Reindeer Farm!

Today, Robyn and I went to....THE REINDEER FARM! I've been wanting to go there for a while - especially considering the fact that I have driven by it many many times, and what better time to go than Christmas?! We saw ALL of Santa's reindeer, and some of their friends :) Tomorrow - back to Colorado!

Hello, cute Christmas cabin.

Robyn and some of the reindeer!

I guess they liked Robyn better.

Dasher is dancing.

There were horses too!

Volleyball Time!

Over the last few days, high school volleyball players from all over the state have flown into Anchorage for the State Mixed 6 Tournament. I had the chance to drive yesterday for a few games with a friend - and I am so glad we did. We were there to see the Unalakleet v. Marshall, Glacier View v. Noorvik, and part of the Scammon Bay v. Aniak games.

Watching the games was a blast, though my favorite part of being there was seeing so many familiar faces! Even though I haven't been to the majority of these villages, many of the players on the teams have been to Bible Camp, and so I was able to see some youth who I haven't seen since June! Plus - to make it even better - a friend from college who is now a teacher in Scammon Bay is a volleyball coach this year, and so we were able to catch up and see each other. Then you add in friends and family who came to see the games and it just felt like a great big reunion :)

Before I even moved to Alaska, people told me how tight-knit the community is, and how everyone is connected like a giant web - and I am reminded of that so often with experiences like yesterday's. I am so thankful for it! Below are a few pics from last night. There are two games left: Tomorrow at 2:15, Unalakleet plays Aniak for 3rd, and at 4:30, Noatak plays Glacier View for the championship. You can watch them online here: www.bssd.org !

Unalakleet vs. Marshall

Donald got player of the game and was interviewed! Faaaaaamous.

Scammon Bay vs. Aniak

Wintery Gatherings

Now that winter is in full-swing, a lot of my activities have switched from spending every free moment outside (not to say I don't get outside as often as possible!) to gathering with friends for visiting indoors. Plus, the Christmas season brings lots of gatherings and parties, and so I've been quite busy spending most of my free time with friends - not too bad! A couple of weeks ago, a few friends drove up from Anchorage to the valley, and I made cranberry apple cider with some of the cranberries I picked this fall. The best part was the way it filled my entire apartment with an incredible aroma. YUM. Last weekend, I went to an Ugly Sweater and White Elephant Gift Exchange Christmas Party at a friend's house in Anchorage - so fun! We all looked pretty ugly, and got some pretty ugly gifts - a successful night, to say the least :) This weekend is a cardamom bread baking night with friends, and then a cookie exchange the following day. And the weekend after that - a trip to the reindeer farm in Palmer! (I am sure that will get its own blog post). Lots of fun happenings!

Work is going well - I've been working on the website lately - I'd love to hear any suggestions you might have! www.cyak.org - and have been getting ready for upcoming winter retreats after the first of the year. Soccer is going well too. I am officially on Christ United's Coed A League Team now, so I am looking forward to playing with them year-round. Maybe one day I'll bring my camera to a game so I can share with you all that way! Ok, that's my little update for now. Sorry its so sporadic!

The White Elephant Gifts....and a little tree!

Some of the Ugly Christmas Sweater contestants.

Blurry - but necessary photo to show Nate's FOOTED PJs. hahaha.

Beautiful friends! Robyn, Julie, Amy and Ingrid. Robyn's sweater had LIGHTS.

Nathan and Ingrid recently rescued Pierre the pup. This is from a few weeks ago, but it is so cute that I had to include it! Ingrid is feeding him raspberries. They love each other :)