Hello,

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas time. We had a wonderful few days in this family.

My sisters came over a few days ago to do some work on our photo scrapbooks, which we are giving each other for Christmas this year. Carol brought over a belated birthday cake for Heidi. Everyone got sick around Heidi's birthday with that H1N1 so we cancelled Heidi's birthday party. Heidi refused to have any other sort of cake other than one made by her Auntie, who makes amazing cakes! Wouldn't you agree!

Christmas eve we went to the Carol service with Donna, Keith's sister and we had nine kids with us! They all enjoyed the service, then came back to our place for a nice assortment of goodies. With the tree lights on and candles burning, it felt really festive in our home.

Christmas day, started early with Heidi bouncing into our bed announcing that it was time to rise and shine! She may be 19, but shes still a little girl at heart. Besides, she loves Christmas shopping and really enjoys giving us her well thought out gifts! Here I am on the couch, trying to wake up!

She really spoiled everyone! In the afternoon, we had Carol and her family over and also Keith's brother Norm and his kids here for a wonderful ham dinner.

Norm's kids played together with Heidi and Andrew, and had lots of fun trying out Troys new skateboard. Nick got a new bike, but doesn't feel safe yet to ride it as his arm is still in a cast. They got these lovely presents from their Great Aunty Margaret. She also gave Lexie a generous voucher towards a wonderful 3 night stay at the Kelowna Lakeside Grand Hotel with the Jobie's, which she is really looking forward to. We will be wanting to see Aunt Margaret in the new year.

On Boxing day, we went over to Keith Brother, Mike's place for the family get together and a fabulous turkey dinner with all the trimmings. I cant believe I forgot to take my camera! So you will have to take my word for it when I tell you that their home is probably the most gorgeously decorated house in town. Angela sure has the magic touch. It felt so Christmassy. They will be celebrating their 15th anniversary on New Years Eve and Mike has surprised her with tickets for a trip to Hawaii to celebrate.

The weather has been cool and clear, with a heavy overnight fog, which freezes into a very thick frost. So things have been feeling wintry and sparkly through the day. It is supposed to warm us later this week.

My Dad sent us this photo of

my Mum and himself with Cousin Lee, my Aunty Gail and Uncle Larry standing in front of the sign at their city limits. "Oliver wine capital of Canada". They will all be arriving in the new year for my side of the family's Christmas get together. Mum, I love your new coat! Also, our son David and his gal Hillary will be joining us then. They have been with her family in Powell River for the past week. So it ain't over yet.

This afternoon I head back to work for the first of three days. Then off again for four! I took the 26th and 27th as Vacation time. It sure made Christmas so nice to be off work. Keith was off as of Christmas day, but was exhausted as he had worked 10 days straight with some 10 hour shifts in there too. They had booked off a lot of guys with Christmas vacation and he got stuck covering for them. He can take it easier now for a couple of weeks.