Sking, Hiking and Bode

Next to went to Alyeksa for the night. My mom got the kids ski lessons for Xmas. Frances had been once, Henry had finally decided he would give it a go, and Maggie said "next time".  Frances LOVED it and ended up going night skiing with Aunt Jenny and rode the lifts. Henry tried it, gave it his all, and decided that it is "not his sport"........ and Maggie spent most of her free time with Bode the dog.  Poor Alaska is grieving as there was barely any snow and while we were there, it melted. For a state that LOVES their wintry weather and snow, the residents seem VERY depressed. That said, we made the most of the ironic and sad beauty of the "melt".

Dinner.....for 17

We decided to give my sister a break from entertaining and go to a fun restaurant for dinner....and there are 17 of us. The dinner was great, company amazing, and my dad - who doesn't drink- ordered a Hanky Panky (a gin drink) in honor of my grandfather. Afterwards we went shoe shopping at the amazing place next door...... could you ask for more?

AK Adventures

Christmas night we flew to AK and met up with all of my family at my sister's house. It was so much fun. The first day was gorgeous, so we made the most of it. We went sledding (my dad was hilarious, I think he did the most runs), biking, and I got to run with my sisters, Mark and brother in law Fritz-- hello heaven!! The kids were over the moon about getting to be together - I think they would say it was the best Christmas present they received all year.

Christmas Morning 2015

Christmas Morning with Kids = THE BEST

Christmas Eve 2015

Another favorite thing of the holiday is Christmas Eve. We go to the Family Mass at St Mary's and then to dinner with our dear friends, who are like family to us, the Watson and Davis Family. Over the years, the dynamic of the room has changed...from some being pregnant...to new wonderful little lives. I hope we keep the tradition until we are VERY old.....even Henry said "it will be fun to see what that room looks like when I am in high school mom".  I feel so incredibly thankful to have these families in "our tribe". I adore their children and there is nothing that rings in the special holiday night better.

Tea at the Heathman

I know many people have a tradition of going to tea at the Heathman Hotel...so I called in October...to be put on a wait list. We got on and were able to go with the wonderful Watson girls. They put us upstairs...not sure they heard about us and our behavior....but we had a lovely time. A fun tradition that we hopefully continue. On the way out we ran into Maggie's friend from preschool, which was pretty fun and delightful for Maggie.