Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  The Christmas season is upon us once again and I can hardly believe that I am writing the 13th addition of our annual Christmas letter. Make yourself a cup of tea, curl up in a cozy chair and let me tell you what our gang has been up to in 2008.

This year has been a year full of adventure and activity for our family. Following a busy ski season at Caledon Ski Club, we headed west for some more challenging terrain at the Panorama Resort in British Columbia. We stayed in a condo on the hill, and we were first on the chairlift each day, hoping to be the first down the freshly groomed slopes or through the new snow. Paul and I had to work hard to keep up with the kids, as they raced down the slopes with fearless speed and agility. As far as the kids were concerned, the steeper the slope, the better the run. The highlight of each day was a final trip to the top of the mountain for hot chocolate and then after a hike along a narrow path, the challenge of skiing the back bowl. The reward at the end of a full day of skiing was a soak in the pool-size outdoor hot tub and a delicious dinner out in the village. Nothing really beats a ski holiday!

In July, we headed east to visit old friends in Ottawa and play the role of tourist in our old stomping grounds. It was wonderful to catch up with our Manotick pals and we could hardly believe that nine years have passed since we moved from Ottawa to Minneapolis. The kids have all grown so much and yet remarkably, none of the adults had aged at all! Next we headed to Mont Tremblant and a stay at the Fairmont Tremblant. There are countless things to do in the summer in this ski town, and we did them all. The kids loved the luge, the zipline and the horseback riding. Paul loved the endless, scenic bike trails and I loved the hiking. Paul and I went for a big hike every morning, before the kids woke up. One day, I even convinced the boys to climb up the mountain with me, while Lexi accompanied me on the climb down; a 12 km round trip… we are still debating which was harder.

Lexi is 14 ½ and is in grade nine. Yes, Lexi is in high school and she loves it! Without hesitation, Lexi leapt into the routine at Etobicoke C.I., and has not looked back. Lexi is extremely organized and could probably give a lecture to other students on how to take notes and stay on top of work. Lexi quickly became well known at the school, being recognized weekly on the morning announcements for her cross-country running accomplishments. After placing 3rd in Toronto, Lexi lead her midget girls’ team to the Ontario Finals in Sarnia on Hallowe’en weekend.  Lexi has joined a running club called The Toronto Olympic Club, and is busy training with the club, three days a week. Somehow she also manages to squeeze in a busy social life -“Keep my Fridays free Mom!”, lots of babysitting, many other sports and her passion- shopping! Lexi spent 5 weeks at Glen Bernard Camp in the summer and loved every moment.

Jack is 13 years old and is in grade eight. Yes, Jack is a teenager… we can hardly believe it ourselves! He is growing like a weed and much to his dismay, requires regular shopping trips to the mall for new clothes and shoes. Jack is working very hard at school and is achieving his highest grades ever! He is off to high school in the fall, and we are presently exploring different options for him. Jack is full of boundless energy, and is game for every sport. Jack is a talented racquet player and takes weekly badminton and tennis lessons… it won’t be long before he starts challenging me for the Hill tennis title. He also keeps busy with swimming, soccer, hockey, running and downhill skiing. Jack went to Camp Hurontario for his fifth summer, and loved being back in the rustic, outdoorsy environment. In his spare time, Jack is always on the go, scootering or biking around the neighbourhood, seeking out pals to expend his energy with.

Ross is 10 years old and is in grade five. Ross is loving school this year and is thriving in a warm and supportive classroom setting. Ross enjoys the writing component of the grade five curriculum and loves to publish his compositions at home on the computer. Ross wrote a beautiful Remembrance Day poem, which he read to the entire school on November 11th. He loves to read and is often the last one in the house awake each night, as he devours from start to finish, his latest library book. Ross cherished his time at Camp Hurontario this past summer and can hardly wait to go back next year. There is something about the testosterone fuelled, wear what you want, brush your teeth once a week, play in the water all day, tell goofy jokes environment that appeals to the boys- go figure! If Paul and I have to have 25 days without children each year, to support this endeavour, I guess we can do it!

2008 was the year for Paul to get back into shape. Meeting with a trainer a few days a week, exercising with the family on the weekends, and riding around Toronto on his new hybrid mountain bike, Paul is fit as ever. We enjoyed some couple time at the Inn at Manitou in August, where I played tennis all day and Paul mixed it up with his new passion, golf. Paul is continuing to love his job at Clarity Systems and is working hard to keep the company growing in this arduous economy. So far it appears as though Clarity’s budgeting software is just what many companies need to manage their budgets in tough times.

I continue to find ways to fill my days, volunteering at the boys’ school as Chair of the Parent Council, captaining my tennis team at the Boulevard Club, and coaching soccer and cross-country running teams. I look forward to my daily walk to the Humber River with Lucy and Happy and my walking pals. A highlight of the summer was a girls’ tennis getaway to my friend Cassie’s cottage. We indulged in awesome food and championship tennis- who could ask for more? I am proud of my accomplishment of raising almost $6000 for the Princess Margaret Hospital in the 60 km Weekend to End Breast Cancer Walk. Thank you to everyone who supported my campaign. I am signed-up to do the walk again in 2009 and I hope to raise $10,000 for this worthy cause. In my spare time, I am shuttling the kids to their various activities and holding down the fort at home. It is a busy life, yet we love it!

Our warmest wishes this holiday season! Our new home email address is [email protected]… Please keep in touch!

Love Lianne, Paul, Lexi, Jack and Ross Hill