Let The Festivities Begin

          We made it! Over the mountains and through the hills and down into the valley we travelled- now let the festivities begin! Ok well the festivities are well underway at this point- we started out with a surprise visit with my Sister In Law and Brother In Law- we thought we would miss them as they pull up stakes and head to their new home in the North- but they were waiting for us! So happy to have spent time visiting with them- wish we had taken more pictures- but we were so busy chatting  no one even thought of it. Safe travels to them as they continue on in their journey today- home to their grand babies!

             Yesterday we headed into town to skate with cousins and the city skating rink downtown Kelowna- situated on the edge of the lake you really couldn't ask for a prettier spot. Of course all the cousins were over the moon to be reunited- it's been months since they last saw each other! I love the relationships they are developing with each other- naturally blending together like quick sand- it's tough to tell where one starts and the other leaves off. We had an extended cousin join us as well and Jacob was super excited to have another bigger boy to skate with. This is what we so miss living so far away from our family- this easy friendship that naturally happens between cousins- the waves of laughter that emit from a bench full of family- I hope they are always like this.

            I could have stayed and skated all day- flashes of my own childhood on the outdoor rink at the Peachland Riding Club blurring with the present- the cold air on my face- the bumpy ice beneath my blades- freedom. It's a weirdly little known fact that I am in fact a pretty good ice skater- I love it. Every day after school we would rush home from the bus stop and grab our skates- hike up to the neighbourhood rink and skate until dinner- sometimes even past the dinner call. All kids of Pine Ridge road know what I'm talking about- the best and most free time of our lives!

          We have more fun family times planned for today- a nice easy little hike if the weather holds- snuggling up and eating treats if it doesn't hold- hot chocolate all around regardless of what the weather does! Tonight we celebrate Christmas in a German manner at my In Laws- Saint Nicolas is on his way- the Littles are already bouncing off the wall in excitement! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas- may your hearts fill with joy and your lives overflow in abundance- the real kind not the store-bought kind!