Summer fish camp and autumn 2012

 Thanks to Max we have another freezer full of salmon this year. Kieran was a right in the middle of the smoking operation. We hope for sunny, breezy weather for our smoking weekend. Unfortunately we didn't get it this year. Bring on the tarps!

Salmon strips don't need sun to look gorgeous.

 Our super helper. Training the next generation.

 Fish camp smiles :-)

 Another fishy weekend...Max comes home with (baby) halibut!

 More training...

Just north of Fairbanks the Army Corps of Engineers maintains a tunnel in the permafrost. They opened it for a weekend in August. We didn't get there in time to see the bigger, older tunnel, but we were able to walk right into the entrance to the new one. No mammoth tusks unearthed yet, but there are nice ice wedges and the smell of old, old organic material. Kieran was happy to get back out into the sun.

Where he learned about measuring permafrost.

 And sifting through sandy soil to find fossils. Vigorous sifting!

 So cool!

 Speaking of cool...red leader standing by.

 Gorgeous fall evening on the deck.

 Kieran and his best cat friend Rufus enjoying the warm autumn weather.

 And falling leaves.

 Time to harvest the Brussels sprouts! 

And get them ready for dinner!

One last shot...this was an amazing sunrise. The air was warm and still and Fairbanks was pink!

Spring and early summer 2012

Let's see...Easter, sleepovers, east coast travel and home again. 

Easter egg hunting in a foot of snow is not for the faint of heart.

 Random shot of Kieran and his favorite meal. 

 Another random shot of Kieran and his new casting skills. Of course we didn't have a camera when he caught his first fish. Without photographic evidence it will live on in the family lore, getting ever larger as the years pass, no doubt.

 Packed for his first sleepover at Auntie Rach's house. 

 First pics from Westport...and fun times with cousin Sam. I need to raid Max's files for some better transition photos.

 Auntie Helen, Kieran and dinner. 

 Lobster slayer.

 And lobster gobblers.

Max brought home the mussels again this year. Yum!

 Grrrrrrr, says cousin Ben the mussel loving grizzly bear!

Surely we are looking at the next mussel diver in the family.

 Really good times on the back deck. It seriously doesn't get any better.

 Except maybe for this. Payten, Ben and Kieran's massage parlor. 

 There is some terrific baby sitting potential in this picture. Name your rate and sign us up Payten!

 Best spot for watching a thunderstorm pass by.

 Helping out the local adrenaline-based tourist economy. Oh, the begging to return to this place throughout the rest of the trip!

 And a last stop to the farm and Grandpa and Grandma Lee. 

 Kieran is a great admirer of Grandpa's huge hibiscus flowers.

 Great to see you!

 We'll be back.

 But for now it's back to Alaska to see what the garden is up to.

And to get rid of some training wheels. What a great summer so far!

Early 2012

It's a new year and time to throw out a slew of old photos we've accumulated through 2012. Perhaps 2013 is my year for keeping up with this blog thing...

 Ah, these were the days before Star Wars really took over our lives, when Buzz Lightyear was cool. Best buddies Kieran and Basile getting some inside exercise. 

 Before indoor camping and a tent nap.

And more dress up with Lola.

 



Some nice aurora.

Friend Paige heading for Whitehorse in the Yukon Quest.

 

Kieran checks out the sled.

 



Bringing Grandma out to lower Angel Creek cabin.
 

 Time to head home. Everyone has to pull their weight.

One more mile!!

Home again and enjoying salmon dinner :-)

 Overlooking the lake where the ice is harvested.

Buzz Lightyear taking shape.

Warm up with Grandma and hot chocolate.

First day of Junior Nordics with buddy Joon.

Skis in the air if you want wax!

Big snow storm...oh happy day! 

Having fun in the sun on the local ski hill.

Can't beat a sunny and warm March day at Moose Mt.