We took a trip through Niagara Falls on the way up through Buffalo, New York.

Since we were passing right by it, and I remember it being gorgeous, we decided to stop.

I have been there before but not in winter, and E.J. was mesmerized.

He wrote about his FIRST VISIT to Niagra in the story Niagara Falls in Winter

We were going up to Toronto and driving right past the falls. On the way he said he wasn't really bothered about stopping but when you saw the look on his face - he was gob-smacked, and very glad he stopped. (I knew he would be!)

SEE IT FOR YOURSELF: Niagara Falls in Winter

We made out way next up to Toronto to see Gerry and to get some work done.

We are launching a new company in Malaysia (map) and have come up here to liaise with our partner, Gerry.

We are staying out with Gerry and Ann in Stouffville with their children Corey, Trevor and Evan.

Toronto is a big city.
It has a lot of character, and has a great mix between the old town and the new city.

We went shopping around the old part of the city and there were loads of great places to eat and shop...thank goodness we don't have a house to fill or I would have bought lots and lots!

They are an amazing family, although I do notice the rise in decibels with 3 boys in the house!! You can see more of this beautiful city here: Toronto in vogue.

E.J., Gerry and the boys went snow tubing.

They got themselves all prepared for the snow and went to the mountains.

They each had a tube to sit in and they joined hands at the top of a huge hill snow run.

(They were pulled up there individually by a pulley system) it is really steep.

Then they go over the edge and fly done on the tubes.

It looked like great fun... I'm such a wimp in the cold!!...so instead, Ann and I went shopping!

After two and a half weeks of intensive work, even managing to complete development on a whole new seminar series, we left Stouffville for Pennsylvania, where E.J.'s parents live.

We came back to Philly and hung out with the family and a few friends.

When we got back to Glenside, Shawn, EJ's sister was home and we spent another night with Dana, Ginger and Beth (from the New Year bash), which was great.

Left to Right:
EJ's Grandmother (Memom), EJ's Father (Ed),
his Great-Grandmother (Nana, middle),
his Mom (Dottie),
Poppy (his Grandfather)
and finally E.J. himself.

~ City Hall, Philadelphia, USA ~

Mom Clark arranged for Memom and Poppy and Nana to come over to the house, instead of us going to see everyone independently, which meant we all got to spend more time together - we had a good meal and as always had plenty to eat.

We also stopped into Philadelphia to get some photos so you can see the city where E.J. grew up (although he is from the suburbs).

You can see it here,
"A Philadelphia Nightscape"

~ Marc, Owen, Jamie (Jaggles) and E.J. ~

We went up to New York City for one night, when E.J. met up with his closest friends from school - Marc O'Donnell, Owen Timoney and Jamie McNutt.

Shawn, (E.J.'s Sister) & Amy were there too!