Christmas in Utah

We went to Utah this Christmas and stayed at Will and Julie's new house. Mom and Dad, Katie, and Paul also came down, and Megan and Andy are living there already, so it was fun to have almost everyone together! We missed Kristin, but mom and dad returned before her birthday on the 27th, so that they could spend it with her. The kids (Will and Julie's children) Billie and Maggie were lots of fun. They especially like Auntie Anne and Uncle Matt's stuffed animals. To avoid an animal strewn house, Matt finally had to convince them that they were all taking naps, and that if the kids wanted one, they should have Matt check to see if they were up yet!

We didn't get any snow, but enjoyed the crisp winter weather. Matt and I also had a chance to meet with old friends Jenn and Daryl and their two children while we were out. It was fun to get together again and have things be like old times!

Thanksgiving at Grams

This year we spent Thanksgiving at Grams house! As usual, it coincided with hunting season, but this year it was also a bull day!! Dad's bull no less! So, along with the cooking and eating, we were butchering and cleaning a couple of days later.

Gram had a postage stamp quilt that she wanted to finish and give to Candy, so mom, gram and I tied it, and it turned out nicely. I can't imagine sewing all of those little squares by hand!!

I also took a trip up the "dump hill" with mom (name doesn't do it justice, it is beautiful), and gathered some boughs from fir and cedar from Terry's yard, and I made wreaths for everyone. They turned out pretty well this year.

Halloween!

This year we carved pumpkins like we always do, but we were joined by Esther! This was her first time carving pumpkins and hers turned out well! Matt and I have our name-mouth pumpkins like always...tradition, tradition! We had several tricker-treaters, but it was sad that Matt was in Spokane and I was here!

Priest Lake Camping/Kayaking Trip

This last September, Matt, my chemistry professor and I all went up to Priest Lake in Northern Idaho for a quick weekend getaway! We stayed at the same campsite that Esther, Matt and I had stayed in the night we got up there for out backpacking trip earlier that summer. We have tried to make reservations in advance, but they had told us that everything was full - but we found out what they should have said was CLOSED! This campsite was unattended (by host) but happened to be open for hunters for the last weekend when we arrived - boy were we glad..the closest "town" was 10 miles away and was a one horse store/restaurant with showers.

Our campsite was located about 30 feet above the water and we had a beautiful view. Below us there was a gorgeous beach which Tillie loved! Oh, yeah, we brought her with us! She was really good, and enjoyed being off leash for periods of time...a novelty to her!

We set up camp in the evening, and had to scavenge for wood!! After we got a fire going (will not go into details here...) Matt and I prepared some dutch oven meals. The next morning we got up and ready (including washing my hair in the portable shower and then rinsing with COLD water because we ran out....), and then set off on a kayaking adventure! Unfortunately, the wind was a little high, and as Matt and I tried to coordinate getting in and off, he dumped my over and soaked me entirely!! Mind you, it was about 45 degrees outside! Fortunately, I was wearing longjohns, rain gear, and wool socks with tevas, so I actually wasn't too cold. Not your usually kayaking gear for a sit on top, self-bailing (meaning gets your behind wet often) style.

Our professor had brought her inflatable kayak, and so we spend about two hours going around the bend and checking out the wildlife and the cabins on the water. We talked to several friendly people in boats, and before long, realized that we had come quite some distance. The wind really started to pick up, and soon we realized we were in for a long haul. We ended tying the kayaks together and paddling like mad (for a LONG hour and a half) just to make it about 500 ft around the corner. We did finally make it though, and had nice warm leftovers when we got back! We also spotted a red-necked grebe which stayed right next to use for some time, so it was, of course, all worth it!

Right before we left, we noticed a really cool growth on a tree, and so I took this picture of it. It was bright yellow on the outside, and melon pink in the cracks! It was also HUGE - about 10 inches long!!

Westport Pelagic

This year I finally got to go on my first pelagic!! My chemistry professor and I went together. We stayed in Westport in an RV, and left for our pelagic early in the morning! We took our seasickness pills right before we left and brought our carefully packed bags with treats, and maps, and books, etc. The trip out of the harbor was fantastic, but it quickly became apparent that it was going to be rough and COLD! We had decked ourselves out in the best of gortex outerwear and OR gloves, and so we managed to stay warm-enough. We headed out to the continental shelf (about 45 miles offshore) at a breakneck speed, spotting an Layasan Albatross, and several shearwaters and fulmar on the way out. The first four hours we continued at this speed and I felt great. About lunchtime, I realized that I needed to use the restroom and so I made my way from the front of the boat (best view!!) to the restroom in the back. As soon as I closed the door, things went from OK to NOT!! The boat was pitching all over the place, and I had a teeny window to look out of that the horizon line would enter and exit frequently. I began to feel the tell-tale signs of motion sickness - but more pronounced than I had ever imagined!! I barely made it out of the bathroom to the rail before I lost my breakfast. From that point on, I stayed in the front of the boat (much to the dismay of the UNsick) and just leaned over the rail to empty my stomach about every hour or so (at which point they would all scatter....wind), and then sit back down.

The only time I really thought I was going to die was when we found a fishing boat and stopped - dead in the water for about 15 minutes. The longest fifteen minutes of my life. I literally thought I was going to pass out - I wanted it to be OVER! I couldn't even look at the obliging auklets off of the side because I was so distraught. Oh, well, a glimpse counts!!

After we got going again, things settled down, and I ended up adding about 15 new birds to my life list. The skipper mentioned when we got in that it was probably the worst conditions for sea sickness that we could of encountered (frequent, high, swells). It was an experience of a lifetime though, and I will do it again - but this time with the advice of the skipper - take the pills for an entire week before the trip...and then they might make a difference!!

We enjoyed Westport and managed to have a nice dinner without being sick that evening. The last picture is of Ranier on the way over.

Summer Roses

Matt and I realized that this summer was our last chance to attempt cuttings of the roses from the yard at this home that we have grown to love. I spend a whole afternoon taking pictures and taping them on to pots so I would know what the survivors were supposed to look like in the spring! These three roses are some of my absolute favorites. All three smell divine as well as being beautiful.

Chickens in the Bedroom

For those of you unfamiliar with the chicken saga....we adopted three chicks last easter and...they grew up!! We have a rooster - "buster" - and two hens - "legs" and "fluffy butt." They outgrew their very small baby cage, and so I built them a coop...and put it in the bedroom!! It is 4x6x3 - so that was the only place it would fit!! Everyone seems much happier in the bigger digs.