In the spring, Lexi graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, with a HBA in history. As soon as Lexi wrote her final exam, she packed her bags and headed to Asia for a six-week adventure. She visited Singapore, Bali, Thailand and Vietnam. Lexi is now at a fast growing Toronto software company called LookbookHQ working as a Business Development Rep. In November, Lexi was thrilled to go on her first business trip to Austin, Texas. Lexi is adjusting to living back at home and is diligently saving her money with the hope of moving into her own place in 2017.

Jack is in his third year at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, working on his Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Last summer Jack worked for a software company called Canopy Labs. This coming summer, Jack will work for another software company called Obero, on the inside sales team. Jack loved his trip to Kicking Horse Ski Resort with Paul last February and got a taste of island-life when he visited a school pal and his family in Barbados in August. Jack will arrive home from school just in time to celebrate his 21st birthday.

Ross is in first year at Queen’s University studying computer science. Ross got lucky with the university residence lottery and scored a beautiful single room in the university’s newest residence. Ross’ room has a double bed, air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a bathroom- not bad! Ross coached ski racing at Caledon last winter and loved his twelfth and final summer at Camp Hurontario where he was a camp counsellor. Ross will spend his summer break writing computer code at a software company in downtown Toronto. A highlight of his year was the action-packed adventure holiday to Costa Rica in March with Paul and me.

It was a big year for Paul and me, as we both turned 50 years old! To celebrate this milestone birthday and help ease the pain, we each chose trips. In August, for my birthday, we travelled to Ireland for 10 days for our 50 Shades of Green cycling holiday. We spent some tourist time in Dublin and then met our Butterfield and Robinson group in Galway. We cycled 60 km a day through the rolling hills of Connemara and stayed in spectacular castles each night. In October we headed to California to celebrate Paul’s birthday, on what we called The California Dreamin’ 50th Birthday Tour. We started in Napa Valley and made our way down Hwy 1, staying in Pebble Beach, Big Sur and Montecito and finally ending up in Palm Desert. We played lots of golf, drank plenty of Californian wine and blew out countless candles. We quickly realized that turning 50 ain’t all bad!

In October we sadly said good-bye to Lucy, our beloved black lab who lived to the remarkable age of 15 ½! Scout, our precocious two-year old Border Collie keeps us fit and entertained with long walks along the Humber River and along the Bruce Trail in Caledon. We are all looking forward to relaxing at Hilltop Lodge in Caledon over the holidays. We are keeping our fingers crossed for lots of snow for skiing and snowshoeing. Our cherished family time will include long family hikes, political debates around the dinner table and rousing games of Settlers of Catan. I can hardly wait!

Please keep in touch! May your 2017 be filled with adventure, health and happiness.