News Update

We started the week on the shore of Lake Okanagan with John & Marion—thanks again! We enjoyed reunion with several friends at church in Vernon, and then headed east. After stopping over night in Canmore, we completed the trip to Regina on Monday! The weather continually degraded as we journeyed east, and the highway was slippery in drifting snow between Swift Current and Regina. Several semis and other vehicles were in the ditches. We have endured sufficient winter weather already, and are glad to see it break and are enjoying above zero temperatures this weekend. We are also enjoying the warm hospitality of Uncle Dave and Dad—thanks a lot! Today marked Dad's 90th birthday, and there was a large family gathering to celebrate the occasion. We also noted Wendy's 65th birthday (Monday), and Erica's birthday (March 18th).  Strong economic data out of the US has convinced investors that the stimulus tap will be turned off, so the markets have been terrible this week. All indices are down, and so am I. Brier Curling has been running all week, and I've been enjoying that. My favourite, Kevin Koe, did not make the playoffs, but my sentimental favourite, Saskatchewan's Steve Laycock, did. He will play in the bronze medal game tomorrow morning, while another Saskatchewan native, Pat Simmons, playing as Team Canada, will tangle with Brad Jacobs in the final. I'll be cheering for Pat, but I expect Brad to win it all once again. 

We brought Haaken back with us from BC. Eric/A and Liam joined us here this weekend to take part in the birthday celebrations, so the family is together again. Tomorrow they will drop off Liam at Caronport and return with Haaken to Prince Albert. It has been good to spend these two months with Haaken. 

Kristian spent most of the week with us as he recovered from Chicken Pox. He has been vaccinated against it, but it seems a new strain is out there, so the Health people asked for him to come in and donate some blood so the could study this new variant. Erin got back to work after spending Monday at home with Kristian, and spent most of her off-work hours over here, so we've enjoyed catching up. 

Travis, Joanna and crew are definitely looking forward to the end of winter. The weather has broken there as well, and we hope it will continue to be mild and the snow will be melting away. This evening they joined in the birthday celebrations via FaceTime; it was good to talk with them. Trav's team ended the season tied for first place, and now begins the playoff run. We hope it goes well! Andrew is in wrestling now, and looks forward to his first tournament. 

And that's about enough for this week.