-Ambrose cut his first tooth (bottom central incisor) last Wednesday (or so) and the second bottom central incisor promptly emerged through the gum as well. His drooling has tapered off significantly but a bib is still required.
-We left for Ottawa to visit Auntie Des and Uncle Emile on Friday morning. They live in Hull/Gatineau area.
Ambrose was a perfectly behaved baby on the plane. We were the last to board and you could see the passengers around us looking at us nervously but Ambrose demonstrated that he is indeed a laid back babe. I suppose we could fault him for being too loud in his expressions of happiness (some high pitched squeals). One women, seated ahead and to the left of us, looked back often to steal a look at Ambrose.
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| first night at Desiree and Emile's |
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| with Auntie Des |
-Desiree picked us up from the airport and spirited us away to her and Emile's home. And the fun began.
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| Jack - John and Krista's son |
The next day we drove to Wakefield, where we visited John, Krista and their little boy Jack. They fed us a wonderful meal of bread, cheese, white radishes, cucumbers and other items picked up from the local market, which we later visited. We were also introduced to a wonderful wine made from honey called Mead. Dave made a "bee line" to the honey booth at the market and said I know John Parker and exchanged cash for a 'blackmarket" bottle of mead.
-At the market we listened - and Des and Ambrose danced - to the sounds of drumming (the weekend market also included the Harvest Festival which celebrated the area's Aboriginal roots).
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| Dad and Ambrose |
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| at the Black Sheep | | | |
-we enjoyed afternoon beers (St. Ambroise pale and stout) on the patio of the legendary Black Sheep. Ambrose caught the eyes of all of the passer-bys and other patio dwellers.
-We later had a dinner at a microbrewery in Hull which had fabulous beer (or so I was told - nursing moms are not able to indulge as freely).
-The next morning we rose early to start our road trip. We enjoyed an amazing breakfast at the Sparrow on St Laurent in Montreal, a trendy new place that serves amazing breaksfast. Emile's university friend was our server and made the gastronomical adventure more special. While waiting for our seat, Dave, babe and Emile picked up montreal bagels at one of the oldest bagel shops, Fairmount Bagel.
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| At Bernice's Art Studio |
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| Ambrose was allowed to touch the painting! yay for textures! |
-we resumed our journey to Emile's parent's, Yvon and Bernice's, home in the eastern townships, a small town called Dunham. After saying a quick hello to the slowly gathering guests for Emile's father's 70th birthday celebration, we went to his mother's studio space at an old church (which she bought and lovingly restored and retrofitted with help from family and friends). We spent the afternoon admiring her art (she's a very talended artist). Dave and I were quite taken by a few pieces of her work and we managed to select one to bring home (at the family discount - so lucky!)
-back at the house, Emile's brother Julien and Yann were cooking up a storm, preparing the feast.
-their home is the boy's childhood home which has been under renovation...forever, which gave me great comfort, realizing our own home will never be "finished" and that's okay...
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| Bernice with sons Yonn and Julie | | |
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| beginning of the feast! |
-Emile gave a tour of his childhood yard.
-Dinner began with an incredible tapas spread. Wine bottles were opened. Food flooded the table.
birthday cake and laughter. Yvon beamed. He exlcaimed many times that this was his best birthday ever.
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| Yvon - 70 yrs young! |
-Dave was cajoled into giving an impromptu speech by Bernice, after she gave her own off the cuff poem. Dave obliged.
-The next day we enjoyed a lovely brunch and were on our way home. The road trip ended with take out poutine and burgers.
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| strumming with Uncle Emile and Auntie Des |
Picture gallery to be added at a later date.
We traveled together in an old truck with a slide on camper pulling a small transport trailer. It was Ambrose's first time camping and sleeping in a tent.
The two made up a dynamic duo who charmed the fellow campers. They discovered that is a lot of fun to take chairs for a walk!
On a much sober note, the weekend I was there was to be Alicia and Emad's wedding. Unfortunately, Alicia found out that she has breast cancer 6 months before her wedding date (she has jokingly stated that she plans to start buying lottery tickets as the odds of that happening are pretty slim). She has already gone for surgery and will be starting chemo on July 11. She is such a strong woman and I admire her ability to keep her sense of humour through this ordeal. She has such a positive outlook and knows she will kick cancer's ass. Thankfully, it was detected early and things looks very good for a full recovery.
Vacation destination: Ryan and Manon's casa in Chemuyil, a great little town between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. 
