A very Hardy Christmas

Dog-sitting at Christmas time was definitely a first for us! Here's Jonathan (who joined us for turkey dinner on the 25th) helping Hardy open the stocking that Penny, Ainslie and James left for their spirited (cocker spaniel) pooch (they generously left gifts for all of our family as well!)...Clever Santa found us at our friends' lovely home (designed and built by James, the architect who did our new house plans--note that we've stopped referring to it as a renovation!)... no question about it: our Christmas wish for 2011 is to be back in our own home!

On site

We're standing on the floor of the room that will someday be the "retreat" adjoining the master bedroom here. Steve has been working tirelessly (not true, he says, "I am tired!") and will take a well-deserved mini-break for Christmas. As for me, turning 45 on the 21st, I've never felt better (ha!)...

Miranda's school concert

...She's the one with the blue antlers! (click on photo for a closer view)

It's a wrap!

Aurora and I headed off to the post office to mail our parcels back east--quite a production! Great to have a little "Santa's helper"... Miranda, meanwhile, is headed into her last week of school before Christmas holidays. We're settled at my friend Penny's hilltop eyrie with stunning views of mountains and sea; will be there until the end of the month. Parking is more than a little tricky for a novice driver like me, but good practice I guess. A true sense of hard-won satisfaction each time I negotiate the driveway. Ho ho hoooooo!

Night on the town

Mom's friend John (holding Aurora in this pic) hosted us gals for a wonderful evening in Vancouver, including a craft fair and Christmas carol service at St Andrew's-Wesley Church, a chicken dinner and sleepover at his lovely West End apartment. A great beginning to Advent for us all!