Christmas in Chestermere

As just mentioned, this is my first Christmas in Calgary. I should actually call it a Chinook Christmas. On Christmas Day it was like summer +14c! Definitely t-shirt and shorts weather. Not all that hard getting used to it - as my Christmases past consists of plenty of snow and much cooler temps. If I had to compare - this weather was similar to the Christmas in Hawaii in 1992. Gorgeous! Christmas Eve began early with Char and I hitting the store to do some clothes shopping for Andy. It was successful. In the evening, we all gathered along with the community of Chestermere at the rec centre for Christmas Eve service. I was the greeter along with my little helper - Sierra. That is one way to meet your neighbours for sure. Andy did a great job on the service. I had a small contribution to the service too - he had all the Advent readings read as we lit all the candles again. Being Sunday School Super - doing the Advent readings was one of the responsibilities. That was a first - neat too. After helping clean up the rec centre with some church members, I enjoyed a relaxing hot tub. Imagine - 10 at night and here I was enjoying apple cider and egg nog outside in the hot tub and not feeling cold. Welcome to Calgary's Chinook weather!!!! What a way to end an evening.

Christmas Day morning, Char had made the Wife saver breakfast with danishes and grapefruit. Jon and Peter were there too. We went to Christmas service - Andy did another nice service. They had a birthday cake for Jesus too - which the children enjoyed too. After church, I helped Char and Andy pack for their visit with Erika in London and David in Moscow. They are so excited to see everyone - esp their grandchildren - big hugs are coming your way! After a quick Christmas dinner at John and Sara's, I drove them to the airport. Then had some down time before heading back to work today. Thank you to all the James family here making my first Christmas in Calgary special. Looking forward to many more.

Christmas Dinner

We celebrated Christmas dinner with the whole gang earlier - Dec 22. Amanda and her children went on a great skiing trip in Banff, where Amy & Garron spent it with the Rishes in Three Hills - so we had the James' Christmas dinner early. There is something about celebrating Christmas when children are around. Definitely adds excitement to the mix. It was wonderful spending my first Christmas in Calgary with the James family. We were two tables full!! Char made a fab dinner with roast and the fixings. Amy made parafait dessert - she made it without the strawberries for me (as I don't do berries - right Char! HAHA) Just before heading back to my place, we chatted quickly with David in Russia - that was so cool. Sorry that it was too short David! Next year should be fun as I am hosting Christmas dinner at my new place!!! I am calling in my number one recruit for the event too - MOM!

Continuing Christmas Traditions

Tonight, I continued a tradition that my mom has done for years - make her mom's gingersnaps. During Christmas, my mom always made Grandma Ruth's shortbread and fruitcake, along with Grandma Grace (her mom) gingersnaps. Tomorrow is my coding area Christmas potluck and exchange. I had brought the shortbread to the office Christmas luncheon (coders and clerical staff). Happy to report they were a great hit! And the food! There was Turkey AND Ham along with salads, homemade perogies too! It is a neat way to get to know some of the clerical staff I don't normally interact with.

I have been in Calgary now for 9 months now. It is beginning to feel more like home. The gals I work with are great. Though we are going through a bit of a stressful patch at the moment, we work well as a whole team. Something that I missed at my other place. For those who don't know, I am now Sunday School Superentent (sp?) and Nursery coordinator too. Trying to still get my rhythm in that - I'll have it well oiled by at least next fall. Trying to find appropriate curriculum for some of the teachers. Bit nervous for next month I begin my two university courses. Another new adventure. I think this whole year and next (esp with the new house and all), has been one HUGE adventure. Since I enjoy movies - this year I could call it, "Laura Jean's Excellent Adventure" (via Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure film). What do you think?

Talking about movies - saw Narina (yes again!). This time, I went with Char and a few of her Sunday School kids, a parent, Sara and her two kids Ethan (2) and Sierra(4). Sierra cuddled with her grandma in a few scenes (those fight scenes were a bit scary for younger children). Ethan I must say was awesome! He didn't hardly fuss the whole time. Just pointed at the screen and trying to tell me something. Now here is a test for a non-parent person. After the movie, Sierra had to go to the ladies room. So not only did I take Sierra, I had Ethan in my arms too. Hey guess what?? I survived just find with both children!! If I every needed training I know where to go for tips!

