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!