Winter came early again this year, with snow by mid-November and the local ski hill opening on December 5. We've already shovelled many centimetres and will run out of places to pile the stuff even earlier than usual. You might think that an early snow would encourage us to be more organized in advance of the holidays, however we are more inclined to go skiing instead and we've already been out several times. Last year, we had a major thaw in December and almost wound up with a semi-green Christmas despite the early snowfall. I don't think we are in any danger this year!

But down to business. As is our usual custom, we'd like to share our year with you, friends and family, who are important to us. And we hope that we will be hearing from you with news and photos we can enjoy over a hot mulled wine after an afternoon on the trails.

: : 2008 Highlights : :

Meghan turned sixteen in January, and spent much of her time learning Russian in anticipation of her Rotary International Youth Exchange to Eastern Russia for her grade 11 school year. This is essentially a gap year for her, as she doesn't receive any academic credits for her experience. After a few organizational hitches and delays, she finally got away on November 17, travelling fifteen time zones into the future to Khabarovsk where she has been welcomed into a wonderful family in a beautiful city. The rest of us can't go anywhere without being stopped to ask how she is doing. She sent one detailed letter to the masses when she first arrived, and hopefully another will follow before Christmas. Some of you can see her pictures on Facebook. : : Meghan's Letters : :

David is also sixteen, now in grade ten, and finally taller than his mother. He doesn't have any big adventures planned. He had hoped to go on a school trip to France, however it was cancelled due to low numbers, so he has nothing much to do with his Burger King income than spend it on himself. Early in the year, he discovered a new approach to music...playing it...rather than just listening to it at very high volumes. He took up the trumpet for his high school music credit and seems to have a talent for it. We even like listening to him practice. Music aside, having fun with his friends remains his number one priority.

Biniyam has been in Saskatchewan with his Aunt & Uncle for a year, and it continues to work well for him. He is fifteen and in grade nine at Leslie's old high school. You can see from the pictures below that sports remain a very important part of his life. He swam with the Prince Albert Sharks until the end of last season, finishing up at the Manitoba/Saskatchewan Provincial meet with personal best times. There are just so many sports to try, however, so he's left swimming behind for now. He went to football camp in the spring, but opted for baseball instead. In the fall, he played volleyball and his team won the city juniors. Other things keep him busy too, like driver's education, lifeguarding, a new puppy and...oh yeah...there is school.

Lauren, now thirteen and in grade eight, has also lined up a foreign adventure for herself. She liked the idea of an exchange so signed up with the Canadian Education Exchange Foundation (CEEF). Lauren was matched with a partner from France, Cesar Brignon, who stayed with us from mid-August until early November. We were lucky to get an excellent match, a great kid who fit right into our family, and spurred us to do sightseeing and enjoy our region of this beautiful country. Lauren will stay with his family in Perigueux from February 9 - early May. She is a sought-after babysitter and fills most of her free time raking in the cash.

Our big family adventure this year was a much anticipated trip to the Grand Canyon. With the kids nearing launch, we suspect that this was probably the last epic camping trip we will manage with everyone. We spent a month driving down through the states, picking up Andrea & Biniyam in Denver for two weeks in the middle before heading back home again. The Canyon is spectacular, as one would expect, but the scope is really impossible to describe. We also enjoyed rafting on the Arkansas River, visiting New Mexico and camping above 10,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies with frost on our tent in the morning in contrast to the blazing heat at lower altitudes.

: : Grand Canyon Trip Highlights : :

Andrew & Leslie continue much the same as last year. Andrew's job at AECL (Chief Regulatory Officer and General Manager of Programs & Nuclear Oversite...a far-too-long title that Leslie can never remember) continues to offer him interesting challenges and keeps him busy. Leslie spends every spare moment sewing & quilting and in a moment of weakness agreed to be vice-president of the Valley Artisan's Co-op.