Home for the Holidays

Unfortunately I had to teach until December 22nd this year, so I didn't get home until the 23rd. Which meant I headed right into Christmas celebrations, still jetlagged. On the 24th we celebrated Robert's birthday. He came over for dinner, and we made cheese fondue. Then on Christmas we had our normal routine (presents, breakfast, walk to the beach, lunch) at home, before heading over to North Van in the afternoon. Spent some time with Robert and then went to his friends' house for dinner.

Enjoying all the company being home ... or rather Chase is enjoying all the people to pet her!

Family photo down by the beach, Christmas morning.

Dad snapped this photo while I was driving over the Lion's Gate Bridge, on the way to North Van. It was so nice to see the mountains again, and amazing how much snow we could see.

As close as we got to a family photo this Christmas.

After Christmas was done I managed to stay pretty busy. Most days were taken up with things planned with my family, or outings to meet up with friends. My dad and I got one bike ride in, between frosty and snowy days. We took our normal route downtown to the New Town Bakery for lunch. After that we got ambitious, and kept going across and around Canada Place, and finally all around Stanley Park along the Seawall. By the time we made it back to the 8th Avenue hill I wasn't sure I would make it back up!

View of the mountains from Trimble Park

One day we took the ferry over to Nanaimo to visit Pat. It was the perfect weather to ride the ferry: pretty cold, but clear. We had a great view of the water and mountains, though I missed the dolphins that my dad saw! We then had a nice visit and lunch, before heading back home. Of course, I had a BC burger on the ferry ride back.

Waiting for the ferry in Horseshoe Bay

New Year's Eve I celebrated with my friend Melissa, and her sister and their friends. We had a great evening playing board games and eating all the food people had brought. At midnight we watched the fireworks in Seattle, and then the ones in Vancouver. It was a fun and relaxed way to bring in the New Year. Then, just in time for everyone to go back to school and work, it actually snowed in Vancouver. And it stayed for a couple of days!!

We went on a lot of different walks the rest of the time I was home. Most of the photos I have to share are from my dad:

The view from Trimble Park again, overlooking downtown with the fog.

Thanks to a 2 hour flight delay, we had one final walk down to the beach.

Now I am back and settled in Frankfurt. One week done and it feels like I never left. I guess that is the nice thing about routines. It was a busy week though, with various meetings and lots to do planning the new term. I handed in my resignation on Tuesday, so now I can look forward to moving back to Vancouver in the early fall. But before that I am planning on enjoying my time in Europe. I have already started planning a trip for Easter, Portugal anyone?