Visitor ....

There was also a visitor at our Eagle River house. This guy keeps hanging around. I think he likes Missy & Dan. Hope he doesn't want to come inside because Missy wont allow that. Yukon's not even allowed inside :)

Finally Above Zero !

Ever since before new years the temps have been negative 40 to negative 50. Cars just stopped running. It was to cold for to many days in a row. Tuesday night it was negative 43 and by Wednesday night it was 42 above! Craziest thing ive seen since I have been here. Everything was melting. Anchorage got rain and a really bad ice storm. Everything closed down including Elmendorf AFB & Fort Richardson which never happens. I know this is not the end of winter but it is a nice break from what we have been having.

On January 10th we had a full moon and the brightest moon of the entire year. It was beautiful. Wish Phil was here to see it. Not sure what the moon was looking like in Iraq! Our tenants in Eagle River took this picture from the desk. I think Missy said that is was 2am and look how bright it is. Those mountains are beautiful! The reason we bought that house was for that view of Mt. Hurdy Gurdy. Maybe we can get the mountain name changed to Goldstine Mountain. OK maybe not but if Phil could get that done I am sure he would!

Ice Fog & -62

We have had negative 40 to negative 50 temps since around New Years. The worst day was negative 62.

Everyone here is tired of the cold and when it is this cold then you also have to deal with the ice fog! On a normal day you would actually be able to see buildings and cars below the fog. A friend took these pictures up at the university which over looks much of Fairbanks. You can only see the very tip of a building in the very far distance. The weather channel keeps saying that things should be warming up any day. Keep your fingers crossed.

Both pictures were taken on the same day just a few hours apart.

Christmas - Army Style

We were able to catch Phil online on Christmas Eve (Alaska Time) which was Christmas morning for him. He opened up his presents that we had mailed on the web cam. It is the next best thing to being in the same room.

Then on Christmas morning we signed back on so he could watch the kids open up there presents. I think they got everything they wanted and lots that they didn't need. .

Mitchell loves the "Rocky" movies so he got the entire set.

Madison wanted a "Easy Bake Oven" & a doll the poops after you feed her. She has never played with dolls much but the idea of a doll pooping fascinated to her!

These are hand knitted sweaters that my mom made for them. I got one also. They will come in handy since the temps dropped to negative 32. Now she will have to knit one for Yukon. He is not a big fan of the cold.

Santa's In Iraq ?!?

Yes, Santa even goes to Iraq. Madison and I found these Santa boxer shorts and matching hat and sent them to Phil. We thought it would be funny if he worm them on Christmas. Well that he did! Got all dressed up and handed out candy to the guys. He also gave out Hooters Calendars that were donated. He said everyone got a good laugh out of that. Doesn't really seem fair for us to be celebrating Christmas over here when he is stuck over there but that is how the Army works sometimes. If it werent for the kids I would just skip the entire thing this year.

Deployment Ceremony 9/11/2008

My entries are a little out of order but now that I have the hang of putting the pictures on my site maybe I can stay up to date.

Below are some pictures oh Phil's unit during the deployment ceremony that was held on 9-11-08. The guys started leaving shortly after this picture was taken. Sarah Palin was the guest speaker. Her oldest son is stationed at Ft. Wainwright and is currently in Iraq. She gave a great speech. Seemed more like a mom talking then the Governor. I colors on Birch hill behind her are beautiful!

Cookie Party

I have a friend at work that hosts a cookie exchange party every December. Everyone invited makes a different kind of cookie then you get to leave with a few of every ones cookies. This year we made Santa Cookies. They were just sugar cookies but it was fun to decorate them.

Madison & Kiara did most of the decorating & I just did the baking.