Bald Eagles on Lake Coeur d'Alene

So each year in the wintertime the bald eagles always come back to the same bay in Lake Coeur d'Alene to feast on the kokanee salmon that are spawning. It is an amazing sight to see these bird up close and even better thru a telephoto camera lens! They swoop down from the trees, skim the lake water and snatch innocent fish with their huge claws...pretty fascinating to say the least. It is simply mind boggling that these incredible animals know to come back to the same place year after year.

This is the boat from downtown Coeur d'Alene that takes people on eagle watching tours.

This one has the remnants of a fish in its claws but I could not get a picture of it!

Absolutely beautiful and sunny, but COLD!!!

Great family time and a good walk along the lake to shake off the winter blues!

Daddy and his girl.

Merry Christmas!

We had a mellow, laid back and wonderful Christmas! The morning started out a bit eventful with Karsten's diaper totally soaking thru her new Christmas jammies and her bed sheets...so off for an early morning bathtub we went! After we got that all taken care of we were off to opening stockings and presents.

It was so fun to see Karsten engage and rip the paper off of her presents. Although, sensory overload set in and we had to take a break for some breakfast, but then were off for round two!

Karsten's first stocking

Her name puzzle for Auntie Jenn and Uncle John

The purple "s" is a favorite
Like I said before, the purple "s" is so fun!

Cousin Abby, thanks for the books and bible song CDs.

New wheels-yeah!

Karsten's first fishing pole, fly vest and lifetime Idaho fishing license.

Gaga and Papa, this new toy makes GREAT sounds! Honk, honk, vroom, vroom...

Christmas Eve

We had a very nice Christmas Eve. We always spend it going to church and dinner is with Britt's family. It was a great evening together and yummy dinner too! Karsten loves hanging out with her cousins!

Daddy reading Karsten her new Max Lucado book "The Crippled Lamb" from Aunt T and Uncle Rich.

K was already in her jammies as we thought she was going to "hit the wall" right in the middle of dinner...but she rallied and was a joy as usual!

"Karsten's 1st Christmas" bib. It was sent from Britt's former boss in Philadelphia.

Waiting to get my dress on for church. Just a little naked playtime.

Decorating Cookies :-)

Uncle Rich, Tommy, Richie and Sarah showing off their beauties.
Gaga and Sarah whipping up some goodies!

Karsten's first Christmas cookie!

Hmmm...this is hard work.

Can't I just eat it???

Sledding in Leavenworth

Britt's family takes a trip to Leavenworth, WA each weekend before Christmas. We had hoped for more snow, but looks like the East Coast got our "White Christmas" this year. Still fun was had by all.

Whoa, I can actually move in this thing!
Now THIS is the way to travel.

Cousin Sarah loves to play with Karsten.

Chris and Britt giving it a whirl...off kilter even at the top!

Whoa...

Ummm...isn't the sled supposed to be UNDER you, not next to you?

Ah, made for a good laugh. Sledding is good medicine for the soul.

Mommy rethinking taking Karsten for a spin. Auntie Jenn says that Mommy's face looks like she is on the Matterhorn at Disneyland, not halfway up some dinky sledding hill!!!

OK, life is good when we are at the bottom.

Simply, FUN.

Karsten's first Christmas program was tonight. Here she is with Miss Shanda and her friend Mason (whose parents are also fellow U of I Vandals!).

Karsten with Miss Shanda
Karsten watching the kiddos on the stage

Karsten with her friends Wyatt, Ali and Miss Rae

Early Christmas

We were treated to an early Christmas dinner out.

It was a great time and a first with Santa for Karsten.

Cute family!

Cousins Richie, Tommy and Sarah

Hmmm...not too sure about you, Santa!
Karsten with Gaga and Papa

Karsten with the presents

Karsten now decided that she is interested in presents under the tree!

Holiday Open House

Karsten was so excited when her friends Brook and Avery came to visit last night for our open house. Brooke's mom, Lori and I were pregnant together all last year. We have pictures of us together last Christmas evening with our belly touching in front of the Christmas tree. Now here we are with 10 and 9 month olds! As you can see Karsten has her by about 6 or 7 lbs...and she is the younger one!

Danish Care Package

As part of Chris's heritage he has been interested in his family from Denmark. Well long story short and one snail mail letter later we came upon an email from a distant cousin (we think 3rd cousin) of Chris's grandmother. Her name is Bettina and she is married, 38 years old with three kids and she and Chris have hit it off! They have been emailing weekly, sometime more often, and have been really enjoying getting to know each other.

Well about two weeks ago this box appeared in our mailbox all the way snail mail from Denmark! What a treat-it was like Christmas for adults :-) Each piece in the care package was thoughtfully included from Bettina regarding conversations she and Chris had been having about what life and the holidays were about in Denmark vs. the US.

So we were sent an Advent candle, two types of marzipan (Chris's favorite treat), a CD of Christmas carols sang in Danish, some kind of yummy gingerbread flavored cake thing covered in chocolate and Glogg, a warm wine type beverage they drink during the holidays.

Super fun and a great way for us to get to know some heritage to teach Karsten! What a special Christmas gift.

Chilly Burrr Chilly

So this year we have had no snow, but we have the frigid temperatures instead. It has been so cold with below zero temps in the mornings when headed to school and work. Here is Karsten ready for her ride to school.