Happy 9 Month Birthday, Brayden!

Our grandson turned 9 months old on Friday! He is growing like a weed, crawling everywhere and I can't wait to see him again at Christmas! We love and miss you Bray-Bray!

Guess What???? Quick Fall! Winter is here!

If you look close enough, you can see snow flakes falling! Yep, it's October 6th and it's snowing. We had a whole week of Fall and now it's Winter.
The pups and I have been close to the fireplace today watching it snow outside. Bob is in Boston at a class. Of course - he didn't put the studded tires on before he left...said it wouldn't snow this early........Boy, is he in for a cold winter! :)
Love and miss everyone!

Born to be wild.................NOT!

This past weekend we joined some friends and went 4-wheeling! What a great time! We saw country that you never get to see from the road! We went about 14 miles in, it took us about 4 hours of riding. I loved it! We need some 4-wheelers...hey dad! You always seem to be in the market to buy a car....all I want is a couple of 4-wheelers......... :)

Fall is here! Blah!!!!!!

What can I say? It has been one busy summer! One that I loved, because we had company visiting for much of it. That really helps us survive up here - family and friend visits!
My Dad, Mom and Uncle David came up in early August. We had a great time and I really hated to see them leave! Wish they would all just move up here. Dad, David and Bob caught their limit of fish and had a ball! I sure do wish my Papa and Mema would've lived long enough to come up and visit, although I'm sure Papa catches his limit of fish every day now!

After mom, dad and David left, my daughter, Kristal, Brayden, Bradley and their friends Josh and Lauren came up! They had a great time. They decided to give it all they had and go class V White Water rafting. What crazy kids. They managed to flip the raft and had to be rescued. So glad Brayden and I were safe at the house spending the day together!

After all the company left for the summer, Bob and I headed to Denali National Park. Talk about beautiful! The leaves are turning, so there was gold everywhere (don't panic dad, I'm talking about the color gold in the leaves, not actual gold, although that would come in handy right now!
We saw 9 grizzlies, several caribou, Dall Sheep and a gorgeous Lynx!

Alaska really is a gorgeous country, but trust me - I stay on "ready" for that call that says we can come back home! Stay in touch, everyone - we miss and love you!

House Guests!!!

This past weekend, we had a momma moose and her baby stay with us all weekend! Momma had hurt her leg, so we are guessing she was staying close to people and away from the river where the bears would be. She eventually left us, but we loved every minute of her and baby visiting us...except for the part where she ate our bushes for lunch!!!

Summer is here - at last!

Yes - it's July 5th - I hope everyone had a great 4th! We attended a picnic with some friends and had a great time! We also drove down to Hatcher Pass, http://www.hatcherspass.org/ Hatcher Pass is only about an hour from our house and we had never been - it is extremely beautiful up there! It's a great place to take visitors! I can't wait for the company to start arriving again! My niece, Kelly, comes up on Monday and then Mom and Dad and my uncle, Dave comes in! After that - my kids and grandson and their friends are coming in! It will be a fun-filled next few weeks, but will go by way too quickly. It seems like winter is just around the corner, when summer just arrived.

I did get to go home and visit the family a couple of weeks ago! I was able to see my mom and dad, sister, Val and all three of the kids and my Grandson, Brayden! I had the time of my life and miss all of them already way too much! Bray-Bray seems to change daily and I'm missing it! Hopefully, we can get back to the L48 before he starts college!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Honey! Happy Birthday. Brayden!

Today my husband turned 47 and my Grandson turned 3 months!

Happy birthday, guys! I love you both!!!!

Spring is here!!

We are at almost 18 hours of sunlight a day and temps in the upper 50's!!! Bob's mom left a week ago after her first visit to Alaska. She had a great time, I think. She saw her first moose, ate some great Halibut and enjoyed our local pizza hangout, The Moose's Tooth.

