Christmas From "Up Over"

Merry Christmas to you guys and a blessed 2010. Each of us are going to write and share some thoughts from the break. Here it goes.

Jeff:
Hey Pete and Sarah, hope you two are doing great. Merry christmas to you and a happy new year in 2010! Cheers! Wish you could have been here, christmas felt different without you guys, anyways take care!

Dan:
Hey Pete and Sarah - hope your first Christmas not in Canada went well! It'll also be your first new years spent in a different country too! 2010 looks to be an interesting year indeed!

I'm only home for a short visit because Brian (my roommate) is getting married in Calgary on new years. I hope to have an interview at King's as an admissions counsellor in early January too - so hopefully I get some sort of job. If I don't, I might have to make a few decisions here about my future. I can definitely see myself coming back to BC. I checked out the new bridge and the Olympic village and Vancouver look great too!

Anyways, wish you all the best. We missed you guys out here! Looking forward to seeing more pictures and hearing more stories!

Rachel: Hey Pete and Sarah, hope you guys had a great time spending Christmas in Australia.. that's kinda nice people welcomed you guys into their home and prepared you a meal on Christmas! We definitely missed you guys while we were all gathered around opening presents.. well I did and i'm sure the rest of the family were thinking it too. But we took a picture of the family and then stuck a picture of you guys there too, so you guys were there in spirit:)
Anyways, it's really good to be home and sleep in my bed, sleep in, and eat mom's yummy meals and just be around B.C. people.. not that Ontario people are bad, but just nice to reconnect with family here and also my friends! Hope all is well over there, love you both take care!

Mom: Well, a great Christmas, but missing the two of you. Jeff and I went to get the tree, (across from Groot's place). Pickn's were slim, but Jeff and I found one in about 5 minutes flat, and about 1 minute of daylight left. We tied it to the top of the Sante Fe, and away we went. Papa G and I put it in the stand on Sunday, then I decorated the tree, ALONE. Kind of a sad feeling I had, because all of you kids were every which way but loose., Australia, AB and Ont. it was the weekend of Greg's wedding. So, I didn't put up all of the decorations, actually hung the glass ornaments that have been hanging in the window on the tree. Looked good to me. The time with everyone home is going far too quickly, but time and circumstance march on. The day touring the Olympic Village was great, cold and foggy outside, but dry. We went past the Structure Craft Native Pavillion. They have some panels to put up b/c there is exposed plywood yet. Christmas Eve Brian was here, and again on Christmas day. Sat. we had the Brouwer Christmas and Sun the Bouwman Chr. I am stoked for tomorrow...it will be our 3rd Annual Thrift Store Marathon. A. Ev and gang will be joining us this year...U. Kevin asked if he had to go and I said he wasn't invited. He breathed a sigh of relief. We will miss you on our marathon Sarah, but hope you find some 'Off Shop' finds yourself. Peter and Sarah, we missed you around our gatherings, but hope that the pics and the words will give you a sense of home. Love you both....tons!!!! Recommended reading: Stones into Schools (book after Three Cups of Tea).

Dad:
Rachel came home on Sat the 19th into Abby airport....on the only delayed plane flight that night. Jeff & Dan arrived the following Monday evening in Abby...on the only delayed flight on the board. But, no matter, we didn't wait long and the pickups went smooth. We've had an enjoyable time since, rotating through various get-togethers and eating too much good food.
In keeping with the Copenhagen conference spirit, we had a green Christmas this year. Nary a flake on the ground, though we did have freezing temperatures and heavy frost on the ground. Remember the dump of snow last year? The weather makes for easy driving which I don't mind at all. We've enjoyed watching the movie "Up"...twice. Once on Christmas eve and once with the Bouwmans. It's a touching, funny, animated fantasy based on a travelling theme too. Worthwhile viewing. The Christmas service was full of homecoming visitors which made me think of you two. Hope you had a good Christmas too.



Merry Christmas!


Believe it or not, it was Dad's idea to do the pyramid.
We needed one more for the top so we figured you guys
would work.


Brian joined us for the Christmas Eve festivities


Papa-G

Jeff and his thrift store vest. This year mom got everyone something from a thrift store. Dad is currently finishing his 1000 piece puzzle.

Pointing south to you guys

Family love

Mom and her technicolor "Joseph" apron from Rachel

Brian and Jeff enjoying Gransville Island's Lions Winter Ale

Pake and Beppe came by on Christmas day for soup and goodies.

On Saturday morning (26th) we went downtown to check out the Olympic village. Us down by False Creek/Science World

Old structure and BC place in the background

A maple leaf structure in the athletes village

Jeff showing some Vancouver/Canada pride

Dad and Mom

Stompot

I would like to make a special request.

Mother dearest, can you please make some stompot for dinner when we're all home. Sorry Pete and Sarah.

Thank you,

Your long lost cold and hungry son, Daniel

The other day it reached -46C and -58C with windchill. Edmonton was the coldest city on earth the other day.

Winter Is Here

It's still snowing as I post this. We had a snow storm warning and boy did it come through. We probably have recieved about 15-20cm of snow over the past 12-15hrs.

Pretty ugly roads

The raspberry bushes know its winter time

No-Shave November

BEFORE:

AFTER: "The Winnfield with a racing stripe"

Rock City Revolutionary Revival

November birthday girls.

Jay Thomas Rasmussen's baptism.

Mason and Daniel. Taught mason to say "Canucks Rock." U. Tom got Mason to say "Canucks Suck."

Aunt Sam, Wendy, Gran, celebrating Gran's 80th birthday at church.

The Edmonton team arriving for lunch at Gran's condo.

On a scale from 1-10, RCRR was a 12, escalating to a 15 at certain points in the weekend!!! U. Kevin left Fri. morning, hung out with Heather, then lunched and munched with Heather and Daniel. I arrived late, very late, 1.5 hours late, b/c a plane in Abbotsford was hit by lightning. I slept at Daniel's house that night, he changed the sheets on his bed so I had fresh sheets. Wow, what a great son!!! Had breakfast together, then headed straight for the Jerusalem of Canada.....Rock City. Celebrated my birthday that day, lunched at Gran's, did a little shopping, then had a party at U. Tom's and A. Kathy's. The next day......big events......celebrated Gran's bday at church, witnessed Jay Thomas' baptism and celebrated Auntie Kathy's bday. Pastor Batterink or as Mason calls him "Dr. Batterink" explained the events of the day this way. Here is Seenie, looking back over the events of 80 years. On the opposite end of the spectrum we have Jay, looking ahead in the unknown events. I like what he said. It was great to witness both on the same day. After church we feasted on a meal at Gran's condo....a meal made by Mrs. Cadrain. Gran's sister Fanny a.ka. Aunt Sam and U. Case drove down from Lethbridge to celebrate with Gran. Back to Tom and Kathy's for a fire, family and fun. It was a beautiful Alberta day, sunny, a bit of breeze, just perfect for outside. Before we knew it, we had to head back to the city and the reality of working or looking for work. I was so glad to be able to see Daniel, mom, brothers and sister, neices, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, aunt and uncle, cousin.......I'm going to change the scale of 1-10 and say...FANTABULOUS, off the scale, at the Rock City Revolutionary Revival.

An Update

It's been a week now since we arrive in Anges Water/1770. When we arrived we both got a good vibe that this would be a good place, and it has been a good week. It's like being on an island. We are surrounded by National parks and the ocean. This means that development is at a low. There are not many places to spend your money. Although food, gas, etc does cost a pretty penny. Accomodations are cheap! ($5.50 a night) If you stay a week you get the 7th day for free. That includes bush washrooms (out house of sorts), free BBQ's (electrical type) and an outdoor cold shower. Did I mention the very private beaches? Peter and I feel very comfortable here and have decided to stay for awhile. I've managed to secure a job a local cafe. So far I've been going in for few hours in the morning making a few beverages and always one for myself! Then I head to the library for some free internet. I also managed to get a library card! (Any book suggestions?) Beach and books go together so well! The cafe has said I will get a lot of hours once they get busy. Australians get about 6 weeks of holiday time for Christmas. Lovely. That means we will get a lot of tourists coming in to spend money!Peter has yet to secure a job but everyone that he calls said they have big jobs coming up in a few weeks. It would be great if he were to get a job but I think we can live quite happily off of what I make. During the day he takes long walks on the beach and putters with the van. We found an op shop in town and he's bought a pair of Auzzie work shorts. I will try to get a picture of him in them. (Something like Dad's cut off shorts!)Life here is a lot slower than we are used to. I think it will be an adjustment. Sometimes I am unsure if this is the right thing to do. But it is a 15 minute walk to the cafe from our campsite. The campground is quiet and the beaches are so secluded. We have yet to find a church but hopefully that will come. We have been thinking about Christmas and how we want to celebrate it. We would like to have something for the Advent Season. Perhaps a reading or something. Does anyone have any ideas for this?Last week we went on The Spirit of 1770 Cruise to Lady Musgrave Island. It was a beautiful day for going to the island. This is the most southern point of the Great Barrier Reef. We spent a few hours snorkelling. It never fails to amaze me. We were able to get a free trip by working for the company. Peter was put to work washing a boat and I was in the office putting brochures in envelopes and such. It was a great way to get to the island without dishing out a wack of cash ($160 each.) Since we are off the beaten track we had to get a new phone #, which I will email to you all. In addition the cafe said I could give you their mailing address in case any of you want to send a Christmas card! It's time for me to hit the beach. Sending our love to all!

