeline Phoebe-Aiden-Merlin Karen Peter Phoebe&Karen Galuh before make up Galuh after Make Up Zach & Jake at Dean's Jake
We woke up very late today and found it was a very rainy day. So we decided not go to Grouse or Cypress Mountain in North Vancouver in search of snow for Zach. We decided to go to Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park with Tammy. Zach was very excited at seeing all the kinds of fishes, beluga, dolphins, whales, etc. We watched all the shows. Zach ran around in great excitement and is generally very cute. He asks a million “why” questions that I have a hard time answering.
Tammy bought Zach a bag of plastic sea creatures. Right away he said, “Mommy, let’s go back to the hotel!” Because he wanted to play with them right away.
Later we had dinner at Dean and Madeline. I was surprised at how tall Merlin had grown and how much he resembled his father, Peter. Peter and Karen Mahon were there as well. Karen’s son Aiden and Merlin’s sister Phoebe were there. Phoebe turns sixteen next Tuesday. It was a wonderful dinner topped of with a “Welcome to Canada” cake. Thanks guys!
The dinner was accompanied by the usual frivolity that is expected of any gathering at Dean and Mad’s. Phoebe and Karen took silly self-portraits with our camera. Dean, Aiden and Merlin tested their ability to support the weight of each other on all fours. Zach played with Spot the Dog, tossing a squeaky Santa doll which she would fetch. One of Zach’s tossed ended up smoldering on the candles, narrowly missing Galuh’s wine glass. Merlin sowed off his ab muscles, his “six pack” for some reason, insisting that everyone feel them. Phoebe applied make up to Karen and Galuh. Far too much lipstick for Galuh. Merlin, Aiden and Phoebe dressed Karen up in Merlin’s clothes.
Jerome
Zach and Jake also enjoyed the dinner. They had a great time there!
