The week before Christmas, all is quiet in the house. RIP Auntie Norma. Dec 18 - 24th

Pretty quiet week. The rain is heavy at times on and off creating snow on the higher hills around us. 

The lake is rising again. Apparently instead of snow we are getting another "bomb cyclone" as the news calls it. Storms all through Christmas week, one after another. Oh well, we're snug in our "Christmas House" lol

Saturday we went into Duncan for some groceries. I'm surprised how easy it is to drive around the last weekend before Christmas. Although there were lots of people running around for their last minute shopping, I managed to hit a lull at the checkouts! After Sushi for lunch we were back home at the lake.

Sunday afternoon, Warren and Deb, from across the lake, came over for a Christmas drink. We asked them to bring their dog Doug. A very nice 7 year old golden retriever. They've never brought Doug to anyone's house in all that time. He's in toy heaven with all of Olaf's toys lol. I think Olaf will be jealous when he smells him. :)

With Doug here, I moved our appetizers to the counter out of his way. Goldies are very food driven as we know from Olaf. :) They also have deadly tails!

Sunday night we went to the Riverside special Chinese Food Buffet. It was terrible! Only good thing, we received a senior's discount. Oh well, we tried to support local.

Monday morning the sun came out, so Ray headed out to make a fire so we could have hotdogs for lunch. Of course by the time we were ready the sun disappeared. We spent a couple hours outside anyways. It's nice to appreciate what we have, health and happiness. Today's also 7 years since my Dad passed away that enabled us to have our house on the lake.

Tuesday, December 24th, we received bad news. My Aunt Norma passed away. She'd been in and out of the hospital since my Uncle passed away last June. This time it's pneumonia on top of her other health issues. Her kids and grandchildren all made it home to BC to see her several days earlier, when she was still coherent, so that was a blessing. A very difficult Christmas for them to be sure, losing both parents in 6 months. She was a wonderful, caring lady and will really be missed.

I was the flower girl at their wedding.

Norma and my Uncle Ken, travelled a lot with my Dad and Mom and then with Dad's partner Betty.

A cruise with my Mom and Dad, Norma, Ken and my Grandparents. 

My mom Stella on the right with Norma. Best Friends.

Everywhere we moved, Norma and Ken would come and visit us. She was always up for an adventure.

Haida Gwaii, (Queen Charlotte Islands). No matter the weather ... they came. :) Our house in Port  Clements.

Camping at Moresby Camp.

Port Alberni 

Norma with her grandson Jackson.

Playing bean bag at our Canada Day Celebrations at Macktush.

They also came to visit us in Lake Cowichan. 

Kristi, Jason, Deb, Norma and Ken

We even got Norma into the lake!

Rest in peace Auntie Norma. We're going to miss your upbeat attitude and your smile.

The beginning of Christmas .... Dec 5 - 15th

The start of a wonderful Christmas season ...

Thursday afternoon we were invited across the lake to Warren and Deb's for a Christmas drink. These are people that our friends from our RV life, Gerry and Fran who we met at Peace Arch RV Park in Surrey 7 years ago. They met Warren and Deb down at Rocky Point in Mexico, south of Arizona and told us to contact them, which we did last summer. Incredibly we look straight across at their house in the new subdivision. 

They have a beautiful house and looks like it was professionally decorated. (All done by Deb) They have a 20' tree in their livingroom. She makes beautiful Christmas Displays, some of them she sells. I bought two of them lol

Warren and Deb ... Cheers!

A great visit. Back home we relaxed for the evening.

Saturday morning, bright and early, we're off to Nanaimo for breakfast at Jason and Kristi's. It is Kristi's birthday later this week, but they will be in Squamish for the weekend so we took her present up to her today. Jason made delicious Eggs Benedict. As usual, Amelia's all over Papa playing her favourite game .... sitting in his chair before he can.

Kristi and Jason had things to do, as Kristi's actually not working for once on the weekend. We were out the door shortly after 11 am. On the way home, we stopped at the Ladysmith Antique store.... Ray managed to get a few more pieces for his village. Once home we needed to rearrange a little bit to fit them in. Best new piece is the windmill that lights up and moves. I think there is no more room!

Saturday night we were treated to some fireworks from the clan next door.

Sunday morning I made scones and invited Pat, Darryl and the their grandson Sevie, over for coffee so Sevie could see Ray's villages. Later that afternoon, Mike and Deb's kids (other neighbours) and partners came over to see the villages, all 11 of them. Mike and Deb are hosting their Christmas early with their 5 kids and partners and a few others .... 14 people for meals for 3 days! Wow. Having them come over for 20 minutes allowed her to get her sides together for their big Christmas dinner.

Ray's really happy to show off all his hard work.

Ray finished off Christmas Puzzle #2

Wednesday, we went to the Chemainus Theatre for dinner and the play "Miss Bennett, Christmas at Pemberly". Darryl and Pat came with us. It's a great play and of course I forgot to take a picture of us for dinner. You are not allowed to take any photos in the theatre. Pat managed to get one of her and Darryl.

Thursday, Ray finally had his villages "readjusted" with moving a set of train tracks and houses. One of the trains derailed behind the village on the buffet and is very difficult to reach. I spent the morning baking for our Appetizer Party Saturday. Pat popped over for a quick cup of coffee to sample my wears lol.

Today is Kristi's actual birthday. Happy Birthday dear daughter! Her happy little family.

Friday and it's miserable outside with another rain/wind storm. Oh well, it's an inside day with cooking and baking, and still getting ready for our Appetizer Party tomorrow. 

Saturday, up and atem early, getting final stuff bought or thought out for the party. We're now having 5 extra people .... Debra from next door's  mom and stepdad are staying there so are also coming. Saturday morning, the kids ferry was cancelled to the mainland for them to visit Garrett in Squamish, so they have decided to come here for the party too. 

The kids arrived about 1:30 so there's time to play and we fed Amelia dinner early.

Wasn't that a Party! Everyone arrived a 6 pm and it went to 9:45. A great time had by all considering all the empties. lol.

Amelia dressed up in her party dress and handed out everyone's Christmas Cards.

Olaf was "jailed" upstairs in the loft, so he could see everyone but couldn't become a "tripping" hazard.

Although the house is packed, everyone found a place to eat and chat. Everyone brought such delicious trays of food. Amelia amused herself rocking in Papa's chair as it was her bed time soon.

Look at that spread! By 9:30 it was mostly eaten.

Sunday, Ray and Amelia made us all French Toast. The kids were all packed up and left at 11 am. Time for us to finish the cleanup and relax for the afternoon. Enough left overs so no dinner cooking for me for 2 nights!

And poof.... the first two weeks of December gone!