Volunteer Appreciation at Siloam Mission

Siloam went all out in celebrating National Volunteer Week. There was an awards dinner, where a few of our volunteers were nominated and given awards. As well as Siloam getting recognition for being a great place to volunteer.

We ended the week with a dinner to honour our volunteers. Hosted at the Hitch n Post in Gros Isle. We kicked it up country style, complete with a big pot of beans & wieners, rootbeer and live country music. It was a huge success!

the great blanket switch & eating on the deck

On November 25, 2008 we switched to our winter blanket, which is very heavy and warm. We love it, but unfortunately it is just too warm for us, so we only use it in the dead of winter, and in BC we found it too warm even in the middle of "winter." We switched back before I got around to writing this post, the switch back happened sometime in mid April, around the time that we were able to eat on the deck, April 15 to be exact.

By this point we were already suffereing because the blanket was way too much, but it's also extremely soft, our summer blanket is not as cozy, so neither of us were ready to give it up...

Easter

Jenn & I colored easter eggs together again. I discovered peewee eggs at Price Chopper, they are smaller than small eggs & it's $1 for a dozen.

We also had a gather at Michael's parents...

Moose Game

Michael and I got the chance to enjoy a Moose game with some tix I got through work!

visitors from BC!

Uncle Bud & Aunt Sherry came to MB and we got to hang out. Bethany came over to spend the afternoon baking with me, and since it was St. Patrick's Day, we made this lovely green cake.

We shared some lovely Swiss chocolate with them, and Tyler got a special pair of socks.

The guys went go cart racing in the evening.

a tale of four sweaters

This was my first ever paid knitting project. For all those of you who have suggested that I knit to make money, the answeris NO. It is not feasible to charge a reasonable amount of money for the many hours I put in, never mind the cost of materials. It also takes all the fun out of it to have a deadline looming, particularly when I have to stay up all night on December 23 to get it done, not only that, I have to enlist my husband to stay up with me, and get my friends at SnB to help sew in ends as well. Enough said.

For those of you who want a hand knit item even though I won't do it for pay, I'll gladly let you pay for the yarn and happily knit something to give you. (disclaimer: buying cheap gross plasticy feeling acrylic yarn does not count and I will not be happy if I have to knit with it).

Birthday Boys

Michael and his brother celebrated their birthdays together by going toboganing. Their birthdays are only one day apart (plus 15 years). Looks like they had a good time! Michael got to test out his new winter gear, that we purchased in preparation for our trip to Europe.

Cate's Baby Dedication

Well, our neice had a baby dedication and as doting Auntie & Uncle, we had to be there. It was really neat to be there. There was quite a few babies/toddlers there, partly because the church was going through transition and so the last one before this was a few short weeks before Cate was born. The random picture of Michael is just to show off what a good dresser he's become...isn't he hot?

Happy New Year!

For those of you who didn't get this in the mail:

Here's what it said on the back:

Hello!

2008 was a year of milestones & adjustments. Esther completed her Bachelor of Human Ecology in May & became a career woman in the fall, at Siloam Mission.

This past summer we took as much time as we could to hang out together, including Folklorama, where this picture was taken. We also completed a house project together, turning our office into a media room. This summer we got bicycles & spent time riding around Winnipeg admiring houses.

Michael spent another dedicated year keeping trucks on the road & wheels turning.

We have been enjoying our church family & Getting involved in teaching preschool. We’re so thankful for the friends we’ve made here.

We hope that your holidays were memorable & we wish you a very Happy New Year!

Michael & Esther

Christmas Party - appetizers & open house

This has become somewhat of a tradition...