I met my niece Hanna for the first time, all of eight weeks old, and fell totally in love. It only took about 5 seconds to capture all these different expressions in the montage below. I don't think I've met a wigglier baby, but she's also pretty relaxed. Nina is an amazing mother, and doesn't let just having had a baby stop her from doing a craft show, making us amazing meals, and driving us around Gabriola and Nanaimo. It was good to spend time with her and remind ourselves how similar we are.
Rhea and Winter made the trip to Gabriola Island to spend some time with us. Winter is the coolest little girl. We had many baby dance parties. How I wish we all lived closer together! Being an Aunt is the best. 
No matter how much fun I was having, two little shadows were always missing from my day. There was nothing quite like seeing these faces waiting for me when I got off the train.
Jem. Sweet, so snuggly, and argumentative."Hey Jem, this weekend you and Violet and Nana are going make cookies and have a tea party!"
"No, we're not. I'm going to make bananas and Violet and Nana are going to pick flowers."
Violet. So bright, and always drawing, dancing and making up songs. I called everyday while I was away, and she'd run to the phone and yell "HELLO?! MAMAAAA!" The day before I came home she said "Mama, you're going be so happy when you see all the drawings I done for you. Not even happy, you're going to be thrilled!" And I was.
The Captain of My Heart, Mr. Jesse Bee Handsome. Happily taking care of our children while I go on holiday is one of the nicest things he's ever done for me.
A new face, kitten Ruby. Elsa went missing just before Thanksgiving and we're hoping she found a deserving family with a house full of warm radiators. Ruby is a most excellent kitten, although Jem is still doubtful of her. He's suspicious of her purr, and will occasionally suggest we take her back to the Hume Society and get another cat.Good to be home.
