Is it Christmas Eve Already??

Merry Christmas Family and Friends!!



I can't believe it's already Christmas Eve. Where has this week, or rather, this year gone? As I write to you this morning, the snow is falling! Looks like Santa is going to grant my wish for a White Christmas after all. The forecast had changed and was predicting as much drizzle rain as it was the pretty white stuff, but I'm happy to report that it looks just like this snow globe outside and I couldn't be more excited.

Yesterday, we enjoyed a slower pace, having the opportunity to go and meet Ken's cousin Steven and his wife Danielle, along with his two lovely daughters Cassidy and Emily. Cassidy is 8 and she and the twins immediately hit it off and enjoyed watching Bolt in the family's theater room complete with a mounted projector and cinema screen. Gabriel was enthralled with the new family puppy - a 12 week old Shitzu named Dude. Gabriel kept saying "You sweet Doo-Doo you". We couldn't help but laugh.

Michael (21), the oldest child, arrived home today after being away a semester in Victoria (Vancouver area) studying to be a paramedic. We met and welcomed him home at the airport. It's neat to still be able to watch the plane land and look out the window to watch the passengers disembark only to meet them as soon as they walk through the doors. What an incredible young man he has become. I can't wait to see what God has in store for him. His kind spirit radiates the room and you can tell that he is so happy to be back home with his family for a couple of weeks.

The rest of the day was spent taking care of a little last minute Christmas shopping. It warms my heart to see people everywhere we go that recognize "Kenny" and are immediately showering him with hugs and smiles. He was well loved in this town and it is obvious his absence has been felt by many more than just his family. I think this visit for him has been eye opening to see the impact he had on so many people, and that his time here was significant in the friendships he built and the mark he made. I am thankful we are able to share this memory with him.

The evening was once again enjoyed at the Williams' home. We decorated the Christmas tree we had chosen the day before. Gabriel's new daily highlight consists of heading to the barn every night with Aunt Kathy to gather the chicken eggs. He was excited to announce "Three eggs tonight Mommy!" as he bounded through the front door with a small basket in hand. This was surely impressive over the single egg recovered just the night before.
I am so enjoying the conversations with all the children. Amanda and Justin are young adults (16 and 15) and they hold so much promise for a successful future no matter what they decide to pursue. Steven (10) is so full of life and his impromptu hugs more than warm my heart. I have to admit, it is so much fun to be called "Auntie Tiffaney". I've wanted to be an aunt for such a long time, and it is definitely a pleasure to a part of such wonderful children's lives. John (7) will just melt you with his big eyes, and Katie (3) with her pigtails and dresses is more than impressive as she holds her own in a house dominated with energetic boys.

Our Christmas Eve will be filled with more time in the midst of family and friends. Stay tuned as our Canadian Christmas continues to unfold. For our family back home, I am missing you so much. It seems so weird to be typing a blog in Canada at a time when I would be preparing to travel to Aunt Jayne and Uncle Teddy's house for an evening of incredible food and company. I hope that you guys have a wonderful time tonight and know that we are thinking of you and are certainly there in spirit!

With Love,
Tiffaney and family