Monday, December 17, 2012

It's Christmas time again!

Wow, almost a whole year since our last post!! I can't believe it!
    We are currently back on board Wind-Borne. We seem to keep moving back on board to winter up here on Blakely. This time though there is no snow. We are significantly warmer. Although we are having 60 mile/hr wind gusts and a gale forecasted for at least the next few days, so the rigging is singing us to sleep at night and Wind-Borne is rocking with that familiar "at sea" feeling like we are under way instead of at the dock. Luckily the winds are mostly S,SE, and a bit SW, so we are protected by the island. We are getting hit harder than usual though due to the fact that we have moved from our usual slip to the very end of the dock to avoid hitting bottom during the recent "super tides" we've been having. The other day tide was like 3 feet below the usual low. It's really cool to see.
     Mr. barometer says pressure is all over the place. I keep resetting it, because I've become extremely interested in how it works. Ben is usually the one toying with it. He is an expert at taking it's readings and turning it into an accurate weather prediction. Pressure dropped significantly the last few days pointing from fair weather to almost certain rain. I'm fascinated.
     Henry is almost 3 years old!!! Can you believe it? We can't. He is so excited to spend his birthday up here on Blakely just like we did last year. He is already talking about his candles and keeps telling everyone he is two, but his birthday is soon and he will be three! I can't believe he understands all that. He's not a baby anymore thats for sure.
    Henry also saw Santa again last week! He came on the christmas boat with all his pirates and elves again. Henry was ready for him this time, because he remembered last year. He was the center of attention as he was the only child on the island this year! He sat on Santa's lap several times, and got two sets of presents. He also opened his gifts on Santa's lap and sword fought Santa with his balloon sword that the pirates made for him. Really!? What kid gets to sword fight Santa? Pretty awesome!
   I'll include some pictures from the event.
   As far as news on Ben & i go... we are pretty much the same as last year. Still happy and healthy. Ben is actually in Bozeman right now with Scott framing up a house. Henry and I elected to stay behind on the boat, because we have work to do up here.
    We do have some really exciting news to tell you all though! ... We are the new operators of the Blakey Island marina and Store!! I'm still in a bit of shock about it really. I know we haven't mentioned it to most of you, but thats because we were certain we wouldn't get it. We have been secretly working on a proposal for the board since last summer. We have yet to sign the formal lease. (Jan 1st!!) But have lots of prep work to do. The store is a bit of a mess from last years operators so we have been fixing some things and lots of painting has been going on. So much painting. There is so much to tell you about it that I don't know where to begin. I think maybe i'll write another post about it another time.
    Ben is due back from Montana in a few days just in time for H man's birthday. He is very missed back here at home on Blakely. Henry and I are hanging out on the boat playing with play dough & leggos right now. Banjo is sleeping under the table on top of my feet. He is the best kind of boat dog. He sleeps a lot when indoors and goes into a kind of hibernation mode. It's funny. He shimmies under the settee and tucks himself away until he's either called out to play, or there's food being eaten of course.
   Actually, it just occurred to me that since we haven't written in a year you don't officially know about Banjo. He is our new(ish) puppy. He is a basset hound something mix. We think maybe a golden retriever. It's a funny mix, but super cute. He came to us from a rescue agency. We found him on petfinder last spring and couldn't resist. His little face just called to us. He wasn't trained in the slightest when we got him. He had never had a collar or leash on and had some injuries he was recovering from.  He had a broken tail and a bad limp in his hind leg. He was also really touchy about his ribs. We think maybe he was hit by a car? He is a bit afraid of strangers still, but is much better than when we got him. He would bark and try to run from anyone who came near him. He was also not potty trained, so we got that taken care of asap. I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I have been too busy to properly train him much otherwise. He knows sit, come, and sort of stay.. but otherwise he's a free range dog. I'll get there eventually.
    Wow, long post again. I keep doing that. I know I need to write more often. maybe I'll make Ben write the next post. Happy holidays friends and family!! Hope to hear from or see you all soon!!

 family photo before Santa arrived
 Here comes the Christmas boat!
 So excited to see Santa! With grandma & grandpa.

 Henry had many sword fights!
 Santa's crew
 Henry was a fantastic greeter.
 Sorry Mrs. Clause! Henry was blocking her with his sword in ever shot. bummer.
 Banjo & Henry
Love, Ben, Kristen, Henry, and Banjo aka Team Davidson

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