Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving morning started very early. We had to get up around 5:30 am to get ready for the 5 mile race. Dad, Bridger and I all participated. My goal was to complete the race in under 1 hour - I was successful by completing it in 55:35. I only wish I had a sharpie to write on my shirt "if you think this is cold try -40." The wimpy Texans were wearing hats, gloves, parkas, spandex, etc. and it was probably in the low 50s.
Dad near the finish line. Check it out he actually beat some women.
Dad getting closer to the finish line.
Dad crossing the finish line.
We made it. Me, Dad and Bridger after our 5 mile run.
Climbing Carson. I corrupted him into wearing shorts and a t-shirt in winter.
Monkey Hailey - she is a dare devil.
This is the best picture of Carson I got all week. Most of the time he would frown or run away from the camera.
Ms. Hailey enjoying the mashed potatoes before dinner. Don't worry she got a good taste by licking the bowl clean. Yes, she had her whole head in there.
No wonder she was not hungry for Thanksgiving dinner.
Bridger and London.
Thanksgiving Day Family Photo.
The sisters. It was perfect weather (60s) - you can tell by my shorts. But Alisha thought it was freezing and wore her coat on our walk. Crazy girl. She has turned into a Texas wimp.
Now this is the way to bike. Hailey has the right idead, get Grandpa to push you.

Carson and Grandpa's Big Race

The big race between Carson and Grandpa was the day before Thanksgiving. Both had been training for the race. Grandpa was off to an early lead, but Carson got him in the end.

Trip to Texas

A week in warm Texas with family was a great way to spend Thanksgiving.

Dad, me and Mom

Baby London

The cute neices (Hailey and London) and nephew (carson) with the coolest aunt ever (me).

This is what three kids do to a mom - drive her crazy.

Grandpa and London sharing a nap.

London and Me

Carson and me

Dad and London

Hailey and a cute little frog. I was scared she was going to squish the poor little thing.

Carson and his little froggie.

Hailey and me.

Mom, Alisha and I with mud dude at the Renaissance Festival.

Fairy Hailey

Fall Colors

I have spent much time on the road these past few months admiring the beautiful scenery of Alaska. Two trips to Anchorage to attend the temple. We have a mini temple so it is only open part of the week, mostly in the evenings. Here is a picture of the temple from my last trip to Anchorage.



A couple of weeks ago, mid-September, I went to Nenana to give a talk to the little branch there. There were 28 people in church including myself and the member of the Stake Presidency, was also a visiting speaker. It took me back to the mission days, especially Alcazar and Parla. The drive was peaceful. The leaves on the trees were in full color and beautiful. Here are a few pictures from my drive. Nenana is about 1 hour south of Fairbanks.

The First Snow

It is only September 23rd but is has snowed here in Fairbanks. My car was dusted with snow when I went to work. It did not stick to the ground or last very long but it was snow all right.

I must admit it is kind of exciting to see the first snow and feel the crisp air but I am not looking forward to the -40 degree whether that is just around the corner.

My trip to the DMV

I made a trip to DMV this morning. My license was going to expire on Saturday. Why do they always have your license expire on your birthday? Anyways, I get there about 15 minutes before it opens so I can get right in and out. A lady comes out to give out numbers about 10 minutes before they open and hand out the forms that need to be filled out. I get my number and she asks why I am there - then hands me a form and tells me I need my SS card too, which of course I did not bring. So I run home to get it and return just 2 minutes after they open and yep you guessed it they are on the number one higher than my number so I have to get in the end of the line and wait some more. I finally get to someone to help me and learn that I don't need my SS card because I already have a DL. ARRGGGHHH!

Yes, I did find Gold!

Yes, Alisha and Aunt Barb, I did find gold. I found about 10-12 little specks of gold. It is worth about $9.00. Needless to say I will not be quitting my day job.

Fun in Fairbanks

I am still playing tourist in Fairbanks and getting around to all of the sites. Here are some pictures of what has kept me busy the last few weeks.



This is my stash of berries this year. Can't wait for those blueberry smoothies in the middle of winter.




Panning for gold.

Heat Wave and driving YW leaders buggy

A heat wave has hit Fairbanks. Yesterday it hit 90 degrees in Fairbanks. And we have had a week over 80. Let me tell you it is hot. Now for those of you saying 90 - that's not big deal - let's remember that it was -40 for over a week here last winter. So 130 degree change is a big deal and 90 is too hot. It was the hottest day in 15 years. The last time it hit 90 in Fairbanks was Aug. 5, 1994.

Last night was mutual night and from the title of the blog I am sure you have figured out that I have a doosey of a story. We only have 5 active YW. We were scheduled to do personal progress (PP) and only one girl showed up (she's almost 15). At the end of opening exercises the YM president asked us what we were doing and we said PP. He said if you'd like to join the YW (only two YM were there) we are going shooting. The YW eyes popped open and looked at me and the YW president pleading to go with them. We both said we did not care and if she wanted to go shoot with the YW that was fine with us.

