THE CLAN'S CHRISTMAS

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!! - or at least the type of Christmas or holiday that you planned and hoped for. 

The Wood Clan had a very quiet easy going Christmas - just the way we like it. Oh sure - if we had family around we would have been more then happy to spend it with them - but since we don't - we enjoyed our days like all the others have been. Hanging out, enjoying each others company - the three of us have fun together and enjoy 'a life made simple'. 

So - even though it was our first Christmas home in years, it wasn't a crazy over the top event!

This is how it all went down......

Christmas Eve - homemade hot chocolate, popcorn and a movie - The Polar Express! Here's my assistant - errrr - product controller I mean.

Thankfully Cassia let us sleep in until 7:30am. Two things she had to wait for - the fire to be started and coffee - then we told her let it rip - literally.

This wasn't really a surprise for her - she chose this puzzle. I mean what was a parent to do when faced with the huge selection at Vernon Teach & Learn where we purchased most of Cas's gifts. 

From Grandma - this gift went over really well. 

As did Candyland which was completely unexpected.  We also got her Scrabble Jr. which didn't get a positive reaction. However, interestingly enough now that she has played them both she prefers Scrabble. 

And ... the gift of gifts.....

the 85 piece Mega Dinosaur Park set up!

Here's a picture from yesterday - the set up is a mobile Park apparently, as it seems to move around the house. 

With a nice blue sky - Christmas Day meant an afternoon walk to the lake.

The rose hips really stand out against the dormancy.

A guy and his dog ... it reminds me of the one I got of the two of them in Zihua - remember?! Ha! We only looked slightly different a year later!

I was trying to take a picture of this branch in the water - nice of Cassia to haul it to shore for me.

A photo op not to be missed - right?! I mean - amazingly beautiful!

I was completely left behind while I was taking the ice photos - I may have gotten a bit carried away. Cas is always a good sport though - she waited ahead for me in the trees so she could jump out and scare me!

Then ..... we got a dump of snow overnight! Derek always goes for a walk in the morning. He headed down to 'the road' for this picture. Actually, he's a real trooper - he didn't have the camera the first time so came home and went back - which is really saying something - it's not close...

So obviously Derek had his afternoon's work lined up. We weren't going anywhere but better to get the driveway clear.

30 seconds into our afternoon walk and the first time Cassia has worn a snow suit - she finally decided that it was time. I guess the ability to maneuver in a snowsuit is a learned skill - not based on the genetics of Canadian raised (in snow) parents! 

Our winter wonderland here at Fintry.

It is actually snowing pretty good still which was beautiful - but - you can't really tell.

Lots. Of. Snow.

Not many people visiting the park these days!

The fir and pine trees in loop one look amazing with all the snow!

Lovin' it!

Cassia just can't seem to stay out of trees - she definitely gets that from Derek.....

Lots of pictures of Cassia in the snow - it's hard to pass up so much excitement!

I don't think I've mentioned that just before Christmas she lost a second tooth.

And then..... going.....

going.....

gone.
I'm impressed looking at the pictures now that she had a smile throughout. She did hurt her head though but one thing about Cassia - she is a trooper.

The next best thing to watching your kid play in the snow - is your Husky ....

The first time the creek has completely frozen over.

Yesterday, Derek took these next few shots on his early morning walk. It's been pretty cloudy here the last few days so nice to see some blue sky.

The majestic Manor House. 

More tree climbing yesterday afternoon....

Ha!

So - we've been snowed in of sorts and have been really enjoying it. Thankfully it's been snowy but not too cold - hovering around 0°C during the day.

Tomorrow, or the next day, we'll have to head back into the real world .... it's been two weeks since we've been to Vernon. Our grocery supply has definitely dwindled. 

See you next year!

Teresa

And by the way - we'll be looking for Volunteer Park Hosts here at Fintry for the 2016 camping season. The term runs from April 1 to mid October. The hosts need their own RV but are provided with full hook ups. If you are interested or know someone shoot us an email - alifemadesimple3@gmail.com! More info is at Kaloya.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS.....

Burl Ives...... my Christmas carol favourite.

