Leavenworth

We left for Washington on December 17th.  I was ready to leave our little island that we live on and go to a mall, drive on a freeway, eat at different restaurants, that sort of thing.  We spent the first two nights at my dads house and then headed to Leavenworth WA for a couple nights.  They have a light festival every year and we love the area!  Michele lives about an hour and a half from there so she met us that afternoon.  The boys enjoyed sledding on the infamous Leavenworth sledding hill.  And Estelle and Hazel were super excited to see each other!

 We went out to dinner and got some gelato and then Michele and kids left.  It was a quick visit but we knew we'd see them on Christmas!

 Saint Nicholas came to town one night and handed out golden pears to all the kids.

 The lights in Leavenworth are magical!

 Every year we've gone there we take a walk in the park behind town.  I commented to Reese that while we were living in San Diego the snow, the wildlife, and the mountains were especially cool to see on that walk but now that we live in Kodiak, that awe is not quite so "strong."  It's interesting what you become used to and how your definition of "cool" can change.  To be honest, laying on a warm beach right now sounds pretty "awe"some!

In the past week I've had two of my siblings tell me I need to update my blog :)  Oh man, I just haven't been super inspired to keep up on it.  I told my friends in Washington that "I just don't have much to say."  I'll be very honest when I say that Kodiak has not been my favorite place to live.  It's not that it's horrible it's just that there really isn't anything to do and for whatever reason I don't feel like I've been able to "bloom" here.  I am still trying, but I guess I am just in a bit of a dry phase...  But I will make it more of a goal to keep this updated this new year!