As Kristy promised the next few posts will highlight our latest road trip across North America. If you haven’t guessed by now, we like our road trips!
This time a business trip called me to Toronto right as school was ending for Mr. N and Miss A, and that was all the excuse we needed to jump in the car and head to the Great White North. The fact that some of our favorite bloggers are in the area made it an even easier call. After an all day drive on Friday, the first thing on the agenda was a Saturday morning trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
I highly recommend a visit. The trophy room is impressive to say the least – we actually got to touch the Stanley Cup before it was brought back home, and there are lots of interactive things for the kids to do. While Mr. N was clobbering me at NHL trivia (seriously), Miss A was trying her hand at the real thing. 
Mr. N and I played the goalie interactive game, but it’s probably best there isn’t any photographic evidence of our performance. That evening, I took the kids to a movie, and Kristy got to have a girl’s night out with blogging friends Eva, Barb and Kelly. From all accounts, a great time was had by all. I’m told the conversation flowed (as did the drinks and food) and it was more a gathering of long-time friends than new friends. And don’t feel bad for me, after taking the kids to the movie (and getting them to sleep I might add) I got to kick back and watch the Hawks in a little playoff action. 
Like our weather at home, Toronto was hit or miss, but the sun seemed to shine on the days we most needed it – like our second visit to Centre Island’s Centreville Amusement Park. (A few of you may recall we spent Miss A’s 3rd birthday at the park a few years ago.) 
The next day, well, the weather was cold and rainy, but that didn’t deter Kristy and the kids. They spent the entire day at the Ontario Science Centre while I was at my conference. Now that the kids are older they can actually spend more than a few hours at a museum without needing a nap (us adults on the other hand…), so it was a FULL day of hair-raising fun. 
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Toronto was a non-stop whirlwind of fun with much of the thanks going to Eva, who provided a virtual tour book of activities for us including the other places we visited, the Distillery District, Eaton Centre, Marché, and Yorkville. We didn’t make it to everything else on the list, but the cool thing was that what we did see (except for Centreville) was new to us despite having been through Toronto twice before. Thank you again Eva. We’ll be back again to finish off the rest of the list for sure!
Now before we head back to the states (in our next post), and leave our Neighbor to the North we just had to make another stop at Niagara Falls. 
Even though it’s our third visit, it amazes every single time. The amount and force of the water is just staggering. Every time. Again with the kids being older now, we figured a new adventure was in order (and no, not one that involved a barrel, much to the kids’ dismay). This year we braved the rapids on the Maid of the Mist. 
And what can I say other than, it completely lives up to the hype. If you’re in the area, it’s an absolute must do. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves (photos were taken on Kristy’s iPhone since the ride is a bit wet): 
It was another good one for the books (or our memories anyway), there’s always a new adventure around every corner. Toronto and the Niagara region can provide weeks of sightseeing, and they’ll surely keep us coming back for more. (Not to mention – we’ve got some great friends to come back and visit again too!)
Later this week, Kristy will be back with the rest of our adventure. Until then, here’s something else that was new to us this year – lights on the Falls. 
Eat, Play, Love 
I always want to visit Niagara Falls and so nice to see some pictures of them on your post! And I love the picture of Kristy with blogging friends! Seems like she had a great time with them. 🙂 So happy to know you all had a wonderful trip.
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What a wonderful Journey!
I loved the picture with Miss A’s flying every where. My kids love going to the science museum and they could spend the whole day there and not have enough!
It is wonderful that you got to meet Eva, Barb and Kelly! that must have been some evening!
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What a terrific family trip! A little work and a whole lot of fun…that is so nice.
