Oxford

We enjoyed a few short days in Oxford after visiting Jordan and Syria A highlight was riding on Thomas the Train with Bryn and Ellis to see Father Christmas.

Middle East

What a wonderful array of sights we found in the Middle East: the rose red rock dwellings and tombs of Petra, Crusader and defending Islamic castles and fortresses, the Euphrates river and the Cradle of Civilization, Greek and Roman engineering masterpieces. We were able to share all of these and more with a wonderful group of travelling companions.

J&K Wedding

The John and Krystal wedding on the Mayan Riviera was wonderful. The accommodation at the Azul Sensatori resort was incredible, food delicious, activities abundant, varied and lots of fun for all. The bride was beautiful, ceremony touching, dancing wild, and friends and family entertaining. It was special to have four of our little boys (and their parents) together though they really "gobbed " me in a whipped cream fight on the beach!!!

President's Gala

Arlene and Jack and Barb and Garry joined us at a gala event welcoming the incoming president of the Calgary Winter Club. Scrumptious food, great dance music and socializing with the many friends present, made it a most memorable evening.

Mona Lisa Mio

Mio gets cuter every day. Here she displays a "Mona Lisa Smile"

Las Vegas

JR and I recently spent a week in Los Vegas. It was most unusual for us to travel somewhere without a group of friends but we quite enjoyed each others company. We stayed in a lovely spacious condo in the Jockey Club which was nestled in between the Cosmopolitan and the Bellagio hotels, right in the centre of " The Stip". We were able to go to the gym or the pool in the morning, visit one of the many attractions in the afternoon, namely the famous welcome sign,an aquarium,dolphin pool,white tiger park,Titanic exhibit,"Bodies" exhibit, the top of the Eiffel Tower, an erupting volcano, dancing fountains,and dueling pirate boats. Then we enjoyed a delicious dinner in one of the magnificent hotels and attended a show in the evening. We saw The Jersey Boys, Cher, The Beatles, "O" and Mystere, all of which were totally awesome. It is like a Disneyland for adults!

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving at the Lake House with the Taits and Wipflis. The weather was pleasant enough to do this "Hoodoo Wetlands" hike as well as many other outdoor activities. The Urquharts joined us for a traditional dinner and of course we all stuffed ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie. We are thankful that we have such wonderful family and friends and that we are able to share times like this with them.

Showering the Bride

Barbara and Karen hosted a lovely bridal shower for Krystal on a gorgeous sunny Saturday afternoon. They had six stations set up , each featuring delectable delights accompanied by complementary wines. Assistant hostesses described the delicacies to be enjoyed at each station and much interesting conversation accompanied our tributes to the bride.

Born in the USA

James is in school all day now that he is in grade one but Eli attends kindergarten mornings only so I am able to fetch him from school and have him spend Tuesday afternoons with us. Since we have had a bit of sunshine lately bouncing on the trampoline is the activity of choice.

Golfing

JR is making the most of the few sunny days we are now experiencing. He is golfing at his Country Hills Club almost daily, determined to play thirty games there before the snow flies.

Mio's New Hat

Mio has been receiving the cutest outfits from family and friends who are excited about the arrival of a little girl in our family.Her closet is full of darling things, this hat being one of them.

Sunny Day Hike

Lorisa was able to join the CWC hikers on the one sunny day we had in a 3-4 week period for a hike I led in the Sheep River area. We had a great day, culminating with a stop at the Black Diamond bakery for coffee and treats.

My "Close" Friends

The ladies on Edgehill Close meet once a month for lunch and conversation. This is the group attending our most recent luncheon at a local Chinese restaurant.

Anna

Sadly, Anna passed away on September 02 at the age of 93.We will miss our ambitious, energetic, organized matriarch who dedicated her talents to teaching the children in her life and kept us all together, enjoying her beloved Emma Lake.

Family

We were very privileged to have the entire McDonald family and most of the Hakl family together at the Lakehouse for a few very special days at the end of August.We were delighted to become acquainted with Ellis and Mio who have arrived since the last time we were together and to share time with all the others.