Welcome to our
Third Annual Family Newsletter!

FREMANTLE, Christmas 2002

Only two sleeps until Christmas as we write this. And what a year it's been.

Christopher is still studying I.T. full-time at the local college, and is intending to complete his Networking Diploma next year. He's about to sit for his first "industry" exam, to become an M.C.P. (Microsoft Certified Professional), and he's still very much interested in all that is out there in the computer world. Having learned quite a bit more VB and Java programming this year, he's even created a few little novelty programs for the girls, which they enjoy.

Christopher's now rather famous links page has surprisingly made an unexpected niche for itself on the Web - it receives a sometimes rather frighteningly large number of visitors, usually arriving through Google, searching for something connected with an obscure shared interest of Christopher's. He's received emails from quite a number of fans who say they now prefer to regularly visit his links page rather than searching for something by themselves on the web! He is both amused and flattered by this.

France has become very involved with StampHappy, a popular Rubber Stamping internet discussion group. She's enjoying the group and the hobby very much, and has made a few close Australian friends through them, which has made her appreciate Australia that much more.

France will have some of her work published in 2003 in the Australian magazine "Stamping and Papercraft"! We are all tremendously excited by this, and Christopher is very proud of her. She's already been asked by an American company to write a few stamping web tutorials for them, and you can see some more of her work at one of her websites, France's Stampamajiggies.

France's baby food website still gets lots of visitors and keeps new mums very happy. With all this frenetic web and press publishing, it's now ironic to think back to 1997, when France couldn't understand why anyone would want or need to create a personal website!

Véronique and Cordelia have metamorphosed into "almost grown-up girls" with each of their particular character traits coming out more and more. They are very different in many ways, but despite the few quibbles that inevitably occur, they adore each other. They get along as well as any siblings do, anyway! They will be starting pre-school (called "Kindy" in Australia) in February 2003. The school they will attend is a mere 5 minute walk from our home, and in our very own street too - we've been quite lucky there.

During their grandmother's visit from Canada, they had their first ever vacation (and their first few days apart from Daddy, ever!)  They went to Rottnest Island with their mother and grandmother. It was something of a bold experiment for all of us. "How would it go?" we all wondered.

In short, it went splendidly, and everybody enjoyed their time on holiday immensely. It was the first time for all four girls on the island, and they loved it as much as most people do, and they have booked to return next year. Daddy enjoyed his few days off from fatherhood, too!

The following picture of the girls was taken at Rottnest Island in November, as they were coming down a rather statically-charged slippery dip:

During the year, Véronique and Cordelia got to meet one more Canadian relative, France's sister Isabelle, who spent a few weeks with us back in May. Véronique quickly called her "Misabelle". The visit was a great success, and it's obvious now that the girls enjoy their regular diet of Canadian visitors.

Cordelia is currently absolutely absorbed by Tintin which Christopher has to read and explain to her endlessly. She even retells him parts of the story when it's her turn. She occasionally gets frustrated that she can't read yet, although she's learning amazingly quickly. She also loves Where's Waldo?, whom she's just discovering at the moment.

Véronique is often found dancing, singing, and pretending to play musical instruments. She loves to play at being a "Circus Acrobat" or a "Ballet Lady". None of us will be too surprised if she winds up in the Cirque du Soleil, with the way things are going. She also likes to blurt out the odd French word or sentence once in a while, especially when she's in trouble as she knows her mother can't resist a cute little "Bonjour maman!"

Murray, Christopher's brother, usually stays with us one weekend per month or so, but due to a number of factors, including our run of Canadian visitors (when his bedroom was otherwise occupied), and a spate of nasty colds and sniffles, plus a tough school year for Christopher, his visits have lately been much less frequent. He's arriving on Christmas Eve to spend a few days with us for the first time in quite a while, so that will be nice.

This family picture was taken in October, on Véronique and Cordelia's birthday:

Well, there's a quick summary of our year. We hope yours went well too.

We wish you all the best for the New Year, may it be filled with joy, happiness, love, health and peace.

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël


Christopher, France, Véronique and Cordelia

Fremantle, Western Australia
24th December 2002

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