Drive In, Drive out, Snow, Sun, Drive in, Snow, Sun, Drive out.

First we drove the car all the way to the gate. Decided with the heavy snowfall and the expected accumulation rumor that we best drive back out. First, we wanted to make sure we could get a snowmobile out and running. Figured if we could not we would all just go home, if we did , then we would take the snowmobile out and pick up the person driving the car, may all have to walk out. We did some heavy duty digging, got a snowmobile out and had to strap a battery to the back since it was dead as a doornail. And out Gentry and I drove, leaving the kids to fend for themselves. (We did not pack in the food or anything else yet.) So...they made spaghetti with olives. Grant was hungry and ate some, but Victoria was pretty unimpressed with the creation!

Grant and Dad made an igloo, next day we had even more snow so it was all smooth on top and Grant added the classic entryway. Must have used Victoria's camera to get that picture.

Sledding was popular, all of us had a blast going all the way down the hill -involves a sharp bend.

Gentry would go down first then pull up the sledders after they got down. Grant landed in the creek on his last turn down, so that was exciting!

And the rest of the time we were lazy, I even took a snoozette laying down in the snow when the sun came out. It was great!

Gentry read an entire book and then we read some of Mary Poppins together.

Played with the cameras quite a bit, up to no good! :)

Next day went to get water from the car with the snowmobiles and decided the roads were good enough to try taking the car back in (so we wouldn't have to ferry everything out on the snowmobiles, and then have to Walk back out! Gasp! :) Truthfully we all were happy that it worked out this way. Have I mentioned how much I love my Jeep? It really does great in the snow!

Roads were pretty ugly down by the cabin at Salmon La Sac.

Kids each had a snowmobile to take back up to camp. Victoria was fun to watch, thinking of her driving soon, I was happy to see her making careful choices that were not too hard on the equipment!

This is the trail down to the bottom campsite.

And knew you must want to see how Huckleberry Pond is doing. Water was really flowing well, and provided us with all the cleaning up water we needed.




Grant and Victoria are working at their card skills. Played our old favorite Authors game, and our new favorite for the kids, Rook.

Gentry was grabbing the tree with his legs, we did get quite a shower down below when the trees of the swing were jostled!

Buttermilk Syrup

This is too good not to share. Remember to use a large saucepan, it will boil over if you dont!

1 1/2 cups cane sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter
2 T. corn syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp vanilla (prefer vanilla made with rum)

In a large saucepan, mix all ingredients except for vanilla. Bring to boil, and boil for 7 minutes. Add vanilla and serve in small pitcher.

Is wonderful over any pancake, waffle or even muffins! The syrup in the grocery store is either pure maple (yum! but expensive) or is full of the dreaded artificial flavors and colors. This one keeps us happy....and I am going to try it without so much butter, just to see if we still like it. I think we will!

Cousins on Facebook

This picture is an oldie but goodie of my dad opening the fence on the way out to the cabin by the sweetwater. The old Model T pickup showing that I have heard so many stories about.

My cousin John P. and I are sending family pictures to each other on Facebook. It is so wonderful to have shared memories with so many. My brother and sister may not be able to participate, but there are those who can. It means so much.

The picture that started it all. Of John P. of course!

I remeber taking this picture, it was downtown JC....if you could have seen it then you would understand how funny that is....and I remember mom complaining that the photographer made them lower thier heads because of the reflection in thier glasses. But now I am so happy to have this memory. The dress I wore, it was pink and gauzy, so pretty (Teri and I are matching). Mom made her dress, and it was green polyester- the newest best material.

I think this was 1st grade. Remeber those chunky yarn ribbons we used to wear?

Quick Trip

It was wonderful to see so many of our loved ones on our trip to Phoenix. We took a hike up to White Tank and had a picnic. I enjoyed Elaine's chocolate chip cookies quite a bit!

The trail was easy to navigate, the temperature was perfect and the company was sublime. I loved getting to go hiking with my dad, just like old times.

The petroglyphs.

The kids took these interesting photos of each other.

"What are you looking at me for? I have nothing to say. Why don't you try to compose yourself and look the other way?" (Quote from something Uncle Miles memorized for school.)

Funny to see Gentry in a baseball cap. It was borrowed for the occasion, so he didn't burn the top of his head! This is the tank that the natives used to grow crops. Interesting site. No other water around.

Victoria's Job

"I cleaned out and vacuumed every single cabinet, inside and out! Dad even make me take the drawers out and clean the rails!" She wailed, gnashing and groaning. Luckily she was paid and did admit that it was kind of fun to hang out with dad.

Birthday Girl

Nothing could be better than eating at a favorite resturant, getting sung to, and playing with your new toy (ipod touch.)

Port Gamble

Opinions abounded, and all were that it was a shame that the museum was closed on the day that we came to visit!

We had an amazing New Years eve when friends from Oregon arrived and helped us bring in the Decade. We had light up bracelets, poorly reheated pizzas, and ice cream sundaes with every topping imaginable. I worked during the day (hey..time and a half!) so it was wonderful to have such a laid back friendly group to share the events with.

On New Years Day we were taken out to a lovely dinner and Grant was able to go to the hotel with the kids and enjoy the games.

And since we were on a roll, we decided to go to Bainbridge Island (our first time there on the ferry) and drive up to Port Gamble. We were so thankful that a favorite family decided to join us! We spent some time on the island looking around shops and finding a wonderful bakery. (I had a Meyer Lemon Tart that was superb!) I wish I would have gotten some pictures of the kids, the girls rode scooters, while Grant had his heelies. It was fun for them to have a little freedom.

We ended up in Port Gamble to explore a historic graveyard in a picturesque setting (on prime real estate) and then a BBQ that was memorable for its flavors, its ambiance and the friendliness of its new owner.

Christmas Past

I may be way late getting this posted, but I would like to have people post great stuff on their blogs even if it is of events long ago. A great memory like this one of Grant and Conrad with their Silly Straws...can't be beat! Grant was enthused and since he was pretty sure this may be all he was getting this Christmas (moms purchase from Aaron Brothers) he made the best of it.

And we all loved the treasure box sent from Wade and Andrea!

Victoria and Grant did their own shopping this year and Victoria picked out this beautiful scarf for her Nanny. Grant got what he wanted, a superior set of Lego's with help from his own wallet! Surprise!

My beautiful bike is also very useful for transporting food in the great basket. Troy may have thought he should be embarrassed by riding a bike with pink wheels, but I always have thought that real men look even more manly in Pink. He carried it off well didn't he? And the food was all delicious!

The Happy Family. I enjoyed every moment with our loved ones.

And mom made her special Grasshopper Pie! Yum!

Oh, and the kids ended up getting new bikes, which FIT! They were pretty surprised. Now we just need to accessorize!

Darling Boy's big thoughts

Danny: On Victoria's birthday Danny's mom told him that she is growing up.
His reply? "She is going to turn into a butterfly!"

Joe: On Victoria's birthday we went out to eat at our favorite Mexican resturant. They of course sang the Spanish version of happy birthday to my blushing daughter with the sombrero (complete with bull horns) and then sang the English version with one addaption. When they were done Joe looks at Victoria under her hat and says, "You're not Panchita!"