Days 15-23: Catching Up

Oh, we've been busy! But I haven't even taken the camera out of it's bag, to be honest. I may have to add a photo or two to this post later. When I find where I stashed my camera with all the holiday tidying going on around here...

On the 15th, Sarah and I kicked off the holiday season by going to see Christmas On the Air at a tiny local theatre. Then I worked late into the night on stuff for the next day's bake sale.

On the 16th, we had our busiest day of the school year. It is always exhausting, but also rewarding. In the morning, parents and kids packed 125 bags for less fortunate people in the school neighbourhood, filled with practical items and homemade shortbread. The kids make each one a card and we parents love to read what they've written each year as we are getting everything organized. In the afternoon, I helped to organize the Bake Sale set-up, then home for an hour before I was back to help run the Bake Sale. Whew! The school has the annual sale along with it's Christmas Sing-Along. There are many musicians at the school so they make up a makeshift band and play along while the kids and their families belt out holiday tunes. I must admit, I was glad to be in the quiet cafeteria, cleaning up after the Bake Sale! It is so hot in that crowded gym!

On the 17th, we were all extremely glad to say good-bye to school for the holidays. Two weeks of sleeping in and wearing pjs as long as we want! We drove around looking at Christmas lights and walked a few blocks of Trinity Street. We still need to return and do the whole things when we are dressed warmer.

On the 18th, Jay and I went to the annual holiday potluck at David and Susan's, sans children. Lots of yummy food and hilarious conversation, which seemed to hover around the topic of vasectomies an awful lot!

On the 19th, we had an annual gathering of friends at K and A's house, complete with kids. Alot of homemade Irish Cream was consumed, and big excitement was in the air with Chris and Diana so close to their due date with their first babe.

On the 20th, my sister came over with Maya and Brynn and we did something in the kitchen. I don't think I can call it baking. Colleen was making up rap songs about Christmas fudge, which nearly had me peeing my pants. Oh, remember the fudge fiasco of last year? It was repeated. Yes, we managed to completely screw up the fudge again this year. I think I have to wait a while before attempting it again. If at all. But our Grandma is gone, and we feel like it still needs to be made, so tackle it we will! I did have success the second time last year...

On the 21st, we celebrated the Winter Solstice with friends. Sarah and Vicki and their families came over for a lovely, relaxing evening. The food was easy (meat and vegan shepherd's pies, mac and cheese, red lentil soup and a yummy salad) and we had a lot of conversation, despite 9 kids running all around us! I'm thinking potluck casserole-type dishes is the the way to entertain withour stress. Hopefully I will remember this at other times of the year! (and next Christmas...)

On the 22nd, it was PopPop's birthday, so we gathered with friends and family for our annual celebration. Usually we host it here, but this year we went to my in-laws. I must say it was a lot more relaxing for us this way, even though we like to do it! Jay and I came home last night feeling ill, we were sooooo FULL! After the kids went to bed, we slumped onto the couch and couldn't move for the next hour or two. Well, except for my hands, which were working the knitting needles. I only have one gift left, which will easily be finished today. I purposely cut down the amount of knit gifts this year, and then took my time with them. I knew I could have sat for two days earlier in the month and knocked them all off, but then I know I would have found a new list of stuff to knit with the time left, so I spread it out and kept it stress-free. I hope I also remember this next year. See the point of blogging? To remind yourself of what you discovered the year before so you don't repeat mistakes!

Today I plan to hit the Drive with Jay to complete our Christmas shopping and gather the remaining food items needed for the Big Day of eating! I've got local, pastured turkey (20 lbs) and ham (10 lbs) plus an enormous bag of Brussel's sprouts, so I'm good to go! I'd better start making my list!

Party in Parksville

We gathered together here last September for their wedding, and are trying to make it a tradition.
(Next year, when we do it again, they will have a baby of their own to dip little toes in the tide.)

As for the wedding day one year ago, the weather, while not the greatest of forecasts, was lovely.

The kids and Chris discovered a working raft on the shore on the first afternoon, and immediately put it to use.

Isla wasn't so sure about it, but the other two were overjoyed.

The sun came out for real the next day when everyone was there to frolic with us.

When Chris mentioned that pulling the kids out of school to hang out on the beach for a couple of days would result in life education, I think this is what he meant.

Day 9: The Annual Gathering of the Family

Loryl and Barry hosted the annual gathering of the Jarvis clan at their home in Qualicum Beach. This year there were 43 of us. What I love most is that most of us see each other once a year, but as soon as we say "hello", we pick up where we left off. I love this family I married into.

Jason, with Shea and Isla.

