I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. By the sounds of it everyone is getting a white one this year – and then some.
Happy 2009. Everyone stay safe, healthy and happy.
I will be booking the hall for the family reunion early in the new year. So I hope everyone has marked the date on their calendars.

Bernadette. What a quiet day, I bet. Jason didn’t come home but we had Jeff & family, as well as Allan’s Mom on Monday.

They still don’t know what is wrong with Allan. Hearing is okay & no pressure. Nothing showed when they did testing at the vascular clinic so I guess more testing. I guess that is good but he wants to know what is wrong.

Mary Lou

Congratulations Meghan.

I think everyone took off the summer. It wasn’t good around here. Rain! Rain! Rain! Allan is still cutting hay & trying to get it off! Oh well, maybe next year will be better.

Jeff is still as busy as ever & looking for another mechanic. Abbie is in SK 7 Ben wants to go for a ride on the tractors or 4 wheeler with Grandpa! I think Grandpa likes it as much as Ben. Jason’s work picked up again & he’s woring weekenda and holidays as well as regular. At least he managed two weeks this summer. Sure great to see Lora (Grade 1 ) & Jayden (3 this month).

Me! I’m still enjoying retirement!

Had a great time at Maureen & Wayne’s arty for Dave & Keri.

Mary Lou

Hello all I have been trying to find some time to add a post about the Vacation to Florida some of us went on in May. A good time was had by all (weiler’s, Hanselman’s and Van Mierlo’s) We stayed in Daytona for a week and spent most of the time on the beach. I’ve added a couple of pictures for you all to enjoy. And we even got Dad to wear shorts! And found the best ice cream place ever right beside where we were staying and then ate may too much of it. Like all vacations it went by too fast, but soon Cory and I will be headed out east to the rock where we hope to go out whale watching.  I hope everyone is having a good summer.

Melissa

Hi everybody, I just thought I’d let everyone know what’s going on with me.

I just finished my third year of Applied Math Engineering at Queen’s. Since nobody knows what that is, it’s basically mechanical engineering with more math (yay!).
I’m home for the summer now and I just started my summer job at the Darlington Nuclear plant. I’m working in the fuel handling department so I should get a chance to actually do some engineering stuff. I’m pretty excited about actually getting to do something related to what I’m learning at school.

I guess my mom kind of beat me to it and said most of this already, but I thought I’d post it anyway.

Allison

Well we have finished “Maple Syrup”! Started the latest we ever have. Jack who has been coming up here to help us, keeps records. He’s been coming up hunting for over 40 ( it’s probably 50 ) years & only missed 1. Maple Syrup since 1985. Imagine! A really poor year this year, too but it sounds like everyone in the area was the same.

Jeff talked Allan into taking scrap metal up to North Bay. Price was way up so they did really well. Better money than syrup and less work.

Babysat Ben one day and gave him some. Did he love it. Aimee works Mondays so Joline & I take turns. He loves the tractor rides, four wheeler rides with Grandpa. He is so much like Jeff was, even looks like him except the red hair.I bring him up to the farm & then home to meet Abbie off the bus.He is at the age where you can have fun with him.

Mary Lou

I think you’re getting the snow that we use to get. We lost ours when I took out my skis!
I see Maureen has been here! Good for you Maureen.

Nice to hear from Melissa & Megan! I hope more will not just check in but leave a message.
I can’t make it to the girls weekend – Maple Syrup time but am sure you will have a great time. John it isn’t really a long time!
Jeff is now the owner/operator of the Arnstein Garage (as of Feb.19). It is a much slower pace than he is used to but I’m sure he will do well. More time with his family, far less driving.

Anyway,, Melissa & Megan try to get more of the family into this, please & thank you!

Mary Lou

You’re not alone others do check in from time to time. I did manage to figure out how to set up a link to my g-mail page so I will remember to check in more often. Glad you guys had fun on your Cuba trip. Who all is coming down on the 15th for a girls weekend??

Melissa

Well, we actually survived Wednesday’s storm! At times we could hardly see the barn from the house. It was nice yesterday so we brought in wood. I’m glad I can do what I want, when I want. Well! Almost.

Bernadette, this is a great idea! Don’t give up, please. You & John have done a good job.

Mary Lou