We Hope Everyone Has a Wonderful Christmas!

Christmas JOY! :)

Welcome Benjamin David Mackie!
The newest addition to the Mackie Family at 6 lbs, born December 22, 2008. Congratulations David, Nancy & Sophia!

More Christmas Fun!

Decorating the Malinowski Family Christmas tree :)

Christmas dinner party at David & Nancy's place

A Winter Wonderland in Vancouver!
**A neat piece of trivia: this will be the first Christmas in many many many years where ALL of Canada will have a white Christmas! :)

Remembering Cindy

I’ve sat here for hours not knowing what to say
Fingers just gracing the keyboard, lost in a way

Lost in a sea of mournful words, I’m quickly losing sight
Sadness, despair, loss and heartache - something doesn’t feel right.

In this dark sea is not where Cindy lies
It’s then I look up and see the bright blue skies

And there she is smiling bright
Her smile, laughter and heart giving me light

Out of the dark sea, up where I belong
With all the good memories leading me along

I see flashes of bright pictures in my mind
Allison and me in frilly dresses, you know the kind

Easter egg hunts and frightful Halloweens
Hot summer days and the smell of sunscreen

Thanksgiving dinners and New Years balloons
Late night barbeques and giant full moons

All these great memories I’ll hold for life
An inspiration, a Mom a forever burning light

Thank you Cindy, for showing me the way
With these bright memories, I’ll know what to say

OTTAWA

Lucas and I just returned from a short 5 day vacation in the nation's capital, Ottawa, and our future home. We arrived in Ottawa and 15 minutes later, looked at each other with the same thought in mind - this is the place for us. There's a government building on every corner and a pub on every other corner. Canada's British heritage shines through here and the European feel is infectious. This was the first time I really felt what in the west seems like an anomaly - Canadian culture. Couples rushed down the streets comfortably switching between French and English; every sign or adverstisement was in both French and English; history was everywhere from the Victorian buildings to the old Irish pubs. We loved Ottawa and will be going back for good in 2009!

Flying over the Rockies

My first glimpse of Parliament did not disappoint

Lucas staring in awe

The base of the Peace Tower

Can't tear my eyes away from the House of Commons :)

Lucas looking stately in the Senate

mmm Guinness...thank goodness for those Irish Pubs!

Curry & Chips! Haddock & Chips?! Are we in Scotland or Ottawa?!

The Supreme Court of Canada

Us in the big seats :)

Steps to the back of Parliament

The Library - probably one of the most amazing rooms I've ever seen in my life

Lucas and me outside Parliament

Me with the Suffrage ladies

Lucas & William Lyon Mackenzie King (former PM)

The Bay!! This one's for you Gran :)

The National Gallery - A M A Z I N G!

Dualling pianos at Fat Tuesdays :)

The Boys

Off to MONTREAL!

Brrrrr....it was cold

Lucas in Montreal

The Notre Dame Basilica

We couldn't resist. And this actually ended up being really awesome. The guide was full of information and we saw more of old Montreal than we would have on foot.

Me and Silver, the horse.

On the streets of Old Montreal

We need to stop complaining of the "cold" in Vancouver and get out on our bikes!

Back to Parliament. The portrait is of Pierre Elliott Trudeau

It may be cold but the skies are bright!

Me & Parliament

Flying Home :(

A BUSY November

From our haunted trolley tour November 1st to the tree trimming of November 30th, this has been one crazy month :)

HAUNTED TROLLEY TOUR

our mouse and Mum's house

MURDER MYSTERY PARTY

MASQUERADE

Tree Trimming :)