Palomar Mountains in the distance

We better get busy. In just a couple of days we’ll be needing to put an extra 2 on our keyboards. Instead of being 2011, suddenly it will be 2012.

I, like everyone else has spent some time looking back at 2011. I even wrote a rather lengthly piece about all the highlights and low lights of 2011.  I covered my cancer operation,  our daughter’s wedding and finally Marilyn’s loss of her mother. I put all the proper links in there so you too could look back and had oodle’s of nice pictures. In my mind at least, it was a true work of art.
I saved it for a bit, but in the interim read a few other people’s Year in Review, and then I went back and trashed it.

That was then, this is now. We all had some sad days in 2011 and we all had some great days. It’s called life and we all get to live it. Any way we want.

So, now that I’ve quit looking back, I can look ahead. I can even start working on my New Years Resolutions.

Let’s see: Lose some weight, get more exercise, become president of the world…….What did I miss? I’ll just take last years list and change the font. Same as I did for 2010.

Thanks for the read. If I don’t see you before, Happy New Year

We home base in southern Ontario Canada. Marilyn’s sister and hubby live on the other side of the continent in West Sacramento, California. We have seen Donna and Dave five times so far in 2011, in fact they have been to our house 5 times this year, but never in the same place twice.

Our first get together was in February in Mazatlan, Mexico. We were there for the winter, they were there on vacation.

Next, we saw them in Toronto in August for our daughter’s wedding. Instead of getting a hotel, we took our coach into the city and they stayed in a hotel nearby. The day after the wedding we had a bit of a get together at 50 Point (our home base) and they joined us there.

In October we were near Edmonton for Marilyn’s mom’s funeral. And another get together.

And now, here we are in West Sac for Thanksgiving, once again having a great time.

So, where to next? Come on Ladies, the year isn’t over yet.

We run into lots of friendly people where ever and when ever we travel but this time of year there is something special about you Americanos. For the last week or so here, everybody we meet, in a park, or a store, even people on the street wish us a “happy holidays”. They say that, because down here Thanksgving is the third Thursday in November and just four weeks later St Nick comes by. They truly do have a “holiday season”

So now I get to return the favor. First of all, a big THANKYOU for reading this drivel day in and day out. I don’t know how you do it. Like really, isn’t it time you did the dishes or changed the oil in your car or something. I’d understand.

Anyway, thanks a bunch.

And Happy Holidays

It’s been almost two weeks since we arrived in Edmonton and it’s been a completely great time! Yes, we had a service for Marilyn’s Mom in there as well, but we’ve had lots of time to connect with old friends and see a little more of the city then we have in the past few years.

We wrapped it up in grand style with our Festivus Western Edition on Saturday night and guess, oh come on, take a wild guess; Guess what Mike and Tracy got me for a gift?
I understand your confusion, I  was completely baffled myself. How could anybody know that I like tasting new and different beers?

Anyway, all confusion aside, we really had a great evening, and even added another panel (chosen by Cam & Abby) to our soon to be famous Festivus table cloth that we now move back and forth between Festivus East and West.

Sunday morning, after a sinfully good breakfast but before we said our goodbyes, we did a walk with them through a local park.

We need to figure out how we can spend a little more time with them all.

Anyway, thanks guys we had a blast!

As you read this, we are probably on our way west on the Yellowhead Highway, looking forward to, before this day is over, being back in the Rocky Mountains, on our way through them to Kamloops.

I gotta say that this is an amazing lifestyle we have chosen for ourselves

Tomorrow is Festivus West with Tracy, Mike and the kids, Cameron and Abby. Sunday it’s goodbye’s all around, Monday morning we head out.

Last week here in Edmonton was all about Marilyn’s Mom’s service.

This week it’s all about connecting with people we haven’t seen for a while. Number one on that list is my daughter Tracy, her husband Mike and our grand kids, Cam & Abby.

Yesterday was us and the grand kids. After lunch at MacDonalds and a 2 or 3 hour visit to the playground with Abby we picked Cam up from school. We started with a stop for ice cream, then we were off to the Telus World of Science (aka Emonton Space Sciences Center).

