2016 was a year of big
changes for the Georgetown faction of the Hogarth Family. In December of 2015, after a long search, we
bought a house with just over 1 acre of property; still in Georgetown but just
south of where we were (cutting 2-5 minutes off our commute). With a closing date of May 30th
2016, we spent the entire first part of the year decluttering, packing, and
fixing our old house. We painted all the rooms, replaced all the trim and
installed bamboo flooring in the living room and family room. We finally finished everything and put the
house on the market in March. After just
three days on the market we received 3 offers and sold the house just over
asking.
In June, we moved into our new house and have
been enjoying the spacious rural living ever since. The first night we moved in, Reece lost his
first tooth; Matthew had lost his first tooth a month earlier. Both have since lost a second tooth and the
race is now on to see who will be the first to lose their third tooth. Matthew was so excited that there was a swing
set in the new backyard that he learned how to swing by himself. He would run out there first thing in the
morning and a soon as he got home from school until it got dark, swinging
away!! Dug picked up several new “toys” to enjoy the new property; including
several bb guns, and a drone which he has been having fun with exploring the
nearby landscape.
This was the first
summer that the boys (and I) did not visit Kelowna L but we made the best of it and did a bunch of
fun day trips to keep us occupied. We
went fishing at a nearby creek and Reece caught his first fish. We took the Go Train and Subway down town and
went to the ROM to see the Dinosaurs exhibit.
We went to the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and even a TFC game. The boys
also got to experience Canada’s Wonderland for the first time (and then several
times after that). They were so excited
to be able to get on most of the big rides. Their favourite ride? The Vortex. Needless to say, we bought seasons passes for
next year and look forward too many more fun rides!
Mid-August we finally
got our swimming pool and patio installed.
Matthew already learned how to swim the previous summer in Kelowna but
Reece learned how to swim within a matter of days of having the pool. They spent the rest of their summer – sun up
to sun down – in the pool, unless they were playing on the trampoline, Ninja
Line or the 80-foot Zip line we installed between two big trees in our side
yard.
Because of the move,
the boys started grade 1 at a new school, Pineview Public School, in September.
It is a much smaller school with less than 200 students from kindergarten to grade
5. Reece is in Mrs. Ferriera’s grade 1
class and Matthew is in Mrs. Churchill’s grade 1-2 split class. The school bus picks them up each morning
from in front of our house and afterschool they go to an after-school care
program at the church across the street. They love the workers there. They are making friends and having fun.
For their birthday in
October both boys opted to host a party at our new house. Both boys invited a few new friends plus a
few from their old school/neighbourhood.
Reece had a Dinosaur themed party where they painted/decorated picture
frames and Reece presented a dinosaur puppet show. This was followed later in the day with
Matthew’s Minion themed party where he had ice-cream cake and played on the trampoline,
ninja, and zip lines. They were thrilled
with their shared birthday present of the new Skylanders Imaginators video game and characters.
Dug and I have become
Ketogenists… no that is not a new religion (although Dug treats it like it is).
Basically, it is a no carb, no sugar diet.
Dug has lost a ton of weight and it has helped me control my diabetes
tremendously and given me some new-found energy. So much so that my new years
resolution is to update the family blog regularly again. Check it out at http://thehogarthfamily.blogspot.ca
We are very much
looking forward to spending our Xmas in Mexico this year with some of our
favourite people; Nana, Ovi and Espy.
Two weeks of fun in the sun in Cabos San Lucas is sure to recharge our
batteries for whatever 2017 brings.
The new year may bring
a new addition to the family…. No I am NOT pregnant! We are thinking about getting another dog to
play with Cuddles and keep her company. With
the huge yard and house there is more than enough room.
Well that’s about it
for my first ever “year in review” letter.
We hope that this letter finds you in good health and good spirits
surrounded by family and friends. We
wish you all the very best this holiday season and many happy returns in the
new year.
Cheers,
The
Hogarths
Audrey,
Dug, Reece, Matthew & Cuddles ~i~ ~i~
