Happy New Year from the Dunne Family!

Hello Again!

Here it is, January 7th, and what a year we've had! It's hard to believe that only a little over a year ago we were sitting in a beautiful chateau in France, ringing in the new year with locally grown sparkling wine and European chocolate. 2008 was an amazing year. Busy, wacky, fun, trying, difficult and rewarding...2008 saw us breezing through 8 different countries, skiing down the slopes for our first time as a family, learning to cope with type 1 diabetes, crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary II, settling in to new schools and jobs and welcoming a new addition into the Dunne Family unit (Ash, the kitten). We've sailed down the Thames, viewed Paris from the Eiffel Tower, yodeled in the Austrian Alps, tasted salt underneath a Bavarian mountain, had tea with the Queen and watched the sun rise beyond the Statue of Liberty. I'm not sure how we managed to fit it all into one year. Through it all we worked, went to school, moved, met new friends, and kept in contact with old friends. What a great life!

I guess the best way to see what we've done would be to ask you to look through the old blogs, and update you on the 'post-England' days in this one. So here goes...

The Big Move.

As you already know, it seems impossible for us to do anything in the simple, 'normal' manner. So when Tom finished his course (and his Masters' degree), and our replacements came knocking on the door, we loaded into our rental vehicle and headed off on another adventure. Having heard about the wonders of Cornwall but not yet experienced it, we had booked 4 days on the western British coast in the surfing town of Newquay. The place reminded me a bit of Old Orchard Beach with it's cheesy tourist-trap stores, but where we were staying was a bit off of the beaten path. We had a great time on the beach, in spite of the rain and misty weather. On the second day we even rented wet-suits and boogie boards- a big hit with everyone. Our hotel was comfortable and the view of the beach from our room was gorgeous. We also visited Perranporth, and had an amazing meal at a little restaurant called "The Tin Fin" (http://www.eatoutcornwall.com/cornwall-restaurant/details-restaurant.php?pv=5703).

After a few days on the Western beaches, we meandered along the south shore of England and made our way to Southampton. A brief sleep in view of the port, and the next morning we were boarding the Queen Mary II. What a great way to cross the Atlantic! Even better was the fact that our friends Sophie and Julien (with their boys Loic and Paul) had a cabin just down the hall from us! We ate, drank, played, danced, and were entertained in grand style for 6 days. The 'afternoon tea' was very dignified, and the ballroom dancing lessons were a hit with the whole family. I especially liked the napkin-folding classes and the planetarium shows.

In the wee hours (4 a.m. to be exact...) of the 7th of August we saw our first glimse of North America. The Statue of Liberty (and the homeland security helicopters) were an amazing sight. We disembarked without incident and jammed ourselves into a massive taxi to head to the Yale Club (http://www.yaleclubnyc.org/). Tom had booked us a suite, using his affiliate RAF club membership privileges to do so. We were positively spoiled here. After shopping on 5th avenue (the kids really liked FAO Shwartz and the American Girl stores) and a carriage ride around Central Park, we sat on the Club's 14th floor balcony and had an outstanding meal while the sun set behind the skyscrapers of NY. Aaah.

The wee hours of the next morning saw us jamming into another limo to the airport. We flew from La Guardia to Ottawa, had a slow but pleasant visit to customs, and were very, very, very happy to return to our home and native land. Home. What country could possibly compare to Canada? Dazed, tired and in the city we departed from it felt as if it had all been a fantastic dream. We picked up our truck from storage, visited old friends, and were happily reunited with Zeke as we drove out two days later.

A New Home.

Our house closed on Monday the 10th, so we didn't dilly-dally. There was lots to do. Lawyer visits, family visits, school visits, utility connections and phone calls to shipping companies took up the next few days. As expected, the kids, who hadn't seen the house yet, loved it. They played in their empty rooms as if they had always lived there. And the snakes, toads, frogs, bugs and general wilderness around us is food for the adventurous soul.

The Big Boss

Tom took command of 424 sqn on the 14th, the day after our storage stuff was plunked down at our house. It was admittedly a bit chaotic, but the ceremony was the absolute best Change of Command I've ever been too. The sqn went all out. The kids loved the SAR tech in the tiger suit who frolicked on the wings of a herc parked behind the parade the whole time. But the REAL tigers were the icing on the cake. Nadia, a full grown tiger, and Misha, a baby the sqn 'adopted' stole the show. It was wonderful to have so many friends and family come to help share Tom's big day. We are all so proud of his amazing accomplishment.

