Christmas in the Valley
Although I'm usually a "winter hater", this year I've been enjoying the beauty of winter as it showers us with its frozen beauty. And beauty almost seems like an understatement. Think... snow and frost covered trees, sun shining through fog lifting off the kettle river, mountains covered in snow with the deep blue/green from the trees peeking through. And that's just the scenery in which to enjoy fun winter activities!! I've been holding off blogging about my winter so far because it just feels like I'm bursting with joy at all the fun stuff going on... more like a diary entry or something. However, these moments are too precious to keep to myself.
Today is December 24th - Christmas Eve Day! This evening I've been invited to go to Franny's house for dinner with Maureen, Marius and Maureen's parents. Then we're going to the church for 10pm mass and I'll finally get to hear Franny's beautiful voice!! So excited. Getting dolled up for the occasion is a side bonus too!
Yesterday I got to spend some time with my old friend Stephanie LeClair - up at Marshall Lake! So beautiful up there. Apparently Marshall Lake was man made to provide water for the people of Phoenix that many years ago during our "boom". (thanks Mat) Steph's brother and his friend Mat were snow shoeing, while Steph and I were cross country skiing. What a day! We brought Jazzy along for the ride and she did so great!! Just trotted along behind me between the skiis haha. She managed to get out of the way luckily for each one of my 12 bails. hehe good thing it was powdery up there. Boy was my body tired yesterday though. I'll keep skiing around the farm to try and freak the horses out. Muahaha.
Kim Knox and I finally had our hottub date Monday night. I've decided... I only really enjoy hottubbing in the winter... otherwise I get too hot. It was so gorgeous... they live right on the Granby River so we were looking out on this beautiful dark slow moving river while roasting our bodies in the tub. All of a sudden, it hit us that snow angels would be a great way to cool off! Sooo, off we ran, down the embankment towards the river - Kim did her first snow angel face down (haha) and I did mine promptly since I couldn't chicken out if she was already doing hers! We did two snow angels each, took some fun pictures, and had a really great time!! What great people here.
I've done a little bit of riding recently - my Dad's starting to work with the horses more now so sometimes I go out and help. We're hoping for a Christmas ride! Michele is cooking a big dinner for 11 of us tomorrow - can't wait! Agenda for Christmas: wake up (still debating getting up at 5am and waking everyone up hehe), open presents, eat breakfast, go play with horses, then come back in and help with whatever Michele needs help with for the dinner! I am really excited about having Christmas at home again... it was great to have Christmas with my Ontario family the Davis' but it's just not quite the same. Some old friends are coming to town for Christmas - Alex Horkoff and Paul Voykin are here now - fun times! In 3 days I get to see Jessica, Brendan and Kassia for a few days which will be especially precious because it will be the last time I see Jesse before I leave... so bittersweet.
In conclusion, I say CHEERS to one and all this beautiful holiday season! Next year I'll be saying cheers on the beach - perhaps in Bali?!!? I'll probably whip up some kind of e-card to make you all jealous. "When Christmas is in our hearts, Christmas is in the air."
Lots of love and a big thank you to all my Grand Forks people for being so wonderful... I feel honoured and so happy to have you in my life! In no particular order... Dad, Michele, Kim, Steph, Chrissy, Sara, Al, Maureen, Marius, Franny, Pat, Bill, Katrina, Marven, Alex, Olivia. And to my loved ones far away, I love you and miss you too - Ashley, Sara L, Mum, Danielle, Katie K, Katie G, JESSICA, Sammy, Gordon, Rebekah, Ellie, Ben, G&G, M&M.
Today is December 24th - Christmas Eve Day! This evening I've been invited to go to Franny's house for dinner with Maureen, Marius and Maureen's parents. Then we're going to the church for 10pm mass and I'll finally get to hear Franny's beautiful voice!! So excited. Getting dolled up for the occasion is a side bonus too!
Yesterday I got to spend some time with my old friend Stephanie LeClair - up at Marshall Lake! So beautiful up there. Apparently Marshall Lake was man made to provide water for the people of Phoenix that many years ago during our "boom". (thanks Mat) Steph's brother and his friend Mat were snow shoeing, while Steph and I were cross country skiing. What a day! We brought Jazzy along for the ride and she did so great!! Just trotted along behind me between the skiis haha. She managed to get out of the way luckily for each one of my 12 bails. hehe good thing it was powdery up there. Boy was my body tired yesterday though. I'll keep skiing around the farm to try and freak the horses out. Muahaha.
Kim Knox and I finally had our hottub date Monday night. I've decided... I only really enjoy hottubbing in the winter... otherwise I get too hot. It was so gorgeous... they live right on the Granby River so we were looking out on this beautiful dark slow moving river while roasting our bodies in the tub. All of a sudden, it hit us that snow angels would be a great way to cool off! Sooo, off we ran, down the embankment towards the river - Kim did her first snow angel face down (haha) and I did mine promptly since I couldn't chicken out if she was already doing hers! We did two snow angels each, took some fun pictures, and had a really great time!! What great people here.
I've done a little bit of riding recently - my Dad's starting to work with the horses more now so sometimes I go out and help. We're hoping for a Christmas ride! Michele is cooking a big dinner for 11 of us tomorrow - can't wait! Agenda for Christmas: wake up (still debating getting up at 5am and waking everyone up hehe), open presents, eat breakfast, go play with horses, then come back in and help with whatever Michele needs help with for the dinner! I am really excited about having Christmas at home again... it was great to have Christmas with my Ontario family the Davis' but it's just not quite the same. Some old friends are coming to town for Christmas - Alex Horkoff and Paul Voykin are here now - fun times! In 3 days I get to see Jessica, Brendan and Kassia for a few days which will be especially precious because it will be the last time I see Jesse before I leave... so bittersweet.
In conclusion, I say CHEERS to one and all this beautiful holiday season! Next year I'll be saying cheers on the beach - perhaps in Bali?!!? I'll probably whip up some kind of e-card to make you all jealous. "When Christmas is in our hearts, Christmas is in the air."
Lots of love and a big thank you to all my Grand Forks people for being so wonderful... I feel honoured and so happy to have you in my life! In no particular order... Dad, Michele, Kim, Steph, Chrissy, Sara, Al, Maureen, Marius, Franny, Pat, Bill, Katrina, Marven, Alex, Olivia. And to my loved ones far away, I love you and miss you too - Ashley, Sara L, Mum, Danielle, Katie K, Katie G, JESSICA, Sammy, Gordon, Rebekah, Ellie, Ben, G&G, M&M.
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