Thanksgiving on the Oregon Coast

We didn't take any actual pictures of Thanksgiving dinner, but here are some shots from our trip to Oregon for the holiday with the Bickmeier clan on the beautiful coast!

After Jeff and Laura picked us up at the airport we drove down to the beach house; stopping at the museum that holds the Spruce Goose! It really is impressive.

Here's Brian and his brother Jeff waiting for the next flight.
There are lots of other planes there...and a jeep that Brian and Jeff had to check out.

Nice to have a photo of the three Bickmeier siblings together.

Caleb was very brave with the waves, but in the end we all got wet...

...especially Jennifer.

Luke hung out on Uncle Brian's shoulders while on the beach so the waves didn't get him. Hold on!

Some of us kids went on a hike the day after Thanksgiving...trying to work of some of the turkey and cranberry sauce.

A beautiful trail...

Success at the top!

Jeff and Laura.

A nice scene on the way back...we could hear a large group of sea lions barking on the shore.

After returning to Jennifer and Jason's house the "the kids" were able to go and hang out at a local bar for a few hours playing shuffle board. Here are Jennifer and Jason (Brian's sister and brother-in-law), both very determined players.

We had a great time...it was sad when Brian and I had to head back to the airport. We did get in a group shot before we left. Until next time!!

A pretty sunrise at the University

A sunrise over the Bunnell and Duckering building at UAF, about 9:30am. Winter here is beautiful.

A good day to be inside

Christmas Card Outtakes

We attempted to take a Christmas card photo earlier today. The pups weren't exactly cooperative, but I think we got a good one...eventually. Thanks to Brian's Dad for helping us out!

"Dawson...you need to be right here...Mattie, don't even think chasing that car!"

"Dawson...get back here! Where the heck are you going?! Ouch!!"

"No, I don't have any treats...both of you-look at the camera..."

Moose!

We had a couple of moose hanging around the neighborhood this weekend- a cow and calf.

Brian's Firefighting Training

Brian went down to Texas last month for some firefighting training with Flint Hills. We just got access to some of the photos. It was very hot for the Alaska guys, especially with all their gear on. Here are some of the best shots. At the beginning of the day, everyone was rested and ready to go. Hoses ready!
One night was devoted to night firefighting...important training when living in Alaska.

Here are the guys pushing back the flames...

Hot, smoky work.

A great shot of the flames.

Yup, that's Brian waiting for the okay to head on in!

By the time the end of the trip came around, everyone was starting to drag. Too much fire and heat. Ready to head back home to cooler temperatures and snow.

Afternoon Sunbeam

I'm currently in New Orleans for a conference with a co-worker and friend, Lael. We started the day by eating bengneits in a quaint cafe. Bengneits are fried dough...that are very, very yummy! We had the day off and did some shopping...and then checked out Bourbon Street. I think we may have been the only sober ones there...we did, however, manage to find some very tasty "Hurricanes"...the local favorite drink. With Halloween next week there were lots of people in costumes. Here is a photo of me with a drink on Bourbon street. While Lael was taking my photo a few folks dressed by took the opportunity to jump into the shot. Lael and I bought boas so that we would fit in too!! We're having great fun. We'll see how fun the conference is.

New England culture comes to North Pole

A wonderful things has happened here in interior Alaska. Safeway (the local grocery store) now carries Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Finally! A glimmer of hope that East Coast culture is making its way to the frozen north. My family (and now Brian, who obviously has great taste) are huge fans for DD coffee (and they're chocolate cake donuts...though I don't think we'll be seeing those anytime soon.) I stocked up. No doubt my family alone will make this profitable for grocery stores from North Pole to Valdez!

Snow...Snow...Snow

Winter has arrived. Here are some photos taken from our balcony and 2nd level window. The temperature outside isn't too cold yet...+2 this morning.

Are you coming?

After taking a walk in the snow this morning, the pups decided that we all should have naptime in the loft. Well, they're having naptime...I'm adding some posts to our blogs. Here are Mattie and Dawson waiting for me at the top of the stairs.

Naomi's Wedding

This past week I made a quick trip south for Naomi Horne's wedding. She married a great guy named Josh. Naomi was one of my bridesmaids and I had the pleasure of being one of hers. The wedding went off without a hitch. The bride was beautiful as was the wedding ceremony.

All the bridesmaids had their hair done for the event. Here's what mine looked like.

Congrats Naomi and Josh!!

we've made a decision

We decided today that perhaps we've been posting too many photos of our dogs. For fear that those of you reading this blog might think we don't have lives beyond our pets, we're going to make an effort to post more exciting photos of ourselves. Guess we need to start finding blog-worthy activities in the coming weeks.

Brian offered to go and purchase a new truck for the sake of this blog (that is, so he could post a photo of it)...and before I could give my opinion on the matter, he said that we should leave it up the opinion of our audience.

I still don't think he'll be buying a new truck anytime soon.

A sleepy puppy needs a friend

Mattie wasn't interested in snuggling with Dawson this afternoon, so Dawson decided to pull a stuffed puffin off the bed so he would have a friend. It was pretty cute.

Mattie's First Bird Hunt

Brian took Mattie on her first (successful) bird hunt last Friday with his friend Jonathan. It took Mattie a little while to catch on to what she was suppose to do, but then she was a fantastic bird-dog! Here are some photos of her first retrieval of a grouse.

Jonthan decided to help her show off in the last photo.

Besides bird hunting there was also jeep adventures (which means getting stuck and being 5 hours late for dinner)...and some riding on a bulldozer left behind for the weekend.

Here's Brian pointing at the jeep (after it broke down) before starting the 8 mile trek back to the truck and trailer. Go figure it wouldn't make the 20 mile round trip...