Shooting updates.

The police continue to monitor the house across the street.

Yesterday while on top of the mountain enjoying blissful peace, mine and Lili's phone's were ringing with the Ring Doorbell.  

I got a quick glimpse and thought I saw RCMP.  Oy.  The three kids were home with strict instructions to not answer the door.  The ring kept happening so it was someone very insistant but we didn't have enough cell service to connect properly.  

Luk did finally answer the door.  Then he texted us.  A clear concise message.  When we came off the mountain we called the number.  That investigator is off on holidays now so we're home waiting to hear from her colleague today.

I told her we didn't have the shooting captured but you can see a flash on the scrolling camera feed.  I suggested they might have access to a way to slow it down.  She said no.  We agreed I watch too much crime drama.  Haha.  Also yes, gun fire will flash.  We know there was gunfire by the holes so I'm not sure what more can be accomplished here.

Anyways. It continues.

Also a couple little shits pulled the fire alarm in Jia's McDonald's yesterday.  Shoppers and employees all outside until the fire dept cleared the whole place.  Oy.  They are on camera.  I sure hope they're charged. 

Then another woman posted a rant towards rcmp.  Apparently, according to her mistaken identity.  Their truck was surrounded by several police with guns drawn.  I was horrified at her language and disrespect for the rcmp.  I definitely wonder what that was all about.  The community definitely stood behind the rcmp in the comments letting her know she was out of line.

This just doesn't feel like the community I was raised in.  And...that is why my free time is spent in the forest.  I too would also rather come up against bears.  Sheesh.

This is the first year since having kids that I'm behind in Xmas preparations. I just finished shopping in Thursday.  I haven't wrapped a thing.  We have ideas for the food for the day but haven't actually shopped for specifics yet.  

We're all done with Christmas events aside from Christmas day at home.  I do want to see the live nativity again but the family isn't interested.

Eric said he would wrap with me this year.  1st time ever.  However, while I was doing dishes he escaped my clutches.  Haha.  He deeked me out putting a load of laundry on and out the back door.  He's outside in the rain cleaning Oscar.  

Just finished this post, went onto Facebook and see there was a code Adam in Walmart as well.  Child found quickly.  Now there is a 5 year old child missing in the forest around Chemainus River.  Yikes.  4x4ers all ready to get out there.  Kid has been missing since last night.  Rcmp and Sars are on it. 

Snow Wheeling

 

Finn let's me know when he is hungry.  He is very messy.  Bibs help.  Too cute.  We haven't managed to get a routine happening yet.  Hr is still stubborn. He has started playing with his kibble again so that's great but we haven't heard him crunch yet.  He is still making little improvements.

Today we met in Ladysmith.  10 rigs off to try new trails and hopefully find snow.

Our leader Ben got stuck in the first second of trail.  Required winching and a lot of muddy shoveling.  He is determined to come back another day and figure this one out but it was decided if he couldn't get through the rest of the group wouldn't either.

We moved onto a very tricky trail.  We lost 3 rigs who didn't stand a chance. Two turned back.  One parked, hiked through and joined other Jeeps. One Jeep was stuck in tight trees for a long time.  She remained calm and made it through.  Four of us made it through but needed spotters.  Two needed winching. 

Lili and I were in the car on our own for quite a while waiting for everyone to make it through.  We could have skipped the trail and taken the road but where is the fun and challenge in that?  Lili is definitely questioning why this is considered fun ;)

It was actually rain/snowing pretty hard here and we were soaked pretty quickly but it was exciting to gather and talk about how challenging it was.

Holland Lake.  

It's full.  That bodes well for summer.

This trail was pretty.  The branches were all so low from heavy wet snow.

Ben didn't make it.  We've never seen him struggle before.  So that was wild.

Oscar did not struggle in the snow. We bombed all the way up and past some of the others.  Into fresh untouched snow.  With lots of chatter on the radios saying "Go Oscar!"  Hillarious.

Gasp.

Look at the wee group down below.  This view was magical.  We need to go back in the summer.

Rescue needed.

Oops.

Glamor shot.

And another.

So fun.

We had a great day.

Honestly, the drive home on the highway, in the dark and the rain was way, way scarier.

Armageddon

 

Police presence all day across the street because there was a drive by shooting at 4:47am.

What the freaking hell?!

Eric and I both woke up to the sound.  We both knew it was basically in our front yard.  Soooo loud.  I say six shots.  Eric says five.  Neighbors are reporting 5, 6 and 7.  Some neighbors have been contacting me privately because they didn't seem to like me saying it was the problem house across from us.

But....IT WAS.  There are bullet holes in the house and car.

It's staggering to me that it's not being talked about.  That it's not on the news.  I don't want to put myself out there further.

Life just carries on.  Kids are unfazed.  The three kids didn't even wake up.

Luk was interested enough to wander over with us for photos of the holes after it quieted down over there.

Eric said there were a few cop cars earlier.  I missed that.  Jia and I were out most of the day running errands.

It's just way too close for comfort.

There was no sleeping after hearing the shots, car leaving and a man shouting.  Eric could see him walking on the street with his phone out.  By the time I came downstairs the lights were all on.

Hiding his face.  Awe.

He is doing a bit better.  Marked improvements.  He's not out of the woods yet.  We are settling into the syringe feedings.  He is starting to willingly go along with the weirdness.

Appreciating seeing the perfect rainbow this morning as Jia and I headed to the lab to do routine blood tests after dropping the xmas cards off.  

Shopping.  Haha.  When your almost 16 year old brings her bear to town.

Fei missed being here in the war zone.  She finished her term and last exam and now is in Vancouver with friends for a couple days.  They got to do puppy yoga!  Although Fei reports she did very minimal yoga ;)

Porter's Canyon

 

Our first night wheeling group event. We started at 1.  We made it to Porter's Canyon in daylight.

Lili came with us.  Her 1st wheeling day.  She didn't hate it ;)

Zero beer.

I was worried about being out in the dark but it was surprisingly just fine.  It turned out that without other light sources the Jeeps just really lit up the whole area.  We didn't need headlights.  

Eric is fixing the chairs!  

I think they look amazing!

The latest thrift store find.  I'm moving my Boyds figurines to the new closet.  Eric built a shelf in there already. So the wall hanging was a pretty fun find.  The closet room is ready for caulk then paint. It's getting there.

Finn is still with us.  I'm enjoying all the cuddles I can, while I can.  We have no idea if his quality of life will come back.  He's not in pain and he sleeps a lot.  He is syringe fed.  I'm getting a routine happening and he is getting used to it and sometimes clearly ready for some food.  This isn't a realistic plan for the future.  He hasn't told me he wants to go.

I got our Christmas cards done and ready to mail.  It feels a tad fraudulent to send out happy family pictures.  Life isn't perfect.  We have issues. Then I saw someone post that the effort to get her imperfect family in a photo was overwhelming and she voiced some of what I'm feeling but then said we're not perfect but these are my favorite people and we celebrate that.  So I will pop them in the mail box tomorrow. An imperfect picture of our wee family, my favorite people in their chaotic, mismatched Christmas finery.