Good-bye 2017

I love the end of the year roundup - tying up all loose ends, reviewing the last few months photo's, reflecting on all the change.......  Lots of happiness.  Choosing joy.

The fall season had us trying to Geocache for the first time.  Super fun, a good way to get out and see new places and also made it very obvious my phone is outdated.  2018 will be the year for new iPhone for Mom.   

Thanksgiving was with Korryn and Wayne - at Wayne's home.  Cozy and fun.  Kelsey took a picture of the kids and me - that I will cherish forever.  

December rolled in. 

 Gingerbread houses, annual baking day, home decorating (and Christmas tree drama), getting promoted to nurse manager (wait, what?!) cinnamon rolls, Christmas day, some tearful moments when the kids left Christmas day to spend the remainder of Christmas break with their Dad. 

 And.... the divorce was finalized.  This day came with huge emotion.  From grief to relief.  

Very large chapter in my life closed.  

A new way of living..........  choosing joy.

 Who would have thought, that finding a good live Christmas tree in 2017 - during the 2nd weekend of December would be a challenge!?  Options:  too large, too expensive.  Too small, too expensive.  Just right, too expensive.  And totally ratty, too expensive.  We never did find a good tree, suitable to bring home.  We decided to go fake.  And I love it way more than I thought I would.  It's small.  But for our little family, it was perfect.  Maybe in the future it will be exclusively just for Snoopy.  Either way, it worked out very well.   After a little bit of kid drama (they were convinced we would not find anything) and exacerbation - driving all over North Seattle trying to find one!

How crazy is this. 😃

 Exciting, challenging and hoping I do it  justice!

Christmas morning 🎄

 This was Ryan's gift to me.   So much thought, color and detail.  It made me cry.  Love 💜love💚 love. 💙

 It was a white Christmas.   

Rarity in Seattle.

Christmas morning was exciting, but getting out in the snow was way more exciting than what was under the tree.

This was my gift Christmas Day night.  

The house was quiet.

The yard is beautiful.

And a sunset to tie up the day.  🎄

December 31st.  Seahawks 🏈 game in downtown Seattle.  Game did not end well, but it was a good way to say good bye 2017.  

2018! 🌈

2017-2018 school pictures!

Back to school

We start with the always exciting occasion - a lost tooth.  This was about a month ago.  Currently she has 4 more loose teeth.... get ready Tooth Fairy

2017-2018 school year is in full swing.

Demeter-kitty "had" to be a part of the before school/back to school photo's.

I'm not sure kitty agreed.

Oh Ryan........  😏

This year Kathryn was all about posing for photo's

Kathryn's 3rd grade class with Miss Bogertman

 Ryan's 4th grade class with Mrs. Zech

 Kathryn and her friend Sofia

This is Trooper.  Grandma Kathie's newest family member

 Kathryn and Trooper became quick friends

Day trip to Bainbridge Island - on the ferry, watching another ferry

Kathryn is with our neighbor Allison here.

Lake Chelan - BIRTHDAY's - Beach

Our first trip to Lake Chelan.

  Hot, amazing lake, great swimming, and fun.

The kids spent nearly every moment in the lake or behind the boat inter-tubing.  

 We stayed with my Aunt Patti and Uncle Bob

 The moment before the plunge

 No surprise that Kathryn went first

Ryan is 10. 

TEN.

TEN!

He opted for a Mariner's game.  The M's lost but he got an autograph from a Boston Red Sox's player and a foul ball.

Plus his name on the big screen!

Any my little girl is now 8.

We got to hang out with friends for the morning and she spent the evening with Dad.  A good day all around for her.

Ocean Shores

 I love the noticeable determination in Kathryn's form - out to soak her brother!

Footprints to the waves   💗

Jim Creek Camping

Jim Creek Campground June 3-5, 2017

The 40 foot swing. 

Kathryn was fearless, Ryan loved it & I thought it was very worth climbing up a ladder for!

 The friends would hoist you up until the guide said that's it, and off we'd go!

 Then there was the 60 foot climbing tower.

Kathryn, again - NO FEAR.

60 feet up the vertical climb, all the way. So proud of her!

I made it to the first crow's nest, kinda proud of myself too.  Never would have done this in the past and was not scared to attempt.  

Ryan did great too, but I think he looked down at one point and that made it a little overwhelming.  

                                      We also went fishing at this serene little out of the way lake.

Beautiful.  

         

                               And just before we had to leave, we found this little hide out.

 This little turkey was supposed to be taking a picture of Kathryn and I.  

Instead a get this.  😁