A while back I asked for your favorite reads and got a lot of great recommendations. This past year as a nanny I was able to do a lot of reading and am still trying to keep it up even if it's only a page or two a day. Here's a list of some of the books I've read this year in no particular order. I didn't finish one or two of them (either due to boredom or getting sucked into another novel first and never being motivated enough to remember where I left off) but they were all worthwhile.
A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Betty Smith
Cold Sassy Tree Olive Ann Burns
Killing Pablo Mark Bowden
Under Gemini Rosamunde Pilcher
The Chosen Chaim Potok
Elantris Brandon Sanderson
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Jonathan Safran Foer
Man's Search for Meaning Viktor Frankl
Ubik Phillip K. Dick
My Name is Asher Lev Chaim Potok
The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to become the Smartest Person in the World A.J. JacobsClear and Convincing Proof Kate Wilhelm
Night Elie Wiesel
Rebecca Daphne Du Murier
Persian Pickle Club Sandra Dallas
Angels and Demons Dan Brown
Inspector Morse Colin Dexter
We move in just a few weeks. Lawrence is 30 minutes from where I grew up and I can't wait to see my family for more then 4 days at a time. We're definitely going to miss Everett, especially the Peterson's. I know a lot of people thought we were nuts to live at home for so long but I have to admit I have loved every minute of it.
It seems crazy (and quite comforting) to finally know where we'll be for the next three years. Now if I can just find a decent paying job once we get there we'll be set. I'm so proud of Mitch and how hard he's worked up to this point. Not only did he get into a great law school but he managed to get a scholarship for half the tuition. He's amazing.
So now you all have a place to stay if you ever find yourself out in the middle of nowhere in the Midwest!
I won't try to fill you in on all the details of the last couple months but I've posted a few highlights below.
Last weekend we went with Mitch's family up to their cabin in Sandpoint, Idaho. Mitch's grandfather designed the cabin and with the help of family they built the whole thing. Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of the place but the scenery was breathtaking. With great weather and great company it was the perfect little getaway. Alex provided some hilarious entertainment around the fire too. 
P.S. This is where they filmed Dante's Peak.
In April one of my favorite people in the whole world came up to Seattle for a visit.
In the few days she was here we saw and did just about everything there is.
I loved seeing all the sights, getting to visit the Tacoma museums, and riding the ferry, etc. but for me the best part of having her here was just getting to laugh and talk with her. It made me realize how much I miss getting to see her regularly. Hopefully someday we can live near each other again but until then blogs and emails will have to do. 
In March we went to Kansas to see my family. I loved every minute of it. As always, the best part of all was getting to see my two little neices. It amazes me how different their personalities are but how they each are the most adorable little girls I've ever seen. I wouldn't change a thing about them (except that they're growing up too fast with me far away). 
Another thing I love about my job is that I get to take Colin on walks around North Everett. Sometimes we go once a day, sometimes twice if the weather permits. It's wonderful. Not only is the neighborhood absolutely adorable but we're just two streets away from a fantastic view of the Puget Sound. I don't know if it's because I grew up in Kansas and far away from the coast but every time I see the water I feel like I'm on vacation.
The Peterson home is currently without internet until Mar. 10th. Bummer.