So the YM leaders tell us were the shooting range is and that they have to go and pick up their guns and ammo. I called a few of the YW and left messages on their cell phones to call me if they were running late because we were leaving the church to go shooting with the boys. On the way out we stop by the bishop's office to let the counselor know we are leaving the church to go shooting with the boys and if any of the YW come to have them call me for directions. All of this is in front of the sole YW there.

We hop in the car and discuss how shooting is probably more fun than the PP goal of the plan of salvation (reading a bunch of scriptures and drawing a picture of the plan). Then the YW president says that maybe we could find a goal around shooting and work on it (i.e. gun safety and shooting). The YW agrees. As we are pulling out of the parking lot we see one a YM arriving late so he hops in the car with us as all the other YM have left. He proceeds to tell the YW that last time they went shooting he got 15 clay pigeons and that he was working on a rifling merit badge.

We get to the shooting range. The guns and ammo come out. The YM leaders tell everyone the rules and review safety. They give everyone earplugs. The targets are set out for practice before the clay pigeons are to be used. All the while the YW is as happy as can be. Then we all back up and the first YM shoots the gun. Next thing I know I look around and do not see the YW.

Then I see her about 40 feet behind me. Hands covering her ears and shaking. I go ask her what is wrong while the YM proceeds to shoot at the targets. She is scared. We talk about how that is okay. Then she proceeds to tell me that she did not think we were really going shooting. What?!!!?!!! How many times had we said we were going shooting and the YM asking her if she wanted to come along?

Oh my. So I proceed to ask her what she thought we would be doing with the YM. She said "I didn't really think they were going shooting. I thought they were going bowling or something." Bowling? What. I don't know how it could have been more clear that we were going shooting.

Then all the YM had taken their turns and it was the YW turn. She said no and the boys all took another turn. She told me that her dad wouldn't let her shoot if he was not around and that she had never shot a gun before. Oh my, why did she say she wanted to go with the boys? That was just it - she heard do you want to go with the boys! Boy crazy YW. That is what I get to deal with. Boy crazy girls. So I get to deal with a scared YW for the rest of the night.

So the YM asked me if I wanted to shoot. I've never shot a gun. So I take my turn and learn that I am a good shot. I take two test fires and completely miss before I figure out how to line it up. After that I hit all my targets on the first shot. I became the cool leader really fast because 1) I am a girl, 2) I would try to shoot a gun and 3) I could actually hit the targets better than the YM.

The irony of the story is that the YW president and I were just discussing that we should plan an activity to go shooting about 15 minutes before mutual started.

I am still baffled by the fact that the YW did not believe that we were really going shooting. Oh my. What will she come up with next.

4th of July Fairbanks Style

I have to admit the 4th of July is kind of a let down here in Fairbanks. It is my favorite holiday but living in Fairbanks takes away all the fun. No fireworks - It is pointless to do them because it is daylight all night long and you cannot see them. And the fireworks are my favorite part of the 4th of July.

While you probably all got to see fireworks on the 4th, I bet you did not see what I saw. Look what I did see on the 4th:

I decided since I was not going to get to see any fireworks that I'd play tourist and hit one of the local tourist attractions - the Riverboat Discovery. So I convinced a friend to spend the day playing tourist and we were the very young ones in the crowd. The riverboat takes you down the Chena river, which is across the street from my house, and educates you on the Native people to the Fairbanks area. Here are some photos from my trip.

The Riverboat

Hi Everyone. It was a very hot 4th of July. It almost reach 80.

I was sweating buckets by the time I got home.

This float plane took off and landed on the river. It is amazing how little river is needed to get into the air.

A typical cabin you'd see in the Fairbanks area.

This is a dog sled yard that we stopped at. They raise and train the dogs here and then did a demo showing the dogs pulling a 4 wheeler. The dogs are much smaller than you'd think.

This is a fishing wheel used by the Natives. It catches salmon from the River. They are still used today and are highly regulated. Yes, you heard that right, I can catch Salmon in the Chena river - about 40 feet from my front door. Are you jealous yet?

The mock village. You can see the salmon drying here. This is bad salmon (not the primo kind that people eat) - the salmon that is fed to the dogs, literally. I guess you could say we are salmon snobs up here. You can see the drying racks and the smoke house.

When you all come to visit me in Alaska you will see lots of fur, but not on me, so get used to it. Fur is popular in coats, hats and gloves here.

Caches like these are used for storage and to keep things away from the pesky wildlife. You can see these around town still today. In fact I pass one every day on my way to work.

Yes there is grass on top of this cabin. This is also normal too. It helps keep the building together and is an insulator. Think this is still not used today - your wrong. I'll take you to the North Pole visitor's center when you come and visit.

Don't you just want to come visit Alaska now? We might not have fireworks but there are many fun things to do and see here. So when you come and visit me you might just get to see some of the things above and the midnight sun.