Christmas holidays...

December 20, 2004

We've been in Alberta for 10 days now. Damien worked last week (telecommuting) and now has the remaining time off. We've had a fun, activity filled yet relaxing time since we arrived. Firstly, the day after our arrival my mom had a party to celebrate Brienne's and my birthday. It was nice to "party" with the Wetaskiwin family, to hear my grandfathers' ice fishing tales. The next day, Saturday, we visited with Damien's family at his sister's house. It was so great to see everyone, as we haven't seen Tougas family for 18 months. The following day we went to a lovely family church Christmas banquet at my childhood church, where my parent's still attend. With the weekend over, Damien returned to work but the kids and I were on holiday.

Our week highlights included a trip to the Alberta Provincial Museum to see the teddy bear exhibit as well as the other wonderful exhibits, a morning with grandma Forsberg making Lefse, a visit with 2 of my close childhood friends and their new babies, some shopping in the big city of Edmonton (not such a highlight, more appropriately a necessary evil), a lovely lunch at the MacEachern tea house - just mom and me, another supper with Damien's sister Melanie, husband Kelly and Grandma Tougas and an unexpected quick visit with my cousin Laurie on her way to Quesnel, BC. Also rented a couple videos - The Terminal with Tom Hanks and Bourne Supremacy starring Matt Damon. Recommend The Terminal - quirky storyline, humorous & touching at the same time. Bourne Supremacy overdid the car chase scenes and was not as interesting as the first but not a waste of time either.

This weekend we drove to Edmonton both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we went to the Odyssium to see the IMAX presentation of [http://www.coralfilm.com/f_story.html|Coral Reef Adventure]. Great film, definitely recommend it for the beautiful cineamatography and the awareness it creates of the fragility of coral reefs. A trip to [http://www.ee.ualberta.ca/~kees/cclane/|Candy Cane Lane] and a Sushi supper completed the day. Today, Sunday, we drove again to Edmonton to attend church at the church we were members of before moving to New Jersey 4 1/2 years ago. We were pleased to see many familiar faces and some new ones. We had lunch with good friends, catching up on 4 years. Before returning to Wetaskiwin we went to the hospital to visit Dad Tougas. After all this activity a restful evening was in order!

So, that's our trip so far. I've been enjoying myself immensely. I feel rested, except for all the travelling the last couple days. The kids are basking in love, attention, hugs, kisses and presents (and it's not even Christmas yet).

Stay posted for highlights of the remainder of our trip. Have a wonderful Christmas. We will spend Christmas with many of you reading this and for that we are so grateful.