Back to Reality

All too soon we were home in Sheridan.  We had amazing trips, but it's always good to be home sleeping in your own bed.  Speaking of beds, our garden flourished while we were gone.  These are just some of the veggies that grew while we were gone.

I've been pretty busy shredding, cooking and canning our produce over the past week.  We've also ordered our house plans and have been busy completing our site plan for our building permits.

And after 5.5 months of being home, Annabel and Thane are back in the school. 

I'm not sure who is happier - me or them!

Meanwhile in Washington...

While Jordan was getting down to the serious business of providing meat for the family, the kids and I were having a decidedly more relaxed time hanging out with this crazy bunch in eastern Washington.  We always enjoy our time visiting Jordan's folks, and this time was definitely no exception!  We spent a wonderful two weeks in Colville visiting friends and family.  On our second day, we helped Abby move into her fabulous new home:

The next day we went swimming with friends on the Columbia River at Bradbury Beach.

After spending a few fun-filled days with their cousins, the kids enjoyed a late evening watching the Perseid asteroid shower on Mama and Papa's front lawn.  So cool!

The next weekend the kids and I drove to the foothills of the Cascades to visit wonderful family friends, Uncle Kelly and Aunt Michele.  We spent the weekend boating, swimming and tubing on their end of the Columbia River.

We also made a quick trip to nearby Leavenworth, a quaint Bavarian-style tourist town, where we did some shopping and ate at a fabulous European bakery.

We got back to eastern Washington with enough time to visit some wonderful friends and family.  It was SO GOOD to see Joanne and Laverne for a bit.  We've really missed them!

On our last morning we stopped by our old neighborhood. Dear Sharon even let the kids ride Bubba, a horse they remembered from their childhood.

It was a wonderful couple of weeks.  We did lots of things and had loads of fun, mostly because of the love of Mama and Papa.  They were tireless in their efforts to make our time there special - not to mention the delicious food that Mom spent hours cooking.  They both made us feel very loved.

Thanks Dad & Mom.

We think that you are both pretty special too!

Alaskan Adventure

 

For several years now, Jordan has been saving for and dreaming of going on a dall sheep hunt in Alaska. He has been in awe of these amazing creatures who live in such a rugged, but stunning, landscape.  After a couple of days of travel and preparation in base camp, Jordan, his guide and a packer hiked to the top of a beautiful mountain in the Alaskan range.  Shortly before 10:00pm on opening day, Jordan shot an eleven year old ram.  It was pretty epic!

The team began to dress out and quarter this majestic animal.  As the sun set in the west, Jordan said that it was like it was giving up its spirit to God.

A couple of days later, new friend Christian (the packer) and Jordan took a 10 mile raft trip down the Wood River to relocate a camp and clear a new landing strip. 

One day, Jordan was able to video a couple of wolves that visited near camp.  All too soon, Jordan headed back to civilization.  He was blessed with one last day in the incredible Denali National Park where he saw ptarmigan, grizzlies, caribou, marmits and numerous birds of prey.

Best of all, his day in Denali was crystal clear - a first since early July.  He got a perfect view of the pristine Mt. Denali.

Jordan was born in Alaska, and its wild blood definitely runs through his veins.  He's already planning his next trip and, this time, I get to go with him.  I can't wait!