First Sledding Experience

In the middle of Leavenworth is the town park. It has a little hill in it that all of the kids sled on whenever there is snow. Jennifer decided to buy Katie a sled in town, so she could experience the fun. She took Katie to the top of the hill while I waited at the bottom. On the first ride, Katie went on her own. Once the sled picked up some speed, she didn't know what to do, and her face looked scared most of the way down. She didn't cry until she had stopped, and she said she didn't want to do it again.

Jennifer didn't want Katie to be scared of sledding, so she quickly pulled Katie back to the top of the hill and went down in the sled with her the second time. It changed Katie's whole outlook to have someone in the sled with her. She giggled all the way down the hill with company. Jennifer and Katie went down the hill quite a few times. Now Jennifer is planning on taking her to our local mountains, so she can go sledding again!

Aunt Jennifer told me I was going sledding, but I wasn't sure what she meant. 

This was the only picture my mom got of me sledding on my own. She was concerned about my scared face, so she didn't quite get me in the picture! 

I don't think I want to go again.

This time Aunt Jennifer went with me, and it was fun! 

She pulled me around on the sled for awhile. 

I pulled the sled around for awhile. 

I asked Aunt Jennifer if we could go again, and she practically ran up the hill! 

It was fun!

Down the Hill

Exploring the Surroundings

When we woke up in Leavenworth the next morning, it was exciting to open the curtains and see that it was snowing. We don't get very much snow at home, so it was fun for Katie to watch the flakes falling down. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we went to explore part of the forest next to Leavenworth.

I got to see snow when I looked out my window in the morning.

My mom was tired after sharing a bed with me for the night.

I liked that I could still see the snow during breakfast.

After breakfast, we drove into the forest.

It was freezing here. During my trip here, I felt like Garyldine because I always wore about four or five layers of clothes.

About the time Aunt Jennifer took this picture, a snow plow drove by, and snow flew all over us!

A Trip to Leavenworth, Washington

My mom, sister, and I decided to take Katie on a road trip to Leavenworth last weekend as part of our holiday celebrations. Quite awhile back, Leavenworth, Washington's Bavarian Village was named "Ultimate HolidayTown USA" by the A&E Network, and it was with good reason. The whole village shines with Christmas lights by night and Christmas spirit by day. It also feels cold enough to be next door neighbors with the North Pole! 

After arriving in Leavenworth late in the afternoon, we explored the town a bit. We had a nice pizza dinner and spent some time in the lit-up park area of town.  Brrrr!

This was the park in the middle of town. I thought the trees were "beautiful!" 

I had to stand by some of the giant, lit up trees. I tried not to slide off from where I was standing. 

This was the lit-up hotel across the street from the park. 

No one was in the gazebo, so I went onstage for a dance!  

Grandma was waiting on the sidewalk for me. It's hard to see her since she was so bundled up in her coat! 

I really liked this car. It was all covered in Christmas lights and even had a lit-up deer on top.

Yee-Haw!

Katie decided to ride her stuffed horse as a release from her Black Friday shopping. She put her cowboy hat on, told me she was a cowgirl, hopped on the horse, and started shouting, "Yee-Haw!"

It's fun to be a cowgirl once in awhile!

A Second Thanksgiving Card

Katie received a second Thanksgiving card this year. Aunt Lois sent it to her, and she was so happy to find a cat on the front. She thought she had the letter inside all figured out. It just had to be about her cat since there was a cat on the front!

Oh boy! Oh boy! I got another card! 

I loved the stickers on the envelope. I had to try to take them off before I opened the card. 

I see a cute cat! 

Aunt Lois wrote me a long note. I love to read notes! 

Thank you, Aunt Lois!

Stuffed Animals

Katie loves her stuffed animals. None of them, of course, compare to Winnie the Pooh, but she takes good care of all of them. Lately, she has rediscovered her polar bear. She also found a stuffed dog that one of our friends gave her. She had completely forgotten about the dog, but she has been making up for lost time!

I love you, Polar Bear!

Sometimes stuffed animals make the best friends!

Eat your food up, Doggie!

Time for your walk!

"I'm Cleaning!"

Katie and I were down in our basement one day, and she said, "I have to go upstairs. I'll be right back." I waited patiently for her, but she wasn't returning quickly. I kept asking, "What are you doing?"

Katie would answer, "I'm singing."

After asking her a couple of times, I went to find her and discovered I had misunderstood her. She had told me, "I'm cleaning!" I found her with a broom in her hands working away!

I guess I better take care of this "messy mess." 

How is it looking, Chloe! 

I think I'm pretty good at this cleaning stuff.