Finnegann with his horsey, a gift from Bettina Gruver. He really likes it. The toy comes from Germany and was played with by Bettina's children, now in their 20s.

One of the many, many posters and banners in the city during the Olympics. These on a bridge. They created a festive air.

Here is many of the media tent's volunteers. At the desk in the centre was the person in charge of the operation. A friendly group. What we're doing here is having a glass of beer of wine after the men's gold medal game (that Canada won; the women took silver).

Here's where I worked during the Olympics, in the media tent at the curling venue. Occasionally I would get to see the curling. There were up to about 30 journalists working out of here. I tried to be useful... but mostly made sure only accredited people were in the media section, and handed out some pages of statistics.

A bit of hyperbole, I think. Nicely designed poster, though...

In uniform

Here I am in my Olympic uniform.

The Olympic torch relay

The Olympic torch today (Feb. 11) came along King Edward Ave., about half a block from our home. While I've complained that the relay has little to do with the Olympic's athletic competition, people certainly enjoyed it and were having fun. Tomorrow the opening ceremony, and on Sunday - Valentine's Day - come my first day as a volunteer at the curling venue. Last night Ros and I took in the final dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony... they've certainly spared no expense to try to make it grand.

Reception for the newlyweds

We had a party Feb . 6 to introduce Nick and Naomi to many of our friends in Vancouver, most of whom hadn't been able to go to Victoria for their wedding last August 23. It went well. The bicycle wheels had decorated the reception.

Countdown clock & Georgia Hotel

Countdown clock & Georgia Hotel, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Here's the Countdown Clock at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The Olympics are almost upon us... just 20 days, 4 hours, 32 minutes, 10 seconds to the opening ceremony. That was this week, Wednesday?

Granddad Don made a puppet show stage for Finn (and another for Elliott) for Christmas, which he - and several adults really like. Uncle David was putting on the show with a snake that Finn got for Christmas, and Don is participating somehow.

Finnegann's biggest gift was a renovated wagon improved and painted green and yellow by his dad. The boys at the part were Finn, Elliott, and Mika.

Here Granddad Buker reads to Finnegann and Don's other grandson, Elliott, from one of Finn's birthday books.

Finnegann turned 2 on January 2. Here Jane holds him as Russell presents the cake. In the background (in the silly hat) is Conrad, Russell's friend and father of Finn's friend Mika. (These are Ros' pictures.)

Van Dusen Light Show

The Gardens presented a light show - quite simple really, lights turned on and off to music, but still quite effective. (Ros shot this video with her little camera.)

Van Dusen Christmas Lights

P1024959, originally uploaded by NealeA.

We finally got to the Van Dusen Christmas lights display on Jan. 2. Had hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, and wandered about looking at the lights strung up all around the grounds.

Christmas lights! We always have to see Christmas lights. This is a home on the 1300th (west) block of 13th Avenue.

After Nick and Naomi left for Ontario on the airplane, we had a quiet Christmas evening dinner.

Another Santa asks David if he's been a good boy. (The Buker-Adamses had gone Christmas morning to Rosedale to be with Jane's family.)

Granny Kellett ("Gran-gran") appreciates a thank you from Finn.

Christmas 2009

Finnegann wonders about Santa (as played by Naomi) - who is this creature with a beard? Here we are on Christmas Eve at the Buker-Adamses.

But Finn is willing to sit on Santa's lap. I think he thinks he knows who it is, but he didn't say.

Christmas 2009

Here's Santa! Christmas Eve at 45th Avenue.

XmasLetter-2009-forWEB

Christmas Letter – December 2009

We hope this finds you in good health and enjoying some relaxing time with family and friends. It has been a wonderful year as Neale has begun a proper retirement and our daughter Naomi got married--without too many family arguments. It helped that his parents, Ken and Sandie, live so far away, and we also are separated by the Strait of Georgia, so both sets of parents just HAD to trust them!

The school year from January to June was busy for Ros as she took her Biology students on a field trip to the Vancouver Aquarium and continued to teach junior sciences to grade 8 and ESL students, as well as staying active in her union on cycling initiatives and other policy matters She also continued to play and umpire field hockey, attend NDP meetings and rally voters to turn out for the May provincial election but not enough of them did to change the government!

Great Uncle David with Finnegann, Neale & Margery in background

In April, Ros’ brother David Kellett took a five week holiday to Britain to visit family and friends and came back with cheerful news and much gratitude for all the generous hospitablity he received – he also took lots of photographs to share with us.

