Happy 50 years of Statehood, Alaska!

Fireworks commemorating the golden anniversary of Alaska statehood were originally scheduled for New Year's Eve weekend, but due to the ice fog and cold temperatures organizers to postpone the event. The University of Alaska Fairbanks rescheduled the event two weeks later.

And so with warmer weather in the forecast, we quickly put together a Texas-style picnic and head out for the show. Our picnic included: White Zinfandel champagne--chilled in the snow, watermelon--since we don't have fireworks for the 4th of July (thanks Pastor Sandy) and good company! The 20 minutes of no-stop eye-popping fireworks--including a special one showcasing the Alaskan flag with the Big Dipper--went off without a hitch on Saturday, January 17.

Ray, Shannon, Liam (seated), Ken and Pastor Sandy

Samantha, Stella, Sandy, Yvonne (seated), Ray, Freddie

Stay tuned for more statehood celebration postings.

Happy 50th Alaska!! Cheers!!

Wendell's Winter in Fairbanks

Many of the e-mails and phone calls we've received include questions about how Wendell is enjoying life in Alaska.

He loves it! He really loves it! He especially loves his two days a week at Muttessori. His weekly report cards always include a note about how he's fastest at playing chase. "Snow? What snow?" is something we figure must go thru his mind, as he plays outside oblivious to the white stuff that surrounds him.

He especially loved the balmy weekend a couple of weeks ago. As fast as the global warming weekend came through Fairbanks (and literally melted the snow off parked cars, rooftops and trees) it was gone and within two days we had another three inches of fresh snow on the ground.

On Sunday afternoon I let Wendell out the back, only to turn around and see him rolling in the snow. I quickly grabbed the camera to capture the moment. The only thing I could figure out is his buddies down at Muttessori must have told him, or showed him, about making Snow Dog Angels.

I just have to share...

January's Crazy Weather!

First, I have to say, "Thanks!" for all the phone calls, text messages and e-mails inquiring to our safety and well-being in the midst of 14 days of minus degree weather. We experienced the low of -54, only to be greeted a couple of days later with 50 degree weather. How crazy is that?!

Most of our Christmas holidays were spent inside. That kind of minus degree weather takes your breath away. Literally. It's a good idea to blow your nose (really well) before you go out as I can best describe--the hairs in your nostrils quickly become "frosty." And so anytime we didn't have to be outside, we weren't!

Also with this weather, you pray. A lot! You pray you don't break down. You pray if you do, someone will come along and assist. You pray for parking spaces closest to the building/door you will try to get into. You pray that the person driving behind you isn't talking or texting on their cell phone and is paying attention to the road. You pray that the car approaching will really stop at the red light. You pray that the parking lot you just pulled into is really that--a parking lot--and not a frozen over pond you "forgot" was there.

So, once again we give Thanks. Thanks to the Lord for getting us through our first major cold snap. We expect another before this winter is said and done and...well, we'll just continue praying!

Happy New Year!

Yvonne & Ray