Update

Dale is home. What a relief. I can't say enough how very grateful I am. The emotions are still running wild, knowing how this could have ended up and how different my emotions would be today. It all came at a good time- New Years Resolution time. I am going to make such a greater effort this year to embrace him and our love for each other. So often we get caught up in the daily grind and forget to take time to love each other. Not anymore. This really taught me and made me realize that life is so very unpredictable and I need to cherish every moment with him. In my mind, I could' ve lost him forever.

On a happier note, I am so proud of him. He shrugs off the experience, but I think he only does this because he was so prepared and experienced in outdoor survival and safety. If ever I was to be caught out in the woods, or if you are, hope and pray your with Dale. He is just so smart and knowledgable. A few things he told me...

• they decided to hunker down at about 5 or 6. It was dark, and there was too much snow to find their way out. He was very confident they would be alright for the night and then ride out in the morning.
• he said they had plenty of food and liquid. Even a frozen Red Bull served up some much needed energy!
• They estimated they cut down about 15 trees to make a massive fire... with a handsaw. His hands are still swollen
• one guy they were with wasn't at all as well prepared as the others- he was wearing cotton undergarments and was cold almost instantly. They wrapped him in some bubble wrap they had ( they had a new motor with them wrapped in it )and placed pine boughs on him and put him next to the fire

Dale rode out at first light to a little chalet/hut and called me. When I saw his number on the call display, I lost it. He lost it when he heard me losing it. Needless to say, everything was on the up and up from then on in. He made a fire, went back and got the rest of the guys and then made their way out without the help of Search & Rescue. He got home about 5 o'clock that night- about 24 hours since he was supposed to be home.
Crazy. Crazy. Crazy.

Close Call

A very scary night just occurred in my household. A night I never ever want to experience again. Here is the link from the news. CASTANET
I might add a few things:

- I decided to call in the RCMP/Search and rescue when Dale didn't come home at 7. He was to be in Enderby at 5, call me and make his way home. I think I called the police at around 10. I was loosing my mind, called a few friends and family members. The search was finally orchestrated and organized until about midnight. Even then, with the dark and cold weather conditions, they couldn't do much until light hit. At that point they were sending out helicopters. Luckily I had been persistant about making Dale write down where he was going yesterday. That seemed to help out alot.

-The human mind can be a horrible thing. I was thinking of every possible scenario- often not very positive.

I CANT WAIT to see Dale when he gets home. I LOVE this man so much. Annie and I are so lucky to have him on his way home right now. So very very grateful. There are so many families that don't get this happy ending. I feel so blessed.


I am exhausted, as is Dale, and will update you more on his night when we rest up.

My message to you all- Tell your loved ones how much you care about them and give them a great big bear hug... you just never know.

The Letkeman Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Holidays to All!

Well it is that time again... and as my fabulous Yoga Instructor would say... "It is the time for cheer (aka booze), plentiful joy (aka chocolate), joyful giving (aka credit card debt) and warm family gatherings (aka heated arguments with family)! Sorry, was that my outside voice? "
LUV IT - TOO TRUE!

Actually, Christmas this year is going to be amazing! We are SO excited for Annie's first Christmas! It sure makes this holiday season so much more fun, even though she is clueless as to what is going on! As the years go by, we will enjoy the holidays with her that much more each time!
We are staying in town this year, visiting all the grandparents! Coming up on a busy next couple of days for sure! Dale and I are also looking forward to waking up together as a new little family Christmas morning. Those memories and feelings are worth more than any presents!

I hope you and yours enjoy your family this holiday season.

Carter & Annie's Romantic Rendevous
Installment #2

... annie was so excited she was drooling??!!

someones getting into the holiday spirit...

see famous look-a-like faces

Hi! I'm 2 months old today!
Getting sooooo big! My doctor says I'm 12 pounds already!
Today I went to Mommy's school to watch the kids Christmas Concert.
Mommy got all sentimental realizing that her little girl would be up on that stage one day soon.
Mommy can't stop snuggling me today... I think she thinks I am getting too big too fast.

annie & her buddy carter hangin' out

mama ghost and baby munchkin

This little ballerina slept for 7 hours last night. I got up at 5 when she got up because I felt so well rested. She kept sleeping with Daddy and let Mommy have a relaxing morning.
A beautiful thing.

8 weeks old

8 weeks ago, i finally got to meet her. forever my life has changed.
i love being her mom.
she is becoming quite the little lady. her eyelashes are long and dark, and her little heart shaped mouth and pretty pink lips just add to her sweet little nature.
she has become a good sleeper, good enough for me right now anyhow.
she has just started to give us lots of smiles, and it just melts my heart.
she loves to snuggle me when she first wakes up. i wouldn't miss those for the world.
i love the way dale loves her.
shes such a little chubby monkey.

give a hoot

on our travels to williams lake on the weekend, we had an encounter with an owl.
we were driving in the dark and fog, and the next thing i knew a huge owl was sweeping down right towards the windshield. the wing span must have been 5 feet. it was huge and crazy. i screamed, and dale ducked and swerved. good defensive driving dale. the owl swept up over the car at the last second. it was intense.
the reason this intrigues me is i hear that encounters with different animals mean different things for you in your life.
does anyone know what an owl signifies?

......luck? money?..... sleep?

Sleep Update-

The bath does seem to make a big difference. On the nights I don't bath her, 2-3 hour stretches.
When I do bath her, 4, 5, even one 6 hour stretch!
Hoping it continues. Routine, Routine, Routine.