First Deer in 5 Years

We were driving along 20 Ave before 176 St., the truck route and guess what? 3 deer crossed the road and walked up into the 1 acre subdivision. We used to see them along 0 Ave all the time but since this area has been subdivided and 100 homes built, never again. This was our treat on New Year's Eve.

Great Christmas

Being home for the first time in 7 years is turning out to be lots of fun. We ferried over to Gibson's Christmas Eve and Adam and Shannon and girls joined us for our traditional German cold cuts with sausages, cheeses, breads etc for dinner.
Next, the family went to the St. Barts' Church service which was really nice.
We started Christmas morning with huge Christmas stockings, then presents for all. It was a delight to see the kids and us too opening gifts and having so much fun.
We had a surprise visit from Lilibeth, a wonderful women sho was their nanny for 3 years.


Christmas dinner was at James's sister with 6 grandparents and the kids downstairs having a wonderful time with their Christmas presents. A wonderful gourmet dinner from Caroline and Chris.
Boxing day was a great Open House Suz and James have every years for everyone. Best visit was with cousin Tobin and Marika from Victoria. We thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas but must admit we are not used to such a high energy level. We had to wait 2 hours for the ferry on the way home which was very quiet and peaceful reading our books.

2 More Sleeps

I am so excited, I'm vibrating. Can't wait to have a family Christmas starting this Saturday. Just checked the ferries to reserve and they're all booked, so we'll head out at 10 a.m. and sit in line, take coffee, buy a paper and be cozy. We went to the US yesterday and got lots of things, enjoyed lunch and had fun.
It is very frosty in the mornings, note the 80 gal propane tank, down to 30 degrees last night (-2 in Can) We park the car facing East so it starts to thaw before we ever need to go out.
Today I started with swimming my lengths in our beautiful swimming pool and then it was shortening Ron's pants. He's shrunk a bit but is wearing them higher now due to losing some weight, so sure enough I got 2 pairs done for him, a quick repair for a neighbour but didn't get to mine. Isn't that always the way?

Bob's 75th

We had a wonderful party to celebrate Bob's birthday. the whole crowd was there and fun was had by all.

Look Who's Here

We walked into the Elks Friday for pool and big surprise, there were Iona and Dave. It's been about a year since I've seen them.

Finished Trey's Quilt

I found the cutest red, white and blue flannel with a ski theme in Palm Springs last winter, so started the 6th and last quilt for the grandchildren. My sewing 'room' is smaller than most people's so when I need to I go up to the clubhouse.

The Best Christmas Pagent Ever

I went to Gibsons to see the play Suzanne and the girls are in for 8 nights. It had 24 kids and was just fantastic. Suzanne had the lead and Hana was the lead for the kids.

Goodbye to James Canning and Laura

We attended a very nice service for Julie's Dad this morning. He was 86 and had been ailing for the past 6 months. This afternoon we said goodbye to our cousin Laura, a woman who was always filled with love and joy. Rosemary made a lap quilt for her when we heard she was ill in October and her family will give it to hospice in her honour.

Nikki and Bill Open House

One great advantage to staying north this winter is all the fun activities we usually miss. We thoroughly enjoyed the Open House at Nikki's and Bill's Sunday. Some of her grad class I knew from hockey and lacrosse days with the kids. I originally met Nikki at the garbage cans in the back lane in New West when the boys were babies and convinced them to move to Crescent Beach in 1963.

Family Dinner

Ron and I went back into Vancouver to Aunt Gwyn's and hosted the Christmas dinner for 32 people (6 were age 18 mons to 10) We had a fabulous time. We are the luckiest people because we all just love our family.