Our Travel Blog

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Driving Miss Donna - what does this mean? Whenever I want to go somewhere, if Don is home he will usually drive. He always says he is driving miss Donna! This blog is for our travels, usually with our truck and fifth wheel trailer, but sometimes in our other wheels. When we are not vacationing check in for updates, although less frequent, about our life at home and our wonderful family:)

Thursday, December 26, 2013

A Merry Christmas

I know I just posted, but we had such a great Christmas Day I just wanted to share with you. Lindsay, Jeremy and Connor arrived about 4 pm on Christmas Eve. This year it was the Smith turn to host on actual Christmas Day.  

Lindsay and I got up early with Connor. He heard the reindeer leaving and couldn't sleep any longer!  Around 10:30 am Jeremy and I realized how long the extremely large turkey was going to take to cook and got down to business. Tracy, Cal, Blake, Emerson and Reese arrived  around noon, and it did not take long to start he stockings and presents. Everyone was pleased with their gifts, but for Don and I the best gift was having them all at home and watching everything unfold. We have a small house, and seeing them all gathered was amazing!  I always think back to having family visits at my Baba's house and how 20-30 people would gather and space wasn't a concern, although she lived in a one bedroom house that was almost too small for her. I remember lining up our babies to sleep on her bed. Those times taught me small house regardless, being together makes it okay. 

This was one of those perfect Christmas days. We ate, went to the nearby outdoor rink to skate, and ate an amazing turkey dinner.  Don and I marveled at how our little family has grown, and one more baby will be added soon. Every child has their own amazing personalities, and brings us such pride and love in so many ways. 

We always buy Christmas Jammie's, and this year on a family camping holiday in Jasper, we picked up these moose ones.  Aren't they just so cute, all bathed and ready to call it a day?


So I just wanted to say again what a great day we had and how much we love these kids and their moms and dads. We are truly blessed!

Talk to you next year. 

Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas Greetings!

Wow, where can I start?  Sometimes I look at my calendar as I'm writing this blog just to see what I've been doing, and I get tired! Other times I think boy how did I fill those days? Probably because it's December this past few weeks leave me at tired.  This post is selfishly mostly about me!  Don was working hard and didn't have a moment to Drive Miss Donna:).  Well maybe except to the mall a few times.

I'm not sure if I've told you about my amazing home office?  I just call it my room now. It's filled with so many uses. First it is my office, with an enormous Ikea desk and all the requisite items like a filing cabinet.  We removed the bed and replaced it with a sofa bed, so I have a place to curl up and read, but still a spare room for company. And the best part is there is more than enough room for my yoga.  A unique curio cabinet works as my bookcase, and this cool wicker trunck for all the important manuals and binders I use, such as our Safety Manual. Of course it is a relaxing Benjamin Moore paint color, called Revered Pewter, for any paint lovers out there. Add a new laminate floor, cuddly shag rug, and of course decor, decor, and you have my little get a way. You can check it out if you follow me on Pinterest. I lost the point of this story but it was that December started with the sofa delivery!

Moving on, this was also the month that I decided I needed to switch up my exercise routine a bit. As always yoga is on the agenda, but I tried pilates and didn't seem to enjoy it the way I thought I should. My friend Anne has been singing the praises of her trainer, and I finally decided to try it out. It's most important that anything I pursue can be done in the trailer, as we spend so much time there. Michelle (my trainer) comes to the house one day a week and I guess you could say the program is a strength training one. Between exercise bands and hand weights, things  are going great. I find the yoga is even more necessary as I challenge my weak little body!  Just going from 5 lb to 10 lb weights has been a feat...

I was lucky this month and received two small work contracts to keep my mind going. I absolute love this type of piece work that fits into our lifestyle so well. The days add up and time goes by, which is really the intent if it all.

Maria, Anne and myself spent three days together doing our Christmas baking. As always it was productive and just wonderful to spend the gift of time together.  We also fit in an afternoon of pedicures and a visit, as well as dinner out with our pal Dana.

I hosted a Christmas dinner for the Co-op Board of Directors,and we had such a great time. The Board work has been heavy theses last few months, and it was refreshing to see each other socially and just vist. In addition to that, I also attended my last FCSS meeting, as my term was up and I did not reapply for a position. That meeting was a potluck Christmas dinner as well!

We had a great vist with Lindsay, Jeremy and Connor this month as well. They were down for the weekend and then an extended couple of days for Jeremy's work, so I got lots of Connor time!  Don and I have been trying our best to attend all of Blake's Sunday hockey games. He has a tournament coming up between Christmas and New Years as well. 

On December 15 I went to watch the kids pageant at church. It was fantastic!  Emerson was such a great shepherd, Blake said his line with a clear voice and smile, and although Reese wasn't up to participating, she watched it and enjoyed. I might attend the Christmas Eve service with them as it is at 5 pm. 

I've also had several shopping and coffee dates with Sharon, and fit in a few vists with Erica, including of course a pedicure. LOVE those pedicures, being a Pisces and all. And can't forget our almost weekly dinners with the Scotts. 

That almost brings us up to date. This past Saturday we hosted the annual DWS Aggregates Consulting Inc Christmas Party. My sister asked why we had a party with 2 staff, but we invite all of Don's business associates and our close friends and family, and it is quite a house full. And I must say quite a party. The type people our age can only do on an annual basis!

So today is Christmas Eve Eve, and our home is ready for the big day. I just love having our whole family home for a day, and this year it is actually Christmas Day, which is kind of perfect!  Between the people, the food and I think this year the weather, it should be pretty good. 

Here's hoping that December and Christmas in your homes is as close to your dreams as possible!  From our home to yours a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!  

All the best
Don and Donna