Hawaii Video

Last year we went to Hawaii with Kara's family and for Christmas. Kara put together this slideshow, however it was to large to email.

Our Different Christmas

This year for Christmas we wanted to go down to UT to see our many friends and family but felt compelled to spend our time off and money finishing (or I should say working on) the house. I (Kara) was pretty bummed but I convinced Erich we didn't want to be alone in our house for Christmas Eve. So we left at 4:00 at night and headed up into the mountains about 20 minutes away. We then cross-country skiied into a cabin up there. It was a spectacular night. It was a full moon and it was so bright we skiied a bulk of the trail without headlamps. There was about 2 1/2 feet of fresh powder and it was a hoot watching poor ol' Libby bound through the snow. She loved it-she's definitely a snow dog. Anyhow we skiied a few miles back to this cabin thinking we would be spending the night. The cabin was a bit surprising however. We weren't expecting anything fancy but we weren't expecting anything quite that remote either. The cabin was tiny thing with no cots or real sleeping room or much of anything for that matter. So we decided just to spend the evening up there and ski down at about 10 o'clock.

Nonetheless we had an amazing time. We read Christmas stories and listened to Christmas music while sitting around the fire. The whole time we had this phenomenal view of the full moon glistening on the snowladen trees and mountain vistas. We tried to take pictures but of course couldn't capture it. We also had a fancy Christmas meal of soup and Snickers. It was sure yummy after skiing in! After a great night we came home and crashed in our warm comfy beds.

Christmas morning we made a big breakfast, went Chucker hunting (Erich's activity choice) and had dinner with some friends. Although I missed being with friends and family it has been nice so far to get out an explore Grangeville. I've been so occupied with working at the court and at home I haven't had the chance to get out and enjoy the area much.

Kitchen Cabinets

(Just shoot me)

A little over a week ago we recieved our cabinets. They were not assembled, so I spent from 8am to 11pm assembling them. With Kara's help we got them all hung within a few days. The kitchen has really come together. Everything is in except for the countertops and a few other finishing touches. I am waiting for a polishing pad for the granite in order to finish the countertops. I managed for us only to be without water in the main floor for a day or so. I hate plumbing. (Kara is a slave driver!)

(huahuahuahuahau, we're huntin' rabbits)


The scouts, Kara, and I went out to practice snowshoeing and setting snares for an upcoming survivor campout. It was a real hoot. We also grabbed a Christmas tree while we were out. It's not the prettiest thing but it works!

A little break from the house

Right before the snow hit Erich took me on a beatiful motorcycle ride up into the wilderness area around Grangeville. Although it was a bit brisk of a ride, it felt great to be out of the house. It also made me appreciate what a beautiful place we live in.

Erich's Masterpiece

This is a closer up picture of the slate mantle Erich built. He was pretty excited about this project and I have to say I am impressed with his work--I have one talented husband. Anyhow it's fun and cozy to have a wood stove burning all the time especially with all the snow we've been getting.

The Living Room is FInally Done....well almost

So here are some pictures of the living room. A special thanks to a wonderful mom who hand textured and painted the walls, doors, trim and ceiling. We still need to refinish the wood floors but we are waiting until the construction on some of the other rooms are done. For now we are just thoroughly enjoing the fact that we finally have a nice place to relax, complete with a cozy fireplace.

House Report

Kara and her last minute crisis of color. She thought she liked yellow until she saw it on the walls.

Exciting News, we finished the living room and den. Kara's mom has been here this week and it has been like a concentration camp. I have managed to break out and go duck hunting with Libby most mornings though.





Finally, sitting down and relaxing.

Hunting Report

This was Kara's first year to hunt. While I was camping with the boy scouts, Dad helped Kara shoot a doe. When Kara shot the doe it just disappeared from her view and she was not sure if she had gotten it. So, Dad was able to film Kara's reaction to finding the deer. Thus, the surprised look on her face in the picture when she found it. I like to call this Kara's Glamour shot :)

As for myself, I decided to hold out for another monster buck. Ok, I felt bad about hunting and not working on the house, so I told Heavenly Father that the first thing that had antlers I would shoot (hoping that he would send me the daddy of all bucks). As you can see I guess the Lord rewards the rightous with meat not horns.