Christmas

 

Mom and I had the kids stay at the table after lunch and handed them their gifts.  It made it easier all around and we got to see the reactions.  Personally I loved it.  No chaos.

First year ever Kai made it through with no tears.  It was close a couple times but he pulled it together and stayed until the end.  He bound away pretty darn quick when I told him he was done :)

We did mac and cheese for dinner and for the first Christmas I can remember Jia ate with us.

The day was calm and peaceful.  Some of us even got naps.

Christmas Eve

 

The poem was read, Charlie Brown and crew were watched, stockings hung, cookies and milk put out and home made hot chocolate was consumed. Kai is planning to wear his Santa shirt tomorrow.  It's pretty rare for him to plan things or talk about upcoming events.  Typically he hates unwrapping gifts.  Last year we let him come and go and it worked better.  We'll do the same thing tomorrow.  Some might be unwrapped on other days, and that's ok.

The Mama did dishes, organized all the things, prepped for tomorrow and filled those sox.  The Dad emptied the guest room so Lili has somewhere to sleep tomorrow night. Earlier in the day Eric and I went to Superstore, that was nuts.  We have food for a couple days though. Home to chat with a Constable about the shooting and I reported that the homeless currently have fire lit under the posts and sign by the marsh.  He was clearly annoyed and said he'd dispatch someone.  I told him it was disgusting what was happening to our town and he agreed.  He also grew up here. Oh, and the missing kid at the river was a hoax! What the actual F is wrong with people?! It's been a busy day. Christmas is simply too much work added to already busy days.

Update, I got a call telling me the surgeon wants me to have an mri sooner rather than later.  So Jan 3rd it is.  

Phew.

Is everyone ready?

Christmas Eve Eve

 

When you are scrolling Facebook and find a great picture of your Jeep on a strangers page.  

Appointments, work and chores.

Then we finished the day with a deal night movie and a late dinner deal out. The movie was Zootopia 2.  Hillarious.  We all loved it. Fei missed out, she had dinner with a friend.  Then we had Bin 4, the burgers are half price after 9.  Everyone enjoyed their fancy burger.  It is odd eating dinner so late.

We have no plans for Christmas Eve.  Fei is hoping to pick up a shift.  Lili is with friends.  Jia is working.  No one here is ra ra about the traditions from the younger years.  Also, gasp, I think the plan is to wait for presents until afternoon so sleeping in can happen.  Yes.  You read that right.  Sleeping ranks higher than presents.

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 ;)