Christmas at Butchart Gardens

I enjoyed my first visit to the beautiful Butchart Gardens in Victoria. The Christmas lights at night are spectacular. Adam was fascinated by the trains in the window display. The outdoor skating rink surrounded in lights was charming, however my boys were most captivated by the old-fashioned carousel.

My Sunset Ferry Ride To Victoria

I have finally found some time to upload pictures. I have been so busy with unpacking from our move. My arrival to Victoria has been great. I so enjoyed the ferry ride to the island. Arriving home to my wife and boys was the best part. Even thou we had only been apart for three nights, it was our first time apart.

There was a glorious sunset on the horizon as we approached Victoria and I even got to see a small pod of Orca whales. By the time I got my camera ready I had just enough time for two quick pictures before the whales seemed to disappear again into the ocean depths.

I have been meeting so many great people around Victoria. My in-laws have lived in Victoria close to 40 years so they know a lot of people. The Christmas spirit is in the air! So many have invited us out to dinner or coffee. We truly feel welcome, thank you!!

We feel very blessed with our new life on the island and grateful to be following our dream.

Merry Christmas,

Paul

We have made it safely to Victoria!!!

Night three in our new home in Canada...It's been sunny, near freezing and beautiful.

Truck is unpacked, now to tackle the boxes!!

On the ferry ride to the island we saw several killer whales. I got a picture of a "fin" which I'll share after I find my card reader :>) Lot's of Canadian geese flying overhead in the day. It's been a year long process getting to this point. It's hard to believe I'm here.

The 1000 mile plus drive from San Francisco to Victoria, BC was smooth. I think I set a record clearing customs with a U-haul. I think all the prayer, combined with my brother in-law talking about selling body armor to the Canadian Customs agents helped!! The customs peeps planted some ammo under my truck tire well which the "sniffer" dog found in a couple of seconds.

I have to say everyone at the boarder was quite nice!