Christmas 2011 and Happy New Year 2012

            It's time again for that painfully long Christmas letter where we regale you with the brilliance of our children, and endlessly recount last years adventures with hilarity, sprinkled with wit, puppy dogs and rainbows.

            We travelled to a number of places this year. You can link to pictures and read more about the trips on the attached links.

• Family March Ski Trip – Sun Peaks and Revelstoke - MarchSkiTrip2011
• Sons and Dads’ Hiking Trip May – Lake Placid
• Ladies Adventure Trip May – Portland Oregon
• Guys Canoe Trip June  – Algonquin, Ralph Brice Loop
• Parents 50^th Anniversary Trip July – Mediterranean Cruise – Italy, Greece, Turkey
• Guys Hiking Trip Sept – Manjirón, Spain (North of Madrid) - Spain2011
• Carol and Jaime Visit Carol’s Mother Nov – England2011  

            Of note- was our Mediterranean cruise with my parents for their 50th anniversary. The boat left the port of Rome and headed to Messina, Athens, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Santorini, Mykanos and Naples. We rounded the trip off with a few days in Rome and lots of wine and pasta.
            Our oldest Cameron has finished grade 12 at Royal St. Georges College and decided to take a gap year. He is in Banff  at Yamnuska for 3 months of hiking and climbing.  He will be teaching skiing at Mansfield and plans to be a camp counsellor before he head off to Lakehead or Thompson River Universities for an outdoor business and guiding program.

            Kate is at St. Clements School for grade 10 and doing well. She again spent her summer at Wanakita in Haliburton and continues with her love of musical theatre. She has been a few in shows this year including the Drowsy Chaperone, Grease and A Christmas Carol. She plans to snowboard at Mansfield as the cold weather nears.

            Carol continues with her busy practice and has left the chief job behind. She continues to ski race, bike and had a ladies trip to Portland Oregon. Carol’s mother has moved from South Africa to Cambridge England. We visited her mother and step-father for a week. Carols stepfather was diagnosed with bone cancer which is now in remission. We are also planning to do the Ride to Conquer Cancer in June; 200 km all for a great cause. Thank goodness we all have your emails so we can hound you for contributions.

            I turned the big 50 in November 2012 and am still fending off the grim reaper. I’m taking some university courses, still ski racing and playing something resembling hockey. I’m back on the job hunt and have luckily had the chance to get a regular golf game.
            We look forward to the coming year with a few momentous dates.  Carol turns 50, and it will be our 25th anniversary, 25 years of wedding bliss!

Hope all your families are happy and health. All the Best!

Oh right – Puppy Dogs and rainbows (Joey and Ella)