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You’re so lucky!! Trips complete with blogging friends.. and having them provide you with the perfect itinerary only a local would know.. Looks like a fantastic trip for everyone! xx
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Growing up, we used to go on road trips all the time. Just as much as you guys! 🙂
I love Toronto… haven’t been in a while, but it really is an amazing city. Niagara Falls is also great, but it scares me!! 🙂
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The perfect holiday. Everyone has smiles on their faces as there was fun for all. Great views, Hockey for the kids, blogging buddy catchup for mom. I must say that I feel like I have electric hair like Miss A’s on most days. Humidity and wind are not good combos for hair like ours…Take care, Bam
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Oh my goodness I can’t believe you went out with the girls. Oh I wish I was there. You guys seemed like you had such a wonderful time. The whole trip sounds like it was an amazing time had by all. LOVE
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oh it looks like a blast! So glad Kristy made you post these:)))) My husband and I want to visit Niagara Falls so badly! Seeing these pics make me want to pack up the car right now and head out:) What wonderful parents you and Kristy are. your kids are very blessed
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Wow your photos are breath taking! My mother in law has been trying to convince me to pack up my family for a short vacation to Toronto to visit my in laws and after seeing you and your family having so much fun, I think I will start packing!
Hertrainingheels.com
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Sounds like a great trip with something for everyone in the family. Much like you, Mike, a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame would be a “must see” if ever I find myself within 100 miles of its door. Glad that Kristy got to meet our Toronto friends, too. Sounds like a good time, to be sure. And those are some beautiful photos of the Falls. Add in the amusement park and you guys really had an action-packed road trip!
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Hi Mike, thank you kindly for the many shout outs, it was my pleasure to prepare the list, you see I’m totally in love with Toronto and welcome any opportunity to share my beautiful city with everyone! I’m so glad you found it helpful and enjoyable. I hope next time to meet you, Mr. N and Miss A too! The dinner with the ladies was lovely and I hope to be able to do it again!
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“A day of hair-raising fun” heehee! Love that you made the Hockey Hall of Fame your first stop on Saturday morning and I couldn’t agree more with your priorities ;o). It is impressive, isn’t it and I don’t know, Miss A might want to think about moving some of her gymnastics time over to the puck and stick — she’s looking good out there! It was such a thrill to finally meet your family in person and have a night out on the town with the girls indeed! Such fun but it all feels like a dream now so we best do it again soon to keep the memories alive ;-). I agree, Niagara Falls never fails to capture the spirit and the experience seems a bit different every time. I especially enjoy Niagara-on-the-Lake for the beautiful scenery, walks and vineyards. So much to see and do — looking forward to your next visit!
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What a perfect family vacation!
🙂 Mandy xo
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What a great trip! I can see by the smiling faces that the children had a ball! And those lights on the falls are just incredibly beautiful. Don’t you just wish we all had maybe one extra month of summer? ox
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What a great trip – thanks for sharing!!
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The Niagara Falls images are stunning. It has always been on my wish list to see those Falls one day. Did I see ‘Maid in a Mist’ in Bruce Almighty? It looks like you had a great time away and yes, as the kids get older, it does get easier taking them away xx
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Haha, that photo with Miss. A’s hair all floofing around! Excellent! The joys of having short hair, eh Mr. N! 😉 I went to a cool science museum in England many years ago and they had a huge room with two giant parabolic dishes – one at either end. You could speak into one through a little metal stick thing, and hear it reflecting off the dish at the other end of the room – very cool. Went to another science museum in north of Sweden a couple of years ago. I’m a big kid at heart so I wanted to play on all the cool things they had, but wouldn’t you believe it… pesky kids everywhere ruining my fun! 😀
Lovely photos – that boat trip looks fab. Do they give those little coat things out as an “option” or are they required? What if someone fancied a shower? 😀
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What a fun trip–looks like you guys had a blast!!!
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Catching up with bloggers, seeing the sights, what a great vacation 😀
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers
CCU
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Your little ones are good travellers which means you can keep enjoying these experiences. I haven’t been back to the falls in years. I did the Maid of the Mist boat trip to the falls … I wouldn’t mind doing it again. Just don’t look at the stuff in the water. 🙂
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As always, wonderful reading! Can’t wait for the rest of the adventure from a fellow road-tripper!
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Great trip! Ah, the Niagara Falls, I must stop by and see it some day! I haven’t seen the Iguacu Falls (shame on this Brazilian) – so I live in double-guilt!
great that you got to meet three food bloggers, I bet it was a lot of fun! And the kids are growing up a little too fast, I think you should give them less sugar to postpone their trip into adulthood a little (I’m afraid they won’t like my comment, though… 😉
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