Raising Schuurmans: November 2015

     Even though Mark grew up there, it had been well over ten years since he had been in Canada in the Fall and I never had. It was always Summer or Winter when we visited. Many different things contributed to why we went in the Autumn this year, but nonetheless, it was an incredible trip.
     The drive up showcased some of the most beautiful scenery ever. Even though we'd driven these roads many times, the bright leaves were breathtaking. The weather (for the most part) was clear and crisp, but not too cold. The boys were beyond elated to see and play with their cousins. It's as if they picked up where they left off and got hilariously rowdy right away. Stella was spoiled from all angles, whether it was Grandma & Grandpa, her aunt & uncle, or older cousins who were so sweet to attend to her every whimper.
     While it's great to see family and watch the children interact and have fun together, the best part for me was getting a night away with my husband of TEN years. Mark's brother and our sister-in-law offered to keep their three kids AND our three kids overnight so we could celebrate our ten year anniversary alone. Mark planned and booked a great place to stay and we had a magical time in Niagara Falls. It was as if we were newlyweds all over again. We both were giddy. While we ADORE our children, it was good to get away, alone, for just a day, and only tend to our own needs and wants. 24 hours away, just me and my man, left this mama refreshed and grateful.
     Other notable activities include a Grandma/Marcus date to a place called "Crock-A-Doodle" where you paint pottery and they fire it for you. Since he's never done something like this and he had his Grandma all to himself, he THRIVED and enjoyed it thoroughly. He painted a dolphin and a dog, both of which he lovingly coddled the whole drive home. Titus loved being able to play hockey with the big boys, yet loved his girl cousins, too. The three youngest grandchildren (not including Stella - haha!) had a blast digging in the dirt at the greenhouses and getting as dirty as they possibly could while Mark and I caught up with some of his family who were planting new seedlings.
   We finalized our trip by stopping in Niagara Falls with the children, on our way back home. We took them to have lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, had chocolate samples at the Hershey Factory, and then to see the incredible sights of Niagara Falls. We walked around so much, there was actually an hour window when ALL THREE kids were asleep in the car. It was glorious.
     Seriously, it was a wonderful trip all around and we think we'll plan more trips between now and next Fall to see these sweet people we call family.

(But! Before those pictures, here are a few showcasing our growing family as we take pictures each year on the Quad at UNCA in front of the beautiful Fall leaves).

At Grandpa and Grandma's house, you get treated like royalty: Pizza on the couch, watching tv.

Sweet little Stella slept in the kitchen among all sorts of noise.

On our time away, we took a sweet. The leaves were beautiful and you could see the falls from all different viewpoints. (Side note: Can you see the BLACK squirrel???)