March Break - 2012

After 3 years of sun vacations, trips to Austria and Japan during New Year and Spring Breaks it was time for a more traditional "Canadian Experience" for March Break.

Traditionally during the March Break everyone in the Wendling family is off - that is no school, no sports, no activities, no nothing.  So what do the Wendling's do?  In the past they may go to Disney in Orlando, a Water slide theme park in Erie or Sandusky, or just catching their breath at home - doing house work or completing odd jobs around the house.


This year, the Wendling's are doing a little bit of everything.

First, Rosanne and the girls started their vacation on the Thursday before the traditional so they went to Great Wolf Lodge and spent a day on Water Slides and having fun while dad spent the day at work.

Great Wolf Lodge is quite big and has many different slides and activities for kids.  The better news is that Great Wolf Lodge, not the original by any means, is located in Niagara Falls, CANADA.

The second day was very special as it was Kyara's 13th birthday - two teenagers in the house - well we will see where this goes.  :)

The following Monday the Wendling family ventured to the "Sugar Shack" or in the bush where they make Maple Syrup.  In our part of Canada this is a popular attraction for families and for schools as making Maple Syrup is truly Canadian and somewhat historical experience as the practice goes back to the time of the Native Americans.

To begin their day the Wendling's had a breakfast of pancakes and sausage complete with Maple Syrup.  


Then is was into the woods where they were able to see how Maple Syrup is collected and processed.  Since it was a beautiful day it really was a nice walk in the woods for everyone.

During the week we also had a chance to "re-celebrate" Ariel's birthday...well not really...we just took some pictures with a cake...but we did think of her.

Well that's all for now.  The next few weeks will be busy as we have 3 provincial basketball championships and 1 provincial volleyball championship.  See you soon.

Thanksgiving 2011

While overseas the Wendling family had the opportunity to share in the Thanksgiving traditions of many different cultures:

Chuseok - from our Korean friends
Moon cake festival - from Hong Kong
American Thanksgiving - from the US (complete with Pecan pie and American Football)

While still have Canadian Thanksgiving celebration with our compatriots at GSIS.

However, this current fall the Wendling family has had the opportunity to catch up with many past traditions of Thanksgiving by:

- going to the pumpkin patch

- having Thanksgiving lunch with the Wendling family

- having Thanksgiving supper with the Lafontaine family

As you can see by the photos there was much time to celebrate and be thankful for the opportunity to be with family, to celebrate the fall colours - pumpkins - corn stalks and catch our collective breaths with a holiday.  (We also went to the So You Think You Can Dance concert but that is another blog for another time.)

Although we are at home, during this past week and weekend many of the girls have taken the time to reconnect with Korean friends with emails and google chats.  To be honest, Rosanne and Kevin have thought of our friends from Land of the Morning Sun and hope all is well with them.  We know that GSIS is a busy place with much activity so we send all our best.

Both Rosanne and Kevin continue to adjust to our new placements.  Much has occurred with both of them.  Although we have only been away for 3 years - much change can occur in that time.  However, over time, things will hopefully get easier.

Well, this "break" is almost over until Christmas stay tuned for more on the family and our Korean-Canadian Adventures.

So You Think You Can Dance - Tour

  During the past three summers the Wendling family has spent Wednesday and Thursday night watching So You Think You Can Dance on TV.  Since all 5 girls dance there was a interest in the people, music and dance which the show brought to North American and World Wide audiences.

This year with the family remaining in Canada the girls asked if they could see the Tour show that came to Toronto on Sunday, October 9th at the Air Canada Center.  

So we packed into the van and away we went to watch 2 hours of creative, high energy and highly entertaining dance with the "top 10 dancers" from the show.

After the show the girls, with approximately 500 hundred other people, had the chance to "meet and greet" with their favourite dancers.  This was truly a treat for the girls as they were able to spend a few short moments with people that truly were able to live their dream.  

In fact, all the dancers we extremely friendly and gracious and took time to sign autographs and take numerous pictures not just with us -- but with the many fans who stayed around for over 1 hour after the show ended.

How refreshing it was -- so a big thank has to go to the dancers who truly made my family's night!!

A little time for CHAOS Hockey

During our time in Korea Matteya had the opportunity to continue to play ice hockey - for 3 years.  Ice hockey is definitely a Canadian passion and a big part of both the Lafontaine and Wendling families.  (Having both Grandfather's and one uncle play Junior A hockey and many uncles, cousins who play - to be honest what family has their own hockey jerseys?)

Upon returning from Korea Matteya tried out for and made the St. Catharines CHAOS B team - that is a travel team based in St. Catharines.  This was a great opportunity for her, as well as playing a sport she loves she also gets to play with her cousin Mikayla (pictured above).  After a summer of taking hundreds of shots, playing in a summer league and trying to keep in shape Matteya was ready for action.

After a few exhibition games and one tournament Matteya is fairing very well as a left winger with 3 goals and two assists.  She was even named MYP of one of the tournament games.

Beginning Tuesday the "regular season" will begin with a game against Brantford, three other tournaments (St. Catharines, Erie and Norfolk), before playoffs beginning in the new year.

However, it will be challenging as she will play 2 or 3 games a week with 1 or 2 practices to go along with it.  That being said, Matteya is enjoying her time in travel hockey.

You can follow Matteya's team at:  CHAOS Peewee B Team

A Busy Summer of 2011

 With only a few weeks left before school beginning the Wendling family has been busy with a number of different activities:

- soccer (every night of the week)
- hockey for Matteya
- basketball and volleyball camps - which started this week and will continue for the next three weeks
- various music lessons
- Justine taking a summer course at Jean Vanier
- Laff Olympics
- Kevin canoeing in Algonquin park with uncles and nephews

However, as days start to get shorter and the nights get cooler, one can feel Fall just around the corner.  In some ways this summer as been great with fantastic weather in July and lots of time for us to connect with family and friends.  

Yet, three months of summer vacation is far different then what we are use to as well as wanted to move onto the next transition which included the four girls back to Ecole St. Joseph -- Justine to Ecole Jean Vanier -- Rosanne to Niagara Falls and St. Antoine --- Kevin to Brantford and St. Mary.