Happy New Year!!

I can’t believe a full year has gone by already! We hope 2015 brings us the same health and happiness we have enjoyed in 2014. 

Looking back over the 2014:

Health-wise, Brian was still on his maintenance chemo that finished in February.  He has had his three monthly follow-ups since February and all have been really good.  Blood work is all normal, he is feeling very well and has been in complete remission.  Of course throughout the entire year, Brian has always been keeping up on his exercise – running, biking, weight training, walking – no wonder he stays in such great shape!  I still say that Brian’s overall fitness and his good eating habits (thanks to me……well for the most part anyway!) has gone a long way in keeping him in remission.  He was completely able to tolerate the chemo he did have and, of course, he has no other complicating medical ailments, so we feel very fortunate that he has done so well. 

Vacation-wise, we did manage to go to Florida for a week last February and Brian was back again to Florida with Breanne and family for a week in March which he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his much loved Annika and Selena; while in the meantime I stayed home with the dogs – Timmie and Mavie!  Not that I minded though, being the introvert and loner that I am, I thoroughly enjoyed having a full 10 days all to myself.  Also in September we took our Mediterranean cruise and we had a great time with our friends from Australia and we had such beautiful weather and saw parts of the world we had never seen before! 

Family-wise, in November we got to welcome our first grandson into the world.  Although worrying that he was only 30 weeks of gestation, he weighed just a little over 4 lb and since then has come through with a fighting spirit and even though he is still in hospital, he is doing so much better now and we anticipate a discharge home sometime in January.

Our children, David (Jenn) and Breanne (James) are all doing well.  They are all very busy with their work and families!

Our two granddaughters, Annika and Selena, have been growing like weeds this past year.  Annika started grade 1 and Selena started Full Day Kindergarten in September and they are just so much fun now.  We feel very fortunate to live just around the corner from them so we can see them whenever we like – Brian often meets them after school to walk home with them or bring them over here for an hour. 

My dad is doing great!  He struggles with his bad leg but still manages to get around with his cane or walker.  Dad will be turning 93 in February 2015!!  Bob, Roy and I hope that we have those longevity genes within us as well!  I wouldn’t say that dad is all that enamored with living at Arbor Trails Retirement Residence but he does his best to accept it, knowing that it is the best place for him at this point in his life.  He talks to Ivy every day over Skype and that is a bright spot in his day- that seems to be when we see dad the happiest.  Ivy too looks good when we see her on Skype and I know she enjoys being able to talk to dad as well.  What would we do without the technology of today!  It must be mind-boggling for people of dad’s age to see so much change in 10 decades!

Last but not least are my two brothers and their wives, Bob (Gwen) and Roy (Pat), and Brian’s sister, Carole.  It is hard to believe that all of us (with the exception of Pat!) are now 60 to 70 years old.  Both Bob and Roy have completely retired from working now – I would say it was about time! We are all enjoying life in all our own ways and I hope that continues right through 2015.

I am adding a few pictures below but I want to wish all our friends and family from near and far – a very Happy and Prosperous 2015!!

I finally got to have a real cuddle with Levi on Boxing Day!  He is now just over 5 lbs and is now able to swallow so is getting some feeds on the breast and by bottle (with breast milk in it).  He tires easily though, so it will probably be a week yet before they remove the NG tube from his nose. 

My handsome Timmie – freshly groomed just for Christmas!

David and Jenn enjoying a couple of hours with us on Christmas Eve before heading back up to the hospital to be with Levi.  Their Christmas was spent at Grand River Hospital celebrating with Levi! 

Papa playing with his two favorite girls!!

 

James with his new “trail running shoes” and enjoying watching the activities.

Since Breanne and I take all the pictures, this was the only one I could find with her in it!!  David, Breanne and Jenn looking at pictures of Levi on the computer!

Happy New Year everyone!