What's Been Going On?

So, it's Tuesday evening, and I was sitting here thinking...hmmm, what should I do? And then it came to me! Hey, I have a blog!! Don't I? I haven't updated it in a while, but I bet it's still active, and when I checked, it was! OK, it hasn't been that long, but from all the people who have been harassing me about updating it, you would think it has been. I guess it's hard to make your life seem exciting when it's cold and dark outside, but that is rapidly changing with about nine hours of daylight greeting us this time of year.

I realized that I never mentioned the holidays other than to say that I didn't get out of Alaska to visit my family for Christmas. I do however have a few pictures from Thanksgiving, which was celebrated at Carrie and Duff's house this year. It was a warm, inviting setting complete with a long table,


tons of food,


and lots of friends.


I also had a great Christmas, but I didn't use the old camera much, so I don't have a whole lot to show for it. Carrie and Duff had a rockin' Christmas Eve party, and then a wonderful Christmas was spent in Delta at Jeff and Ellie's feasting on their homegrown pig. Then it turned really, really cold out (-40) from December 27 through January 12 but broke with a record high temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit, which was very welcomed and deserved.


What else have I been up to? I went to Kieran's 1st birthday party, complete with an out of town grandparent and plenty of little girlfriends running around.


New Years was bitterly cold, but we still managed to get our butts outside and enjoy a fantastic fireworks display at the stroke of midnight.


Since I missed visiting family over Christmas, a late January trip had to do as a stand in. Little did I know there would be a four inch ice storm with five inches of snow to follow. We were stuck in the house for a couple of days, but I suppose that is what a vacation is all about, relaxing. I tried to take a picture of the yard covered in a deep sheet of ice, but I'm not sure how well it turned out. Use your imaginations...see the shiny surface??


The trip wasn't all spent in isolation, I was able to visit some people, and Mom invited her side of the family over to visit. It was great to see everyone, and to see all of the great projects Mom has finished in the last year. Attendees demanded a showing, and she didn't disappoint. Various sewing projects were displayed,


while the crowd oohed and aahed.


Back in Alaska, this past weekend brought another baby shower. This time the guest of honor was Cashell. I think Thea is excited to have another little friend coming in to the world.


Yes, true to tradition, there were plenty of games,


and super cute gifts (Great job on the booties, Lauren!).


Unfortunately I didn't get a very good picture of pregnant Cashell. Hopefully this one will suffice until I take a better one.


Well, that's all for now. We've been doing the same ski races this winter as we have the past couple of years. I'll try to get some pictures up from those in the near future.