Past memories

Woke up earlier this morning, mom was still asleep. I began boxing up some of my things, mainly books in the spare room. Found some books of when I read as a child - The Little Fiddle (from my grandmother); Jacob Two-Two & the Hooded-Fang; I Am David; Danny, the Champion. Plus some young children books with load of pictures for those beginning how to read. Found one of Animal Stories which I am sure Ocean and Sierra will enjoy back in Calgary. Ask my mom, I would spend hours reading books - I am told I seemed to have learned how to read first before speaking legible words. We received more snow here - and for ole time sake - I shovelled the driveway. Should get back into that, now that I will be having a house next winter time. Yesterday, I helped mom with her Christmas letter and envelopes. She was able to get them all done, including wrapping and packing up all the gifts for out of town family. Those were all send this afternoon - Oh by the way Canadians as of Jan 16th, 2006 postal prices are going up again!! Didn't they go up last Jan too? One of mom's co-workers is coming over tomorrow afternoon to help her with her Christmas letter and envelopes too. Isn't it nice to come back for a visit and be so loved like this? Take care.

Narina

I finally won hockey picks!!! An on-going bet with friend Ellen, loser takes the other to dinner and a movie. She treated me to a newer restaurant called Elements - Yummy!! We went to the late showing of Narina - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I remember reading the book series years ago when I was a child, so only remembered the basis of the film. The special effects and costuming were great. That White Witch - she played the role of a mean witch very well. Only recognized two of the voices - Aislan (?) who was Liam Neelson and a fox played by Rupert Everett. Ellen and I jumped admitting a couple of times thanks to those nasty wolves. The kids played well too. Really it is an unknown cast and they did well. A few patrons even clapped at the end of the movie. It is something to see it on the big screen though. The other movie people say I should go see is of course the next installment of the Harry Potter Series. I will put it on my list of things to do this Christmas holiday.

Back in Thunder Bay

Took the red-eye flight from Calgary to Toronto. Not the best sleep in the world - but found a couple of hours disappear, must mean I got some sleep anyway. Arrived into TB around 10am - so a refreshing shower, a cup of tea and one of my mom's gingersnaps was perfect. Went to the hospital for lunch and visited with all the girls. They seem happy that I stopped by. Stopped by the Print Shop and Bruce B confirmed that indeed I won the bet against my friend Ellen for hockey picks so far this season. Our standing bet, when I lived here, was the loser treated the other to "dinner and a movie", so being almost halfway through the season, it is just the movie (dinner would be dutch).Yes ironic isn't it? I don't even WATCH hockey to begin with. The winner gets a movie - planning on seeing Narina tomorrow - of course that all depends on if we can get in as that is the first time it opens here. Able to visit Lorna and her new baby Teena - such a cutie with her red hair and blue eyes. She didn't make strange and while on her mom's lap she would just stare at me, like she was soaking me in. I am having some of the ladies from my home church here over for coffee Saturday and lunch with my former scrapbooking partner too. Have already told my mom that she can take her time after church and enjoy the coffee at fellowship time, as there are people that I would like to get hugs from. The POPS Symphony gang will be coming over to the house after the concert on Saturday. With being in TB for such a short time, these group gatherings are the best way to see as many people as I can. In between my visiting, I will be deciding what I am bring back to Calgary now or when everything is moved probably in June when the house is ready. So many decisions, so little time. I'll keep you post. I'll fading out as the lack of sleep is catching up with me. Ahh, to sleep in my old bed again!!!!

Some things don't change!

For the gals back in Thunder Bay, as you can see some things don't change - still have little cheat notes around my counter to help with my abstracting entry. These desks are nice as they come in two parts - if you can see the further desk is raised higher than the front desk. Great for all different size of people. 

The new office space

Here is my new desk area. Nice and clean - for now anyway!! (LOL) Melissa sits on the right side of this photo. 

The new office

Here is the clean swing office! What a difference! 

My Chair

It is the green one! 

How many chairs can you fit in an office?

Last Thursday at the Foothills, the inpatient coders did a "Clean Sweep" of our area. We were preparing for our new desks that were coming. Just like the tv show - we had a toss, keep and take away (for storage). The one thing we did keep were all our chairs. Here is a photo of all our chairs crammed into our swing office. Can you imagine? We have something like 15 chairs and foot stools in this room. Can you guess where my "super-duper chair" as it is called? 

