Another fall visit to MN

From Oct 19-Nov 12 Scott, Jen and Isabel made the long voyage to the midwest to visit family, bowhunt Wisconsin, and gunhunt Minnesota.

Here Isabel accompanies uncle Jonny to our MN land to put up a new ladder stand for her pregnant mommy.

Uncle Jon gives Isabel a lesson in botany on a beautiful fall day.

We went to Rochester to visit Becca and Miles. Miles gives Isabel a little music lesson.

Uncle Jeffy and Aunt BethAnn keep Bell entertained.

Finally new blog entries!

I have had a few complaints about my lapse in updates. Here are about 5 new ones. Click on older posts at the bottom to see the others. This is Isabel's first pony ride at the A Maze N' Barnyard in central Minnesota.

We also went on a mini train ride at the barnyard. Grandma Priscilla enjoying the sites. Unfortunately we don't have any pictures of Aunt Mary since it was her camera!

It's hard to say whether Isabel enjoyed the ride or the company more.

MN visit in August

In August Isabel and Jenny traveled to Minnesota for Grandpa Joe's funeral and to celebrate his life with family and friends. Isabel got to see a lot of people she doesn't see often enough, including Jolene and Emmy. One of the many times Jenny is caught with her mouth open trying to get Isabel to smile. It makes no sense since she can't see me!


One day Isabel, Jenny, Emilie, Mary, and Grandma Priscilla went to the A Maze N' Barnyard. Isabel and Em enjoyed a pony ride.

They got to see puppies....

and kitties......

and many more animals.

Happy 11 months Birthday Isabel!

This picture was taken right on her birthday in our backyard. Don't worry grandmas, we weren't out in the cold long!

Mom and Dad enjoying one of their first days off together in a very long time. We hiked on the Rock Creek Trail.

Isabel showing one of Alaska's giant cabbages! I already peeled away a bunch of leaves too. We all ate a bunch of it and will be eating it for some time to come.

Drawing lessons from Jake

Most of the lesson involved teaching Bell that chalk is neither for eating nor dumping all over the floor. Further lessons are required on this front.

Isabel prepares for Halloween with her spider outfit from Grandma Priscilla.

Nothing's more fun than playtime with Daddy.

Autumn Visitors

Grandma Karen, Aunts Kristin and Kim, and baby Malachi came to visit in August and fun was had by all. This is the only picture I could get to open for now, so more to come later.....

Isabel models her dress from Great Grandma Irene.

Here she shows off her beautiful knit booties from Jen's co-worker Cruiser's wife.

September brought more visitors. Scott's dad, uncles and friends came to hunt moose and catch halibut. They saw cows every day but no bulls. Uncle Larry poses in front of the colorful scenery.

Scott's dad glasses for charismatic megefauna.

Power pole raising.

In mid August Scott and I took on the task of erecting our power pole on our Alaska property. First we had to dig 5 feet down into some very rocky, silty earth. since we had no machinery, we then had to construct a block and tackle out of the little bit of lumber we had on hand. When we actually started pulling it up, we were easily strong enough to do it but one side or another of our tripod would start lifting off the ground, so Scott would have to run and tie each side off while I held on until we finally used every bit of rope we had!


After the pole went in we had only to make it plumb, backfill, and compact.

The kerplunk of the pole going in was truly a wonderful sound after various moments of doubting whether we could do it, and kicking ourselves for not buying beer and enlisting the help of friends. Friends did help later with hanging the box and other tasks. They didn't even get beer! Thanks Tomi, Chris, and Rick.

The atv was only used to tie it off to. Here you can also see the shallow foundation we started working on.