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.