Merry Christmas

It’s that wonderful time of year again, when Christmas decorations are hung and family and friends are in our thoughts. I hope this letter finds you well, in good spirits and in good company.

It was another busy year for us...Last winter we were fortunate to have my brother stay with us while he worked on the rigs, saving up some hard earned cash for his Central America trip. Nolan loved having his uncle all to himself - now he cheers for the Canucks (despite Keith’s cheering for the Oilers). Last winter, we stayed in and around the Edmonton area, as I was pregnant and wanted to be close to medical help if need be.

Katherine Lorraine Isabelle surprised us when she arrived 4 weeks early on April 29th. It was a very brisk labor and she was there before we had time to think. She weighed in at 5 pounds 4 ounces and measured a whopping 18 inches long (no height in this family).

Katherine, Nolan and I spent most of July in Kamloops with my parents. It was awesome to be back at home and have the kids hang with their grandparents. Nolan learned to use the potty and to ride his bicycle. He even took it for a spin down the cement stairs. He was a little scared but quickly recovered and has been riding like a pro on training wheels ever since. Katherine also had some tummy troubles, but recovered from her colic when I removed tomatoes from my diet and has been the happiest, most content little girl imaginable.

Keith, the kids, Zak and I headed to Nelson and Castlegar to spend some time with family and friends this past August. It was wonderful to see everyone, we had a blast! From there we spent a few days in Kamloops before heading down to Bridal Falls to partake in some “fun” at Dino Land...Who’s kidding who, it was a huge disappointment. Most things were broken and dirty, I would not recommend it to anyone. Nolan had a great time, but the rest of us thought it was a huge rip-off and will never be seen there again.

This past fall Nolan celebrated his third birthday. We have had several nights of candle lighting and the happy birthday song, as Nolan wants everyday to be his birthday... Oh with presents too! Nolan dressed up as a fierce lion for Halloween while Katherine was a chicken in the morning and a kitty by the evening. Nolan is almost finished his last box of smarties, and now he’s looking for the candy canes, chocolate Santa’s and Christmas fudge.

This Christmas and New Years will be spent in BC. The kids and I will be flying down while Keith will be driving down with Zak. We’re so excited as this will be Nolan’s first year on skies. Can’t wait to see him make his first few turns...and I am guessing his first few yard sales.

Steve and Claire will also be joining us in Kamloops. Nolan can’t wait to see his uncle . He has been talking constantly about the Canucks, chainsaws and playing hockey with uncle Steve.


I am currently on maternity leave, but will not be returning to my part time position in the NICU. I recently interviewed and was offered a job in adult ICU- coronary care unit, which is closer to home. With much consideration I have decided to go ahead with this and I am excited for this opportunity and look forward to the steep learning curve. It’s back to school again, as I have to attend a critical care course; fortunately this course is only 5 weeks full time, then a month in clinical. I will be part time and have a wonderful rotation to go into, which will enable me to work in the NICU on a casual basis.

I hope this letter finds you well, we wish you a very happy Merry Christmas and the best of luck in the new year. Take care, Much Love, xoxo

Waiting for spring...

Arggg... The pain of winter, it seems to drag on for me at this point. From +7 to
-25, can't seem to break the blah of winter. I know in time (hopefully sooner than later) we will be enjoying winter again with a ski pass, sledding, cross country skiing and hockey- In BC that is. The count down is on (for me at least and well of course grammy and poppi too).

As for our family... we're busy with Nolan's gymnastics and swimming, working more than my share of part time and trying to keep things clean and tidy and attempting to squeeze in a few hobbies of mine. Nolan is thoroughly enjoying gymnastics which is for one hour once a week this class will go till the end of April. Swimming lessons are a parented class and Keith and I spend 1/2 an hour with Nolan in the pool and another 1 hour in the hot tub- this is Nolan's favorite place to hang.

I am hopeful to work up to the end of April, which will bring me to 36 weeks, and then laying low till the baby's born. Hopefully sometime around the beginning to mid May. We didn't find out the sex, but are very excited to meet our little one, Nolan... I am sure will be a little put off for the first little while, but I am sure will be a great help after the shock of sharing settles in.

As for now, we are excited to see grammy in a few weeks, Nolan can't help but ask when grammy will be here, in every two to three minutes. He obviously hasn't grasped "Time" yet.

Santa's just around the corner

Little fingers, big ideas


Lets get messy


Artist in action


Big smiles


Lets get baking

IT's Winter

"Oh Nolan, what has your mommy done to you this time"

Our first snow fall, it's didn't stick... but it warmed up really nice for a couple of weeks, now we're really paying for it with highs of minus 26

Nolan starting early at rock band, watch out Keith he's gonna beat you!

In review

It's time for birthday cake. Keith bought the largest ice cream cake ever made... Nolan loved the big yellow tractor on the cake.


"Trick or Treat". It was Nolan's first year of trick or treating, he got the hang of this after the first house. We visited 8 houses, lots of candy and chocolates to keep us well fed for a few months. Nolan was a skunk this year- the cutest ever (of course!)


Happy Birthday Nolan. Nolan turned two on October 30th, he was very excited to open his first present. Uncle Steve moved in with us this month to spend some much needed time with Nolan and to find some work on the rigs.

Family Pictures

It's that time of year when we all get together for some family pictures. I am taking requests now if anyone else wants family pictures. Please let me know your available dates. My email address is apearce.5786@gmail.com

A breath of fresh air

Ahhh, At last both Steve and Claire finally come to visit us. It was so wonderful for Nolan to see his auntie and uncle. We went to the park and playgrounds daily and Nolan went to the West Edmonton water park for his first time. He had a blast, and went down the waterside all by himself. Weee heee... Our fearless little man.