We ate tons of food, shopped like crazy, and even made a trip to the bowling alley for some cyber bowling! The first game I did awful (as usual). Everyone was in the hundreds and I had an 84. I was actually really happy with that because I usually score somewhere around a 60. Before we started the second game I told them all, I was just hustling them and I was going to kick their butts the next game. We all almost died when I won! They were pretty disgusted with the fact that a pregnant lady beat them!
Our flight home was beautiful. This was the Wrangell St. Elias mountain range, which is near Anchorage, as we flew over it. I hope it makes those of you who are coming up, even more excited to come up and visit us in April (although you won't see this same sight, I promise you will think Southeast Alaska is just as amazing). 
When we got home, we picked up Milo and gave him all his new toys and bones. He was one happy puppy!
Our trip was so much fun! We enjoyed seeing our long lost friends and spending time in a different place, but we were happy to be back to our cozy little home.
This week was Thanksgiving, so school was only in session until Wednesday. That same day we got to pick up our friends, Andrew & Erica, who came down from Anchorage to visit us for the holidays. Andrew and Ryan grew up together and it felt like they were never apart even though we haven't seen them in a couple years!
On Thanksgiving, Erica and I baked pies to contribute to the feast we ate at our friends', Megan & Jason, house. They were a smashing hit! One was a german chocolate pecan pie and the other was a pumpkin pie with a yummy strudel topping.
The next day, instead of battling people in stores shopping for the best deals like everyone else on the planet, we were able to take a relaxing drive and see some of the beauty Wrangell has to offer. Everyones favorite spot for the day was Petroglyph Beach. Andrew and Erica found some sea anemones in a couple different tide pools and Milo thoroughly enjoyed sprinting around in the mud!
Obviously we would love to be home for the holidays and miss you all so much, but we are so thankful to have such good friends. Our vacation has been lovely and we were surrounded with fun and friendship.
Now it's time for the Howe Christmas celebration to begin! We have put up the tree and several of the decorations and Pandora has been set to Christmas music for the last 3 days.
We love you all and miss you dearly!
Love, Heather, Ryan, Baby Howe, & Milo
