2010 World Ice Art

This past week has had its shares of ups and downs. Isabel was battling what turned out to be an ear infection but it took us awhile to decide whether it was a headache, her erupting teeth, a result of bumping her head (since she bumped it right above her right ear), or an ear issue. She was crying much more than she typically does and holding her head above her ear. We finally cracked the code and made yet another long trek to Fairbanks. A few days before we had been in Fairbanks for Jen's pre-natal appt. and checked out the 2010 world Ice Art Sculptures.

Unfortunately we went during the day so we did not have the benefit of the light shows. It was also snowing on the sculptures making them more difficult to see detail. Remember you can click on the photos to enlarge them.

Note the delicate treble hook.

Ice Dancing.

Shark and Seal.

It's tough to see but the bear is holding a beaver which he is using as a chainsaw to get the man's fish. I thought this one was very clever.

The horse is rearing up because of the venomous snake on the lower right.

Note the scorpion's large stinger in the spider's belly.

This was a beautiful one with delicate ocean creatures.

Moses with the 10 Commandments. Soldier with his bow drawn.

Jenny adding a few more pregnancy pounds. At least it keeps me warm!

Another adorable sleeping baby Isabel photo!

Outdoor fun in March

Isabel decided it was more fun to push the chariot than to ride in it.

Another view of the Park Road near our house.

Independent Isabel takes to the open road.

Mommy and Isabel right after we got home from skiing.

All that fresh air makes a girl sleepy.

Isabel showing off her new sweater made by Jen's friend and co-worker Mary.

Isabel has a twice daily ritual of tearing virtually all of the books off of the lower shelves and paging through them, sometimes bringing them to us to read to her. The bird field guides continue to be her favorites.

Hanging around the house.

Apparently Isabel disikes unpacking. We went to Anchorage for the week for Scott's annual L.E. refresher. We didn't take any photos, but Isabel and mommy had a lot of fun at the zoo, shopping, and checking out more restaurants.

Isabel has developed a habit of waking up in the morning and making it known she wants to cuddle with whomever is still in bed.

For those who do not believe Isabel has a darker side, here is photographic evidence. Here she is demonstrating that she wants to hold the camera rather than being photographed by it. From here on out we have to be quick with the camera before she comes running at us demanding the camera.

Isabel showing off her new easter bunny.

Happy Valentine's Day

Isabel and mommy get dressed up for Valentine's dinner.

Isabel gets her own purse and she already knows what to put in it.

Isabel riding the oversized horse that mommy won for her in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Vacation

We decided to get away for a Vegas vacation before Jenny enters her 3rd trimester. We were hoping to warm up and catch the sights. The temperature barely broke 50 degrees, but since we left -30, it was an improvement. We toured most of the casinos on the strip and we went to every free show we could find. We took turns doing a bit of gambling while the other person entertained our daughter. Amazingly we suffered rather minor losses over the 6 nights there.

Family shot at Ceasar's Palace.

Isabel learned to fall in love with water fountains on the trip, and with throwing small change into them. Since every casino has elaborate fountains, she was in 7th heaven.

Since 2010 is the year of the tiger on the Chinese calendar, a few of the casinos had large tiger displays like this one.

At MGM Isabel got to see two lionesses and two lion cubs. At MGM Jenny lost money in every machine she played on.

Isabel and daddy suiting up for our trip to Death Valley.

Isabel had a banana every day and ironically she learned to make monkey sounds whenever we say monkey.

Hiking in Death Valley.

The lowest point in the United States.

Red Rock Canyon just outside of Las Vegas.

Red Rock Canyon turned out to be an incredibly beautiful hiking area, pleasantly close to Vegas.

January in Alaska = indoor activities

Isabel decided to take up playing an instrument to broaden her horizons. My makeshift mandolin proved to be just the right size for her. She sings too and sticks her tongue out like Gene Simmons from KISS.

Bell has become an enthusiastic little bookworm and Sibley's bird field guides are her favorites. She spends many minutes every day paging through looking at birds.

No I'm not breaking any child labor laws, the broom has become one of her favorite toys. I need to get her a kid one, because this one is metal and rather heavy for her.

Isabel on the loose outdoors

Isabel her first time walking outside! She was super excited to have free reign.

One of Scott's Christmas gifts to Jen was this 1008 piece Isabel puzzle, which proved quite difficult but fun.