Munching Moose

I spent the day cleaning an army of angry dust bunnies from behind the
fridge and under the stove and vacuumed the dead bugs out of all the lights
and then Brady says " Hey Mom, there's a little moose out in the front
yard." So I grabbed my camera and big lens and went out on the front porch
thinking he was back in the trees a bit and I took most of these pictures with the
moose being about 20 ft. away and as close as about 8 ft. I was on the
porch and he just started right for me walking real slow and not bothered at
all that I was out there. Talk about being at one with nature, totally
staring into this little guys eyes was amazing!! He never once showed any
aggressive behavior and I could have jumped inside at anytime but choose to
stay and take his picture as long as he would stay. He was way to close for
my big lens. I almost needed a different one on my camera but I had no clue he was going to stroll on over so close. The squirrels were out running around today too but
they were too ADHD to take their picture, just wouldn't hold still!!

Happy New Year and T-200

We have rolled right into the new year and I didn't even post anything so here is my New Year post......Happy New Year and bring on 2010!! January brings a new year and usually very cold temperatures. This year it is cold but we have avoided "very" cold I think? January also brings dog mushers and their canine athletes to the Kenai Peninsula for the T-200 race or the Tustumena 200. The kids have had the opportunity to help at the race since moving to Alaska with their Boy Scout troop. So Gregg and I have always tried to attend the start on race day. It has always been memorably COLD!! In 2007 I think the temps at the start was -17. I was going through some old photos from past races we attended and thought I would post a few for old times. I think I will enjoy being inside my warm home on race day this year or not. We'll have to see. Not all canines enjoy the cold and I think driving in general has gone to the dogs or at least some of them. Go T-200 racers and furry friends!!

Our New Eagle

Just wanted to recognize our family's newest Eagle Scout. Brandon has worked hard and been helped along the way by some great leaders here in Alaska and in Utah where he started in the Scouting program. We are very proud of Dustin, our oldest son, for starting a great tradition for his brothers to follow and we're very proud of Daniel, Brady and now Brandon for the dedication and hard work to make it 4 for 4. Gregg and I are very proud of our sons and loved having 2 of Brandon's older brothers in attendance at his Court of Honor on Dec. 16, 2009. Brandon's big brother Dustin is active duty in the military and was unable to make it home, but Brandon found a way to include him by putting a picture of him in his left pocket making sure all 3 of his brothers were there for him. Way to go Brandon!!

Engagement

Brady has been attending Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. While at school he met lots of new friends and a beautiful girl named Samie, she likes to be called Sam. They have been dating for a couple of months and we knew things were getting pretty serious when he asked if he could bring her home for Christmas. We picked the kids, Daniel, Brady and Sam, up at the airport early on the morning of Dec. 14 and we stopped at the Welcome to the Kenai Peninsula sign on the way home and at 3 a.m. in front of the sign Brady asked Sam to marry him, the answer was yes and we will be planning our first wedding in August in the Manti Temple and getting our first daughter!! So excited and happy for the kids!! Congrats Sam and Brady!!

Winter Pictures

Winter Wonderland

It has been very cold and foggy the past few days but today turned out to be beautiful and sunny. It didn't take long for my fingers and toes to notice that it was only about 7 degrees even though it was sunny it was not warm. This time of year you have to make the most of a sunny day. The sun is only up for about 5 1/2 hours, got to soak up a few rays while you can.

Winter Moon and Sunrise

I haven't posted anything for a bit and finally went out to take some pictures of the moon. The moon was still very visible in the sky at almost 10 a.m. and so I was able to get pictures of the moon and of the sunrise all within about 15 minutes of each other. Face East and take pictures of the sunrise and turn around to the West and take pictures of the moon. Pretty simple right? I also got some winter pictures of Mt. Redoubt. The first pictures I have taken in awhile that haven't showed steam venting from the top of the mountain.
We had a bit of snow last week and also a day of rain. Snow and rain in the same week equals HEAVY slush and ice and during that time we had a moose come across the driveway and head up the front walk to the house. Wish he would have rang the doorbell to let us know he was there!