Spring has Arrived

Though there is still about 3-4 feet of snow on the ground and the rivers are still frozen spring has arrived at Galena. The sun is shining and the temperatures are warm enough to go outside and enjoy the snow and not have your nose freeze off or your eyes freezing shut. With warmer temps it means it is wood cutting season and our days and weekends are filled with going to the forest, cutting trees, loading them on our snow mobile and sled, driving back home unloading the wood and then repeating it over and over and over and over about 20 times to get enough wood to last all winter. But during this busy season we take a weekend to enjoy our Spring Carnival. Most of the town turns out towatch all the events planned such as snow shoe races, ski races, dog sled races, Ice pick races, money scrambles and pop scrambles. The activities are fun to watch and participate in.

This year Kaden got to participate in a few activities for his age group. He absolutely loved being able to race. It was his first time to be on skis and snowshoes and did very well in all the races.

Kaden trying on his skis

On your mark! Get set! GO!!

Doing Great Big Boy!

My little African Alaskan!

Dogs getting ready for their big race! It amazes me of how excited they are to start

The Corta dog team getting ready to start

Ready set Mush!

Our friend Andrew in his first race with his team.
He is hoping to train a team to hopefully be able to be the first deaf man to run in the Iditarod.

Kaden testing out his snow shoes

All the kids in the Tiny tots race

Having a good time

Martin Hornfisher running the 5 mile snowshoe race!
WAY TO GO!!

Kaden and I about to go down the HUGE hill on our sled.

Ice Picking contest.
The goal is to shovel the snow away then pick through the Ice till you hit water and the first one to hit water wins!
Todd Boonstra showing how it is done.

Still going! About 5 feet down

Eureka!!

Thus ending the wonderful weekend of Spring Carnival! It was a fun time enjoyed by everyone!

Our WELCOME HOME!!

We got home from our vacation to a wonderful display of Northern Lights! God was just letting us know that he was watching over us and is a God that is into all the details of our life. The Northern Lights were the best I have ever seen. The colors ranged from green to blues to reds. And since the temperatures were getting warmer, Keith got to get out and take these AMAZING pictures. Enjoy!

Our House and street with the lights above

Our House

Proof that I was there! This is one of my favorite pictures of the lights swirling around!
I love our life here!!!

Galena Bible Church

I love the shot with the trees!

AMAZING!!!

Martin Hornfisher over looking the river

Puerto Rico

After a very tearful goodbye in Texas, the boys and I headed to the warm, tropical Island Puerto Rico. We were all ready to see Daddy after 2 weeks. We were on a interesting flight with a lot of people headed to PR to start on their cruises. I must say you can not miss the tourist on these flights. The bright flowered shirts and big floppy hats and sandals give them away. They all thought my kids were great at flying and were surprised that I had flown all the way from Alaska to Puerto Rico by myself. I am very happy that the boys traveled well and slept most of the way. We arrived in Puerto Rico and had a grand welcome! It was good to be home... or Home away from our home.

Keith's Mom made a cool banner to Welcome us home!

We got to hang out with our family and Kaden enjoyed playing with his cousins Keniel and Kennealys. Even with a language barrier it did not seem to stop them from communicating. It was fun to watch them play together.

Playing at a river near Abuela Panche's house. The kids were trying to skip stones.

4 Generations- with Abuela Panche, Abuela Keith, Kaden and Isaiah.

At the Plaza
Is that a Ficus Tree? Why yes it is!!
One thing we like to do when we go to Puerto Rico is explore some of the Island. It is only 100 miles long and about 35 miles wide but there are so many places to see. From Mountains to beach to rainforest and dry forest there are so many places to explore. We checked out some of the beaches, light houses, Mountains and other cool places. It was wonderful!
Checking out a beach.

Kaden enjoyed picking up all the hermit Crabs

Another beautiful beach but the waves were really rough so we couldn't swim in them.

But we did get to play a little in the waves
At the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. These are all Salt flats where they harvest salt.

On top of a mountain. This place had a incredible view!!!

The View from the top!

Maunabo Lighthouse~ Vieques in the background

Keith's Parents live in a subdivision that has a lot of fun things to see too.
The Lake

The Pools

Boardwalk

Beautiful Mountains around the Island

Another Plaza with a Pretty Cathedral

San Juan Streets~paved by the Spaniards, some of them 400 years ago. Why can they make roads that last 400 years and in the USA we can't get a road to last 1?????? El Morro
Cool Town!!!
How I would love to say"My house is the bright pink one next to the purple and green one." hahaha

Pretty Beach with such warm water

Kaden and Keith enjoying the water

Goodbye Puerto Rico

Hello Alaska!!!

Denali on a Beautiful clear day! Oh and check out the Glacier too!!

Kaden and Isaiah enjoying the last flights home!!