A few tips for the New Year of 2006!

As this year comes to a close, we reflect on the good and difficult times behind us, and we look forward with hope and anticipation for the new year ahead... below are a few tips to help make your new year safer and smarter!
(see www.safetycenter.navy.mil)

1. Always be courteous... offer to pay others' tolls when possible. 

Hughes Waitt: January 31, 1921-November 29, 2005

We'll miss you, Grandpa...

I could never write anything eloquent enough to describe my grandfather Waitt, but here is a few thoughts to pass along;

-we talked for the last time on Saturday, the 26th... Grandpa told me that he'd been doing his Christmas baking since the weather was too inclimate to go outside and putter around in his gardens. He always loved beauty.

-Grandpa valued our family above anything else in his life, with exception to his Lord. The last thing he told me was, "Hillary, take care of your family..."

-Grandpa and Grandma were tighter than any couple I've ever known. They were married almost 63 years. They lived for each other and their love shone for each other even when my grandfather would wonder off just before dinner, "Just like his mother", Grandma would say...

-Grandpa became a Christian at the age of 21 during his time in the Canadian military during WWII. Later that year, he married my grandma. The first three years of their marriage they bounced from base to base across Canada and Alaska. Eventually, the war ended and they settled in Vancouver where he worked and attended university while my grandma was at home with my dad. In the late 1950's, they moved to Ottawa for a government job but returned to Victoria after 5 years away from the ocean they loved. Grandpa and Grandma built up their home on Parker Avenue, they built Point Roberts cottage, and eventually, my dad's home (before he married my mom) in Cobble Hill. He always loved gardening and listening to his short-wave radio, and apple pie with a piece of chesse on top.

-Grandpa made sure us girls (yes, all four) had piano lessons and Chad had art lessons. He loved to hear us plunk out a song or two when he and Grandma came to visit- a little hard on the ears, I'm sure

-Grandpa loved Dan and he looked forward with such expectation and excitement for our little bundle of joy. He laughed and teased that "he'd love the baby even if he/she will be half American!"

Thank-you, God, for our Christian heritage and the promise that we'll all be together someday. What hope we have!

Smart kitty- sun and relaxation... we have a lot in common. (The cat is our neighbor's)

Week #29- only 11 more weeks to go!

Our friends, Ted and Michelle. It was Ted's 30th birthday so Michelle decided to throw him a surprise "1980's" party. Believe it or not, Michelle got her lovely jumpsuit for only $1.29- talked down from $4 since there was a slight tear behind the knee. What a bargin;-) (The bottle Ted is holding is empty and only for effect). Dan couldn't go since he had to work until 10pm but I did take home a package of Pop-Rocks to him. Michelle had "The Breakfast Club" playing on the TV in the background for those good memories... a good time had by all!

My outfit for the night: pegged jeans, slouch socks, arm bracelets, blue eye shadow, and an off-set pony tail. 

Our friends Mike and Julie... Julie's dress was her junior-high prom dress- although a little tight, it still fit! Her parents still had it in a closet at their home. To top off the outfit, she is also wearing black and bright blue tap shoes. (Mike came as his self). 

Staying connected

Hello,
We just wanted to write something new on our page since we don't have any new pictures to post:-) With thanksgiving, all is well here. Dan is doing fine in his new job and loves the short drive to work. Since we are closer to the hills, he has to watch out for deer in the mornings that tend to wander the 280 freeway- not the smartest deer, I suppose. His schedule has worked out okay so far... we spent Tuesday in SF at the deYoung museum. It was a 'free' day since it was just remoldeled. We didn't know that it was free but at least a few thousand people did know and we met them all at the front door! The fog rolled in early (1:30pm) that day, so we left early since we didn't have our coats.

Yesterday, I went 'shopping' at the local goodwill and bought a bag full of baby items for only $10. The clothes are next-to-brand-new and I'll check back in another month or two. We love Craigslist and check it regularily to get some good deals on baby items. Most people here only have one child, or two at most, due to the cost of living and busy lifestyles, so a lot of the stuff posted is almost brand-new. Yeah! I figure if we save on the small items, we can justify spending more on the 'big' items.

Dan's parents are coming for a few days before Christmas. We are excited to be establishing our own traditions for the first time. The last few Christmases we've been in L.A. or in Victoria/ Cobble Hill. Dan has to work Christmas day but has the 27/28th off. We can't believe we've been living here for a year already. After spending 4 months in a hotel suite and 6 months in a unlikeable house, I think we've finally settled into a 'home' we like.

Well, that's all for now,
Luv,
Dan and Hillary

Week #23! (Sorry, I couldn't deactivate the flash.) Beanie kicks a lot and now Dan can feel the 'bumping' as well:-)

October 14th weekend, Phil (one of Dan's groomsmen) and Katie, his lovely wife, came for a visit from Chicago. They will be moving back to England in December and it was great to see them before they left. We spent Saturday in Monteray and it was warm although slightly windy.

Phil, pondering life...

Monteray Beach, October 14th weekend

Andrea and our beloved Grandpa Waitt. My grandparents are aging but their spirits remain sharp as ever.

Thanksgiving 2005 in Victoria. We celebrated on Saturday and my brother came over from Vancouver. The four of us are continuing our old ritual of picking apart the Sears Christmas catalogue to see the latest and greatest gizmos!

Our small but efficient kitchen. In the back is the washer and dryer.

The dining room area- plus cardboard from the futon packaging

The patio looking east- we love the morning sun:-)

Good morning;
We'll post some new pictures tonight after Dan shows me (once again) how to connect the camera to the computer. The last thing I want to do is wreck the camera! We are doing well here, living life one day at a time:-) The baby is growing healthy and is about 10 inches in length. Last week, we also found out that my aunt Annette (my mom's sister) is pregnant after a couple miscarriages. She is 41yrs old and her baby is due one month after ours. We are so excited! The baby will be my cousin- my grandmother will have a first great-grandchild and a new grandchild in the same month! Interesting how generations overlap.

Our friends, Katie and Phil Anderson, are visiting this weekend from Chicago. We'll post a picture of them next week. They were married in England last summer. They are moving back to England in December.

Have a blessed day!

February 2005 on Alcatraz