Sweet Mira.

The lovely woman on the left is the newest "addition" to the clan. She is expecting twins in November! This will be great-grandchildren numbers 18 and 19 for Jay's grandma.

Al and Jason, admiring the view.

Carl impressed us all with is guitar-playing skills. Al also played a bit, then Marilyn (my mom-in-law) sang later in the evening.

Dan and Johanne. He's like a brother to Jay, and they simply live too far away from us. They are leaving for Australia in January for a year, which means we won't see them next summer. We're trying not to think about that.

Cousins. Dan, Kelly, and Jason. These three always have a great time together.

Faire and her Daddy.

Shea Boy.

Too bad the view was so bad.

haha.

At the end of the night, all the kids got flashlights.

Okanagan Memories: On the Dock

We had a whirlwind weekend in the Okanagan at Sarah and Padra's place. They were kind enough to open their home not only to us, but also to Jay's cousin Dan and his wife and two kids from Edmonton. We holiday together on the Island every summer. This year we met for a weekend in Kelowna before continuing on to Parksville. There were 14 of us in all, so there was much laughter, chaos, and good food (if I do say so myself!). But nothing was broken, and nobody squabbled, and there was luckily a boat big enough for us all!!

Each day found us down on the dock. A double kayak, two longboards, numerous floaties, water fight supplies, and a cooler with cold beer kept us happy and occupied!

A view of the dock from up on the porch

A relaxing float

Jay and Dan out on the longboards.

Maya takes Faire and Kai for a ride.

Johanne finally convinced a pensive Shea to go for a kayak ride. It takes him a while to warm up to trying something new, especially on the water. But he enjoyed it, and was out on the kayak often after this first ride.
Shea and Kai. Ahhh, today, out in a kayak together; before we know it, out in a car (ack!)

Maya

Shade was hard to find at certain times of the day. We made a makeshift cover for Isla (except for these cute little toes that I couldn't resist snapping a photo of!

Okanagan Memories: Out On The Boat

When we weren't on the dock (or eating!), we were out on the boat

Isla and River look out over the water.

Padra and Juma, driving the boat.

Faire and Kai on the tube.

Padra

Dan

Carl up on skis. The beginner ones were so great for the kids.

Check Kai out!

Family

5 of the 8 kids up front (the party section)

Sarah and the star of the weekend, Juma baby. I love this photo!

Me and my girl Sarah, working on our tans. I learned that hanging out over the back edge of the boat is, indeed, a great way to tan your ass and keep cool at the same time. Just so you know ;)

Canada Day Shenanigans

A fabulous Canada Day. We hung out with favourite friends, we all pitched in for a super-yummy BBQ dinner so nobody was overwhelmed, and there was plenty of time for relaxing on the porch (the mamas) or playing in early evening air (the kids and dads)

Bikes and Scooters, and Lightsabers, Oh My!

Who wants to play soccer?

A lightsaber duel between Jedi (Padra) and Sith (Isla)

Relaxing on the porch.


Ummm, I love the word Shenanigan. I also love Hootenany, which I'm sure we'll get to before summer is out.

Juma

We use any excuse to watch this little darling.

Then the four of us proceed to fight over her until her Mama comes to take her home.

Happy Birthday Dear Friend!

This is Sarah and I back in 1997. We lived on Trout Lake then, in a funky little house that is no longer there. We met in college but it was in this house that our friendship and sisterhood truly began. Oh, we had some damn good times in that house! And in the one that followed, but this little spot on the Lake holds a special place in my heart.

We navigated young adulthood together, and although our lifestyles were different, our hearts were the same. When my daughter was just about a year old, we both found ourselves pregnant (together!) and gave birth five days apart to boys. We began navigating motherhood together, and, really, we are still navigating, because Mamahood is never quite a smooth sail. But she is my lighthouse, and I am hers, and often we don't need advice from each other, but simply a confirmation of what our instincts told us anyway. We think a lot alike.

She is now a Mama of three, like I am, and we are thrilled to share girl clothes (finally!) and share chaotic but wonderful afternoons or evenings together with our 6-pack of kids. Sometimes we even get time alone (or nearly alone, but Juma is so easy-going she hardly counts!), like last weekend when we hit a craft fair and then had a leisurely lunch afterwards. Bliss! And even after all those hours together, I still wanted to call her about an hour after I got home to continue talking. Her husband will sometimes say "Didn't you just spend the afternoon together???" because he can't imagine what more we'd need to talk about.

What does my husband say?? "She's pretty much a better husband to you than I am".

You know, he may be right.

Happy Birthday Girl! I love you dearly!