JANUARY JOY

Winter Sunshine

"It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake

the fire of the frost

the soul of the sunbeam

"The crisp winter air is full of it

John Burroughs 

 A party after Christmas and the wedding.
Girls movie night to watch 'Little Women'

Driving the Coquihalla Highway to the coast.

Blueberry field / Mt Baker / Sunrise on Vancouver island

 It was a joy to stop in Abbotsford, Langley, Whiterock and Black Creek, Clearbrook and Greendale to visit four of my siblings and their spouses,  a sister-in -law, and also dear friends.  A bed for two nights, wonderful meals and best of all - in person conversations. Unfortunately I forgot to snap their photos so I trust they will forgive me. It definitely was a busy trip, yet very special to have made these connections.

Waiting for a delayed ferry /A winter storm blowing in/ 

Enjoying a slice of pizza when a seagull landed on the car hood

 staring gloomily at empty trays.

The coldest day in Victoria @ -7 with a damp wind chill of -20

A pre booked event in Victoria's China town -  2 hour walking tour

with a history lesson and  popping into 7 eateries

for delicious bites of food and drinks.  BRRRRR 

View of the waterfront from Victoria Regent Hotel

The reason for this winter trip -
The celebration of life for our brother in law Rod Smith
A life well lived.

                             "We are all restless until we find our rest in You, O Lord " 

                                                                     Anglican priest Don

Sunset over Victoria harbour

Parliament Buildings, Victoria BC

.............................................................................................................

The end of January was a time to celebrate the Birthdays 

of Cole Peters - 15, Lauren Simpson - 10 and Gramma - 76

It is the end of January  and 

we are still working on a Christmas Gift,

just a little taste of castle views we may see in spring. 

Adventures on the Horizon

                               

AFTER THE WEDDING December 30th

 We stayed the night at the Fairmont Marriott Hotel in Salmon Arm  to avoid what was a very foggy journey home to Kelowna for many of our family.  Having lived in Enderby for 10 years and driving past Salmon Arm over the past 52 years to some of our favourite provincial campsites on Shuswap Lake, it was fun on this day to visit the waterfront and downtown of this North Okanagan city .

We walked this wharf, the longest inland, waterfront, wooden structure
 in North America.  Great bragging rights.

A legend cafe in Salmon Arm, serving delicious savory and sweet pies.

                 The winter landscape at the end of 2023 was bleak and foggy, 

            yet full of natures beauty along Pelmewash Drive beside Wood Lake.

                                                               HAPPY NEW YEAR

THE WEDDING OF THE YEAR

 DECEMBER 29 2023

                                             THE WEDDING OF CADY GAU TO MARK PETERS 

                                DESTINATION ...  GARDOM LAKE BIBLE CAMP ... ENDERBY BC

A LONG LOVE STORY

Mark and Cady met at the age of two when their parents became friends.

They graduated from Preschool together and then again from Rutland Senior Secondary School.

 In the years between it was a close friendship marked with the two families going on vacations together,  Christmas morning brunches, living on Fleming St as neighbours, and many games nights.

Mark and Cady went to Bible camp as children and then worked as summer staff together. At the age of 16 they finally were given parental permission to date. Mark went to college and Cady to university where they both have worked at their creative arts. Their love is complimented with their artistic giftings in wood working and fine arts and by their passion of walking in a faith journey with God.

We are so proud of our grandson and the lovely partner Cady that he has chosen.

A beautiful ceremony officiated by Levi Simpson, Mark's uncle.
It was God honouring, intimate, serious and funny.
They were blessed with the prayers of family and friends
As they left the chapel as husband and wife they were surrounded by
 iridescent bubbles blown on them by 100+ guests 

The Gau family
Sam, April, Cady, Mark, Jason

The Peters Family
Melody, Cady, Mark, Kyla, Ray

Mark's grandparents
 Henry and Joan Janzen  ...  Wally and Trudy Peters
Cady also had two sets of grandparents and a great grandfather present.

A few detail of decor. Since the wedding was at the Bible camp a tuck shop was opened at the end of the reception with jars of the couples favourite candies
as favors for the guests.

Our Peters Clan

Wedding party
Joel, Kaden, Levi, Mark and Cady, Jaylyn, Kyla, Sarah

And now we have 11 grandchildren

Saying goodbyes before leaving on a short honeymoon

Sent off in a walkway of a myriad tiny streamers

What a wonderful, joyous and memorable day