Happy 2025

How did that happen so fast? Where did I leave you (breathless no doubt...). Right, Holden's birthday.

On to the "holiday season"....

Dinner was at our place this year. We go back and forth with Kathy's family. Super fun that my sister, Julie, came down from the Sunshine Coast (40 minute ferry ride) to pick-up Nadyne in North Vancouver, her son and daughter-in-law in Vancouver and come by for dinner, along with our White Rock crew. It was a fun and busy day.

Holden, Jasper and August

Ready for Santa

A few days later it was our turn to make the trek but up to the Sunshine Coast with Nadyne (we keep her busy for a 91 year old, don't we?) just for the day to enjoy another dinner at Julie's daughter's place. Thanks Stephanie (and Julie) for a great dinner with lots of fun conversations.

Stephanie, Nadyne, Julie & Alannah

New Years Eve was spent here at home, just Doug & I. We aren't much for going out anywhere. We enjoyed a BBQ and roasted veggies and watched a few movies. A bit boring in our old age, aren't we?

You always wear Birkenstocks, a vest and a glass of red wine outside 

in December awaiting the BBQ

Happy 2025 everyone!

Not much else going on these next few days. Getting back into our winter routine. We have a fun adventure lined up for August, Jasper and two of their best friends for this Friday at an educational reptile rescue. A private one hour tour, hands on. Should be fun. I'll report back.

We went out to Crescent Beach today to see if there were any polar bear swims happening. Not much organized but a great walk anyway.

I hope this year is a really great year for everyone. Always the most important thing is wishing you all safety and good health. Let's all try and visit someplace new this year. Then you can all report back.

Peace out friends!

Thought for the Day:  

Nearly Christmas

Hope everyone is well!

Recap as to what we have been doing:

My little sidekick and grocery helper, Holden

Nov 23rd found us celebrating our niece, Alannah & Chad's wedding out in the Fraser Valley. Such a pretty venue At the Fraser River Lodge.

First though, some fun beforehand:

My sister-in-law Carmen and her sidekick-my brother Mark & Nadyne

Cousins, Ariel, Justin, Josh & Kathy

You know these two...

Beautiful Mt Cheam

Was a really fun event and the weather co-operated until after the ceremony. Wishing Alannah and Chad a lifetime of happiness and adventure. 

From there we rolled into December and "Birthday month" in our family. First up is August, turned 12 years old on December 12th, our champagne birthday boy.  
. 

Alcohol free, of course....

We love you August!!

He is growing up to be one of the most kind-hearted humans we know. Always happy to help out, up for an adventure and will still offer you that last bite of his cookie. Dinosaurs are his passion only his knowledge has expanded exponentially over the past few years. He is developing a fondness for auto mechanics (thanks to his Grandpa Rick) and Palentology is still high on his list of occupations. No matter what he chooses, he will succeed.

December 21st - Next birthday up is Holden. How did 3 years old happen SO fast? He is probably one of the most articulate little guys we know. His knowledge of the English language is second to none which means you have to be VERY careful what you say around him. He will remember it, FOREVER. Crazy, happy go-lucky little dude who is so lucky to have two doting, older brothers in August and Jasper.

We love you Holden!!

Three Musketeers

Not much else happening. Teagan and Rudy are doing well in Nelson, snow is falling there and they enjoy that. Being in a small town it is never far to drive to school or work. Lucky them!

Eating some of Grandpa Doug's famous home-made fudge.

I'll leave you all right here and catch up after the holidays. Promise. 

Just 139 more days until our first official camping trip!!

Peace out friends!

Thought for the Day: Not all of us were made to cook. Some of us are only made to have conversations with the person cooking.

Well into Autumn

Boy, it really doesn't take long to get well into autumn, does it? I mean, I'm still mourning the loss of summer. 

Not much going on. It seems like at this time of year we are all waiting for the "holiday" season to start...

This little dude keeps us all on our toes! 

The boys reviewing something important with Grandpa.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Rudy looking cool in his costume.

I believe, a prince, from a kids story.

No, I don't remember which one!

We don't normally get any trick or treaters but

the kids (and parents) all came by for a surprise.

So much fun to see them all!

Teagan and Rudy (with his new haircut)

We are very lucky to live in this beautiful area. Even on the grayest of days you can still find beauty by the sea.

Then it was back home for a BBQ ala Doug.

November 11th. We always attend the Remembrance Day ceremonies here in White Rock. All the big and little kids come as well. I've always been really proud of the fact that we all go, every year. 

Afterwards, we head to our local craft brew house Three Dogs. Kids are welcome there. We enjoy good company and toast to our vets.

This weekend we headed over on the ferry to Nanaimo (on Vancouver Island) to help celebrate my sister's 70th Birthday. Always fun over there. Seems there are lots of "toasts"!

Heading over on the ferry, beautiful weather for November.

Cheers!

Our niece, Lacey, finally got home to help

celebrate her Mom, Susann, with us. 

Grandma Nadyne has a new friend, Zeke.

Trip home wasn't quite as pretty and calm.

Captain asked people to be very careful when walking about.

And that brings us to today, Nov 17th. Headed out for a walk between the rain showers, down to our White Rock promenade

Wow, you are all really up to date now! Not much going on this week but we are heading out of town (2 hrs away on Friday) to our other niece's wedding. That should be fun (yes, maybe a few pictures too). Our family is a bit crrazy so watch out!!

Peace out friends!

Thought for the Day: Perhaps some detours aren't detours at all. Perhaps they are actually the path...Katherine Wolf