Santa and the girls

Here is Santa with the girls. They were happy that Amanda was there with them (she's hiding behind Sierra). The girls received Mulan dolls as a gift. The girls couldn't wait to get them out of the box to play with her. Came with a special comb to brush Mulan's hair. As Amanda drove me home, the girls were busy playing with their gift. I had a wonderful time sharing this day with them. A side note - Sierra had kept saying she was going to a birthday party instead of a Christmas party. What Sierra didn't that for me Sunday was a special day in my life, it was Kathryn's birthday. She would have been 33 years old. Thank you Sierra and Ocean and Amanda for making it a special day for me. 

Waiting for Santa

Amanda and I took Sierra and Ocean to one of the hospital's Children's Christmas party. We decorated gingerbread men, made candy cane mice and made shakers. There was a magic guy there to entertain the children. Here, Amanda and girls are waiting in line to visit Santa. Both are a bit nervous, which is okay. 

Ethan and Sierra

Ethan and Sierra are in the new toy that Grandma Char, Auntie Amanda and myself got for Ethan. Somehow the inflatable seat wasn't in the package (back to IKEA we go!) so we put a cushion in it instead. It's like a little coocoon. We know it is strong too - dad sat in it first!!! We also bought him handles to swing downstairs too. We just have to find a good place so a mattress can be put down for safety. Hope you had a great day Ethan. I had so much fun sharing it with you. 

GO HORSEY!!!

Here is Ethan riding his new horse!!! He sure knows how to go back and forth on it already. 

On your marks...Get ready...

 

Journey and her dad

Who say Tonka trucks could only be for boys? Journey is having fun playing with Ethan's new Tonka truck with her dad Garron. 

After....

Looking at Ethan's hand and face, he definitely enjoyed his birthday cake. Grandma Tina is holding up his hand so he doesn't get his clothes all chocolately. 

Before.....

 

Get ready to blow!

Ethan is gearing up to blow out his number 2 candle. He did a great job. The first thing he grabbed was one of the truck wheel cupcakes. The chocolate cake was very yummy too. Great job Sara! 

Journey and Lammie

Looks like Journey is fazing out on us. Must be nearing bedtime. Here she is with her favourite stuff animal Lammie on Ethan's rocking horse. 

It's Horsey Time!

Grandma Tina was helping Amy's daughter Journey onto the back of Ethan so they could ride the horse together. Sierra is there to steady the horse for her grandmother. Hard to believe that Journey will be turning 2 next month too! 

Ethan's new horse!

Ethan has his Superman colour pjs (from Grandma Tina) while riding his new rocking horse. He was having tons of fun. Riding with his legs up in the air or standing up on the bar with no hands on the handles! Poor Amanda, Ethan was giving us some scary moments with his new moves. It didn't seem to matter to him, he was in his glory! 

Ethan and his Tonka

Here is a better view of Ethan's new Tonka Truck. Ethan was in heaven! He was quite funny as in between the cars and trucks, we clothes that Grandma Tina bought him. He flung them from the packages and maybe glancing at them before going to the area of his cars and truck to play. John was very relieved to see how much his is enjoying his toys. He was getting kinda worried as Ethan has been dressing his big sister's dolls at times. No worries now John!! 

Boys and their Tonka Trucks

The photo doesn't capture it, but it was so cute seeing Ethan's reaction when he opened this present - a Tonka truck!! Every boys dream, right? John couldn't get it out quick enough for Ethan's liking. Dancing on his toes in the anticipation of playing with his new toys!! 

Another car

Hit that button to fast last time. Ethan received another car!!! He had sooo much fun playing with them. Notice he still has his bib on! 

It

 

Opening Presents

Ethan was so excited about opening his presents, he still has his bib on! I wonder what it could be? The puzzle his foot is on makes noises when you put the pieces on the board - firetrucks, helicopter, car, plane. 

Waiting for the birthday cake

Here are Amy, little Journey, Grandpa Andy and Grandma Char waiting for Ethan to blow out his birthday cake. 

Journey and her new friend

Here is Journey with her new friend, Moose. She was showing me (and saying the word too) the moose's antlers. I was cuddling her favourite stuff animal, Lammie, while she was playing with her new friend. Amy tells me that she is singing Jesus Loves me and Tinkle, Tinkle. Did hear some singing this morning when I was Amanda's house. 

John P and his mom

Grandma Tina (John's mom) came down from Edmonton to join in the festivities of Ethan's birthday. Good thing she came down on the Thursday instead of the Friday as Hwy 2 on the Deerfoot was terrible roads with some added snow we received. It was great seeing her.