Christmas Visitors

Christmas morning we opened our gifts.  We haven't spent Christmas with Ian and Amy for a very long time.  It was great to be together although we miss the rest of our family and friends.

Socks - over the shoulder

Hot Wheels for Ian

Everybody needs a toy at Christmas

Tools for our firepit

Wayne gave me a new camera for Christmas.  After charging the batteries, Ian took this fish eye special effects picture.  I love my camera.  It is much smaller and has a better zoom feature.  Wayne did lots of research and was a very smart shopper.
After opening our presents, we enjoyed a delicous brunch. For entertainment we went to Ian and Amy's hotel for a swim and hot tub. Great way to spend the day. Instead of cooking a whole turkey, I went with a bone in Butterball turkey breast. It was very tasty and juicy. However they take a just as long to cook as a regular turkey. While waiting for supper we watched the movie "RV" with Robin Williams. A present from Santa. All in all a great Christmas Day.

Ian - A self portrait

Someone getting ready to kayak on Boxing Day

View from our picture window - ocean, mountains and boats.  Does it get any better?

Last week, I mentioned that we had some really good news. Amy and Ian got engaged. It all happened on Ian's birthday. We are so excited and can't wait for them to visit at Christmas.

Excluding the engagement, the big event this past week was our his and hers pedicures. The best pedicure I have ever received because of the chair massage as the ladies work on your feet.  Pure bliss!

These are my feet. For some reason Wayne didn't want any colour.

Wayne snapped this eagle when we were out on a walk. It's so hard to get a closeup. They seem to avoid cameras. We see lots of eagles but get few good shots.

Shot of the rain forest in the campground.

Last Tuesday was the Living Forest Campground Annual Christmas Potluck. The campground provided the turkey, ham and potatoes. The campers made side dishes and desserts. It was a great meal with between 60 to 80 guests. Lots of fun.

Our Table

Here on the island, Santa doesn't have reindeers to pull his sleigh. He uses Orcas.

Visiting Santa at the mall

So this has been a fabulous week. Lots of family excitement and social activities. We are looking forward to a great Christmas with Ian and Amy. Wish the whole family was together, but not this year.

Merry Christmas to All!!

Field Trip to Courtenay

Last weekend we travelled up island to visit our friend and old North Bay neighbour - Jackie.  It was a beautiful sunny day with guess what - mountains.  On the way to Courtenay we travelled via highway 19.  It's a little way from the coast at slightly higher elevations.  On the way home we travelled via the coastal road along the ocean.

Fishing boat

More boats

Dusk

Reunited

Laundry day at Chez Hollingshead

Barbecuing Dec 8 2010

We received some exciting news today.  Details to follow next week.  Hooray!!

Well, the snow has all melted.  We were back to just wearing sweaters out and about.  This will be shortlived as the sun is coming out  for the next few days.  With the sun comes cold weather.  Our temps will drop to about -3 or -4 at night and low positives in the daytime.  No problem.

Last night we went out for dinner with our friends Bob and Carol.  The restaurant was called Diners Rendezvous.  An excellent supper was had by all.  I would recommend this restaurant highly.  Note no pictures.  I still have trouble remembering to use the camera.

I put up Christmas decorations recently.  I have lots of snowflakes hanging from my valances.  These are the only snowflakes that I want.  We are having a wreath instead of a tree this year.  Much more streamlined.  I love my pointsetta.  Costco had a huge selection last week.  Monday we are going to go Christmas shopping.

Lights Off

Lights On

We returned to our acquacize classes this week.  Great workout.  We missed a couple of weeks due to various personal, weather and health issues

We can receive mail at this campground.    We will be at this address until the first of April.  Our address is as follows:

Kim and Wayne Hollingshead
c/o Living Forest Campground
6 Maki Road
Nanaimo, BC V9R 6N7

Have a great week.