Year Two Day Forty Six - Marcello's with all the Family

Dear all, 

One of the highlights of the summer has arrived - It's Darren's big family get together in Toronto!!! 

We all met up at Marcello's Pizzeria just next to the mighty Vaughan Mills Mall north of Toronto http://marcellospizzeria.com It was an easy drive for us down from Collingwood however we had forgotten that it was also a holiday Monday with everyone traveling back to the big smoke to start work again on the Tuesday...... Luckily, Darren knew some cheeky back roads that got us to the restaurant bang on time and ready for the big party!

Deidre and Vince had organized the meal and had been advised that we should arrive early ( 4:30) to avoid the crowds... the restaurant was still close to being at capacity but they managed to squeeze all 15 of us onto a lovely large table next to the front windows. 

We had such a lovely time at dinner. The feasting started almost immediately with various fabulous apps and Bruschetta - it was so lovely to catch up with everyone. Everyone had a little taste of Darren's Calamari which mixed and rather hilarious reviews!! Uncle G and Ryan were still chewing after 5 minutes... They persevered though and both agreed they liked it. 

The calamari and Bresaola ( cured Beef) were fantastic. I decided to go for the Positano pizza ( chicken, sun dried tomatoes and asiago cheese) for main (although Darren wisely managed to interject and added some spicy salami to the dish) while he went for the veal.  

It was all so delicious ( always handy having Vince and Deidre decide on the restaurant - you know it will be fantastic!) and everyone loved it ( including Vince, Pat and their mum, Nonna - The 100% genuine Italian stamp of approval)

We were sitting opposite the gorgeous girls, Jordan and Nicole and next to lovely Joyce. Darren managed to sneak in a Lemon Sorbet by the time the coffees were on order. That was also a major hit and before we had time to finish off ours, Deidre had one being passed around at the other end of the table. 

Bella rather liked the lemon sorbet too... after her initial surprise at the flavor, she devoured one half of the lemon, scraping out every last bit of the fruit and iced treat. 

And of course, there was plenty of photo opportunities!!! Here is Bella with Nonna and Nana! 

And me with Nonna and Joyce! 

The gorgeous girls...

And the whole Family!!!

Take #2 Family Shot ( with no random folks in the background)

Ryan, Darren, Jorden, Jim, Deneen, Uncle Gerald, Kathy, Pat, Deidre, Vince, Bella, Nonna, Me, Joyce and Nicole

So, after extended goodbyes, we took off, in convoy to our hotel, The Best Western Parkway http://www.bestwesternparkway.com/ where we would stay before hitting WONDERLAND in the morning. 

It was a great spot for us all to hang out for the evening, primarily due to the extensive health club and spa which included two pools, NINE squash courts and a gigantic gym. We were all in the pool within about 10 minutes of arriving and it was divine - salt water and balmy warm. Just gorgeous. 

We sat around until night fall and chatted away while Nicole, Bella, Jorden and Ryan ( ooh and Darren and I) jumped around in the pool.

We knew it would be a long day in the morning but after a quick drink in the neighboring Tim Hortons, Vince, Deidre Darren and I managed to sneak in a couple of cold drinks at the handy Sheraton Bar which was next door. All in all, it was a brilliant, brilliant day!