1.29.2007



Here's a little taste of the ice sculptures and activities that we saw at the Peninsula Winter Games. Again, most of the activities were kid-oriented, but we had fun! It was a bit chilly, but since that day it's warmed up to over freezing, so the ice sculptures may not last too much longer!!

1.27.2007

T200

Today we had a great time at the Tustumena 200 Dog-Sled Race! We started the day at some friends of ours from church. At 2:00 AM we decided to come home & go to bed! Later that morning we got back up and went to the ceremonial start of the race in Kenai at 10:00! At the race we met a musher who was alone, as his wife and 3 year old son were home in Fairbanks. Pat, having prior knowledge in dog sleds (thanks, Bruce!), jumped in and helped! He helped harness the dogs and hold them in the main harness, and whatever else needed to be done. The ceremonial race was only a couple miles through town, and the main race began at 2:00 in Kasilof (ka-SEE-lof). After a couple hours at the Peninsula Winter Games we headed down to the main race to help our musher again! Here are the race photos and later I'll put up some pictures of the Games - the games were set up mostly for kids, but we enjoyed it, too!

This gal on the right has won the T200 the last two years in a row!
I've never heard howling like this before! It was really exciting when the dogs got riled up! They would start barking and howling like crazy!
It was fun and the energy just spiked when they got going! I love the look of Alaskan Huskies! Pat has told me that they are basically a huskie mixed with any other dog! I still think they are cool! I really like the blue eyed dogs! I was a bit surprised at how small they are, but they love to pull!

This was a great Alaskan experience! Our musher, Rod Boyce took off at 2:15, and has a long 200 miles to go! Eight years ago, Rod got caught in a blizzard at this race and was lost for 6 days! The weather was great today and we've had lots of good snow, so they should have a good trek! If you'd like to see more, go to www.tustumena200.com.

1.23.2007

Birthday Love


Happy Birthday Jana! We hope this will be a very special year for you!












Here's to you! We know you'll be a great Mommy!









Have a Wonderful Birthday!!!
We love you!

1.19.2007

Sleeping Beauty!


Josh & Jana brought Kaylee home the other day, & I have to say, I'm so excited to see that I helped with her ride home! Okay, only a very tiny bit! The pink knitted hat is one that I made! I feel very honored and it looks like it just fits! Thanks for sharing the pictures! I'm quite tickled!!! You really have a sweet beauty! (I hope she's sleeping some!)

1.16.2007

New Niece!



I'd like to welcome my new niece, Kaylee Nicole Best into the world!



She was born yesterday, January 15th, 2007 at a
healthy 6lb 8oz & was 19" long!



Congratulations to Josh & Jana!
We love you!


1.15.2007

Baby's Coming!

Here are the soon-to-be parents! I just heard that they are at the hospital and waiting for that little girl to come into the world! I hope I don't burst their bubble by posting this, but I'm really excited! I can't wait to hear when her birthday is and what her name is!

1.12.2007

Carving




Okay, I guess the machines are able to be ridden! Pat did a quick, temporary fix on his machine and was able to get it going! He's been perfecting his carving techniques!
I, on the other hand, am working on taking those action shots, and just enjoyng the snow! I'm not quite the carver, but it's been fun to ride! The trails are just fine for me!

1.11.2007

Home?

We aren't sure exactly where we feel most "at home" right now! After our Christmas trip back to Kansas it left me with mixed feelings! While driving around Wichita, it felt like home, but once we arrived back in our snow-covered Alaska, it felt so welcoming! It's so nice to feel good wherever you are! This fabulous glitter-globe (it's not really snow!) was given to Pat for his 20-10th birthday from Chris & Julie, and we are so proud of it that we display it on top of the TV for all to see!!!




Here's just a little glimpse of the snow in our area. The camper & trailer have a nice packed foot of snow on top, and as you can see, the snowmachines do not! We did take them out and rode a bit last week, and Pat and his friend Derrick took them out on Saturday. Unfortunately, they are both in need of a little TLC before they get to slice through that snow! It's tough to work on machines when it's 30 below, so Pat has refrained from tackling that project until it warmed up to above zero! Luckily, today is a balmy 22! I don't even need a coat to step outside! (notice I only said "step", not walk or other lengthy trip!) Just thought I'd give a little update!

1.08.2007

Birthday! Birthday!


Cutie-Patootie Hannah turned 3 yesterday!!!


The Stud-man Hud turned 3 yesterday, too!!!

Can't wait to see the adventures of these 3-year-olds!

1.02.2007

Christmas Reflections!


I read quite a few books for Hud & Han! Several were read at least twice!!
Here we girls are watching Toby announce that his mommy was going to have another baby! Click Adam's link to watch it! It's too cute!!
Pat had a way with the kids! Even Raegan really took to him! In fact, I think she liked his chin hair!!
Pat had a little shadow named Jackson!


Hannah was showing me her make-up applying skills! To her credit, she did tell me she was trying to be a clown!!!
Hudson was quite the carpenter! He was wanting to help make his new loft-bed!
Here's a glimpse of the gifts we sent to Josh and Jana! I had Josh and Pat had Jana! What fun!
You do know what to do with these, right?!!!
Pat had made this basket! I'll find the "making-of" photos later!!!

Lot's of giggling!