Hey all! We have been slacking on posting photos of our ventures to Torontoland. This is my ol attempt to compensate you. The attached images depict our first 6 months here in the country and is my attempt to divert my own attention from how completely unbearably cold it is here... I can just hear the native Canucks saying "this aint nothin yet eh". But trust me, it's cold...

(Tommy Thompson Park off Lake Ontario. Brennan has developed elphantarm syndrome!)

I should also preface this with the comment that our move to Canada was strictly business related. Politics played no roll in our escape to the land northward. A large bulk of VFX related work is now headed to Canada do to the various tax incentives provided. You MUST be sponsored as a NAFTA professional for prolonged stays in country our you'll get kicked right out. I experienced this first hand when I flew in to find that my information was mistakenly not submitted on time to customs by my companies hr rep and I was technically in country illegally for a week while trying to sort it all out.

(Brennan with the one ring minus the hairy feet slippers)

I speak for both Ashley and myself in saying that we absolutely don't regret the decision to come here. We've grown so much as individuals and as a family and have come closer together through it. It's been amazing to see all the different cultures that have collected here to chase the almighty toonie. The dream of the 90's is truly alive in Toronto and it's not uncommon to hear pearl jam, nickleback and the like on nearly every radio station here (I do not support or encourage this behavior, just stating the facts)...

(Distillery District. Supposedly the largest stretch of Victorian Industrial architecture still left in tact today. A huge brewery turned tourist attraction)

The experience at work has been great. Working with true professionals on high profile films that are all releasing this coming year and I couldn't have asked for more. Being surrounded with a group of amazing, dedicated artists has motivated me to push beyond my current skills and humbled me to realize that I have much yet to learn.

(This is Daniel. Daniel is my crazy German buddy whose way to smart for his own good)

(when I spotted my first Canadian squirrel I thought it was a hyper agile super cat. Turns out most squirrels are black here. How diverse of you Toronto!)

(Toronto Ontario Science Center)

The hardest part has been the cost of living in this city. Our rent has literally tripled and our square footage has been cut in half. we pay $1900 CAD for a 900 square foot 3 bedroom and that is pretty average. In our situation the utility bills seem to come at random and in amounts of what rent or a mortgage for a small home would be back in Utah. Food is also much more expensive along with gas and pretty much everything else. Luckily both our apartment and my work lie just outside the main city and within 15 minutes of each other so we haven't had to deal with commuting like many of our friends have. Most people use public transit here, and that isn't cheap either. If you're planning on making the trip up for work then keep all this in mind when negotiating rates etc. So far I think Ash and I agree that for a frugal family from Utah, the cost of living here makes it pretty unsustainable unless you're really bringing home the coin (which we aren't... Remember I'm an artist!).

(Canadian side of ol Niagara)

(St. Lawrence Fish Market downtown)

(First time taking the trolly)

(city at night)