I have ALWAYS sent out Christmas cards. I love the physical act of looking for and purchasing special cards plus writing a personal note as I think of the friend that I am sending the card to.

This year, I was inspired by my friend, Rae Swire, to write a Christmas letter. Last year, I really appreciated reading the update on her family and the highlight from her year.  I believe that everyone has received theirs in the mail now, so here goes the digital Christmas letter.

Drum roll…. the first ever Cann family Christmas letter! I pray it brings connections and community through what I chose to share.

Merry Christmas 2023

Family ~ Change ~ Fun

These are our words from this year!  We have made changes to create more family fun time and we are reaping the benefits as we finish off the year. We continue to love spending winter weekends at our Apex ski condo overlooking the t-bar, summertime around the background pool as well as time golfing, biking and horseback riding at a trailer we inherited from Steve’s family that is on the sixth hole of the golf course at “The Ranch”.   With the age of the boys, we feel grateful to have found the perfect balance of activity and leisure time.  We enjoyed a fifth summer hiking adventure with our good friend’s, the Sharpe’s, who have kids the exact same age. Both Steve and I moved into new jobs this summer. We were devastated by the wildfires in our city, which burned down the church camp the boys have been attending the last few years.  In the fall, we enjoyed a 3 day trip to Disneyland and clocked over 70,000 steps and went on over 50 rides! 

Family Update:

1. Steve – continues to love backcountry skiing, the Canucks, spending time with the family and is now coaching U14 Club volleyball. After spending time in International Educational since 2004, Steve resigned from his position in Kelowna and now works up the road as a Vice Principal at North Glenmore Elementary School. He even has a song about “Mr. Cann”.   Steve took his last International work trips to Germany, Halifax and Thailand last spring.  He dearly misses this calling, but is enjoying this season at home and working on his health. 
2. Joanna  – I am in my  fifth year homeschooling the boys and I love every second being able to design their learning. I added on a new role to my work with Heritage Christian Online School  and I am now the Regional Administrator for the north overseeing 15 teachers and 400+ students north of 100 Mile.  I had the opportunity to do a northern road trip with Colby and Owen for work in October.  It’s been a dream come true! With the busyness of all the boys, health has taken a bit of a backseat, but we have joined a gym so that we workout regularly now and we are loving ski season, both alpine and nordic. 
3. JC (Grade 11)  – attends school at Kelowna Secondary part time doing Math, Science and electives plus HCOS doing online English, SS and other electives he can’t get at the campus school. He played ultimate frisbee at KSS and got his Learner’s license in April.  Since starting Trampoline gymnastics two years ago, Jackson has had incredible success. He competes in all three events: trampoline, double mini and tumbling. In July, he qualified and competed in his first Nationals, which was held at the UofA.  He stayed in my old residence at Lister Hall and competed in the Butterdome.  This year, his goal is to qualify for his first International competition.  In Jackson’s free time he loves making movies, refereeing soccer and hanging out with his brothers. 
4. CC (Grade 9)  – currently has many diverse interesting including: spearfishing, F1, racing go-carts and doing taekwondo. Colby is two belts away from being able to test for his black belt.  He competed in Trail, Salmon Arm and SFU. This year, Colby started his journey with braces, refereeing soccer, found a wonderful Youth Group, finished his red cross swim lessons and continues to work with his voice teacher, Janel, to write his second album. Colby sang a song live on the radio  and got his first stitches in a ski crash!  Colby continues to learn at home, but this year he is attending a one day class that covers Science and Social Studies. 
5. OC (Grade 7) – loves Lego building, Star Wars, RCMP, dogs, playing with his brothers, skiing and soccer.  This year, he also tried taekwondo and is playing Club volleyball for the first time.  He also decided to start playing the trumpet and takes weekly lessons.  Owen also loves learning at home and attends a one day in-person class. 

In 2024, 

This summer, we are excited to be taking a trip to the Yukon with our new-to-us 16 foot Hybrid Cubs trailer.   Both Jackson and Colby will be in high school. We don’t foresee any work or school changes, other than that!  

As we move into this new year, we pray that this letter finds you full of hope, peace and love!  As the boys grow older, we truly see how precious each day (and year) is and are really living each day to the fullest!  We are grateful for your friendship in this world we live in.  

Xoxo Joanna + the blue crew. 

Sidenote: This is post 48 of 50 for 2023… Eeeek, I am going to reach my goal of writing 50 posts this year. Thanks for coming along on the ride.