On Behalf of Peter and Sarah

I'm sure you guys got the email but I thought I'd put up some pictures on behalf of Pete and Sarah. Easier to check them all out at once. Very nice photos guys!


Did you buy a boogie board?

HALLOWE'EN 2009

mom
My goal was to put Jeff's pic first....so I have some learning to do!!!!

Kathleen came by to borrow the $$$$$ bra!!!

Darth Vader a.k.a Benjamin Dieleman
Wendy the Wonderful Witch a.k.a mom
Wee wonderful witch a.k.a Lauren Dieleman

Jeff.....old man Jeff
Dressed up for SD pumpkin carving

very old man Jeff


Twas the night before Halloween and all through the house

Mom Wendy was scurrying, to decorate the house

Papa G was reading his paper, and I in my witch hat

Had everything settled, to welcome the goblins and bats

The candy was counted, the lights were ablaze

In hopes that the neighbour kids would arrive in a daze

Now all of this happened, without a hitch

It was the morning after, that threw us in the ditch

Papa G was in his Sunday clothes, Jeff and I too

When Papa G exclaimed, now what do we do?

When to our amazement, what did we see,

But two of our pumpkins gone, vanished you see

Right off the front step, very late at night

To be squished and squashed, perhaps even pureed.

It was Pete's old sad man pumpkin, and Papa G's ghoul

Never to be seen again, whisked away to Woodland school.

As we drove away slowly, ere out of sight

We all said together, what a great Hallow e'en night!!!

Landscape No More

Today was my last day of landscaping. It was actually anti-climactic. We were told that we had to come in this morning early so we could lay down 35 pallets of sod (each pallet has 70 rolls of sod = 700 sq feet). "Unfortunately" it snowed and rained last night so the ground was too wet. So technically yesterday was our last day of full work.

James and me went to the shop this morning picked up our 2nd last cheque and then went back home and slept. I didn't wake up until 12pm! It felt good.

So now I need to find a new job. It's difficult having no vehicle now, so I'll need to find something close. I'm picked up an application form from Sport Mart, which is just at the Bonnie Doon mall.
I'm not looking for anything serious right now, just something flexible until spring arrives.

Tomorrow is halloween and I'll be dressing up as a moose. I told the parents and Jeff that I had found a stuffed moose at Value Village and tore it apart to make it into my costume. I'll post a picture once I have it all on.

Hope your travels, adventures and daily lives are going well. I am quite jealous of you all: Pete and Sarah - the pictures look beautiful, Rachel in Ontario going to school - enjoy it! It goes by quickly! Jeff at home - sometimes you miss home more than you think, plus you're in beautiful British Columbia.

I hope you're all doing well.

Love Daniel

listening to: U2! Steve just went to their show in Vancouver and apparently they're coming to Edmonton next June (I don't know where I'll be but it'd be awesome to go!).

Australia Bound & Hallowe'en

Well, this is try number 3. I hope I'm successful. The previous blogs already outdate the first part of this blog. Pete and Sarah off to 'down under'. Peter has had it with pics shust prior to going through security. Any bites on finding a good van to drive around in? Dad looked up where you were on the island. I'm thinking that it sounds pretty nice, warm, relaxing.......Hallowe'en is this Sat. It is suppose to rain. But, that usually never stops the trick or treaters. The pumpkins are not rotting, so they will hold out for Sat. Jeff, Dad and i still need to carve the other three pumpkins sitting on the step. my biggest question....do they dress up and trick or treat in Australia? I have my trusty Wendy's Troubleshooting guide right beside me. Thanks Sarah. Love you........how hot is it there right now?

Em and Aaron's wedding plus mom and dads visit

Maj, myself and Garnet. A.k.a mom and dad :) !


- Myself, my RA and a few girls from my dorm







- Heather and I

- Em and Aaron dancing

- Uncle Pete and Em.
Father daughter dance

Here are a few pictures from this past weekend, I think mom and dad have some pictures as well and pictures of little Eli.
The weekend was great, wedding was really nice and was good to see relatives that don't often see, and it was GREAT seeing mom and dad and showing them around my dorm and introducing them to my dormies! They all think you're super awesome parents and I agreed with them. Thanks for coming up it was great seeing you again. And it won't be too long till I will see you guys again. Will be good to see Dan and Jeff as well! Will hope to see you sometime Pete and Sarah, maybe when i'm in Ontario or back at BC! Hope things are going well in Austraila, and in BC and Alberta.. wow we are all over the place. Like mom said she has each kid in a different country or continent haha crazy!
-Rachel-