Our Canadian Winter

We have had an amazing time in Canada this winter, our kids have been able to experience a lot of really fun firsts! The youngest kids had no memory of seeing snow so they especially enjoyed a white Christmas and all the time they had to play outside! 

One of the houses we were given to use during our time here was in the very beautiful Whistler. It was so nice being away the 6 of us for a few nights to enjoy the sights but also just sleep in, watch Christmas movies and put a few puzzles together. 

Avin has been limited in the activity she can do but she had a great time playing in the snow and going for walks around the village and Lost Lake. 

Being in Whistler for a few days gave us the chance to eat at a few different places in the village, some of our favourites were Pure Bread, El Furniture Warehouse, Splitz Grill, and Hunter Gather.

We didn't do any skiing or tobogganing but we did ride the Peak 2 Peak gondola on a gorgeous day and it was definitely worth it, even just to walk around and enjoy the incredible view! 

Just days after we arrived in Canada Joel started his first job! He worked for friends of ours at Vancouver Photobooth taking Santa Photos at a nearby mall. He loved it and is so thankful for such a great experience and that he was able to make money for bible college next fall! 

Christmas celebrations with cousins! 

The kids with my sisters son, Ashton. 

With Jeff's sisters two kids, Tyler and Sarah. 

The kids doing their own version of the polar bear swim at Jeff's parents house in Nanaimo. 

They didn't last long in the ocean before running up to the hot tub! 

Our home while we lived in Canada was always near White Rock and it turned out that most of the houses we've been so generously lent during our stay have been also! Going to the beach for a walk or to skip rocks has been a favourite activity for all of us. 

We ended the Christmas season with friends in Tulameen, snowmobiling, sledding and ice skating, definitely a true Canadian winter holiday! 

Avin's friend Sophia who she spent the summer with is here for the week while Joel spends the week with a friend in Sechelt. 

It was so cold but so beautiful! 

Finn thought snowmobiling was the best thing ever. 

Avin was actually able to ride a bit too, finally a winter activity she could take part in! 

Mazzy fell in love with ice skating, unfortunately it's not something she'll get to do anytime soon in Uganda! 

Thank you Moody family for having us, we loved our time away! 

Spring Break in Uganda

 A highlight for us every year is hosting families and teams over spring break, some of our favourite things happen while they are here; building a mud house, sports day, primary school outreach, and the Palm Sunday parade through town. This year was a full house, 2 families were here plus Team Uganda from Pacific Academy School.

Adorable Steven and his family are very excited to be getting a new home, we are so thankful for the donations from the PA Outreach Team and Hyer Homes that made this possible! 

Anette is Steven's Mom, she has 7 other children that she cares for in their home and she definitely was one of the hardest workers on the mud hut! 

The PA Team and the families visiting all worked together with our Grade 6 students, mudding a house each year is part of their own outreach class. 

 Sports day as always was the hottest day ever!! Everyone did amazing at leading their stations though and kept the excitement going for all of the students who loved spending their morning learning these new games.

Patience says forget daycare, pretending to be in Grade 1 is way more fun!! 

Every term the students in Kibaale participate in outreach themselves, this term it was helping families in our community. The PA Team went along with our grade 5 students to do some digging and harvesting maize. 

It's really hard work!! 

Joel and Michelle went along to help out too. 

Finn turned 12 on Palm Sunday!! 

The school marches through town and then has a church service together at the centre, it's always a great Sunday! 

We ended our time with the PA team on safari at Queen Elizabeth National Park. 

Elephants are my favourite. 

We saw 6 female lions in the early morning that were just waking up. 

Baboon babies! 

It was nice to have some time with just the Anderson family again before they flew back home. We are all going to miss them so much and are so thankful for the sacrifices it took to serve here for 2 months, for all the fundraising they did, and to just have this time visiting together! 

Uganda, 2009

The kids wanted to reenact a photo from the Anderson's first visit to Uganda, Mazzy thinks adding her makes it even better though!

 These 7 are going to spend a week together again at camp this summer, our kids are already counting down the days! 

See you soon, Anderson Family!