The best part of winter

As February draws to a close, we gain 7 minutes of light per day and we enjoy comfortable temperatures much of the time. This all makes for a much more enjoyable ski situation. Both Scott and Jen were able to go out with Bell and the dogs on Scott's days off. As usual, Sisu was a little trooper but Cleo is both more lazy and probably has arthritis so she was quite lame by the second day. They really love being out anyway. Isabel continues to sleep most of the time we are out.

Isabel is laughing a lot more lately. Here she is wearing an outfit from Great Grandma Irene. (Our little chunker is in 6 months clothes now).

Since Jen's back has been really bad for the past week, Jaime came over and lifted Bell for a day, which was very helpful.

Jenny, Isabel, Sisu, and Cleo win a 5k they didn't know they entered!

It was such a beautiful day, that I (Jen) decided to brave skijouring with Isabel in the chariot without Scotty. My first clue came when I came to a sign (which hadn't been there before) which read: "Congratulations you made it. Turn around and go the other way." On our way back we ran into a whole bunch of people on skiis, many of which had dogs with them. They all kept inferring that I was in the lead. It was then that I realized they must have had a 5k race going on as part of the Winterfest activities in the park. I was so concerned about wrecking since all the dogs wanted to tangle with my dogs, it took me awhile to figure it out.


The view in front of me.


The view behind. I kept being paranoid that Isabel couldn't breathe in her little cocoon so I kept unhooking, and going to check on her. She was always fine, usually sleeping. When we got home even her cheeks were pretty warm.


There was a set of fresh wolf tracks, which had the dogs sniffing and going a little crazy. Here you see Cleo's paw print right next to the wolf's for comparison. I learned later that a wolf was seen chasing a caribou right through our housing area this morning.
Just pretty scenery on the way back.

Pretty scenery on the way in.

Jake turns 1 !

Last Sunday Isabel attended her first birthday party. Her friend Jake turned 1 and lots of friends came to celebrate.

Dan made all sorts of critters out of ballons which was a big hit with the kids.

One of the best things about going to a friend's house is that you get to play with their toys!

Kids of all ages were there. Left to right Ailah due in March, Mindy with Andrew born Jan 23rd, Karen with Viola born Dec 21st, and me and Isabel Nov. 4th.

Happy Valentine's Day

Isabel on Valentine's Day morning, sporting her festive hearts bib. She enjoyed her first play group day yesterday with several Healy children. Typical Alaskan odds, at least 80% were boys.

We brought our Chariot stroller on its maiden voyage the other day but forgot to bring our camera so we took a few pictures when we got back. It was a gorgeous day, with the sun shining on all of the snowy peaks.

Isabel pretty much went to sleep right away, after a bit of hollering when Scott was strapping her in. We stopped periodically to make sure she was warm and breathing.

Note the phone books piled up so Isabel can touch, (Grandma Karen's idea).

The rest of our MN trip. Wedding and more socializing.

Christa and Emilie play with Isabel after Mark and Kim's wedding and before the reception. We stopped in for a Bloody while we waited. Unfortunately, our photos of the bride and groom didn't turn out.
Our last day we visited John and Vicky.

As usual, we can rely on Grandpa Wayne to feed us and drive us to the airport. He had his hands full with Cole and Isabel. Actually they were both well behaved.

More parties

Isabel dresses up for the baby shower/Pyka Christmas party, wearing a new dress from Great Grandma Irene. Great Aunt Cindy and Great Uncle Gene threw the party. We played cards, dice and other games and had a blast.


Once again, Isabel is held every minute. Here Josie and Amber hold her.


She met lots of her young relatives at the shower/Pyka Christmas party. Here Scott is holding Isabel, Luke, and Adeline.
Isabel also attended Jake's 30th birthday party at Cheta's. Great Aunt Mary Lou held her at the party.

Isabel decided she didn't get to see Josie enough at the party so we went to her house for a visit.

More MN visiting

Our trip to MN was action packed with visiting friends and family. There wasn't a day without plans until the end of the trip. We're glad we got to see so many people.
We went to Jeremy and Jessica's. Jess and Jaxon are shown here.

Grandma Priscilla did her share of holding Isabel. She also made it a ritual to read her stories every night and morning. She taught her to enjoy it.

Great Grandma Irene feeding Isabel.

Isabel donned her "I'm a li'l Gopher" shirt to rally the team who was down by ten in Wisconsin. Needless to say they came back and beat Wisconsin in Wisconsin, for the first time in 15 years! This happened after we returned from a fairly successful night of Beach Bar Bingo.

Becca and Miles braved the cold to drive up from Rochester to meet Isabel. He was just learning to walk without holding onto anything.

Isabel being spoiled

Uncle Jeffy and Aunt BethAnn.

Uncle Jonny and Bell are kindred spirits in their dueling wooly bear pajamas.

What can I say, I got the green light from Jonny to post the footy pajama photos so here's another one!

Auntie Kristin takes her turn at feeding little Bell.

Mikkena exhibited many signs that she will make a great big sister sometime in May.

Lucky Isabel has another shower and another cake from Kim, Tim, Kristin, and the kids.

Megan, Mikale, Kim, and Mikkena.

Great auntie Jan and cousin Hannah.

Cousin Jodi.

Jodi, Emma, and Hannah.