New Year's Eve 2006

A sleepy man on Saturday night after the sleep-over at Starri's,
Uncle Greg holds the as yet un-named sailboat in the shallow waters of Frank Sound after we had lunch with Granny, Grandaddy, and Aunt Shir-Shir in East End, (any suggestions for a name?)
Captain Hunter and First Mate Hayley sailing,
Back to shore after swimming and sailing in Frank Sound. A beautiful day and a beautiful way to end 2006. Happy New Year!

Christmas Lunch

Hunter, Hayley and Katherine playing under the trees with Rex,
Hunter has to be rescued from the tree,
L-R Clockwise: Sharon, Jennifer, Granny, Aunt Bonnie, Me, Shirley, Hunter, Katherine, Hayley and Uncle Bill on the porch after eating too much! Photos by Nana.

Merry Christmas to all!

Sorry, memory card on the camera died this afternoon so lost all the pictures of the mayhem this morning and the family lunch this afternoon. A hot and sunny day so the kids and Rex enjoyed the ocean while the adults ate way too much! A smaller Christmas lunch than normal but we all enjoyed each others company, especially since it is rare for us all to be together. Santa was very kind to all. One can barely move in the house for al the toys, cardboard and paper. The economy of China will be even more booming, and even more tropical forests will fall under the axe thanks to "his" generosity. Boxing day holiday tomorrow and we are invited to MacFarlane's Open House party in the afternoon. Off the rest of the week with lots of projects to complete and some fun stuff to do too!
Merry Christmas everybody!

BREAKING NEWS! SANTA ARRIVED!

As we were doing fireworks, Santa arrived! More details later....

Twas The 49th Anniversary...

But no pictures of the happy couple, only the grandchildren at play on the eve of Christmas eve!

Twas just 2 days 'till Christmas...

So some people are smiling in anticipation of good things to come. But I am told by people who know that I have been bad and therefore unlikely to receive a visit from Santa! Oh well, Hunter, Hayley and Rex are ready!

Twas 5 days before Christmas...

While daddy sweated it out escorting the Governor and his family into the Salina Reserve to release blue iguanas, H & H enjoyed the company of the Bush family (Jeff and Seretha that is) with their kids at Morritts pool!

Merry Christmas!

Boys and Girls

A very busy weekend as usual... spent much of Saturday in town (gymnastics, lunch, shopping, transporting a fridge) then dinner with the Reids until late. Spent Sunday morning cleaning the house then went to Gary's and out in the boat getting home after 6 and expecting dinner guests for 7! Somehow we pulled it off and everyone finally left around midnight. Pictures are Hunter, Charlie (Don's son) and me, and me with the girls. In the rush forgot to take pictures of the dinner but it was a wine tasting dinner with varietal wines paired with different foods... ended up consuming 9 bottles among 10 people. I think everyone had a good time!

What to do on a wintery Tuesday!

I went for a hike in the Salina Reserve this afternoon to help some high school students release 9 baby Blue Iguanas. It was a beautiful sight to see them get their first taste of freedom. The students had helped raise $1300 for the project. The hike was just what I needed after two miserable days in the office! After the hike I found Rex, Jenn and the kids enjoying a picnic at Great Beach. Another Winter day in Cayman!

Christmas Concert

Hayley and Hunter at their Christmas concert, me and staff at Viviene's farewell party. Hayley did a flawless piano solo and one with her teacher. Staying home tonight; way too many late nights lately!

Lobster Season

Lobster season opened December 1st but this was our first chance to get out on the ocean. Got 5 nice ones (the limit is 6) and 4 conchs. A wonderful Sunday lunch! Aunt Shir Shir and Owen did the hard work; water was too cold for me!

AT LAST!

Thanks to a small group of staff and parents, the sand has been spread and the playground became useable early Saturday morning. Because of the obligations of piano and gymnastics, Hayley and Hunter were unable to have their first fun until Saturday afternoon. From the pictures I think you will agree that they were very happy to have it finished!

Nana spent the night so I could attend the Jazz Fest featuring Natalie Cole last night, it was great which is something coming from someone who doesn't like Jazz! The Trust AGM went off without a hitch on Friday night so a series of late nights this weekend. Murray's book signing a big success yesterday, very busy schedule over the next week. We are off to visit Uncle Gary then having company for dinner later... must be the season.

New Playground

Birthday (again?) weekend

A mostly uneventful weekend... kids and I stayed up late Friday night watching movies, Hunter went to gymnastics Saturday morning but Hayley was still not feeling well. She and I spent the morning together then had lunch and joined Hunter at Granny's for the afternoon. I cooked a big dinner for us Saturday night and we played all Sunday morning and also put up the Christmas tree. Jenn came home early afternoon acting very suspiciously. At about 2 people started arriving for a surprise birthday party for me. It was a very nice affair with far too much food; and a very unexpected end to the weekend. Hopefully some other pictures tomorrow...I am off to bed!

Winter has arrived!

Yes, a chilly 19C this morning and yesterday. Airconditioners were turned off and Hayley even put on a sweater! The usual activities on Saturday morning, then visits with Granny & Grandaddy, Uncle Gary and Family, then off to the Trial of the Pirates (Uncle Darvin was found "not guilty") and fireworks display. Sunday we never left the house and relaxed with a mixture of company throughout the day. Pics are kids painted for North Side District Day and going off to school on this chilly Monday morning!

The Party

So far only one picture that can be posted... Gladys and me dancing at Karaoke night, Little Cayman Beach Resort. Yes, this is what I look like wasted, not a frequent occurence and you probably won't see it again! But it was fun at the time. And if one must overindulge what better place to do so???

Little Cayman 1

Great weekend in Little Cayman but went from the airport to work and got home late. Got an aerial tour of the Sister Islands for my birthday and spent lots of time on the water. More pictures and accounts of the trip and pictures of the Birthday Party later after they have been carefully screened! It was not a pretty sight!

Buried Treasure

Our neighbors invited us over to help them find their lost treasure. It had been marked by a tree which was unfortunately blown away in Hurricane Ivan. So with the metal detector we found the treasure in a jiffy! But typical of pirates and treasure there was a little disagreement as to how the loot would be shared so smiles were scarce for a bit... I worked at the Mission House project all day and include a picture of how it is coming along. Off to Little Cayman tomorrow for the weekend. Can't wait!

Sunday afternoon

Yes, another picture of a sunny day at Rum Point. But it was very windy and the current was flowing like a river so everyone got a good workout just staying by the boat. To rough in the Western parts of the North Sound to look for conchs and they are protected by the marine park system on the Eastern side. So they were safe today! The kids had a blast with the company of Katherine and Whitney and were also joined by some of the Soto girls. Also you may recognize Rene in the picture; he's here for 10 days. Off to Little Cayman on Friday so we will take it easy till then!

Sunday November 5, 2006

Breezy, warm Sunday morning, and after a walk with Rex we played in the sandpile and got thoroughly filthy! Will give Rex a quick bath then out on the boat for a while (conch season has opened). We saw pictures of snow in Vernon compliments of Tanya... so it seems winter has finally arrived in the Okanagan. And here too. Brisk northeasterly winds are bringing our temperatures down into the mid 80'sF and signalling an early end to a thankfully uneventful hurricane season.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween From the Roulstones!

Friday Evening

Finally got the Governor Gore's Bird Sanctuary re-opened. Governor Stuart Jack was on hand to cut the ribbon and Hayley, Hunter and Katherine enjoyed seeing the whistling ducks with babies and other wildlife.