Merry Christmas from James & Gayle

Negotiations continued early in 2007 for the sale of our shares to Prosper Tractor Ltd. which kept Gayle and I very busy. July 16th completed the sale and we were through after 28 years of successful business experiences. Gayle and I had a 2 week transition period to assist the new buyers which was very busy but quite easy because all the staff remained the same.

Most everyone knows the Snider reunion took place in Caronport, Sk. in early July which was a tremendous sucess. We missed all who could not make it but we also know to get a family of this size together at once is impossible. Good reason to have them more often.

The weekend after was the Perkins reunion at North Portal which was also a tremendous success. Gene and Margaret did an outstanding job of hosting. The beautiful pool was a good meeting place in the water or surrounding. Next reunion date has been chosen.

Our new fifth-wheel toy hauler was very much an asset at both reunions and for the short holiday we enjoyed at Drumheller (dealer meeting good-bye's) and all the places we stopped on our way out there plus the week stay at the bike rally in Sturgis, N.D. Thanks to Glen & Laura Barreth for planning that event. The Harley got more use in one year than ever before.

Immediately when we got home I went to the harvest field to run a new JD combine for five weeks for Terry and Len which was an absolute blast. Gayle went and packed up our offices of our personal stuff and hauled it home so she could sort.

We tried to not miss any football games in Regina during the season and became so addicted we travelled to the Western Final in Vancouver. Dale & Heather out did themselves during our visit and we say "Hi" and "Thank you" to Victoria, Elise, Gatlin, Whitney & Dave who were also very kind to us and made our stay most enjoyable.

We also saw Sandi for lunch which was Gayle's first objective and sqeezed in short stops at Joyce & Ed's, Wilbur & Mrytle's and the auction company. Gayle realized that day we should have booked another day. We did drive to Whistler to check out a volunteer situation we had learned about for the 2010 games.

Gayle is very busy with Bruins hockey and we billet two players (down to one now) for the season. We always get good boys from all over the country. These guys have been an inspiration for the most part as when they get traded, if they do, it is very hard to say good-bye. We work all home games and travel to most of the away games as it gives us an opportunity to visit friends and relatives in these locations. Uncle Bruce, Sandra & Dave in Flin Flon, Trevor & Lynna in Nipawin and Don & Lois in Melfort which require overnight stays.

I serve on a Board of Directors for Taiga Bioactives, a Calgary based company which is developing and marketing a cold sore remedy called Dr. Kranes Kool Lips. This requires me to be in Calgary once a month.

Our Avalance is Gayle's parents favorite mode of travel especially with either her or myself at the wheel. They have gotten used to short notices to go with us to Trevor's and are ready every Sunday to go to Macoun to church since they now make their home in a suite in Estevan.

We volunteer for the Estevan Motor Speedway, Estevan Bruins and the Estevan Snowmobile Club which keep us quite busy. There is vitually no snow here this year.

Christmas is in Estevan at Heather's this year as it is our big Christmas year. Heather took on this event as she got her practise from being the key driver for the successful reunion. It will be a great time and the ice cream making event has been announced again this year by Trevor. Heather won last time--I think we need new judges--Grandma & Grandpa, haha!

Terra and Stu will be joining us right from Mexico and Ruth is coming home which will help complete the enrollment. My brother has his own Christmas with his family. We were hoping to have Stu's kids again this year but they can't make it.

Retirement as they call it has been very busy. Gayle hasn't even got time to write this letter so she asked me to squeeze it in.

The Best of the Season to everyone and I am sure the New Year will be a great one.

James & Gayle