In about a week or so, the sun will no longer rise up here in Barrow for two months. Last weekend, I got these pictures and see them as very unique and just a great photo. I will have to look back at these photos when I am missing the sun. (Guess I better looking into a happy light for myself.)
I can't believe how fast time has gone by. It seems to move faster and faster every year. Guess it is because I have more to do now.
Connor turned seven on the 16th. He decided on the photo and I made the transformer cake. He totally loved it and it was a big hit! He invited some friends we have known for almost ten years and then some new friends. He had a fabulous Transformer themed birthday!!!
Bowhead whaling hunting season has started for the Inupiat people of Barrow. Gavin had the opportunity of standing on top of a 32 foot long whale. Connor got to get into the whales mouth. The third picture is of the third whale getting pulled up onto shore from a large Cat... Mom, you would have loved the big machinery pulling the whales up on shore.
Connor, Gavin, Ron, and I all went driving around the town and went out to the end of the gravel road. We didn't dare drive the beach to go to the point but would have loved to! Whaling is starting around the 26th and can't wait for some pics!
If you have ever looked up Barrow on the map, you know that it is pretty much on top of the world, or at least North America. These whale bones are a huge tourist attraction where you will see hundreds of people stand below the whale jaw bones and get their photos taken.
Gavin and Connor can't wait to go home to visit our family and of course the zoo! These are all pictures that I took at the Portland Zoo last summer. 
I don't know if you can make out the picture but that is a trailer that is about 70 feet away from my house. You can barely see it right now.
Connor and Gavin had a ball being towed around in a tube behind the four wheeler a couple of weeks ago!
Tonight the boys were painting with watercolors while I was talking to my parents on the phone. Well, we all know better you she always keep your eyes on your kids... here is what happens when you step away for just a minute. LOL
Do you ever feel a little boxed in, stuck in a rut??? Gavin made being stuck in the house a ton of fun! Too bad I wasn't that small again, so I could play like I was driving a car or space ship. 
Connor finally got his tooth out after over a month of wiggling it. We let him stay up late last night to get it out because it probably would have fallen out during his sleep and he would have lost it or swallowed it. Anyways, he was so excited last night when the tooth fairy left him some money under his pillow. I am sure the tooth fairy will be visiting a lot more since he has two more teeth that are loose.
He's ready!!
It's almost out... just hanging by a thread.
It's out!
When Gavin puts the gloves on he becomes the "Little Hulk." He is a character running around acting like such a big boy. (Probably because he barely weighs 30 pounds and is 3 1/2 years old)
As you can see, I had fun taking these pictures. The man that has his goatee all frozen was one of the mushers out every day racing. The mushers were usually out for around 40-45 minutes mushing and looked like the had icicles hanging from their facial hair. There also was a musher that was an "uppa" or grandfather racing and doing a great job.
Here are just a few of the many pictures I took the past couple of days during our small carnival in our village. I had a ball taking pictures, playing with my camera and just seeing what I caught. I plan on putting many more on.
Here is the work of Connor and Gavin. They had a great time making and decorating their gingerbread house. Thank goodness that I left this until today since it was -20 outside.
Our Gingerbread House
Connor and Gavin's indoor project. The final product of the Gingerbread House
The summer of 2008 wasn't the best thing in the world but it could have been a ton worse. My sister in law, was on bed rest in a hospital for a month during her pregnancy.... everything turned out great and I have another nephew, Hank. Gavin broke his femur while on vacation in Washington and had to be in a full body cast. The third thing, my dad broke his ankle and his tibia while at work and is out of commission for probably three months. So, the three bad things have struck, and I am ready for the new year. (Hopefully, not as eventful... just a big move!)
Gavin first week in his body cast after his femur break.
My dad recovering. Happy New Year Dad!
Gavin was a storm trooper. He likes his helmet but likes Connor's much much more.
Connor is Optimus Prime! With his cool helmet, he actually sounds 100% like Optimus Prime too.
Ron's mom sent the boys a gingerbread house kit. This is what it is supposed to look like when you are all done. We will have to see what ours looks like tomorrow when we are done. WISH US LUCK! It may become a new family tradition for us too!
Gavin, three years old, loves taking pictures of us around the house. I actually thought he did pretty good on these pictures. He even was telling me to say "Smile" and "Cheese."
Silly close up!
