Isabel's First Trip to Mom & Dad's Homeland

After Isabel's trip to Texas and accompanying warm weather exposure, she ventured north to the frigid midwest. Here she was greeted and hugged by many friends and family members, bearing gifts and well wishes.

Grandpa Wayne threw her a party and got this delicious cake for her.

Uncle Jeffy finally got to meet her and hold her. He also gave her her first lesson in "fast talking".

Godfather Jonny was excited to feed her again, and to see how much she changed since his visit in November.

Godmother Christa gave her more beautiful clothes, stuffed animals, and Christmas ornaments.

BethAnn finally got to see her and hear about our labor/delivery experience firsthand.

Of course the cards and poker chips came out at the start of the party.

Benny gives Scotty a few fatherhood tips.

Isabel gets to meet Donna, Karen, Brenda, and little Luke.

Grandpa Wayne decided Isabel shouldn't be "starved".

January Beach Trip !!!

On our last full day in Texas we went to Padre Island for a bit of much needed sun absorption.

Scotty gets his feet wet and Bell's stroller wheels wet. The water was quite cold in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cold or not, Jen couldn't resist letting Isabel feel the ocean.

We visited a sea tortoise rescue center.

More Texas photos

Isabel wasn't left unattended for a second. Here Great Grandma Sally holds her.



















Great Grandma Lucille holds her.


















Great Aunt Jo takes a turn.










Card playing is in her blood on both sides.

We hiked and watched birds at Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge. Isabel was rocked to sleep on the sometimes bumpy terrain.

Isabel is trying to decide what type of shorebird she is hearing.

--------------------At Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, there were viewing blinds which had boards you could flip down and peer out of. Here you see Isabel looking out at a group of Javelinas. This is exactly what she was seeing. Notice one of them is a sow nursing her young.

A beautiful green jay, also seen from the viewing blind and a javelina in the background.

Isabel birding at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park and modeling a shirt from Grandma Priscilla and her hat from Grandma Karen.

We did some more birding at a small nature center in Weslaco and at the Audobon Thicket.

Isabel made her first international voyage at the ripe age of 2 months. She slept through the whole thing.

Some of the many street vendors of Mexico. Although asleep, Isabel managed to stroll away with a few small purchases. Grandma bought her a hat which she will model in a future blog entry, and Great Uncle John bought her a grass skirt and matching top.

Jen and Isabel enjoying Grandma's backyard and standing in front of the grapefruit trees from which Dave picked us breakfast.

Vacation: 1st stop Southern Texas

On New Year's Day we embarked on a much needed vacation away from the bitter cold of interior Alaska. It was -47 degrees when we left!

In preparation for the second leg of our trip (Minnesota), Jen sewed a wolverine/wolf fur ruff from Martin W. (Jen's co-worker), onto Isabel's winter down sack.

Isabel sheds some layers for the first time in her life and prepares for the warm outdoors of Texas.

Dave and Karen brought us to Estero Llano Grande State Park right away so Jen could find birds and Isabel could experience being outside without 10 layers of clothing.

Adventurous Grandma braves the snake infested grasses of the park, preparing Isabel for her many future years of camping and hiking with mom and dad. Actually we saw no snakes but we did find an aligator.

We noticed the park was offering a guided bird walk the next day so of course Jen wanted to join in so Scott went with her. We saw many new birds including a Tropical Parula, Vermilion Flycatcher, and many others.