Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our friends and family. This being Canyon’s first Christmas, we had a very busy season. We did the traditional photo with Santa Clause, which of course had to be done. The Chinook Center Santa is so authentic looking. Too bad that half an hour before his picture Canyon tipped over and got a bruise on his forehead. Luckily, you can hardly notice it.

Canyon was spoiled rotten this Christmas. He received lots of toys – thankfully, only one of which was noisy. He also received lots of clothes. He has been growing like crazy and is now wearing 12-month outfits. Colette has been so generous in giving us Aiden’s clothing as he grows out of it. We also received a booster chair from Gerald’s sisters, which came in very handy over the Christmas break.

We did lots of Christmas stuff with the family. We spent time in Claresholm and High River. We were planning on heading to Banff on Christmas Eve to join Gerald’s family but unfortunately, I had a nasty cough that seemed to be aggravated every time we were in my car. Instead we went to the Christmas Eve church service and sang lots of Carols. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to sing :(

We also babysat Aiden during the Christmas break so that Colette and Scott could visit with her brother Troy and his wife Claudia who were visiting from Switzerland. Aiden really loves our dogs. He even took a liking to Jake’s basket and made it into his bed. (Don’t worry – he had clean blankets).

Jasper too has seemed to find a new place to hang out. Lately he sits in Canyon’s high chair after he eats so he can eat all the left-overs.

On New Years day my friend Sandy whom I have not seen in 10 years came to Calgary for a visit. She and I met while touring Europe in 1996 and were roommates for the entire tour. This was her first trip to Canada so I drove her around to show her some sites. We headed to Elbow falls and Bragg Creek for one afternoon where we tried in vain to find Brad Pitt’s home. The next day we dropped Canyon off at Gerald’s parents while we took a drive to Banff. We did the typical tourist tour of the town including the Banff Springs Hotel and then headed for some lunch and some shopping. It was a perfect day for it.

Sandy left on the Saturday for Vancouver but not before accidentally locking Canyon in the car at the airport. She stood with her hands over her mouth when I said very calmly “you just locked my baby in the car” and I started to laugh. What can you do? My keys were inside (my spare in the purse sitting on the seat). Gerald had lost his keys the day before so we were left with trying to climb in through the trunk. Must have been quite the spectacle watching us take turns trying to reach the lock with our legs hanging out the trunk. Finally, Sandy managed to hit the button and open the door. Canyon all the while was watching with interest as hands kept reaching from out of the back seat. They have really taken a liking to each other. When she said goodbye, he even waved at her.

Gerald and I are back to our regular routine. Gerald actually worked pretty much the whole week between Christmas and New Years trying to get work done on his 2 jobs. He has been crazy busy.

As for New Years resolutions, Gerald and I don’t usually make any. I have decided to try and become more active with Canyon this year. We are still attending our bible study group on Tuesdays and I have signed up for a Mom and Tots class on Friday’s.

Yesterday we met up with Kristine and Micah at her home. The boys just loved to play together. Canyon was so tired from all the fun that he slept for 3 ½ hours once we got home.

We are looking forward to a busy year both at home with Canyon and in Gerald’s business. We wish you all a very wonderful New Year filled with wonderful blessings and great surprises.

Love from,
Gerald, Michelle and Canyon