Action Packed Plett Life

Hey everyone! I am here in lovely Maui, and we are having a fabulous time. The last three days have been gorgeous, with highs in the +30's. Today it's a little cloudy, but perfect for Ryan as he is out golfing. I'll probably hit the shopping centre shortly, but had to come online this morning to find out what I could about Trevor and Candace - we've been watching all the CNN coverage of the tsunami. Unbelievable. I am very thankful that they are safe, and now I can let everyone else here know that as well. Thank God for internet!!! We are in a place that could just as easily be wiped out by such a disaster, and in all honesty I have been a little nervous now. I think I'll just stop watching the news.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas! We miss you, and we hope you have a great New Year too!

Well, this is it everyone! We leave for Hawaii bright and early tomorrow morning. I may get on the 'net when we're there, but it's pretty expensive - so we'll see you again in 2005! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year! We dearly love you all, and think of you often.

Steve, Ang & Emily: I hope everything goes well with the new baby. Call me when it gets here! I love you guys!

Ryan and I had a really busy weekend packed with gatherings, kids, presents and good food.

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early to go to the Smith/Erhardt gathering in the city. We had a delicious buffet brunch, the kids opened gifts, and the rest of the afternoon was taken up with visiting and a game of Risk. Then in the evening we went to my parent's place to have an early Christmas with them. We had a good time, and I got a TRIPOD so I experimented with it a little.

On Sunday morning we ventured out into a blizzard to go to church with Frank and Jeanne at Springs. It was a good service, and the kids did a blacklight puppet presentation to dance music that was pretty cool. We had lunch at Perkins, and then headed home to open gifts. For supper we went over to Ollie and Jenni Plett's for the Plett gathering. I had a great time with the kids - just one "second cousin" was missing - Emily! So far, Elijah is the only boy! I also got to spend more time with Gina, and she was super cute all evening. We watched fish together, and she spent a good portion of the evening dancing to a silly reindeer that played music - but she doesn't like to be caught dancing on camera (movie).

Wow, what a weekend! On Friday, Ryan and I enjoyed a lovely banquet at the Café on Roselane. It was a banquet for the Rosenort Heritage House Corporation, of which I am a member, put on by the managers of the Café in thanks for our help in the renovations of the building this summer. Afterwards, we headed next door to the Heritage Centre to catch the end of a baby shower for my cousin's little guy, Simon.

On Saturday Ryan's boys played a hockey game in Gretna. It was "the best game of the season" according to the coach. It was a good game - we were proud of them. After the game, we headed to Emerson for a family gathering. It was a good time, and it was nice to see all the little folk again. Despite freezing rain, and weather warnings, Ryan and I were the only family members that made it home after the gathering - everyone else avoided the highways, and shacked up in Emerson for the night.

Sunday morning we ventured into the blizzard to get to church. It was an incredibly blustery day, and the roads were awful. We had intended to have supper at C.K. Café with our friends, but the owners did not drive out in the weather. We ended up ordering from good old Kam Loon's in Morris, and Ryan braved the roads to make the pick-up. We had a great time with our friends, and especially enjoyed a short game of Trivial Pursuit: The 90's. Emery was also a new addition to our Christmas festivities, and after giving him a migrain from the flashing camera, we finally got a good shot.

I also snapped this neat pic from the front window.

As I had previously posted, our friends Jeff & Lorna just added a new member to their family - a little sister named Abigail for Ethan. Here's a cute one of Ryan and Abby.

I also posted earlier about a baking class that Bonnie and I went to last weekend. It was an interesting group of women, but we had a great time baking together. After the class was over, we split up all the cookies between the five of us - and took a good load home for the holidays!

Truly a miracle... incredible. Can you see it?

Well, I think El Niño has said "Adios", and winter has officially settled in. It was a chilly -21° this morning when I walked to work. However, the sound of the very crunchy snow under my feet was welcome.

December marks a month filled with activity for us. From now until we leave on holidays (Dec. 22) every weekend is booked, as well as various days throughout the week. Tomorrow we go to our first Christmas party at friends Rick & Lori's place, and on Saturday I am going with Bonnie to do an afternoon cooking class in the city. Theme: Christmas Bakedown! It's going to be so much fun!