Another Year Gone By

Enjoy more picture here

I know, I know, I haven't posted a thing for nearly two months - forgive me please. It's been a crazy time with a new baby in the house, guests that were wonderful, the holidays approaching, difficulty trying to upload pictures onto the blog and possibly a little writers block.

This is probably my favourite time of year. I sit back and think about the traditions that I had as a child growing up and remember the people most important to me. I think about the beauty of the mountains, the smell of the pine trees, the feel of the crisp air and most importantly the chatter of family.

I see Daddy rubbing his mustache, I hear Uncle Donald talking to someone - possibly himself, I watch as Mummy and Auntie Norma get the house organized and I smile as Auntie Marie plays with the kids - myself, my sisters (Lisa and Tracey) and my cousins (Rachele and Elizabeth). Every year for as long as I could remember our parents would pack us all up rent a house for one week and take us to Greenwich, a part of the Blue Mountain Range. No phone, no TV just honest to goodness time to spend with each other.

We played board games, read books, went on hikes in the mountains, played tennis, made up games that would seem impossible to recreate today, ate some great food and had some of the best talks around a fire place anyone could ask for. The presents were piled high in the living room and Santa always knew where to find us. We always heard our parents say "Wow the end of another year" but what a great time for us to always look forward to.

Although I miss that time in my life and I miss having Christmas in Jamaica it is my turn to say "another year gone by". It is my children that have reminded me that it is now my turn to give them their traditions and their memories.

Liam - What a wonderful addition to our family. At 6 weeks 4 days old he is already over 9lbs and growing like a weed. He's waking up only once in the night, making the sweetest cooing sounds, smiling and just an absolute joy to his big sister.

Malaika - Our little sweetheart is just that, sweet as can be. Our 19 month old gives the best hugs, loves to dance and play the air guitar and is little miss independent. She loves to swim and just graduated into the next level. She enjoys preschool and loves to hang out with her best bud Matty. Talk about a little chatter, she's also singing her favorite songs.

Phillipa - Is getting more and more creative to entertain the kids. She loves being at home but admits that a little "ME" time is wonderful. She hasn't picked up her camera much but promises to do more in 2009.

Tim - Is still working for Baxter Medical. He's had a rough year of sports in the NW as all of the teams have done poorly. He's had to turn to UW women's volleyball and cross country. Tim proudly became an Obama delegate at our first caucus and since then found himself to be a news junkie.

We continue to pray and think about you all and wish that we could be closer to many of you. From our family to yours we would like to wish you all nuff love and blessings - Merry Christmas!