What an interesting year it has been. A year ago, the whole family gathered for my granddaughter Kate's wedding. She married Sam and we all had a magnificent time celebrating with friends and family including the Swedish branch of the family.
I have been involved with my church groups this year and keeping up with my family and friends. I also managed to squeeze in a trip to Nelson with Patrina in September to visit Scott and Pao, along with my youngest two grandchildren.
I hope you have an enjoyable Christmas and remember the birth of Jesus our Lord and saviour at this time. Here are some updates on the rest of the family.
I celebrated my 80th birthday on Saturday 11 November with family and friends at Buster Crabb, a popular Invercargill restaurant. It was such a delightful afternoon of catching up. The next day, several friends from church visited for afternoon tea.
On my actual birthday (13 November), I went out for lunch with Patrina, James and Craig. We also visited the H & J Smith Department Store for the last time, before it closed its doors. I also celebrated my birthday by providing afternoon tea at church chat group.
The Swedish Donaldsons
The family was together for Christmas in 2022. The Swedish Donaldsons came over for the wedding, Christmas and stayed for a month. Here is a photo from Wanaka, from left, Amanda, Maya, Antonella, Emily, Santiago, James, Wilma and William.
William has taken a year off studies. His course was not what he thought it was. He is working for Hunter part time. Otherwise, he enjoys gaming and hanging out with friends.
Amanda is in her last year of school. She got her driver's licence and likes going out with her friends. She plans to take a year off studying after summer and maybe go to Australia as an au pair.
Maya is doing well at school. She still plays the flute and dances. Maya also does theatre which she loves and has been in a couple of shows. She does a pamphlet round in the weekends and has even had a couple of modelling jobs and was in a radio show.
James is still living in Hastings and came back to Invercargill in July and September. He taught Level 3 Statistics for the first time this year. James had nice classes. He has continued to be involved with Boom (Kids) at Equippers Church (see photo). James has continued on the French association committee and organised French film nights. He also manages their website and Facebook account.
He had an unusual start to the year with Cyclone Gabrielle hitting the region hard. Fortunately, there were just a few trees toppled down in the streets of Hastings. James is looking forward to spending Christmas in Invercargill.
Craig and Sharon continue on in Invercargill with their chartered accountancy practice and helping out at Windsor Community Church.
Kate married Sam Parker this time last year. They are in Christchurch, where Sam is a medical student and Kate retrained as a primary school teacher. She has picked up a position at Roydvale School in Christchurch next year.
Ruby continues at Otago Medical School and starts her stint in Christchurch next year. Emily finished her final year with her commerce degree. She starts with accounting firm EY in their tax consulting division next year in Christchurch. Georgia has finished her second year of marketing and management in Dunedin and finishes that off in 2024.
Photo above, from left, Kate, Emily, Ruby and Georgia.
Photo below, Kate and Sam at their wedding.
Patrina was still in Hong Kong teaching for the first half year.
After many years of quarantine, she finally managed to squeeze in a few trips. She made it back to Switzerland in February, having a look around Geneva before heading back to Lauterbrunnen for a ski week.
She also managed a trip to Japan and Taipei, before heading back to New Zealand at the end of June.
Patrina has kept herself busy catching up with friends, making the most of the ski season and hanging out with me. She’s a little unsure what the next year will bring as she applies for jobs.
Scott, Paola, Antonella (8) and Santiago (3) are still based in Richmond, near Nelson.
Scott has his own communications company, Scott Donaldson Communications and has been working mainly as a Communications Specialist for Open Polytechnic and contributing writer for Rugby News magazine, among other gigs, this year.
Paola homeschools the children. She is also a Spanish teacher and a Thermomix Consultant. If you want to save time and effort with your home cooking, then let me know and I can put you in touch.
The family keeps busy with the children's activities and their church. Antonella plays the piano and harp, does ballet, singing, sewing and horsemanship. Santiago goes to pre-school twice a week and is growing up fast.
Photo above, from left, Wilma, Patrina, Antonella, Santiago, Paola and Scott enjoy lunch at Melrose House in Nelson. Notice the sunshine!
Antonella (with Tobias) and Santiago.
My big sister Jennifer and me at my birthday.
Here I am at Mapua Wharf with Patrina and Santiago.