20 years ago we used to take Jason and Pam there and always had a great time, but this time was different. Probably the biggest change over the last 20 years is that we weren’t there as parents. We are Grandparents now, with a whole new attitude. What ever they want to do, as long as it’s not dangerous, let’s get at it.

Yes, in the pictures above it looks like they are both underwater and yes, those are goldfish to the left of Cam but no, we were not trying to drown them.

We were having way too much fun to do that.

That’s the weather forecast for the big day on Saturday. Sounds like a perfect day for a wedding.

Today we all went to the  chosen wedding location, a place called Fantasy Farms,  in the Don Valley right in the middle of Toronto. We had a quick rehearsal (“start with your left foot so you don’t step on her dress and walk slowly Larry”: I think I can do that), toured the gorgeous facilities and headed off for a quick lunch.

Here’s a good chance for you to meet some of the family: Starting on the left, Jason, Elizabeth with Aiden, you all know Mar, then James’ mom Cindy. that’s our soon to be son in law James, the lucky girl Pam and Sherry.

It’s going to be an exciting week.

This picture is taken on the Salton Sea, in eastern California. It’s December 1985.  We’ve been on the road for about a month, travelling with our two kids. Jason is 4 at this point and will have a birthday party at an RV park south of San Diego. Pam is two. We both work for Otto Mobiles, an RV dealer in Edmonton, and have borrowed a motor home for a couple of month trip south before the kids get into kindergarten the following fall. We are two hook up with friends Rick & Wynn Young for Christmas at Disneyland.

The motorhome is a 1979 26RT Winnebago Brave. See the bikes hanging off the back? One has a kiddie seat; that’s for Pam. Now look at the trike tied to the roof rack on top of the coach. This was a real conversation starter where ever we went.

At the start of this trip Jason’s bike still had training wheels. I think it was about this point in the adventure that they came off, for ever.

Now, 26 years later, the kids have moved on and started lives of their own. But we are still doing our thing.

There is a difference though. Our dogs don’t ride bikes.

By the way; Welcome back. I missed you.

I was talking to our son Jason the other day and he was telling me how much fun they are having with their son Aiden  at the local park. Now that brings back some memories.

Later we had a visit from our daughter Pamela and her fiance James. They are all about the final plans for their wedding now less than 9 weeks away.

A little later still Mar and I take the dogs for a walk around 50 Point and see Mr & Mrs Goose out for a stroll with their family.

So what’s this all mean you ask?

Beats me, maybe let’s just put it down to random thoughts coming together.

If you are out and about in the Niagara region this weekend drop in to the Thorold Arts and Crafts Fair. It runs from 10 to 4 both Saturday and Sunday. You’ll catch it at the Thorold Arena at 70 Front St. North in downtown Thorold.

Marilyn would love to see you.

When we bought this wagon for Aiden’s first birthday we had visions of Aiden and his dog Izzy (or is that  Izzy and his boy Aiden?) enjoying  a leisurely ride  down the sidewalk  in it. In this morning’s email we see a picture of our original goal.

We smile. Exactly what we had in mind.

Now that was quick! Fun for sure, but quick.

Our daughter Pamela arrived here in Mazatlan at about 4 pm last Saturday and this Saturday at about 2 we put her on a flight back to Toronto.

Last Saturday afternoon started with a surprise party for Mar.

Monday was a tour of Old Town Mazatlan including lunch in Plazuela Machado.

Tuesday it was a walk up to the lighthouse, then a scenic trip out to El Quelite. Wednesday Pam and I did a run through the Isla; (Imagine going for a run with your daughter through a dusty Mexican tropical village. I won’t be forgetting that one for a while!) followed by beach, blackjack and Blue Rodeo.

Thursday the ladies were back in Mazatlan, shopping as girls will do, and came home with the “mother of the bride” dress, shoes and accessories for Marilyn.  Now she is really ready for James and Pam’s August 6 wedding in Toronto.

Friday, a run with her mother on the beach followed by a few hours of major tanning on that same  beach.

A great sunset Friday night.

This morning we did a long beach walk with the puppies, followed by the sad but true trip the airport.

It seems to me the whole week lasted about as long as it took you to read this meager post.

Thanks Pam; That was fun.

We love you and we’ll see you in Toronto.