The skis are sharpened, the presents are wrapped, the house smells like shortbread, and our renovation at Hilltop Lodge should be ready in time for Christmas! It has been an awesome year! Sit back and put up your feet and let me tell you what the Hill family has been up to in 2011.

In September 2010, we purchased a ski chalet, located at Caledon Ski Club. After a whirlwind of painting and basement renovations, we moved in for Christmas, and loved every minute spent at our new country home. Last January, we met with an architect to begin phase two- an addition, which will include a new kitchen and an expanded master suite. After waiting months and months, we finally had a building permit in hand and at the end of the summer, ground was broken. We have an exceptional contractor (whose name we are not sharing with anyone until completion) and we should be ready to move in on December 23rd. Let it snow!

In March, after the snow had begun to melt at Caledon, we headed to Club Med, in Cancun, Mexico. It was the perfect spot for our active family to enjoy the sun, while playing tennis, sailing, water skiing and relaxing. By coincidence, we ran into my cousin Harris and his family, who happened to be staying at the same resort for the same time as us. We enjoyed their company so much that we are going to the Jamaica together this coming March.

While Lexi worked as an assistant counselor at Glen Bernard Camp for nine weeks last summer, the rest of the family headed to Italy for a 2-week adventure holiday. We went to Rome, Sienna, Monterossa al Mare, Florence, and Venice. Highlights included a trip to a picturesque vineyard in Tuscany for a gourmet lunch and wine tasting, hiking the Cinque Terre trail along the coast, and exploring the lovely streets of our favourite city, Florence. We climbed the stairs in many cathedrals, including the Basilica, and enjoyed the view from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  We loved our daily gelato treat (pistachio please!), and couldn’t get enough of the authentic Italian pizza, pasta and wine. The boys greatly enjoyed sipping wine each night at dinner…when in Rome!

Lexi is 17 years old, is in grade 12, and is counting the days until she heads off to university. Lexi has her eye on the prize, and is working very hard at her rigorous IB Diploma Program, striving to achieve the marks she will need to get into the university of her choice. So far, she is right on track, and we couldn’t be prouder! Lexi is an industrious gal-she babysits, is a ski instructor at Caledon and was on staff at Glen Bernard Camp, after 9 summers as a camper. Lexi continues to excel at cross-country running and competed at the Ontario Cross-Country Finals for a fourth year in a row. Lexi gets involved in all aspects of her school including being a school ambassador, representative on the student league and peer supporter to a grade eight girls’ circle. It sure will be quiet around our house next September! Dig deep Lexi- you can do it!

Jack is almost 16 years old, is in grade 11 and has already begun the Young Drivers Program, with hopes of hitting the road on December 22nd, G1 in hand.  Last March, Jack went on an exhilarating dogsledding camping trip with his school in Algonquin Park. Jack enjoyed his 8th summer at Camp Hurontario and this year he went on an 18-day canoe trip to Northern Ontario.  For the second year in a row, Jack won the big Terry Fox Race at his school. Jack had an incredible cross-country running season, training hard and achieving fantastic results at every race, ultimately winning the MVP Award. Jack qualified as an individual to race at OFSSA, and at the beginning of November, we took a family trip to Ottawa to cheer for Jack and Lexi. It was fun to be back in our “old” town. We drove around Manotick and had a short but sweet visit with old friends. Jack earned his ski instructor’s qualifications last winter and in a few weeks will be joining his sister on the slopes of Caledon, instructing young skiers. Jack is working hard at school getting good grades and achieving the fine balance of friends, family, athletics and academics. Keep well the road, Jack!

Ross is 13 years old and is in grade eight. It is now official- we have three teenagers in our house, and it sure keeps us hopping, especially on weekend nights! Ross continues to impress us with his musical abilities on the trumpet. Ross plays in two bands at school and takes weekly lessons. Ross is embracing all that his school has to offer, and participates in many clubs, including debating and trivia. Ross joined the cross-country running team this fall, improving at each race and taking on a leadership role on the team. Ross is working hard at school and his love of reading continues- his Kobo is always charged and loaded with new books, in case he has a few minutes to squeeze in some reading. Ross will ski race again this winter, and continues to play badminton at the Boulevard Club. Ross has started babysitting, and is saving his money for future technology purchases. Be remarkable, Ross!

The highlight of the year for Paul was joining Lambton Golf Club. Paul began the golf season with incredible enthusiasm, playing as much as possible, until his back seized and he had to dial down his games per week. Paul continues to work for IBM, overseeing Clarity Systems transition into Big Blue. Paul has joined the board of a high tech company in NFLD. In August, I joined Paul on a short trip to NFLD, where we had a lovely long weekend in Trinity at the Fisher’s Loft.  Paul joined the board at Caledon Ski Club adding his two cents, as the head of the finance committee. Paul always has his eyes open for new opportunities. After he completes two years with IBM, who knows what adventures are ahead! A rolling stone gathers no moss!

Much of my time in the last year has been taken up overseeing the renovation of our chalet- it has been challenging and exciting and I can hardly wait to see the final product! Managing the lives of three busy teenagers and two households and volunteering where I am needed, is a full-time endeavor- although the kids sometimes think that the only thing I do all day is play tennis and walk the dogs! Presently, I am helping to host a tennis tournament at the Boulevard Club that supports the Philpott Inner-City Children’s Tennis Fund. I took on the game of golf this year, and made some good progress- thank goodness for the scenic walks and sporty clothing, which got me through the rough! Training for and participating in the Joe’s Team Sprint Triathlon in July was quite an experience! I was pleased to raise a lot of money for the Princess Margaret Hospital, yet in the future I think I will stick to landsports!

Our warmest wishes this holiday season! Our home email address is [email protected]… please keep in touch!