In May, Naomi defended her master's thesis on aboriginal land claims and the negotiation processes and got top marks! Granny Margery, Neale and Ros were able to attend her Convocation service in June.

The climax of our summer was Naomi's marriage to Nick Melchin on August 23 in Saxe Point Park in Victoria. Nick comes from a strong family from Ottawa, Ontario and has two brothers, Derek and Pat. Both brothers assisted at the wedding, as did David Kellett. Naomi's oldest friend Roseanns Roberts and her brother Russell were flower people. The Reverend and Retired Canon Herbie O'Driscoll conducted the service, both in the park and at the chapel later.

The weekend was a joyful family gathering as relatives came from California, Calgary, Parksville (Vancouver Island), London (England), Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal for the event. As at her older brother's wedding, many guests travelled by bicycle in the wedding procession both to the ceremony and on to the reception. We really feel our family has grown to encompass the Melchins (and vice versa).

The bicycle bride before her wedding.

Neale worked hard for the Anglican synod from January to June and retired from full time work on June 30. He completed six issues of the diocesan newspaper TOPIC as well as travelling to Victoria for the Anglican Editors conference in early June. Many, many people came to his retirement party, held at Margery Kellett's and well-wishers from all the media worksites he had been employed at came out to Roast and Toast.

Russell, Jane, and Finnegann (somewhat older).

In mid July, son Russell left to got to CAT – the Centre for Alternate transportation- in Eugene, Oregon. His wife, Jane, and son, Finnegan, (age 2 year next Jan. 2) stayed in Vancouver but were able to go and visit him twice for week-long visits during his five-month apprenticeship program. He will return Dec 16 and try to set up a similar centre here in Vancouver. But we also got to see him three more times during this time as he returned for 2 weddings and Canadian thanksgiving!

On August 1, Jane's brother Johnny married Hilde Festerling at Johnny's family's home in Rosedale, BC, and we met many of the the couple’s relatives from across BC and the USA.

In the fall, Ros went back to teaching at Eric Hamber High School, and is now engaged with more ESL (English as a Second Language) science classes. Neale did more travelling, visited Russell twice and took the train to Davis and Berkeley California for American Thanksgiving. Neale’s brother Chuck and wife Dena prepared the 30 lb turkey for 21 friends and family – their “children” Jeremy and Leah Belzer Adams came home, as well as Neale’s brother Mike with his wife, Lori, and sons, Tristan and Zachary. Naomi flew down and Russell came by auto to have a great celebration – Ros, meanwhile, attended a political convention to ensure the next provincial election will be more successful for her New Democratic Party!

And so at this time we relax and take stock a little more, at this time of the year, and give thanks for so many blessings, including your friendship. Happy new 2010, we look forward to seeing you, perhaps, at the Olympic games!

Nick at left and Ros at right in the wedding procession after the ceremony.

ROS NEALE

Have a wonderful Holiday Season and Prosperous New Year!

In a roommette on the train

In a roommette on the train, originally uploaded by NealeA.

We shared a small compartment on the train which made up into two very narrow beds, one on top of the other, so we could sleep overnight. Here Russell is drawing me (while I was drawing him).

Amtrak

IMG_4735, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Russell and I took the Coast Starlight from Davis to Eugene and I went on to Seattle and by bus to Vancouver. It was great being with my son on the journey - just as it had been wonderful to drive down to Eugene in October with daughter Naomi.

Charades

Charades, originally uploaded by NealeA.

We played Charades after dinner, and of course brother Chuck was the most energetic participant.

Thanksgiving table

IMG_4705, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Naomi had flown to San Francisco, and Russell had driven down with his friend Joe. Great time!

Turkey at the Belzer-Adamses

IMG_4704, originally uploaded by NealeA.

We all went in to Berkeley on Thanksgiving for dinner. Some 21 people were around the table, and the turkey weighed 30 lbs.

Mike at market

Mike at market, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Then on to Davis to be with my brother Mike and his family for the Thanksgiving holiday. We cycled to the local farmers' market, where Mike seemed to know most of the farmers.

Russell at C.A.T.

IMG_4650, originally uploaded by NealeA.

I really enjoyed spending time with Russell before American Thanksgiving in Eugene. Here he is working at C.A.T., the Center for Appropriate Transportation.

A fire at Main Street and Broadway destroyed three small businesses the night before. A machine was tearing down what remained and dragging it to the street so it could be trucked away. What a mess!