Christmas with Brady Lacroix

In 2016 we got the delightful news that one of our graduates, Brady Lacroix and his partner Tara Stencill had their first son, who they decided to name Ryerson! The family has faced some big challenges over the past few years which have made this year’s celebration all the more poignant.

What does this holiday mean to you?  

As Ryerson’s mother Tara continues to recover from a near fatal car accident in January 2019, that happened over the Christmas holidays, I place a great amount of gratitude toward the fact that we can be together as family. The togetherness and the traditions of Christmas are that much more special because of our recovery journey together as a family. I have put my career on hold to support Tara’s recovery and have been able to be very present as a father to our three children. I’m hoping to return to work in 2021 and am leaning toward a role with the Federal Government in Ottawa. In my last role, I had the opportunity to coordinate nearly 500K in donations for Ottawa’s homeless population.

What is your favourite part of Christmas?

The excitement that comes with Christmas morning and all the toys found under the tree by our young family.

What is Ryerson most excited about this year?

Santa Claus!!!

How do you and your family celebrate Christmas? 

We travel to Algonquin territory, deep in the heart of the Ottawa Valley to be with family. I fell in love with Ryerson’s mother Tara, who was quite literally the girl next door — our parents live on the same street in Laurentian Valley. There is nothing more special than being able to walk back and forth between two loving homes as family over Christmas.

What do you do on Christmas Eve? 

Although this year will be different, in the past we’ve attended mass as a family, then return home to open our Christmas PJs while preparing milk & cookies for Santa.

What would a typical Christmas morning look like?

Sleep comes up short, as Tara and I are very busy elves to three children; Marlee, Ryerson and Everlee. At 6:00 a.m. Ryerson can be heard exclaiming: “He was here, Santa, he was here and brought lots of presents!” From there...it’s mayhem (as Tara and I add a spot of Bailey’s to our coffee!)

Are presents from Santa wrapped or unwrapped in your house? Why? 

We choose not to wrap Santa’s gifts, as we’ve explain to the kids — there is no possible way Santa could wrap the entire world's presents!

What’s your favourite Christmas food? 

The traditional Christmas feast is tremendous, however, Ryerson loves “Grammy‘s red cake” that is otherwise known as New York Cherry Cheesecake!

What’s your favourite Christmas tradition?

It is the equivalent to a “reveillon” feast, the French Canadian tradition from the French word “reveil” which means “to wake up”. Parties start after mass on Christmas Eve or Day and last until dawn. It’s like a big party, lots of booze, celebrating Christmas at midnight, kind of like a New Year’s Eve Party. Ryerson's Grammy will still make a traditional “tourtiere” and his Grampa is a phenomenal guitarist.

What’s your favourite Christmas song?

Our favourite Christmas song was sung by our 11-year old, in 2019, Marlee was selected among her peers in the Ottawa Catholic Children’s Choir to sing “O Holy Night” with The Canadian Tenors at the National Arts Center in Ottawa. 

What’s Ryerson’s favourite holiday show and/or song?

Jimmy Durante’s version of Frosty the Snow Man is Ryerson’s favourite song and book. Singing and narrating in Jimmy's voice is very nostalgic for Dad.

What is Ryerson asking for this year?

Four-year old Ryerson hasn’t completed his letter to Santa yet, but early indications are a talking robot and a tablet. He’s also asked his Elf on the Shelf for a Hot Wheels racetrack.