A Very Merry Christmas 2017
Now, that exciting news might make everything else I'm about to share pale in comparison, but nevertheless, here's the annual round-up of McMichael highlights:
Ringing in the New Year with Snowshoeing
In January, we went snowshoeing for the first time ever and had a blast!
Exploring Amsterdam
In February, we traveled to Amsterdam for a few days, and enjoyed walking, biking, and dining around the city streets in mid-winter. Read our blog post about it here.
Bought a House!
In March, we became homeowners! We bought a house in the neighborhood of West Seattle. You can read about our first mini-renovation here.
The Joys of Home Ownership
Much of the spring and summer were spent taming the Jumanji-esque yard surrounding our home. Here's some pix of Shaun tackling the yard - he looks like he's never been happier to unleash his inner Tim the Toolman Taylor.
Mountain Biking through Snoqualmie
In June we went on a mountain bike ride through Snoqualmie along the John Wayne pioneer trail. Part of the 20 mile downhill ride was through a tunnel that used to protect trains from falling snow. Now it is used for bikers and walkers. Inside the tunnel, it was pitch black and about 15 degrees cooler than the daytime temperature. Here we are right before we entered the tunnel, and below that is a picture of the entrance to the tunnel.
A Retro Housewarming Party
We also had a retro-themed housewarming party in the summer. We dressed up in 1950s era attire, played some Miles Davis and Leon Bridges, and had a good-old fashioned BBQ cookout. It was a hot day but our backyard, shaded by Douglas Firs and an old cherry tree, stayed cool.
Hiking through Banff National Park
We also got to visit Calgary and Banff National Park in August, since Kaitlin's work has an office in Calgary. Lake Louise and Lake Moraine are just as beautiful as the photos would lead you to believe! We went on a couple day hikes around the famous lakes of Banff National Park, including one to a "tea house."
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| Lake Louise |
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| Lake Moraine |
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| The Peace Bridge in Calgary |
A Literary Milestone (in the Making)
During his first teaching-free, study-free summer, Shaun finished the first draft of his novel, Whistle Punk Falls. Now it's in the hands of several trusted lay-editors to workshop and give feedback on it--that is if they ever finish its 400 page length. Then he can polish the manuscript and start shopping it around to literary agents!
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| Shaun in his study just after finishing the draft. Cormac McCarthy, look out. I'm coming for you! |
Back to the Grindstone
After a fun summer, Shaun went back to work for his second year of full-time teaching 9th and 10th grade English language learners. Kaitlin was promoted to SEO Manager at Getty Images!
September Birthdays
We also really enjoyed hanging out with family and celebrating Paisley's 4th birthday party! Michaela threw an awesome party for Paisley, and it is so fun watching Paisley grow up. We also went on an adventure to Vashon Island for my birthday, where we found an old rusty bike that has grown up inside of a tree - do you see it in the picture?
Follow the Red Brick Road
My dad also came this fall and helped us by building a great brick walkway that wraps around the house. It blends in perfectly with the house!
Looking forward to 2018
We're looking forward to 2018, for obvious reasons, but as we reflect on the highlights of 2017, we recognize how blessed we've been to be surrounded by family and friends, to have a roof over our heads to call our own, and even to have jobs that allow us to travel and see the world! We hope you and your family are doing well and are enjoying life to the full.
-Kaitlin and Shaun McMichael