Boy, it sure has been nice to get back to getting ready for a traditional Christmas .... the kind Derek and I experienced as kids. If you've been following us for a while you'll know that it's been many years since we've been in Canada for the holiday season. Let's see 5 years ago we were boondocking at Pilot Knob, Arizona, 4 years ago Venice, Florida, 3 years ago Valle de Juarez, Mexico, 2 years ago Tupelo, Mississippi, 1 year ago Zihuatanejo, Mexico and this year!? 

Fintry Provincial Park, BC! 

They've all been special and we've made the most at being away from home each year, but nothing can really compare to a white Christmas with a cozy home with a great smelling tree, lights and baking. Good food - family and friends. Sadly, we are short on family as they are on the Island and lower Mainland but we are closer to them then ever!

Here's how we've been getting ready for the next few days!

We couldn't wait to get our tree! We were ahead of the crowd a bit - picking this Fraser Fir up from Swan Lake Nursery on our way home from the airport way back on December 3rd! Too bad I didn't have the camera out at the lot - there were 100's to choose from. Good thing Derek was able to spot a good one - I swear I could have been there for hours! Also a good thing that they net the tress - it had to fit in our car with our luggage and groceries.

You can imagine Cassia's fascination - her first large tree experience - that she can remember that is. No more little fake trees sitting on the van's kitchen counter.

The chaos that is called decorating.

And the finished tree! We had ornaments collected over the years from when Derek and I were first married and from our parents, but we were missing something for the top. In the end we collected some yellow willow and I made a star. It doesn't glow but it does the trick. 

Our stockings are on the right - 3 for us and 2 for our animals. On the left? Why stockings for Cassia's stuffed animal friends of course!

With all that travelling around this is the last time Cassia was in Canada for Christmas - and it was her first - she was 7 months old. One of my favourite pictures from that year. Yes, she has been my muse from the get go. I remember this day clearly. I took 100's of pictures of her here but none were quite right - she wouldn't smile! 

Then Derek came to the door to watch and finally a smile - and I got it on film! 

With the two bins of Christmas stuff I've managed to hang onto over the years, and a few other additions, we've been able to make our living room quite Christmasy.

Who knows what we would have done without our wood stove - it is going 24/7 - as is that brown box beside it - our infrared heater.

Derek was nice enough to make a cedar wreath for the front door for me!

With our non traditional lifestyle and living on the road we really couldn't hold to the Santa thing with Cassia - we didn't exactly have a chimney in the van. But that's ok - she's getting into it now even if she knows he's not real - a list is still a good thing. Thankfully she doesn't actually want a real horse, tractor and barn!

Since our Park Hosts, Penny and Kevin, were coming for dinner with their dog - Sam - Cassia and I decided to make dog cookies for Rufus and Sam. They turned out really well - here's the recipe we used from My Baking Addiction! 

Next up - cookies for us and our guests! Cassia pointed this recipe out on Pinterest as we were looking for inspiration. I had never made these before - sugar cookies really - but super neat. Definitely to be repeated.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any more pictures of our cookie making adventure. Over last week we also made Almond Roca, and Shortbread, Chocolate Crackle, and Cranberry Orange Crackle cookies. Boy I've missed holiday baking!

Last Saturday, friends Rob and Jean came over for the afternoon. Jean's granddaughter Emily - who is also six - came along to visit with Cassia. It was the second time she has been over and the two of them have become fast friends. After spending a few hours running and exploring outside they enjoyed some maple syrup on snow.

And last but not least our gingerbread house! I bought a kit since - although I've made one from scratch, I knew Cassia would be most interested in the decorating - which was true. 

Now she's most interested in the eating!

A fun thing to do for a couple of hours!

So - that's how the Wood Clan Christmas is going. Plus, we've been working on relearning our Christmas carols.....

Although our Christmas's have been unique we do have one tradition started - watching the Polar Express on Christmas Eve - we love that movie and so that's what we'll be doing tomorrow night. Plus Cas has learned in the meantime about opening one present - so that's what she'll be doing. 

Other than that it should be an early morning for us on Friday - I'll share all of that with you next post!

Derek, Cassia and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year! 

Teresa

And by the way - we'll be looking for Volunteer Park Hosts here at Fintry for the 2016 camping season. The term runs from April 1 to mid October. The hosts need their own RV but are provided with full hook ups. If you are interested or know someone shoot us an email - alifemadesimple3@gmail.com! More info is at Kaloya.