Smith Family's ChristmasWelcome to the first Annual...
Smith Family's Christmas
Newsletter and Home Page
With 2005 approaching quickly, Karen and I found ourselves somewhat dumb-struck to remember everything that’s gone on during this last year. Last year we hadn’t committed to a Christmas letter—maybe it was adapting to life with two children (we’re still not used to it). To compensate for last year, I’ve gone and gotten myself in way over my head. If you hadn’t heard through the grapevine, this Smith family has attempted to publish its very own electronic Christmas card in the version of a website--and here it is. Originally, it seemed like a stroke of genius, but upon further thought, only half our Christmas recipients are computer savvy (so to speak). Alas, Karen and I also published as snail mail newsletter to accompany the roll-out of our new annual Christmas website. Enough of the geek speak… on with the show!
*** Please note the sight is under going continual improvement, so visit us again!***
Early 2004 brought good and bad news. The bad news was that Karen got another year older (Daddy was prohibited from publishing her real age), but our family and Priebe’s were delighted to learn that Nana Priebe’s cancer went into remission. The family was shocked to find out Papa Priebe had also developed cancer of liver. During the year he has undergone cutting-edge chemo treatments in preparation for surgery in early January 2005. The doctors are very pleased with Papa’s progress as the tumors have substantially shrunk. Know that everyone is thankful and praying for continued restoration to health.
Later in the spring, everyone was delighted to find out that Lars and Audrey Smith were expecting their first little one. The baby is due in January 2005—Congratulations you two—only eleven more to go!
Lars (Lane's Brother) & wife Audrey at Peggy's Cove
Jana turned four last June, and Mommy hosted our very first neighborhood birthday party. As it turns out, Jana is very outgoing and she makes friends at every encounter. In the spring, Mommy frequently took Jana to the indoor play gym and gymnastics class. In those days, Justin was content to sleep or sit and watch with awe. In the fall Mommy enrolled Jana in two preschool programs: Purple Stew and Tumbling Tots. Jana loved the activities, but the socializing even more. This also provided Justin some quality time with Mommy since both of Jana’s classes are non-parented. In November, Jana learned to use the mouse on the computer and she enjoys playing games on websites like Polly Pockets, Barbie, Nick Jr., and Veggie Tales. Karen and I are delighted that Jana enjoys coloring, drawing, and water color painting (see Jana’s self portrait with her brother Justin pictured below). In preparation for the future, Daddy is teaching Jana to read and print.
During the summer, Grandma Smith and our family flew to Halifax where we met up with other extended family (Lars & Audrey, Uncle Les, Aunt Joan, Cousin Cal, his wife Lis and kids, Cousin Curt, his wife Tammi, and their boys). Once assembled, we all ventured to cottage country on Prince Edward Island. There on the Island, we ate lobster, visited many points of interest, and spent numerous days on the red sands. Jana was treated to her first Broadway type production, Anne of Green Gables, and she was fascinated by the dancing, singing, and theatrics. All the guys (and Cal’s daughter Danae) hired a charter to go jig fishing on the Atlantic Ocean. It seemed as though everyone collectively caught one hundred fish (the type of fish slips my mind—I’m definitely a land lover), and the Johnston brothers brought some back to filet.
The link from New Brunswick to PEI
In Charlottetown, the family was surprised to find Grandma Smith engaged in a romantic rendezvous at Confederation house. The older gentleman closely resembles John A. MacDonald and a Cabbage Patch Kid (see the photo for yourself).
Grandma Smith and her new... man friend?
While on PEI, the Well’s family invited everyone to their plantation near Murray Harbor (home of the Brad Richards—Famous Tampa Bay Stanley Cup winner—you know ice hockey, if you haven’t yet forgotten). Graham (the human resource director for Blessings) and his lovely wife, Joanne, whipped up some delightful salmon steak. After visiting PEI, the families traveled back to Halifax to tour the Tall Ships and Peggy’s Cove.
