I finished my first term exams on December 11th and left Ireland the next day for a well earned vacation at home. I spent the first two weeks in Alberta visiting with my family and friends. It was so wonderful to see Chris, my family and my friends again. On the 31st, Chris and I flew to Montreal to celebrate new years and spend time with our good friends Gord and Rebecca. We spent 5 days drinking great wine, eating great food and playing games. Finally, we spent a day recovering from it all at a Scandinavian spa near Mont Tremblant. Here are some photos of New Years at la Sucrerie de la Montagne (a maple syrup farm between Montreal and Ottawa).

Rebecca, Gord, Kelly, Chris, Jill, Aaron, Hollie (and baby Nikko), and Ross

Chris getting ready for an evening of French Canadian festivities....

...and CELEBRATING French Canadian Style

Based on these pictures, you might find this hard to believe but actually, Chris had very little to drink that night. Apparently, this is the most comfortable position for relief from overingestion of tortiere (meat pie) and maple syrup.

Sorry ladies....He's mine...... all mine!!!

This is the owner of la Sucrerie de la Montagne and host of all the festivities.

January 5th, 2007...Gord and Rebecca got married!! It was a great day of celebrations at Mont Tremblant.

The morning after the wedding, Chris and I once again parted ways. I arrived back in Ireland on the 7th and started classes on the 8th. Chris returned for his last few weeks of teaching and skiing.