Siblings 12.10.15

I love these two loving each other!

Grandparents 11.30.15

Quent took some pictures of Grandpa and Grandma with the kids.

I think Josh must have been saying, "Cheese!" in this photo.  So cute!  Love this photo!

Cute Josh 11.29.15

Josh was having fun wearing Jeralyn's sunglasses.

Grandpa and Josh

Riding the dump truck.

Dance Party 11.29.15

The music was probably on...and the dancing feet were moving!

Pickle 11.29.15

We had burgers for dinner and Josh wanted to try a pickle. And this was his expression.  Ha!

Grandpa & Grandma Smith 11.28.15

Quent's parents came for a visit.  The kids (and us) LOVED having them here!  The kids kept them busy the whole time with lots of book reading, princess talk, and playing.

Breakfast is Served 11.28.15

I asked Jeralyn if she was going to make breakfast one morning (I was totally kidding), but she was totally up for it.  Quent found the table set and took a picture.  Sweet girl!

Reading 11.24.15

Joshua is enjoying getting his own books from the library and being read to.  He will often grab some books and sit down and look through them.

Little Faces 11.22.15

Oh, I just love these sweet faces and expressions!

Natasha's Visit 12.22.14

As we eagerly anticipate Natasha's visit at the end of the month here is a glance back at a hike we took on her prior visit.  

Carlana Lake and the fishing platform.  

Reflection of Minerva Mountain.

Our state tree, the Sitka Spruce, towers above Natasha.  There is a nice grove of massive spruce growing on the well drained soils from the Minerva Mountain land slide.  

The Carlanna Lake Trail - a trail that was recently improved by the Forest Service.  

Natasha looks over the ridge toward the Perseverance Lake valley from near the top of Minerva.  

Athena 2.7.2015

Another trip from last season.  This was my first trip with Shawn's dog Athena.  She sure enjoyed the snow!  

Athena was kind enough to invite Clark, Marvin, Shawn, and Ian along for a day of skiing.  

Athena.

How does a person transport a dog on a snowmobile?  This is certainly one creative method.  No wonder Athena is so fond of Shawn.  

More Old Ski Photos 2.9.15

Still pulling out more photos from last year.  This time from early February.  I cringe every time I look at these photos.  The snow coverage was terrible last year.  Someone - I don't remember who, was kind enough to handle my camera as I crossed my line from the previous run.  The other guys I was with were unwilling to ski from the top due to rocks - can't really blame them too much.  My skis chattered at me a couple times on my first run.  The second was much better.  

Another photo...  Thank you camera person!  Wish I could remember who was responsible for these.  

Looking up our skin track.

Here goes Clark on his fancy new Black Diamonds.  

 Marvin above and below. 

Grandparent's Visit 11.29.2015

Once again, I go back in time - this one isn't too long ago.  Grandma and Grandpa Smith came for a short but very enjoyable visit right after Thanksgiving.  One afternoon we talk a walk up to Carlana Lake. 

 

Jeralyn, Grandma Doris, and Grandpa Peter.

Unfortunately, by the time we had hiked up the beginning of the grove of large Sitka Spruce, the sun had set and the light was quickly fading in the woods.  Jeralyn was able to impress her grandparents with her hiking ability and the size of the trees in her backyard. 

Snowy Twin 12.29.2015

Got up early to enjoy another day with some turns before I had to head into work.  Went to the south end of the road system and skinned toward the north Twin Peak.  

I took the the ridge too early and after making it up quite a way we ended up getting stalled out on a small peak that dropped away in all directions.  So we were forced to dropping back down to the road.  The views provided a consolation.  That's Mahoney Mountain reflecting the first light on the horizon.  

A bright half moon shone through the trees as a new friend, Derek, breaks trail on the correct trail.  

Skin tracks in true Southeast Alaska fashion.  

Derek.

The waters of the Pacific lit up nicely in the morning light.  At this point I was really kicking myself for making a wrong turn.  Should have been enjoying this view from the top.  

First rays of the sun burst in the scene.  

Mahoney makes another appearance.  

Finally into the open!  

It has been years since someone has broken the majority of trail in front of me.  Sure made my life a lot easier.  Thank you Derek!  

Bit of a light zipper crust interfered slightly with the powder below.  Still had a great time though.  Didn't take long for me to regret my commitment to be the responsible engineer at the office on this fine day.  

It was as fun as it looks.

Derek is a fellow blogger and his version of the trip can be found here.