Merry (belated) Christmas!

It was indeed a white Christmas for us as we enjoyed every bit of our first Alaskan Christmas.

The kids were spoiled with presents from Santa, Mommy & Daddy and loved ones.  And probably the most precious gift that I could have asked for was family time and with Daddy home and enjoying it all with us.

'Twas the Night before Christmas

 Stockings stuffed and presents wrapped & delivered

 The kids quickly found the note that Santa left behind after enjoying his snack.

 I couldn't take a picture of every present that was opened but here is a glimpse at some...

 We even ventured downtown on the day after Christmas to check out the deals and do some shopping of our own.  Look at who we got to see just walking down the main street!

 At REI, we picked up our first hiking backpack for Marilyn (which we will surely get at least 2 more years use out of).  She sure does have a great view from up there!

 We also picked up hiking backpacks + new water bottles for Thomas & Abby.

As a side note, we may have to rent another hiking pack to carry Abby this next summer... I guess time will tell how big she is and how motivated she really is about doing it on her own.  But needless to say, they are both excited about their new stuff and both want to know when the snow will be melted for us to start hiking (ha-ha-ha).  In addition to hiking stuff, we also got some snowshoes for Thomas & Daddy and we will head back soon for some light rainjackets/panchos for the kids as well as some hiking shoes for all of us and maybe even some camping gear.

I will have to tell you the story about the orange whistle clips that are on the front of their backpacks later.



 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year everyone!