Blurrrr-smooshing Dec and Jan together

Blur... Dec and January have come and gone and left me asking "HOW"? How is life so incredibly fast some months and slow in others? I blink and the month is done. Well we have at least been enjoying ourselves. Dec was a whirlwind of Christmas parties and a visit home to Edmonton. Snowfalls and rain. And food. food. and more food.

Our "small" group at Westside can't seem to stay small.. Its currently 23 people small. We can't split either cause there is nobody else to lead so we pack out our living room every week, and it has been a fun time of chillen and chatting. And in this case... eating. We moved out some furniture and ate a Christmas feast in our living room. Tables and desks covered in tablecloths. Did the full deal - 2 turkeys, mashed potatoes, berry crumble. You name it. We ate it.


For my birthday Danny and I got hooked up through my work at the Four Seasons Whistler Resort. It was a glorious time of royal treatment - we were upgraded to some ginormous suite that could sleep a large family. Which was nice...but a bit too much. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but we just aren't the "rich" type. So when we are in a ritzy place with fur coats, a mystery butler who always knew when to turn on our fireplace, and how to fold our clothes, and Louis Vuitton luggage we can't help but think "whats the point of all this?" BUT we enjoyed ourselves with snowboarding and hot tubbing nonetheless.

Going home was INSANE- (as per usual) Christmas Party after party after party, living room dances with the youth, family times (movies, chats, meals), shopping (a little TOO much-our credit cards hurt us), playing survivor - the real version - in -34 degree weather (celsius!), getting sick-perfect time for the flu-NOT, and COFFEE DATES with friends. One of my fave things was a girly brunch I had with my good friends Erin, Jenna, Lisa, Danielle, and Jessica. I've known Lisa since grade 7 and the rest since grade 10 or 11. Good to still be in touch with these lovely ladies and be a part of their lives. It interesting that any friends I am making now are really having to "learn me" and me them. There is something about having history with someone that can bring depth that doesn't just come naturally.


New Years was rad in Seattle. So short, but so fun. We counted down with our good friends from Vancouver Chad and Lynda. We walked and walked and walked everywhere. Fireworks shot out of the Space Needle and it was awesome. People drinking champagne, yelling, and kissing. Good times.


It has been SNOWING a lot here. We are not used to this for Vancouver, as the city doesn't know how to co-exist with snow, so it has been an adventure in winter wonderland lately. Digging the car out, shoveling, wearing a WINTER JACKET, etc. etc. etc.

My BEST Christmas gift was tickets to the Off-Broadway of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Given to me as a surprise from my lovely husband Danny. I was soooooo excited as this was one of my top 5 favorite Disney movies I loved when I was a kid. It was an AMAZING show nearly identical to the movie, just acted by real people. I LOVED listening to the kids in the audience gurgle with laughter when something funny happened. There were tons of little "princesses" all dressed up for the show. Too cute.

Yes, an umbrella to keep us from getting snowed on. Only in Vancouver. ONLY in Vancouver.

Other than that Danny and I have been keeping SO BUSY with work, church, the gym, and spending time with friends. I had a lovely morning the other day starting out with my favorite movie... Breakfast at Tiffany's...


Topped off with my favorite cereal... LUCKY CHARMS.

And some of my most favorite people...Bonnie and Jon! We had a lovely coffee with these 2 parents-to-be in Burnaby. SO EXCITED for them. :)


It is now FEBRUARY. Can you believe it!!!!? FEBRUARY. I really want to live in the moment this year. Not let time take over. Do things I want. Spend my time how I feel I should. January was a good month. Life is good. But I have to force myself to be intentional with how I spend my time. I am trying to read one book a month this year. SO far my goal is a success! I read 'A Weekend in Paris' in January (fiction novel) and now I'm reading 'Paris to the Moon'. Let's just say I am on a bit of a Paris kick, and can't let go. My whole being just wants to be there learning French and walking their beautiful streets. But... living through my books will just have to do for now! Au revoir...