Sorry it's been a while since we updated but it's been christmas and we've been kept busy. Back tracking slightly....... Em, Ju and Katie headed for Fiji leaving me in NZ to meet m,y Dad, bro and Ellen. The girls had a fantasic time it was soooooo hot, so they spent their time lying on stunning beaches, swimming in crystal clear water, drinking the local Cava and making lots of new crazy american friends. They got to see 3 islands and stayed on a boat. They did snorkelling and partying. I on the other hand stayed in a campervan and got drunk a lot. Had a brilliant time with my family and was very sad to say goodbye to them. So, I had a successful rendez-vous at Fiji airport with the girls and off we went to Canada. (They all had very nice tans!!!!!). We flew to Vancouver and spend our days sho[pping and getting in the christmas spirit. We made a quick visit to Vancouver Island to stay with Katie's great uncle Harold and Aunty Peggy which was great we got spoilt rotten with home cooking and alcohol. Whilst in Victoria we went to Buchard Gardens to see their christmas lights display. It was fantastic, so christmasy we even did some ice skating on the out door rink - all of us pro's as you can imagine. Back in Vancouver we spent our last evening with Katie at an ice hockey game. We watched the Vancouver Giants kick Ass 4-3 against the Swift Current Broncos. We all really enjoyed it, it was violent and a realy fast game and we loved it - we're hooked. On the 17th Katie escorted us to the airport to send us off to Calgary. It was so strange saying goodbye to Katie and leaving her in Vancouver to fend for herself. But she managed!!!! On the plane we got told it was a pleasant day in Calgary only -15 degrees!!!!!! Ken met us at the airport and took us to our christmas holiday home. Before the afternoon was over we had our photos taken with the head of a dead deer, had been taken to the local pub for a pint and been shown the biggest christmas tree we had evr seen in their living room!!!!! Em and Ju got an early morning visit to see some buffalo. They said they were HUGE (see photos). They returned frozen but with some buffalo burgers in hand - successful trip. During our time there we were included in everything - all the parties and christnas do's and all the traditions like decorating christmas cookies. We also got to go skiing!!! First time for me and Em - we had one lesson and off we went. Ju (already a pro) whizzed past us down the big slope. Much fun had by all. We also got to visit Banff and Lake Louise which were fantastic. They were covered in snow and looked like chrismas cards. Em shamed us all by having to wee in the woods (luckily there were no bears). We visited a dinosaur museum too which was fun and educational. Christmas was great lots of presents, food and drink. We got spoilt rotten again. We spend the day playing games with Natalie and Jeff and had a beautiful christmas dinner in the evening (Thank you Sue). My birthday was spent in the mountains skiing with Ken. He must have wondered what the hell he let himself in for as myself and Em spend most of the day on our bums rolling down hills. I did a couple of quite spectacular tumbles even managed to floor Em on the way down - I have the bruises to prove it. Not wanting to feel left out Ken also fell over - but in the restuarant whoops. Ju was a pro and stayed upright all day - go girl. Good job she was there or i would still be fal;len over on a mountain somewhere. We taken out for dinner and i got an ice cream birthday cake from Dairy Queen (yep Katie yep). Was a very good day but it was our last. We said our teary goodbyes and thank you's and started our long journey home. We are now in Vancouver passing the hours until our flight home. So see you soon, over and out xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx