What a wonderful winter

The cherry trees are in true splendor and the daffodils are all out, so I know winter is over!  I used to dread Alberta winters and played mind games of counting the number of Mondays from December to April.  It's different on Vancouver Island though.  Do we get rain? Hell yeah.  That's why it's so green!  But it rarely stops us from doing anything and there are no traffic jams due to snow and ice - except for the two weeks when we get cold weather and snow.  Fortunately, it usually doesn't hang around too long and the Island usually shuts down which is funny for all us ex-Albertans.

When we got back from Europe, Roger did a quick trip to Calgary to see his folks, then had his second knee replacement done. Thank goodness both knees are done - it was a tough year with two knee replacements in eight months, but he keeps exercising and continues to get more mobility.

At 96, John continues to enjoy a trip to Tim Hortons!

Last knee to be done!  The ice machine was a godsend.

I started stick curling four years ago and absolutely love it.  In November, my partner Evelyn and I won the B Event which was a huge deal to us.  We have a blast playing together and I look forward to playing again with her next season. A group of us also volunteer at a nearby retirement community and host floor curling competitions once a month.  The residents love it, and whether they are seasoned players of days gone by, or giving it a try --- they all cheer each other on and go for take outs at every opportunity.  It's a volunteer gig I look forward to.

We won the B Event of the Sticks & Stones Bonspiel. 
No one was more shocked than me!

Floor curling at the Berwick

We celebrated our 47th anniversary at one of our favourite spots!

With Christmas coming, we went to Woodinville, Washington to spend time with Brad, Anette, and Magnus.  We spent a few days eating great meals, playing crazy games, and had a wonderful evening seeing the Nutcracker Ballet in Seattle.  

We were invited to a wedding in Escondido, California in early January and were all set to go.  Just before going, Roger saw his surgeon who recommended his new knee get surgically manipulated to give him more mobility.  Unfortunately the procedure was done the day before we were set to leave, and it was clear that he wasn't going to be able to fly.  After much discussion, Roger convinced me to go on my own.  Brad, Anette and Magnus were also attending so I was able to hang out with them for a few days.

It was night by the time I drove to the AirBnb that was out in the country. 
I was glad to see their faces, and the glass of wine that Brad handed to me!

We spent a fun day at Legoland and built Lego boats that we raced.

Swinging with Anette at the AirBnb!

It was fun going to the wedding with Magnus -- it was his first!

From left to right: Linda and Karen's brother Steven, and his wife Deanna, Linda (Karen's sister) and Dallas Miller (parents of the groom),  Roger's brother Colin and his wife, Karen. 

The bride and groom:  Austin and Trista Miller along with Brad and Magnus.

Our nephew, Chris, lives in San Diego and I had a wonderful evening with him and his beautiful fiancé, Ashley before I flew home.

In February, dear friends Shelagh and John Slater from Ma-Me-O Beach, Alberta and Paddy and Dave Carlson from Spokane, Washington came and spent time on the Island.  The six of us spent two beautiful, fun filled days in Tofino in a gorgeous AirBnb that we rented by Chesterman Beach.  

We spotted some whales which is something that still thrills me.

Left to right: Me, Paddy (in the back) and Shelagh.
While Paddy and I were in Sorrento in September, we decided to buy
caftans and give one to Shelagh when we next got together. 

We played the Horse Race game for hours and had a fantastic time.

After Paddy and Dave returned home, we welcomed Magnus to Parksville while Brad and Anette holidayed with friends in the BVIs and he had a week off school.  We kept him busy and we all had a great time.  Shelagh and John have 9 grandchildren and treated Magnus like he was part of the gang.  

I got Magnus equipped to try Stick curling and he did really well!

We went to the Wildlife Recovery Centre near Parksville and spent time seeing 
eagles, owls and other wildlife getting nursed back to health. 
Most would be able to be returned to the wild.

We went to Mt Washington about an hour north of Parksville and Magnus and I spent
a fantastic hour on the tube run.  Pretty sure I was the oldest person doing it, but it
was so much fun -- especially when Magnus and I hung on to each other's tubes so we 
went twirling down the hill together!  Thank God there was a "magic carpet" to take me back up the hill.

We all played Code Names for hours!

Roger took Magnus to his first hockey game, and Magnus loved it!  He got to high five some of the players, and Roger caught a T-shirt that was shot from a canon.  It was a great souvenir for Magnus!

We brought Magnus back home to attend school and had a busy week taking him to school and other activities.  We having the opportunity to have one on one time with him.  He is smart, funny, kind and easy to be around.

Magnus and his good friend, Erik had a fun pizza night

Roger is always full of surprises, and he came up with a fantastic one to celebrate my 68th birthday.  

It started with taking a float plane (a first for me) from Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver and it kept getting better.  Roger made reservations at great restaurants and brew pubs, got tickets to the Banksy exhibit (I'm a huge fan of his work), arranged to have drinks with friends, took me to a cool nightclub, and had us stay at the Fairmont Waterfront. We returned to the Island on the new high speed passenger ferry (a first for both of us).  

It was stunning to fly into Vancouver and landing right by Canada Place.

There is a certain irony to this....

Couldn't resist when we saw the sticker on the pole.

Roger invited friends, Claire and Jody who surprised me and made it a true "Happy Hour".

We went to a very cool nightclub called Guilt & Co where we had an amazing
charcuterie board and listened to excellent music.

View from our room

The cherry blossoms were gorgeous.

The Maritime Museum was wonderful and included access to an RCMP
ship called the St. Roch which was the first vessel to traverse the
NW Passage from west to east in the early 1940s.

Hanging out in Granville Island listening to buskers and watching life go by 
(and maybe dream about winning the lottery)

Because we've all thought this....

Cocktails and fresh oysters at the Fairmont Waterfront.  Couldn't be better.

Dinner at Rodney's Oyster Bar -- turning 68 is just fine with me.

Our first trip on the Hullo ferry - a great way to go from downtown Vancouver to downtown Nanaimo.

It was two days of doing what we love doing ---- exploring a city, eating and drinking well, and being together. Thanks, Roger.  You sure know how to show a girl a good time.  

"The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."

                                                      James Taylor