December 2000, Magrath, AB: Welcome, you are now reading our Year 2000 Christmas Letter.

The highlights: 2000 reasons why we liked this year .. Adrien continues to grow. Ashley graduates from High School.  Aubrey and Deric now living only 20 minutes away in south Lethbridge. Everyone happy and healthy. Over the summer we hosted an Lions Exchange Student from Austria named Antonia. 

Shauna: "I work occasionally as a substitute Teacher Helper for the Westwind School Division, but primarily get to be a stay-at-home Mom with Adrien. Natasha Hill still stays with us 2 days each week. She is in Grade 2 (Sep 2000) this year and so is at school during the day during the school year. Since our cars all died this summer, I no longer have to pack everyone up to drive her to and from school in Raymond. She will be 8 years old on Feb 4, 2001 and is a very big girl now. Adrien loves play with her but tends to  boss her around a bit when 'playing'. I continue to teach the CTR Primary age children each week at church. I have 6 very cute children in my class this year and I am really enjoying them."

Roger: "Not much has changed. I am keeping busy with Soft Serve Direct Inc fixing computer systems, and  building web pages. The challenge is keeping current and learning how to implement all that neat new technology. I spent the summer in Utah helping my brother build his internet web site among other projects. I serve as a member of the Magrath Lion's Club, and as a volunteer fire fighter with the Town of Magrath Fire Department."

Deric: Our first son-in-law. Deric is attending university full time at the University of Lethbridge and working part time at the Caribou Clothing outlet in the Park Place Mall and being a DJ from time to time. He is seen often on his computer and now has acquired high speed DSL internet. I may need to visit him more often. "Another year has passed us by. I can't believe it has gone so quickly. This year has been filled to the brim with so many good things. In February we moved from the west side of Lethbridge to a much larger basement apartment on the south side. After moving in, I focused on getting admitted to the U. of L. Multimedia Program, which I did in May. The summer was slow .. I was anxious to start my program. One big thing during the summer - my wife heard my voice for the first time - an absolute miracle, but I will let her say her piece about that if she wants. 2000 has been been a year of blessings for Aubrey and I. I hope this letter finds you all well. With love, Deric."

Aubrey: Deric and Aubrey are living in Lethbridge on the south side now near the Movie Mill. Aubrey worked for a time at 7-11 and as a chambermaid at the Lethbridge Ramada. At the moment she is staying at home being a homemaker. Her cochlear implant is working great. She can now hear the doorbell and even calls us sometimes on the telephone. "Another year, another Christmas, how quickly things go by. Not much has changed. In May I received my cochlear implant and I heard my husband for the first time. I'm gradually re-learning the every-day sounds. Currently, no luck in the job market. Will try again after Christmas. Anyone with a job offer please call .. jokes. Merry Christmas. Love Aubrey."

Ashley: No more high school! Ashley graduated from Grade 12 this year and worked all summer at the Waterton Prince of Wales Hotel. After a intensive dating search, and after interviewing a number of applicants, she has settled on one particular individual from Kentucky. In November, she flew down to meet the family and will be bringing him back to Canada to meet us for Christmas. She is engaged to one Kalani Clifton but has not decided on one particular wedding date as yet [click here for update!]. We expect to be hosting our second wedding sometime early next year. Cool. "Hey you all! Well, it's been an interesting year for me. I am now graduated from MHS. Grad was May 19th, 2000. I had a blast and a great escort, but am glad to be out of school. My mom was amazed when my Diploma arrived in the mail! She asked me if I was sure it was mine  .. ha ha.  Aug to Oct 2000 I worked at the POW Hotel as a housekeeper. I had so much fun living in the dorms. It also helped that I had an awesome roommate, with whom I got along with right from the start. Now [Nov-Dec] I'm being lazy and not doing much till after I go to Kentucky. I can't wait and I'm going to have fun! Christmas this year will be fun because Kalani will be here. He's flying back with me Dec 22nd and will return Jan 3rd. So, yeah, Ashley's been busy! So if you want to contact me call my secretary and she'll pencil you in .. jokes. Anyway, everyone have fun and be good. Take care and I love you all. Ashley"

