A Babe was Born...

On Christmas Day, we send you greetings from Steveson, Washington at the Skamania Lodge.  This entire trip was gifted to us and we are extremely grateful.  It does feel odd, as we've only been able to talk with family over the phone and a few not-so-good skype connections.  However, we are trying to enjoy ourselves.  The scenery is beautiful, despite the 39 degrees and pouring rain outside.  Maybe we can take a hike in the morning...until then, we'll enjoy this HUGE tree in the lobby, the fireplace and some hot coffee and chocolate.

Our prayer for you is that this day will not be lost on the reason we celebrate it in the first place.  God sacrificed his son Jesus for your salvation and it all began with a visit from an angel.  All this because of His great, great love for you.  May you make space for Him and embrace that love.  Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Leavenworth!

Since we had so much fun 2 years ago, we decided to go to Leavenworth again for the annual Christmas Lighting Festival.  When we arrived on Friday, there was no snow.  However, Saturday morning began, what would be, the only weekend of the festival this year to have any snow. 

We started our day with a leisurley walk along the Wenactchee river and ran into a few surprises along the snowy trail.  Check out the otters!  One even posed for us, with a stick in its mouth.  What a ham!

We also found a blue heron waiting in the weeds for his next catch.  Pretty cool.

After about 3 miles, we arrived into town where the snow got heavier and the number of visitors increased significantly from the night before.  Even the Grinch was out for a photo op....

As night fell and the program began, the streets filled very quickly and the moment we'd all been waiting for....the town lit up!  It was GORGEOUS!!

  

Later in the evening, the snow stopped falling, but it left this amazing shot of two decorated trees.   

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!