Ashley, our youngest daughter, is now here visiting. She made us hike down behind the house tonight. We decided to hike down to the river and actually almost made it, until Ash and I heard some noise in the woods in front of us! We weren't sure what it was, but it made a noise loud enough to stop us in our tracks. Not one of us was willing to take the chance to find out what it was, so we just changed the direction of our hike and walked a different route......very quickly!!!

We had the bear mace, but good grief! I'm afraid if a brown or black bear was heading my way, I would probably not be able to take the time to remember how to use the stuff and would end up shooting myself!!!!

Either way, we had a great time enjoying the nice weather. The pic to the left is Ash and I behind our house at 9:00 p.m. Notice the sun is still bright!!!!! Love the sun!

12 - 24" of Snow!

Need I say more????????? Not sure whether to laugh or cry! Guess I'll just hang in there while we go through our 4th break-up of the season! Bob's mom is coming in tonight for a visit. At least she'll get to see some snow! No problem! We can shop just as much when it's cold as we can when it's warm! :) And I'm sure we'll find her some moose, eagles and other wildlife for her to watch! Welcome to Alaska!

http://www.adn.com/anchorage/story/387393.html

If this is Spring............

I'm dreading summer, if this is Spring! We've gotten between 8 and 10 inches of snow today and more is on the way!! Think I'll hibernate until summer really and truly gets here! Please...if you love me...and if you are in Texas....don't call me whining about the 90 degree temps!!!!

Ok - I guess I won't leave my trash out for the bears!

Read the article in the Anchorage Daily News. I'm glad I hate jogging - although I do love to get out and walk!

http://www.adn.com/bearattacks/story/385220.html

Temperature says 62!

Our temps hit 62 degrees today! Woo-hoo! We are getting 15 1/2 hours of daylight! The papers are stating that the bears are waking up and of course, they are hungry. They want us to be sure and keep trash cans "bear-proofed". The way I look at it, let the bears have the trash, then maybe he'll leave us alone!!!!!!! Either way, bears or not, we are very glad it is officially spring! I'm really tired of the pasty white look and am ready to get outside and thaw out a bit!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Last weekend, mom and dad celebrated 45 years of Wedded Bliss! Can't believe how much time has gone by and what mom and dad started! In 45 years they have produced 2 children, who produced them 5 grandchildren, who has produced them 1 great-grandson! Val and I are truly blessed to have such beautiful and special parents! We love you mom and dad! Congrats on your 45th!

Spring is here?

What a difference a week makes! Last week, 8 inches of snow dropped on us and this week...Spring is here! Today's high here at the house was 56 degrees! The snow is melting! We were able to open windows to let the fresh air in today. Bob washed the truck....I had forgotten what color it was and how pretty it could look when not caked in snow and ice! O.k. - it's spring heading into summer.....when are my guests getting here?! I'm ready, so come on up! Love and miss ya'll!

Tax Day in Alaska

Want to know what Tax Day looks like in Alaska? About 2 -3 inches more snow! Of course...I'd like blame God...but since that isn't the right thing to do...I'll just blame Bob, since he did take the snow tires off of the Expedition last weekend! Sort of like when you wash your car and the next day it rains?! Welcome Spring!!!!!!

Brayden, of course...who else

Take a look at our grandson! Thank goodness for technology! We can see video of our grandbaby. I'd like to say it is just like being there...........but it's NOT! It's only a "placeholder" until we can hold him again.

Enjoy video of the most beautiful baby on earth!

Such a little miracle

It's hard to believe how quickly you can fall in love with a tiny little bundle! Brayden Dean, our first grandbaby, was born February 21st, weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz and 20 1/4 inches long.

Our kids, Brad and Kristal, brought our new grandson up to AK for a visit on Easter. This kid will be a world traveler before he is a year old!!! (if Mimi and Papaw have anything to do with it!)

We love and miss you Brayden!

Our New Grandbaby

When will Winter end???????????????

It's the 16th of February and it's been snowing all day! Fortunately, we are now getting about 9 hours of daylight, so that beats the 5 hours we had in December and January.



Can't wait for Spring! The snow is beautiful, but good grief!!!!!!!!!!