Immediately after holidays on the east coast, Karen and the kids went to Calaway Park with Cousin Tammy, her daughter, Cousin Tracey, her husband Dave, and their three darling children. To her mother’s surprise, Jana fell in love with roller coasters (at least the kid’s kind). At the same time back in Edmonton, Grandma Smith and I were delighted by the unexpected visit of Cousin Shana and her son, Tyler.
Like father, like son--our boy loves phones, remotes, and keyboards
Justin turned one this past July, and he has been far more mobile than Jana in many ways. Karen and I cannot believe our little man’s ever-increasing appetite for mobility, adventure, exploration, and destruction. Somehow Grandma Smith managed to avoid a black eye while teaching Justin the importance of gentleness—everyone has seen huge improvement, but he still enjoys the occasional hair tug-o-war. With the help of Lane’s Cousin Calvin, Justin learned to walk without the assistance of furniture. Upon return from PEI, the safety gate was removed and Justin learned to navigate the stairs between his home and Grandma’s place. Unlike his sister, at one year Justin refuses to expand his vocabulary. Instead he insists on non-verbal pointing and grunting. One day, Justin started bringing Mommy diapers when he wanted his pants changed. Justin’s favorite DVD is Veggie Tales Sumo of the Opera—he likes to mimic the term “High-Ya.” The highlight of Justin’s week is watching the garbage truck visit through the front window—he also mimics the truck’s compactor.
Justin chomping down on his first lobster
My Dad’s sisters, Aunt Cathy and Aunt Janet, came up from California and Wyoming to visit during Canadian Thanksgiving. The week was filled with many late night games, visiting, and shopping trips to crafty businesses.
Justin, Aunt Cathy, Jana, and Aunt Janet (from left to right)
Our family has pretty much settled into worship at Sherwood Park Alliance Church (www.spac.ab.ca) on Saturday evenings. Last year, Karen applied to enroll Jana for future schooling at a Christian school attached to the same church. The church and school are within easy walking distance for Jana, and the school has a strong academic reputation.
Taken across the yard from Anne of Green's house
Karen continues to work for Dayspring Cards and Blessings Christian Marketplace during evenings and weekends. She manages the card control systems for three Blessings stores in Edmonton. Jana and Justin are privileged to have Mommy at home during the week, and I get to do my fatherly duties when Mommy ventures off to work.
Grandma Smith and Les Reynolds Debby Reynolds, Glennda Bartram,
Les Reynolds, and Daddy
I’m enjoying the challenges of my continuing work in the IT department at Blessings Christian Marketplace. Both Grandma Smith and I were delighted to receive ten year service recognition awards this year. The company has grown to twenty-four branches with two more scheduled for the spring. Last December, I had enrolled in school online with the University of Phoenix and I have managed to complete six courses over the last twelve months. Although I would have like to complete two additional classes in 2004, my grades were far better than I could have ever hoped.
November was delightfully warm in Sherwood Park and on a Saturday I ventured onto the roof to install some new Christmas lights. I had forgotten how much I dislike heights (must have been inherited from my Dad), but Karen and Jana cheered me on as I crawled around enduring an asphalt-shingle wedgie. The Christmas lights I used were those new LED (light emitting diode) type. Apparently these newer lights are very energy efficient, but for the lighting enthusiast, expect some disappointment because they illuminate the neighborhood far less brilliantly.
A few days ago Karen, Jana, and Grandma put up the Christmas trees and decorations. Yesterday when I started writing this letter, it was just starting to snow. Karen has been baking and the smells of Christmas are filling our home. We’ve dragged out the Christmas CDs and the house is alive with festive sounds. The season is upon us, and I am again reminded of God’s gracious love in sending us the gift of salvation through his Son. Our family and extended family have so many reasons to be thankful for God’s providence and mercy—I pray we never forget His goodness.
From the Smith family to yours…
Thank you for visiting www.smithfamilychristmas.info
Please drop us a note at: smithfamilychristmas@gmail.com
This page was updated December 7, 2004
