Family

Today, I'll be taking my son, his partner, and children back to Edmonton in order for them to visit some friends before flying back to Montreal. It's been a wonderful holiday!

I miss them already. Both Evie and Noah are such unique individuals as are their parents. We call Evie the little "Who" from Dr. Seus' "Whoville". She is petite, yet strong. She has tiny features and yet a strong personality. She is such a tomboy when it comes to playing, and yet she has latched onto a baby doll that we gave her and carries her around all day. Noah is fascinated by trains; anything he can make into a train, Thomas the train, and cars. He is sensitive and funny like his dad. He is also very clever when it comes to communicating with others. Both of these grandchildren are quite unique as I said, and it's hard to say goodbye. I haven't gotten tired of their company yet.

John did go down to surprise Jordan on his birthday on the 23 down at Wrentham. Jordan is so talkative that he had to tell me on the phone that Grandpa came to visit. And when I asked him how old he was now, he said, "I one". When we tried to tell him that he was two now, he insisted, "I one". Then off he went to play with some toys. He really has a hard time sitting still and he loves playing with anything that moves. He also is fascinated by machines: tractors, trucks, quads, etc. His mother and father are quite proud of him and what he can already do at two.

We are extremely proud of our own children for producing such well-rounded children. Not only do we love all of them, we are in love with them. It's wonderful when they come for a visit and we're always sad when they leave. Before they are out the door, we are planning the next visit, whether it's us going there or them coming here. Not many families can say that! I'm glad we are close.

Christmas Baking

It's been so long since I've spent time baking for Christmas, I've almost forgotten what to make.

Today, I am making air buns, butter tarts and something chocolate for Sophie. That's what I tweeted anyway. The tarts are made and the air buns are rising. I still haven't decided what to make that's chocolate. Perhaps some double chocolate cookies. I remember making some soft drop cookies with cocoa and chocolate chips. I really don't remember where that recipe is, but it's amazing what one can find online now.

Thinking back over the years, I remember making Christmas cake. When I went back to work full time, I cut down on the baking and then we just got used to not having it. Then my dad would bake us all Christmas cake. That was great! I remember getting his big package in the mail with fruit leather, whole nuts we had to crack, and the famous Christmas cake. My friends would enjoy the cake at work as I would always take some along to the Christmas lunch. It's been a while since I've had my dad's Christmas cake or my own for that matter. I miss it.

Other things I used to bake for Christmas: hot cross buns, cinnamon buns, raisin bread, pies and cookies. One year I made jam-jams and sent my dad some. He had to call and ask what the red jam was. Thank goodness it was raspberry. He's allergic to strawberries. I do miss baking for my family. That's one thing we did really well together - bake and eat!

Merry Christmas 2011

       

John is starting to get excited about the cabin at the lake – about time! Of course, he’s been working like a dog out there. Over the summer we had a lot of help from the kids and friends building it. We started on July 8. We also had a framer who organized the beginning of the structure, a carpenter who teaches at NAIT and was home for the summer helped us put up and sheet in the roof. We also hired a couple of young men to help with the gophering and clean up. We hired out the plumbing and the electrical and John was there every step of the way assisting and pushing the hired hands and volunteers.

We now have heat, water, a working toilette, and it’s locked up tight. We are ready for gyproc. It's been quite hectic! We haven’t spent any overnights there yet, but I can see it happening one of these times. I know I sure don’t want to come home on a Sunday evening, knowing I’ll have to go to work the next day. J

Speaking of work, it’s becoming even more hectic. The school I’m principal of is down in enrolment and that means that I am teaching half time as well as being administrator. I am teaching Grade 1, 2, and 3 multi-grade classroom half time. It’s very demanding, but also satisfying at the same time. This week, I’ve been giving out lots of hugs and smiles. We combined our traditional Christmas dinner with the program or concert and had it in the evening. About 140 people from the community, parents and grandparents and students came for the evening. My class sang Christmas carols accompanied by me on the keyboard. The students were wonderful! Christmas time is quite an emotional time for the students as well as the staff. Even I am more fragile at times like this, missing family and making preparations for the holidays. Thank goodness there is only one more day before the break. This year, my holidays will run from December 17 to January 2.

John’s Dad has been diagnosed with cancer. This last summer, he had an operation on his colon and the doctors found out that he was in Stage 3, which means the tumour they took out was large enough to cause worry that it would spread. He has since been told that the cancer is spreading to his lymph nodes and other organs. He says he feels fine and that the doctors really don’t know what they are talking about. So, we tell him, carry on. J He still works in the woodworking shop during the day and goes about his usual business of floor curling, bowling, playing cards and visiting. As long as he feels good he is going to get on with it. The doctor told him that chemo would not help, but just make his sick, so he’s resigned himself to living as long and as good as he can. He has a great attitude! 

We decided to have Christmas at our house this year so that they can be there and not have to worry about the cooking and cleaning, etc. John’s brothers and sisters and James, Sophie and the kids will be coming for Christmas also. I am looking forward to having the house full! Noah loves his Thomas the Train and Evie loves to bug her brother. They are quite entertaining! Noah is 4 and a half and Evie will be 2 years old at the end of January. We were happy to visit them in Montreal at Thanksgiving and be witness to Evie’s baptism. It was lovely and in French. After the baptism, James and Sophie had a barbecue to celebrate at their house and Sophie’s family and friends were present. It was lots of fun! On the way home, John told me that he thinks he’s going to have to learn French. Can you imagine that? Maybe his neck is not so red anymore. That’s what grandkids will do for you! J

Penny, Jamie and Jordan were just here in November during hunting season and are planning to spend Christmas with the Dagnones this year. We will miss them, but I’m sure we’ll get together for the next long weekend after January or for Spring Break. Jordan is no longer a baby, but a little boy. He will be 2 years old here on December 23. Wow! How time flies! He is very interested in baking and big boy toys like quads, snowmobiles, and trucks.

My dad has moved back to Creston and as far as I know is doing well, in a little place close to church and downtown. He really was getting tired of the Alberta winters. This will give us added incentive to visit Creston again as we haven’t been down there in quite a while.

We do miss the grandkids and are talking more and more of retirement or at least changing jobs so that we can spend more time with them and the rest of the family. I have at least 4 and a half more years to go, and am so busy, I only stop to think about this when I’m on a break.

If you want to keep up my news you can catch me on my blog http://grandmavonline.blogspot.com/ or you can find me on twitter. I still am not on facebook, but plan to set up a professional facebook page at some point.

Anyway, have a wonderful Christmas: safe, healthy, and happy! Maybe, we’ll catch up to you in the New Year!

God’s blessings always!

John and Linda