New Years Eve

Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!

Drive home in the snow

Leaving Whistler. It had been snowing all morning.

For much of the 50 km from Whistler to Squamish,
we were behind a snowplow and happy to be there.

Past Squamish the roads were much better and we caught the 5 pm boat from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo arriving home at 8:45 pm.

Sunday in Whistler

We stayed at Paul and Anne's place in Whistler

Whistler had about 20 cm of snow overnight and into the morning

Ski in / ski out on the side of Blackcomb

Blackcomb Creek

Blackcomb Creek (again) Trista took these two photos

The Christmas holidays usually packs out Whistler-Blackcomb and this year is no exception. Up until only recently, the top part of the mountain has not had enough snow cover to open the runs.

Boxing Day at GM Place

Canucks v Oilers at "The Garage"

We were at our company Christmas party in Penthouse A (Box 516)

The Canucks fought hard and it was a very exciting final 10 minutes, but alas Vancouver dropped this one in regulation time 3-2.

We took the 1 pm boat from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen only to drive into a snowstorm on the mainland. The roads were in terrible shape and it made for an interesting drive. We checked into the Holiday Inn Vancouver Airport and although the game started at 7 pm, we headed down early and arrived at 5:30. Wanna know how much it cost to park across from GM Place? $30.00!!

Christmas day walk to the Gorge Waterway

Looking down Maddock Avenue

Most of the side streets are still in this condition

Can you find Debra?

Gorge waterway

Gorge waterway looking at the Tillicum bridge

From Kinsmen Gorge Park

Canoeists ice breaking in Kinsmen Gorge Park

Our place 11 days after the first snowfall

Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you

Thanks Al

Weeweechu

It's a romantic full moon, when Pedro said, "Hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu."

Oh no, not now, let's look at the moon!" said Rosita.

Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Pedro begged.

"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon." replied Rosita.

Please, corazoncito, just once, do Weeweechu with me."

Rosita looked at Pedro and said, "OK, one time, we'll do Weeweechu."

Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....

"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Christmas Eve

We traditionally open stockings on Christmas Eve and presents on Christmas morning

Nice Christmas stockings Clayton

Our Christmas Eve candlelight service was cancelled a day ago because of the threat of 20 more cm of new snow. Only about 4 cm actually fell and this was combined with rain.

Roads and trees around Victoria

Some of the roads have been plowed, but the smaller side streets are still full

Trees around the office

Monday in Victoria

Nice morning sky from the backyard

The side streets in Saanich are not plowed, so we have to just deal with it but the main roads are fine.

It was very peaceful and serene last night with the snow gently falling. Today, it has been above zero and sunny.

Karma is not so sure about all this snow.

More snow overnight and this is wetter snow. It is weighing heavily on our cedar trees and other bushes.

Very cool picture

The boys pointed out the snow on the table this afternoon.

The warm air melted the bottom of the snow from underneath the table and because it is on a slight slope, the whole pile has slowly slid off.

Yet more snow overnight

We woke up to about 8 inches of new snow

Gotta keep those paths clear. Being born in Ontario, after every snowfall I am out shovelling.

This was cleared last night around 7 pm

Hard at work (not really). I enjoy clearing the snow and it gives you a chance to chat with the neighbours.

Our street looking towards Burnside Road

Facing Maddock Avenue

As you can see, the snow is starting to pile up. Today's snow is perfect for snowballs and snow forts and snowmen.
It is fairly mild hovering around the freezing mark and as I am writing this, there is more snow falling. It is not common for Victoria to have snow on the ground for a week straight and the roads being slippery for a good part of it. We have a good chance (almost guaranteed) of a white Christmas with the last time being back in 1998.

It snowed again last night

Enough snow last night to make the roads very slippery and this mornings drive not much fun if you needed to navigate hills in the region.

I am working from home today.

Cold and windy, but you gotta like the sun!

View from my office.

The forecast is to remain cold for the rest of the week. Wednesday we may have a few more flurries. All of western Canada is in a bit of a deep freeze.

My friend Murray in Edmonton (where it is -25 right now) said in an email to me this morning: "It is bloody cold outside - never mind that its a dry cold or the wind chill factor - its cold. It is a rude awakening each morning to go to the car wishing it to start while freezing sitting on a frozen seat, your fingers numb and the ears falling off."

He tells it like it is!

Snowy Sunday - First snowfall of the year!

The bottom two photos are of Burnside Road.
The snow is supposed to stay until mid week.
Needless to say, church was cancelled for the day.

Busy Saturday at Whistler

Early morning full moon over snow covered Malahat (from our house)

We escaped the snow that most of the island received yesterday afternoon/evening.

However, the temperatures are dropping further and they have maintained the wind and snow warning for Greater Victoria.Chinese School House in Chinatown, Victoria BC.

I took this picture Saturday morning when Debra and I were out doing some Christmas shopping.