The Old Stompin Grounds

Tom and I met here 16 years ago, and started dating while he was at 424 sqn as a young lieutenant, so the area is not new to us. We settled in quickly, he at his job, and the kids at their respective schools. For the first time Delaney is not at the same school as Shane and Kate, but she lucklily had her cousin Zachary to show her the ropes as he is in grade 7 at the same school. The split is due to the fact that Delaney, as a grade 5 'Extended French' student, must travel to another school to be taught in French. The younger two will be eligible to do the same when they reach Grade 5.

After our year of travel, we've slowed down a bit and stuck pretty close to home. We're blessed to have friends and family nearby for the first time since our wedding 11 years ago. Our focus has turned inward a bit, allowing everyone a chance to explore different extra-curricular activities. Nearly 5 weeks in hotels this summer have made us appreciate just being home. Although it may be a bit on the anti-climactic side for reading material, you would not believe how happy I am to be able to stay put for a few months! We love the area, and have done a bit of local exploring to wineries and events (the TO Int'l airshow, the Lippizaner stallions, the Port Hope fair, the Royal Agricultural winter fair...). We've also just returned from our second trip to NB to visit family.

Delaney

Delaney is now 10. The big double digits. Beautiful inside and out, she celebrated her 10th birthday by gathering donations for the local Humane Society instead of gifts for herself. She sings in the school choir, and takes martial arts once a week during lunch time. She continues her horse addiction, riding weekly and spending every moment possible at the barn. In November she tested for her D1 pony club level, passing with flying colors. She returned to figure skating and will be competing in a few weeks in a local competition. Happily she has made several good friends at her new school, although she misses friends from previous postings too. Her marks at school are stellar in both languages. She absolutely loved her week at 'Visiting Cousin's' in August.

Shane

Shane is now 8 and doing exceptionally well in Grade 3. He too has made many new friends, but came with me to Ottawa before Christmas to visit some much-missed old friends. His big activity is guitar lessons which he seems to have a real aptitude for. We all enjoyed his recital in December. He also skates once a week, and is half way through the 6th Harry Potter book. In November his Remembrance day poster won 3rd place in the regional competition. He loves spending time on the computer emailing friends, and helping his dad around the house.

Kate

Now 6 and in grade 1, our youngest loves her ballet and jazz dance classes. She is very expressive, and can't wait for her recital in a few weeks. She's doing very well at skating, and is reading up a storm. Her marks were also stellar last term. She was awarded the 'Student of the Month' award in November. Her diabetes has been well controlled, giving her much more energy to do everything she wants to do. January will hopefully see us ordering an insulin pump- which will make a huge difference in our lives, limiting the needles and the incovenience they bring. Insulin injections across a seat while driving down British M series highways are possible, but not easy!

Tom

Tom is treading the delicate balance between a busy work schedule and family life amazingly well. The blackberry is ever present, but he's very good at delegating when necessary. He and I made the decision to buy ski passes to the local hill for the family this year, and updated our gear too. He's been invited to speak at many local events, meeting all sorts of interesting people in the process. He's trying to get back in to indoor soccer- if he can find some free time to do so. And he manages the 'Honey Do List' with finesse! (The pic is from his 40th birthday party with friend Geoff)

Brenda

And me...? Well, I continue to be the domestic manager on call. I'm back to work as a physio, and love my new job. Unfortunately days like today (a snow day) mean I'm home instead of at work. I work 15 hours a week (when possible) at a clinic about 20 minutes from home, which, incidentally, I worked at 13 years ago. I managed to get to Ottawa to visit some old friends before Christmas, and went out for dinner with some other friends recently too. When not at work, taxiing kids to events, or trying to maintain order in our house, I'm writing. I looooooove writing. As of last night I'm 152 pages into my book. It's such a peaceful way to spend an afternoon...sitting in our beautiful living room, a fire in the fireplace, soft music in the background, the sun shining through the window and the cat purring at my side. Pure bliss if you ask me.

What Next?

Good question. Hopefully here for at least one more, if not two, years. We've got some major landscaping plans, and home improvement plans for the spring. We'd like to spend as much time skiing as we could while the snow is still on the ground. Travel will be within Canada, at least until I can update our passports...really not a bad thing if you ask me. Canada is so vast and so beautiful, it's a pleasure to explore. We'd like to do more camping and canoeing this year too.

So there you have it. The Dunne Family Adventure continues...just on the other side of the pond now. It's been wonderful hearing from all of you over the holidays. I tried to get cards out this year, I really did, but Christmas crept up and was over before I could blink. Maybe next year? Until then, I'll blog when I get the chance, and keep in touch that way, or on facebook, or by email... Thank you all for being part of our lives.

God bless,

B