Lexa at the Locks

At the edge of Seattle is the Ballard Locks, where Lake Washington meets the Puget Sound – the connection point between fresh water and the Ocean.  The waterways through Seattle are 22 feet above sea level, and kids and adults are fascinated by the boats that flow through endlessly.  There’s always much to do – bridges to cross, waterfalls to watch, and fish to look for.  Unfortunately, there were not many Salmon in the fish latter, which can have thousands during the summer months.  But that didn’t dampen Lexa’s love for the locks.

Ski day!

Lexa’s Day

Shortly after Lexa’s baptism we did a photo shoot in her “big girl” dress.  She keeps saying that’s my “baptism” and “my church.”  Although she was quite restless during the ceremony, she remembers it with great fondness.  It seems to have connected her to the Church and the community, exactly the way a baptism is supposed to.  Now whenever we go there, Lexa says it’s her church and Sophia’s school – so they share ownership.

Hangin at the Lake

It’s amazing what a little outdoor time will do for the spirits.  We spent the weekend at the Lake for a little R&R.  No matter how many times we go, we never get bored of the experience – the perfect place for reconnecting with your family.

Our Little Dancers

Sophia has been taking a mixed ballet & tap class with her buddy McKenzie.  It has been a nice continuation from her lessons in Munich.  It has been so much fun to see her “big girl” personality come out on the dance floor – confident, mischievous, and fun.

Dance the Night Away

I’m not quite sure how it got started, but somehow the lake living room has become quite the dance studio.  Perhaps it’s the laid back feeling around the lake, perhaps it’s the time together as a family, perhaps it’s the nice wine (for Moya and Troy at least).  But throw a CD in during the afternoon or evening, and there’s dancing going on.

The Colors of a New Year

In the days following the first of January, there was a strange but beautiful hue in the sky every night at the lake.  It was like the Aurora Borealis showed up in Western Washington.  Fortunately, Troy was experimenting with his new camera lens.  The evenings were beautiful – frosty cold, but with a dash of color wherever you looked.

New Years at the lake

As in past years, we celebrated the New Year by playing up at the lake, and ringing in 2011 with a few fireworks and hot chocolate!  Last year we were watching the chaos of the Munich celebrations, and trying to avoid getting hit by the bombs going off around us, so we were really happy to just have a few sparklers & poppers, and know that no one was going to lose an ear…

The rest of the week was spent recovering from the excitement & exhaustion of Christmas, fighting off colds, and lots & lots of sleep…