January 4th, 2007

Christmas in Canada is like chocolate and peanut butter, they just go together perfectly.

Every year we make the trek by car or plane to Nicole's parents home on the outskirts of Vancouver, BC.

This year was special, because we had some really exciting news to deliver, and also because we weren't stressed about anything.

We made sure to finish all our little unfinished projects, pay all unpaid bills, and take care of everything possible before leaving.

This resulted in a perfectly stress-free holiday with lots of time for family, laying around, video games, walks through downtown, eating desserts, and video games.

The big hit of course was Guitar Hero II, and Gears of War for X-BOX. We also played a lot of Okami for PS2, and Company of Heroes for the PC.

New Years was spent down at Paisley and Peter's new house in Kirkland. Jacqueline, Alex, Haley, Liam, Charlotte, Haley's Aunt Haley, and her husband were there, and the party was lots of fun.

Jacqueline and Alex gave Salsa lessons, the girls did some duets, Liam and Alex played some piano/guitar, and there was plenty of tom-foolery for everyone.

On the last few days of the trip, we looked at real estate with our new realtor, then we met with our new designer, Amely Wurmbrand at her amazing house in Shoreline.

We returned to LA totally decompressed and relaxed, for a change.

Happy New Year!

-Rob and Nicole

Click to watch the movie of Nicole's parents and sister finding out the news.

Here's a series of shots showing each of them finding out in sequence.

Jacqueline is the official Ornament Inspection Officer, and Nicole is simply, The Enforcer. Together they make decorating the tree fun!

Mackenzie opens her Nintendo DS system.

The scrumptious Christmas morning breakfast.

New on the menu this year was caramelized sugar grapefruit -deeelicious!

Ross thinks this box feels like an X-Box 360!

Alex thinks he might know what's inside his giant present, (and he was right)

"If we run out of turkey, we've always got this extra pooch!" suggests Nana.

"Whatcha want, Camera Boy? You want my phone number?"

Tea time at the Carey House featuring home-made scones, enjoyed equally by all as seen in this brief photo essay.

Nicole helps Jacqueline with her Sari, a ethnic dress she brought back from India.

Rob and Haley get to spend their first New Year's together.

After their beautiful duet song, Haley and Paisley share a laugh.

Liam serenaded us with some Irish folk music as the candles burned out slowly.

First things first: start making desserts!

Jacqueline and Nicole ponder the array of treats possible to bake.

While Alex ponders the array of spoons, scrapers, and whisks that need to be "cleaned".

Alex shows Chris how to use the DS.

Ross gives Chris a kiss after giving her a beautiful necklace for Christmas.

Chris tries on her new necklace.

Francine, Jacqueline, and Sofia pose before Christmas dinner.

Dinner out with Jason, Chris' personal trainer, and his girlfriend, Amy. (Jason is a great trainer by the way)

Jacqueline keeps smiling, all the while staring at the piece of romaine lettuce between Rob's teeth.

At Paisley & Peter's house, the appetizers keep coming in waves, and they're good...very very good.

Nicole and Jacqueline pose in their New Year's attire.

Haley, Jacqueline, and Nicole.

Jacqueline and Alex give us some salsa lessons.

Then they show us how it's done.