Snowboarding

I have always thought snowboarding would be fun. I was right... Well kind of. As it turns out is is also a lot of hard work. The snowboarding itself is pretty fun. Once you are up and on your way. It is the standing up from a sitting position that reminds you just how long it has been since you have really tried to do a sit-up. And please don't catch the edge of the board once you are up, because you'll just be down again regretting the lack of ab-work lately.

I was on this trip with Clara and our friends the Wallis', Suki and Shelby. It was a mother/daughter day. Sometimes I worry that Clara's fear of the unknown will keep her back. She just doesn't like to try new things. It can be a little frustrating. So, I was trying to set an example. And I was hoping to create a fond memory for her. That someday, in the future, she would say to her daughter, "Your Grandma took me snowboarding once. We had a good time." And then she would tell the story of our adventure together.

As it ended up, we weren't on the mountain for long. We took our lesson, and then spent some time practicing. Clara did the best of all of us. After about the 3rd time I fell and hit the back of my head, I decided I was done. Next time I will definitely wear a helmet. MAN! A helmet on the bunny slope?! I'm getting old! But, I guess it is better than scrambled brains.

Figuring out the bindings.

It was so warm we took off hats and mittens.

Up and feeling good about it!

Snowboarders getting ready to SHRED!

At the top of the bunny slope.

New Year's Eve

I really enjoy New Year's at my house. We used to not do anything. We would tell ourselves that watching all the neighborhood fireworks from the porch was good enough for us. And we didn't have to spend any money or clean up any messes. The past few years, since we cleared the new patio area, we have had friends over and done our own fireworks. It is a blast! Yes there is clean-up and the expense of the fireworks, but frankly it is a lot more fun than sitting on the porch wishing.

Bill had a huge fire going. It was nice to be outside eventhough it was cold. The fire made it bearable.

Mary in her party hat from Halloween. I think she's going to wear it until High School.

Doling out the fireworks.

Me and Suki. I'm not sure what the bright light is, but I can assure you I am not trying to light her shoulder on fire!

Clara double-fisting the sparklers.

Summer Fun

This summer was 100% better than last summer. Yes, we had some cool, rainy days, but for the most part it was very nice. We were able to get out and do quite a lot without worrying about how to stay dry and warm

Clara and Shelby at the u-pick farm. I need to take some lessons on vegetable growing from them. I should have taken a picture of the cabbages. They looked pretty nice except for the big chunks taken right out of the middle. It thought it was pretty rude of people to harvest that way until I saw the moose tracks!

Blueberry picking up Archangel on Hatcher's Pass. They were pretty good this year. I think I would have been able to pick more if it hadn't have been for Mary. I was afraid she would fall down the mountainside. As it was she only did one faceplant into a blueberry bush.

Going for a ride in the Kayak w/ Dawn.

The reward for a hard, technical, 6 mile (rt) bike ride to Red Shirt Lake. The day was hot. The water was warm. There were loons and snails and it was very peaceful.

4-wheeling up at Jim Creek. That is the Knik glacier over our left shoulders.

I tried so hard to get a good picture of the girls for a Father's day gift. Mary just wanted to slide and slide and slide. Didn't want to sit still at all. This wasn't the best picture, but it came close.

Complete Silliness!

Sometimes it all gets just a little to silly here!

An Alaskan Easter

We spent Easter at the Shaw's house this year. It was a little chilly, but all in all a very nice day. We filled up about 75 plastic eggs with candy, money and lottery numbers. Once all the eggs were found they came inside to see what their prizes were. We went home with a lot of candy, and trinkets to enjoy forever and ever!