Saying Goodbye to Carolee..!

We went to a send off party for Carolee a couple of weeks ago.. For those of you who don't know her, Carolee is a very special person - who's been through more in the past year then a lot of people go through in their lifetime..
In Oct. of 2008, she was in a car accident with a moose that changed her life forever. She had brain damage and she wasn't expected to come out of the coma with much response.. She was 5 or 6 months pregnant at the time and caught a virus while in the coma, and to treat it properly, they needed to take the baby out. Baby Carlin was born and he has hardly seen his mom in the past year... She missed out on so much. After her condition stablized she was moved to the Brain Trama Center in Ponoka, and was here for the past 5 or so months. She was discharged a couple of weeks ago - a huge milestone, and with so many more challenges yet to come. Her Parents-in-law have been looking after the 3 children while her husband worked and travelled back and forth from home to where Carolee was staying.
It was a privilage to get to know her and to share in the progress she made in the last few months! So if you are wondering who else to pray for - Carolee and her family will need our prayers..
Here she is with Kyla(who's in green)!
(It was frustrating - my camera batteries died - so didn't get many pictures.. )
One of the nurses and little Brooke with Molly the dog!

Allyson and Reta.

Celebrating Birthdays!

Ash and Minerva share a birthday on the 16th of December, and the celebration was the following Sunday - and we were fortunate enough to be included too!
Two birthday desserts: Chocolate cheesecake..

..and pear tart. MMMmmmmmmm..
Wee Ryder.. Looking a wee bit tired after a big day of special mtgs.!
Denise and Emarie.
The birthday gals!

Uncle Ryan and Jude! Next year this time he'll have his very own baby to cuddle!

Ryder and his slim, trim mom! :)

..first and foremost...

..a Big THANK YOU to our Santa's from the South(not quite)Pole..! We were delightfully surprised when a package came in the mail from New Zealand! :) It arrived the day before Christmas, a chilly afternoon when we were cooped up inside, and it sure brightened us up! SO huge THANKS to you Michelle, Ro and your 4 darlings for taking time out of your busy lives to think of us..! We still haven't met you, but feel like we have.:) Hopefully we'll meet sooner than later, and until then we'll make use of Internet technology and the postal service..!;0)

A few pictures of the great gifts!
The great fridge pen and one of the many cool post-it pads!

Enjoying a fun book - which will be perfect for meeting too!
The 'polka dot girl' with her new polka dot headband!
Little engineer with his boat that does indeed, work in water!