December ~ the finale

Farewell to 2023.

December was one for the record books...

unseasonably warm.

We had one wee skiff of snow early in the month...

and I have a photo to prove it.

Christmas was warm and green.

We used to take the grands on outings to see Christmas lights every year.

Now we go on our own.

Downtown Chilliwack is beautifully decked out...

and has become a bit of a tourist attraction.

Checking out the 'Lights by the Lake' at Harrison Hot Springs was a fun outing as well.

We had the opportunity to meet this lovely family who came to Canada from Ukraine recently...

 and is now living in Chilliwack.

We included them in our 'care group' Christmas party with the intention of sharing a little Canadian Christmas joy with them.

They were such a delight and blessed us with a Ukranian mini-concert.

Christmas morning...

when all was calm and bright.

We had brunch together...

and then gathered in the great room to open gifts.

That's tradition.

We broke with tradition on Christmas Eve this year...

and met at Jeremy and Broni's for appetizers and games...

rather than at 'Grammy's house'. 

I think we started a new tradition.

There may not be any littles anymore...

but there's always something to laugh about!

This monkey lamp was the most coveted prize in the 'white elephant' gift exchange the previous night.

Maggie was not happy that her cousin stole it from her.

It somehow showed up under the tree on Christmas morning...

and she went home with a monkey lamp.

Jeremy has coached Ryder's team for many years...

and this year marks the end of that era.

They recently took first place in a tournament in Kamloops...

and Ryder was one of the top scorers.

Ryder's hockey looks very different now that it did ten years ago!

We watched one his local games just before Christmas.

Along with the warm temperatures...

...we've had many foggy mornings.

The sun has set on 2023...

but I am left with many wonderful memories and a heart of gratitude.

It's a new year...

a new chapter...

a new page.

What will that look like on 'My Front Porch'?

We'll see.

I would like to wish each of you a very happy and blessed new year!