Roommate Reunion Weekend

This weekend we had all my former Queen’s University roommates and their families at our house for a big reunion weekend. Us five girls all met at university when we were just teenagers, living in our little dorm rooms and eventually moving in together for three years in our big old house in Kingston. In the last twelve years of friendship, we’ve watched each other grow into the women we are today. I feel so lucky to call these four some of my dearest friends and I really cherish these moments that we get to spend together. They may be few and far between, but it’s always like we pick up exactly where we left off. The last time we’d all been together was at our wedding, but it feels like just yesterday. (this post has a picture together from that night).

Nine adults, two babies (with another one on the way!), the dogs, chickens…it was chaos and I loved every minute of it. We ate lots of good food, played with babies, laughed until our bellies hurt – it was awesome!

Jen surprised us all with Santa hats and we headed off to the local Santa Claus parade for some festive cheer!

(Please note that my red jacket is busting at the seams thanks to the growing belly. Not sure what I’m going to do until I grow into my maternity winter coat.)

This will be first Christmas since Garrett and I moved back to the town I grew up in and it makes everything feel really special. We woke up to snow that morning and it’s got me wishing for a white Christmas at the farmhouse this year!

I always love to see the floats that all the local schools and businesses come up with. It was nice to wave at some friendly faces this year!

I wish my dad was here to see the classic cars. The crowd cheered when they revved their engines. I’m still daydreaming about having our own old pickup truck someday.

 When the band started playing, we knew that Old Saint Nick was on his way…

Ho Ho Ho!

After the parade we headed back to the house to warm up and celebrate little C’s first birthday. We have a real mix of allergies in our group, so I made a low sugar chocolate vegan cake with chocolate date icing. It tasted great but the icing was a little thin…so it started sliding all over the place. Definitely not my most blog worthy cake, but we still ate it!

 And then the candle blew out before I even reached her. Restart!

After the babies went to bed, we cracked open some craft beers (club soda for me), gathered around the table for a big spaghetti dinner and ended the night with a Christmas ornament exchange. We did one a few years ago at our Christmas dinner together that year and it was a huge hit. I love having some ornaments on our tree that make me think of these great friends we have.

On Sunday morning we work up for a big breakfast send off together. Eggs, bacon, sausages, home fries, toast and fruit. I wish we could eat like this every morning – so good!

As everyone packed up, we all took turns playing with the little ones. They are at such a fun age right now (12 and 9 months) – getting into everything, lots of smiles, a few tears.

There was even time for a last minute photo shoot. The moms distracted them with toys and baby treats, which made me crack up because that’s exactly what I do with the dogs, haha.

What cuties!

My heart just melts with these two. Their mamas are such dear friends to me, and getting to watch this second generation grow up is such a treat. I can’t wait to add our own little one into the mix!