Tabor Mountain Magic

I'm very aware of how long it has been since I've posted here....2012 has been a most unusual year in many ways.  Yesterday, I took Jon and his friends skiing at Tabor Mountain - a lovely way to end off the year.  Although I don't hit the slopes that often, I'm always inspired by the winter beauty around Prince George when I do.  A sampling of what it looked like as the day progressed....

Jon (on the left) and his friends, Spencer and Kyle, had a great day on the hill.  While I couldn't possibly keep up with them, I certainly enjoyed my own slower version of the day. 

My Choir

Sixty-four enthusiastic students joined in our Remembrance Day Assembly performance last week!

Gerry & Christina's Wedding - Aug. 27, 2011

Our family was delighted to see Gerry & Christina exchange their vows in Garry Point Park in Richmond this weekend. It was a gorgeous, sunny day for this celebration!
The Johnstons, Rozemas, and Shaws........
The happy couple!
There was even a gorgeous sunset to top off the evening......

Water, Water Everywhere

It has been one of the soggiest summers I can remember! Here's a recent view of the Fraser River at Paddlewheel Park.
Cottonwood Island also ended up under water for quite some time.
High water makes for great canoeing though! Jon and Matt really enjoyed floating about 10 miles down the Nechako River yesterday afternoon......

Mt. Robson Hike

We set out with excellent intentions for our five-night hike on Robson with the Laings a few days ago, in spite of rain from the minute we started.....

However, it POURED the whole time, so we had to face reality and come down the mountain. We are anxious to try again when the weather conditions are better! Here is a link to other photos from our 6-day turned 2-day adventure: http://s873.photobucket.com/albums/ab296/joashaw/Robson%20July%202011/

Ness Lake Band Camp for Jon

Jon and his friends attended a Grade 6/7 Band Camp at Ness Lake last weekend. Here they are right before their performance for parents - outside in mosquitoland! Jon's in the bottom RH corner playing his clarinet.

Highlights of Hawaiian Cruise

This Banyan tree in Honolulu was an amazing phenomenon. Jon had fun climbing all over this one!
After walking up Diamond Head near Honolulu, here was the view. Wakiki Beach is directly below. I must say, however, that after hiking around PG where we rarely run into a soul, the trail up Diamond Head was rather packed with tourists!
Getting ready for our favorite pastime on the trip - snorkeling with the colorful fish and amazing sea turtles.
Jon had a great time checking out the turtles and swimming in the crashing waves in Maui.

Carrier of the Month

Jon was selected as the Free Press carrier of the month for the second time in February.

Jon's Band Concert

Jon's Grade 6 Band played at the Prince George Chateau this week. It was really enjoyable for me to hear how far these kids have come along on the their instruments after only 6 months of class.

Here's a link to a couple of songs: one with the whole band and one with Jon and his friend Dustin playing Amazing Grace:

http://s873.photobucket.com/albums/ab296/joashaw/

Just in case you were worried.......

.....about the Prince George snow pack this year, you needn't have. Here are a few shots around town, taken on March 3rd. Let's hope it doesn't all decide to melt at once!

That mound of white beside the shed is Matt's truck.

By the way, it snowed again after these pictures were taken - about another 4 inches or so......

"Changing the Channels" at Pushwalla Palms

Every year during our Christmas trip to California, we usually take a hike to Pushwalla Palms where a small stream runs through an oasis of palm trees in a natural fault line. Jon loves to take along a shovel and change the direction of the water flow in the sand - something he's been doing yearly since he was old enough to hike there.

He could easily spend a whole day here in Nature's great sand box. This year there was even more water than usual because of the torrential rains we experienced a few days before Christmas. The whole desert was damp.

PG Winter Scenes

We've had a fair bit of snow followed by blue skies lately, so it's looking decidedly like winter around here! Here are a few shots I took on a walk through Moore's Meadow the other day.

Thanksgiving with the Reas

Yesterday we celebrated Thankgiving with Roy & Michelle & family. We started with a walk through Moore's Meadow and by the river. After that it was turkey dinner at our house!

Autumn in PG

Matt and I took a really nice walk last weekend, right before most of the leaves started to fall. We started at Fort George Park and completed the Gunn Park round, surrounded by a blanket of yellow.

I've always loved this time of year. Even though it means winter is on its way, I really don't mind. There's something cozy about the fall......

25th Wedding Anniversary

August 24th was our 25th wedding anniversary (how those years fly by!). The week before that Harry & Rosemary came from Holland to visit. Mom and Dad joined us and we all headed up to Connaught Hill for some family pictures in the blazing heat.

Our family celebration included a wonderful brunch at Esther's Inn.

The following day we headed out to our cabin, and Mom brought along a nice cake. It was Harry & Rosemary's 40th this summer as well, while Mom & Dad will be celebrating their 55th in October.

Last night we had a wine & cheese party at our house with our friends. Here we are towards the end of the evening with Fraser & Lisa, Michelle, and Todd & Terri.

So today is the first day of our next 25 years together!

Cabin Time 2010

I believe the pictures speak for themselves!
It was so hot last week that I even got Mom in the lake.....

Nothing beats that bowl of cabin cheesies!

A Visit From Lang & Liann

Lang and Liann came up from Vancouver for a visit earlier this month. We had a good time around PG and out at the cabin. Matt & Lang "hung out" on the trampoline one afternoon, and Jon & Liann carved some excellent tools while at the lake. We stopped by Shane Lake on our way to see UNBC as well......