Alyssa: Grade 12 this year. Alyssa is busy dating full time and attending school on the side. Lucky for her she inherited my brains and her mothers study habits. She had fun with Antonia this summer, attended YW camp and learned how to shoot guns and bows and arrows. She traveled to Utah with Dad for three weeks over the summer to visit her Dad and Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. She is maintaining a high honors grade average. She also works some evenings in Magrath at Ying's Restaurant and now every other weekend at the Diamond Willow lodge as a Kitchen Helper. Alyssa also sings with her Dad in the ward choir and other groups.

Ali-Jo: Grade 10 a.k.a. Alison. Her fish (last year's Christmas present) are still alive and she has moved her bedroll down to the floor. I guess that she just can't decide whether to use the upper or lower bunk bed. She is often absent while visiting any number of her many girlfriends. She and Alyssa rarely miss dances or other social events and has lots of friends. "Hey, All! .. um .. well  I passed Grade 9 last year. Yeah, that's right. I passed and despite what many of you may think .. no I did not pay all my teachers (much) to pass me. This summer I was pretty busy. In Jun and Jul I showed Antonia (Toni) some real Canadian living. In Aug I went to YW Camp for my 4th year in a row. I also braved the Gargantuan Caves .. which was a lot of fun rappelling in almost pitch darkness. And finally I got to go to EFY in Calgary with my cousin Jade as my roommate. We had a lot of fun with everyone (especially the guys). All summer I have been marching in parades in neighboring towns to raise money (I play Trombone) for our super trip to play in Estes Park, CO in their Scottish/Irish Festival. We left the day school started and performed nightly tattoos and daily performances and parades down malls and streets all week. It was a lot of fun performing and meeting other bands (US Marines and US Honor Guards). We gave them a taste of Canada with our Macintosh Toffee and REAL (chocolate) Smarties and Ketchup Chips. We reluctantly made the 14 hour trip home and got back to school, and now I'm half way through Grade 10. I guess it's all right .. the teachers are way easier to bribe .. jokes. Well I guess I'll see you all later. Just remember, you love me and my birthday is Feb 23! Buy Big! Love ya all. Ali."

Adrien: Adrien will be 2 1/2 years old this Christmas. She can now communicate very well with everyone. She loves all her sisters and cousins, and especially enjoys having Austin in her Nursery class. She was much impressed with Halloween this year and with the decorations at Grandma Harrison's house. She also helped Grandma decorate the Christmas tree at her house. Note the new haircut .. Shauna had Jeannie Baker cut  it short in November. She likes to creative play by telling herself and the toys (Franklin, Beaver, Arthur, and many others) detailed stories while she moves them about. She loves playing in big boxes, under the computer table, and recently has helped Dad fix the computer by taking the mouse ball out of the mouse and pulling the wires out of the back of the computer.

The Animals: Apart from  Ali-Jo's fish, we just have our two giant cats, Monaco and Savannah. Every time I go to the door one or both of them are waiting to get in or out. We never have any problems with mice or too many wild birds.

Hopefully this letter finds you in good health and spirits. We love you all and are very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. Keep in touch!

Shauna likes this quote: " Merry Christmas, I am thinking of you today because it is Christmas and I wish you happiness. And tomorrow, because it will be the day after Christmas, I shall still wish you happiness. I may not be able to tell you about it every day because I may be far away or we may be very busy. But that makes no difference - my thoughts and my wishes will be with you just the same. Whatever joy or success comes to you will make me glad clear through the year. I wish you the Spirit of Christmas." - Henry Van Dyke.

The Davies Family
Box 389 Magrath, AB T0K 1J0 Canada
tel: (403) 758-3827
email: rdavies@ssdirect.com

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