Christmas 2014

This was the first Christmas that we haven't spent with family in WA.  We decided to stay home and although we really missed seeing everyone, it was nice and relaxing.  We started off the Christmas season with Reese's work Christmas party on December 6th.

 Then we had the kids party for all the kids from Reese's work.  Santa made an appearance this year and brought Christmas jammies for all the kids.

 Lane had a part in the Christmas program at church.  He was a towns person and a shepherd.  This was one big bonus of staying home for Christmas, Lane has never been in a church program, because we've always been gone.  I loved watching him!

 We had a gingerbread house making party at our house with some friends.

 On Christmas Eve we went to church and that night Lane read Twas the Night before Christmas for us. :)

 We decorated Christmas cookies...

 And Christmas morning was super relaxing. In fact I stayed in my pajamas all day!

 Lane got a skateboard ramp and Estelle got a Easy Bake Oven.  Just to name a few...

 And it was this sweet girls first Christmas.  Reese's Grandma Barbara has made these special stockings (socks) for everyone in the family.  They are special to us, and I love that I have one for Case.  We always hang his up.  My heart and my sock hooks are full now...  I love my family from here to heaven, and although we have many trials, I am counting my blessings!

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!

Christmas is in the air

Well the Christmas events are in full swing around here!  It's been a busy one! A few weeks ago we went to a bell choir concert.  It was beautiful!  The Russian Orthodox Church has a real presence here and they had a choir at the concert too.  The most wonderful piece was "O Holy Night" sung by one of the churches friars.  It was so beautiful and really reminded me of the REAL reason we celebrate this season.   Reese's small command here puts together a kids Christmas party and an adult Christmas party.  Last weekend we had the kids one and tonight is the adult party.  Me and a couple others ladies are in charge of planning these parties, it's fun but time consuming!  We got mini gingerbread houses for all the kids to decorate, they were a hit!

 Estelly and Emmy.  Emmy always calls her Estelly so many of us now call her that :)

 We've had our decorations up at home since before Thanksgiving.  We are leaving town so I wanted to get things up a little early.  Our tree is huge.  I was a little annoyed when Reese brought it home, but it's grown on me.

I always have so much fun with this little table.  I love to decorate it for every season.  That was a garage sale find in Sumas, WA, when Lane was just a little guy.

I tried something new this year with these stockings and snowflakes.  Last January we were in the process of moving and while I was in WA I hit up all the Christmas clearance items.  I got lots of fun stuff!

I got the little vintage santa handkerchief at a thrift store.  

And of course we decorated the gingerbread house a few days ago.  I've started a little tradition of bringing a gingerbread house and all the fixin's to a couple friends every Christmas.  The gingerbread recipe I have makes 3 gingerbread houses so I just assemble two more and give them away.  It's been fun!  Hope you all are enjoying your Christmas season as well!!

Just Sharing Some Pictures

From Christmas!  Better late than never.  This is mostly for myself just to have pictures on here to remember Christmas 2012.  We went to Washington and had fun with cousins and friends.  

 Estelle's viking hat that daddy got her.

 Cousins!

 My 4 bestest friends in Washington and my kids.  I think this is the first picture we've gotten with all of them!  I just love all these kiddos.  They range in age from 8 1/2 to about 4 months.

The annual fondue party with my friends from high school.  This year it was hosted by Brianne.  Good times.

 Lesha, Matt and I drove down to Seattle to meet Michele and family.   The boys went to the Seahawks game and us girls and Hazel did a little shopping.  It was a great kid free night for me!

 Sledding on New Years Day.  Estelle and Abby had such fun together!

Tis the Season

 We got a real Christmas tree this year.  I love it!  Our pre-lit tree that we bought at Michaels about 4 years ago almost started on fire two days after we put it up.  As soon as I plugged it in the morning I heard a buzzing noise, then smelled melting plastic.  I quickly unplugged it and next thing I knew there was smoke.  Thankfully I was there or the thing could have burned that house down!  Just a little word of warning.  Don't trust a pre-lit artificial tree.  Now here is a little taste of our decorations at our house :)

 This ornament was purchased on our first trip to Alaska about 6 1/2 years ago.

I made some gingerbread houses again this year.  This is becoming a fun tradition!!

Fun with Cousins at Christmas

Amara and Estelle
Hazel, Estelle and Brielle playing under the table
The boys. They are so cute and getting so grown up :(
Lane, Erawyn, Shallon, and Marryn have so much fun together. I told them to smile real big for this picture.
Estelle mostly enjoyed all the ribbons and wrapping paper
Grandma Barb came to visit from Illinois. These are all her great grandchildren.
Erawyn and Lane, 7 months a part and buddies!
And these two...Estelle and Abby. They are only 3 months apart. They are pretty much doing the same thing, crawling really fast. Gotta love Abby's Billy Bob teeth binky.

I am a little behind on blogging about our trip up to Washington for Christmas. We were gone for 2 weeks and it was kind of exhausting. The trip was hard, I am not gonna lie, but it was nice to see friends and family. More pictures to come.