A Christmas Miracle

As sad as Jay and I were to be away from family for Christmas we sure did a good job of entertaining ourselves! We kicked off the long weekend on Friday evening with lamb and buffalo wings while we opened our awesome Xmas gifts from family, friends and each other (Jay got me an awesome Kindel Fire and I got him a Wii). Then Saturday we got up early and hit the road for what will probably be the #1 most memorable weekend of our lives. Read below as the story unfolds (lots of pics!)!

 cool BBQing apron from Karl and Tory, thanks!

 We woke up Christmas Eve morning to this huge moose in our front yard. We knew this day would be magical!

 It was in the -20s all day and Phinny was not happy. Luckily we bought him these awesome booties and jacket; they were a life savor!

 Jay manned up and hauled all our gear, wood and water (oh and the libations of course) on this sled. The poor guy was and still is hurtin' but what a great job he did! We needed everything on there to survive this weekend for sure!

 Yea, that's a Santa hat LOL. I had the fortunate responsibility of being attached to Phinn for most of the ski. He might be in the running for the Iditarod next year after this.

 Ice on our eyelashes. This is about the time we were thinking we're crazy and were even getting a little worried and we still had a couple miles to go...

 Ahh, home sweet home...and still unaware of what was to happen next....

 Jay proposed! Yup he got down on one knee and asked if I would marry him and I said yes! It was so romantic and silly and everything I would ever want it to be. I'm so happy! (sorry I look a little rough in this pic, as you can imagine I was exhausted and excited all at the same time!)

 Cool ice effect. It grows outward from the wall to get away from the heat coming off the cabin.

 Standing on Red Shirt Lake.

 So pretty! He really did such a good job!

 Out collecting firewood on Christmas Day. Seriously nothing we had to do on this trip was easy LOL.

 Jay before chopping the wood.....

 Jay after chopping the wood..and getting hit square in the head with a rogue wood chip...he really beat the crap out of himself on this trip!

 Wabbit tracks...we thought about having rabbit stew for Xmas but we were both too tired to go hunting...

 Word to the wise, don't wear brand new ski boots on an 8 mile ski.

Breakfast at aroun 9:00am...see how dark it still is outside?...ugh...

 cold.....

 yea, we were surprised to see "traffic" out on the trail too on our way home today. Ice road truckers!Well kind of..

 More traffic...Phinn was very well behaved when these guys would fly by...NOT!!!

Aw but he looks so innocent...

 Well after a much better ski back we made it home. Not sure I can say we made it in one piece (as you can see by Jay's heels above, gross) but we've definitely grown from this experience, oh and the egagement too!

Somehow we got ourselves together and made it to the bar for some much needed beer and burgers! What a weekend! What a Christmas! Wish you were all here with us, miss you love you xoxo!

Weekend in Hope plus 1

 Saturday we headed down to Hope to visit with Brendan and Jessie.  The weather was great, sunny and 35 degrees.  Their house is coming along awesome, more importantly it is warm and dry.  Jessie treated us to some of her wonderful cooking and we past the night away laughing out loud.  Sunday we planned on riding snowmachines, looking for caribou, cross country skiing and general playing in the snow.  We woke to heavy snow and rain, with super high winds.  We could hear avalanches coming down the mountains and decided to play it safe and stay in doors.  Then we lost power and it really started to snow.   By the afternoon we made an attempt to leave Hope and make the 3 hour drive back to Wasilla.  We drove 3 miles and turned around, called work saying that we will not be in on Monday and we got to spend another night with our friends.  The power was out even at mid-day on Monday.  The roads had been plowed but were icy and there were trees and powerlines down everywhere.

 On the road home we were driving slow around Turnagain Arm and looking at the Chugach Mountains when Amanda says "look sheep, right next to the road"  what a treat it was to see these animals so close.

"what a strange life those things live"

Kodiak Island, AK

 Day one was cold, sleeting and I had to drive this piece of equipment 7 miles down the only road in Kodiak.  The guy at the rental places says "hope you brought your rain gear"  I say "Of course, it is Kodiak after all"  then he smiles and says "Good.  the Equipment does not have a door, roof or windshield besides the cage so you'll get wet!  it does have a rear windshield with a wiper" Great!

 Cold and wet

 Day Two the sun came out and was close to 40 degrees

 At the Coast Guard Station

 Traffic must yield to runway

I also did some work for Kodiak Electric.  Here is a pic of the power plant.