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Published: June 23rd 2008
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So....I think the last time we wrote, we had just arrived in Santa Barbara! Long time no write!!!
Jeff and I enjoyed 4 wonderful days at home in Santa Barbara with my mom. We were able to see our good friends Laura and Peter and my dear friend from kindergarten, Cuca, and even catch a movie (Indiana Jones!)
We picked blackberries with my mom (who then made a home made blackberry pie), walked through the garden, celebrated Cuca's Master's degree graduation and birthday, and managed to eat some incredible sushi at our favorite restaurant, Sakana!!!
After our whirlwind stay in Santa Barbara, Jeff and I rented a car and drove down to Los Angeles, where we met up with the 4 other Canadian Brass guys for their concert at the LA Convention Center. Jeff played 2 half-hour concerts, for 20,000 people total...all Rotary club members.
While Jeff was playing concerts, I spent a wonderful "Father's Day" with my Grandma (Dad's mom....she invited me to sing "Lord's Prayer at her church), my aunt Fran, my cousin Billy, his wife Andrea, and his daughter Lily. We enjoyed some Japanese food in "J Town," and then they came back to
our hotel room, and were able to see some of our Thailand pictures.
After Jeff's concert, Jeff and I met up at our favorite hang in LA... "The Magic Castle." At Indiana University, Jeff is a faculty advisor to Jordan Goldklang, who is getting an individualized major in MAGIC!!! Jordan and his brother, David (who will be studying horn with Jeff this fall at IU) drove down from the Bay Area to meet us for a super fun night of magic, food, and drinks.
We had a GREAT time!!!!!
Jeff and I woke up very early to go to LAX for our flight to Canada....After 3 hours of sleep, we were happy to get on the plane and fall fast asleep!!!!!
We checked into our hotel (thanks priceline.com) in Toronto, and then took a cab to Jeff's parent's (Ron and Diane) house. Diane had marinated incredible pork tenderloins, and had a wonderful home cooked meal waiting for us.
While we've been in Toronto, we've done a TON! (Is there ever a time that we DON'T do a ton?) 😉 Jeff had a rehearsal with Eric Robertson...organist extraordinaire...in a gorgeous church. What a beautiful place to
listen to the French Horn and Organ! Take a look at the picture...
We have been able to visit with friends while here, including Mike Herriott (trumpet player) and his family, who came and joined us for snacks at a local pub. We also spent a very fun evening at a jazz club here in Toronto called "The Rex", with some of Jeff's Toronto buddies...Chris Lee (tubaist), Trey Mills (vocalist), and Kelsley Grant (trombonist)....wow...that night was almost TOO much fun...right guys?!?
The main reason for us being here in Toronto was for Jeff to perform with Canadian Brass at "Idea City." It has been advertised here as "Canada's Premiere Meeting of the Minds." It was a 3 day symposium where speakers were each given 20 minutes to speak on whatever subject they wanted to! There were doctors, writers, artists, chefs, musicians, poets, and the list goes on and on! Canadian Brass was the culminating act of the symposium.... Talk about being inspired after hearing these people speak!
On Saturday, we were invited by Diane's relatives, Emily and Fred up to spend the night at their lake cottage. It is in a beautiful area 3 hours north of
Toronto called "Muskoka." Em's son Miles, his wife Michelle, and their two daughters Hillary and Lauren were all up at their cottage next door! We had a wonderful visit...filled with lots of food and drink...and 2 boat trips on the lake!
On the way home from the lake today, we stopped and visited with more family. Sharron, Brad, Jen and Colin Hart invited us to their house for dinner. I had yet to meet them, and after 4 years of being with Jeff, we decided it was time to take that next step! 😉 We talked, laughed, and had a great time!!!
Our stay in Canada so far has been excellent! It's great to be in one place for more than a few days. We've actually unpacked a bit in our hotel room, and are feeling rested!
Tuesday, Jeff's sister Suzanne arrives in Toronto...our trips are overlapping by a day so we're going to have dinner with her, and then by Thursday, we'll be in England, with Jeff's other sister Lisa!
I guess the only family member we won't have seen by the end of this week is my brother Mitchell...Sorry Mitchell! We'll be there late
July!
Enjoy the pictures....and we'll keep you updated on where we are and what we're doing!
Love,
Nina (and Jeff)
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CAMom
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Great blog, guys
Glad you had wonderful time! Beautiful lake...looks cool and refreshing as I sit here drenched from the California heat wave. :-(