Hello Everyone,

Here is the first edition of what I hope will be an annual Christmas letter to friends and family to update everyone on the happenings of our family. Correspondence and regular communication is not always our forte, so consider this the letter or the phone call that is long overdue… so Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

1996 has whirled by so quickly I can hardly believe that the Christmas season is upon us. Last year at this time we were under a lot of stress. I was finishing work and writing report cards, selling our house, looking for Dylan the dog and being a single parent during the week while Paul commuted from Ottawa and beyond on weekends. One year later I am having a much needed rest and holiday at Jane and Dad’s place on Palm Island on the Gulf of Mexico, in Florida. I am with my Dad and sister Miriam for ten days of pure relaxation and high stakes tennis. Jack is being adored and cared for by my Mom and John in Mississauga, while Paul cares for Lexi (with the help of friends) and oversees daily life in Ottawa. It is now that I can finally reflect on our busy year and wonderful new life in Ottawa and realize how lucky we all are.

We love our new town and are getting to love our new home as all the kinks are being worked out. We have made lots of friends and we are starting to feel quite at home in the quiet country community of Manotick. This past year we have had rooms painted and wallpapered, replaced a water pump, repaired the septic system, renovated the family bathroom, bought a new car and completed countless other smaller tasks to make our home more comfortable. We have entertained many friends and family members who have ventured to Ottawa to visit us… thank goodness our house has five bedrooms! Paul and I both turned 30 this year and it feels great! We have explored the greater Ottawa region and have found that it is a great place for families with lots to do. Paul and I played on a co-ed softball team and quickly discovered that there is a far greater mosquito population in Manotick than in Toronto. However, we met lots of nice people and were able to go out together once a week for some adult fun. Next year, Paul has me convinced to join the Manotick tennis league. We rented a cottage near the Laurentians for two weeks in the summer and enjoyed the tranquility and beauty of the setting. Now we are really looking forward to spending our first Christmas in Ottawa. Last year when we moved into our new home on December 27^th there was four feet of snow in our backyard. It is a pretty safe bet that we will be having a white Christmas!

In October Paul had a one-year anniversary of working at Cognos. He greatly enjoys the stimulating and challenging environment, the twenty-minute commute and the family focused attitude. He has been travelling frequently to California, Boston, New York… earning us lots of frequent flyer points. Even though headhunters are regularly recruiting him, I think he will be at Cognos for a while. We have both agreed that moving from the Ottawa area is not an option. Paul has been working extremely hard and needs a vacation like the one I am currently having. In 1997, this will be a priority.

Lexi is 2 ½ years old and is busy, busy, busy! She is a chatterbox who likes to dominate the dinner conversations while entertaining her brother at the same time. Lexi is attending the North Gower Co-Operative Nursery School one morning a week. Her teachers say she is outgoing and is always willing to be the first to try new activities. Lexi loves to answer the telephone, so beware! When Paul calls during the day and she answers, she checks if it’s him by saying, “Is that you Paul?” She can quickly point out who is who in our gallery of grandparents. She knows which grandpa is Mommy’s dad and which one is Daddy’s dad, etc. Pretty remarkable when she has seven grandmas and four grandpas and none of them live in Ottawa.

Jack celebrates his first birthday on December 22^nd. He is almost walking and is a joy to be around. He is a happy person with a ready smile and curious nature. When my back is turned for a minute, he likes to go exploring. I will often find him staring outside at Paisley in the backyard, memorized by the roaring fire in the family room fireplace or banging the kitchen cupboards. Jack is most content if he is near his beloved sister trying to be involved in whatever activity she is doing. Lexi loves to take care of Jack, like he is one of her dolls. This is okay with him until she tries to pick him up… Jack doesn’t need a helper in the falling down and bumping his head department.

I am managing to find lots to do in my new career as stay-at-home mom. I am on the nursery school executive as the secretary. I am one of the organizers of a group called the Mothers of Manotick, I attend aerobics class twice a week, I try to run every morning (the cold Ottawa winter may stop this routine for a while) and I am simply very busy taking care of my family and home. I have settled into my new role and I love it. I tell my new friends that I am a retired schoolteacher with no immediate plans to return to work. I would like to take some university/college course for pure enjoyment and who knows if a new career may emerge.

Paisley loves living in Ottawa and loves having me at home. Last winter we installed a radio fence system after he disappeared on the golf course one too many times. He is walked twice a day, has a large yard to play in and is worshipped by the kids. Lexi bosses him around and gives him time-outs in his room when she thinks he needs it. He is a reliable watchdog and an intimidating figure when Paul is away on business. Sometime in the next year we will probably adopt another dog to keep Paisley company.

I hope all is well with your family and that you all have a very Merry Christmas. If you are ever planning to be in the Ottawa area please give us a phone call before you come, as you are more than welcome to stay with us!

With love,

Lianne, Paul, Lexi and Jack