How We Spent Our Christmas

Christmas In Alaska

Well let's back up just a little. We started Christmas celebrations early with Shawn's mom on December 13th. She was leaving to California to spend time with the family and to see the

newest addition to the family...the first grand baby! Shawn is officially and uncle. Dominique Woods came 1 week early giving Dana and Ellie (Shawn's brother and sister-in-law) time to recover before Christmas at Grandpa's.

The following Monday, Dec 15th, I started my new job at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. I have been in training and my brain is a sponge (some days retaining, some days it's too full). LOL! Shawn has been busily working the retail rigor that comes during the holidays. I titled myself as a "retail widow". His days off are usually weekdays and the extended hours for the holidays means we see each other for a few hours at night. We can't wait for a position outside of retail to open so that we can be on the same schedule. :-)

The Monday prior to Christmas, Shawn had the day off and I was at work. Athena had been couped up more than normal and so Shawn being the good Dad...took the girlie out to the glacier. The weather had been sunny and very cold (between 3 - 11 degrees without windchill factor) for over a week and it was no different. PS - I love it!! It had snowed quite a bit a 10 days prior and so the frozen snow was bright, beautiful and glistening with the sunshine. The waters were glassy and beautiful. Any who, the very large lake at the Mendenhall Glacier was now frozen and Athena took her first trip on ice! Shawn says she was a little unsure of her footing and stayed close but she was happy to be outside. Here is one of the GREAT pictures he took. He has a very good eye to see a good shot. If only we had a good camera. This was taken with his IPhone.

Later that night upon my return home, Shawn convinced me to go back to the Glacier at night. I have to admit...I was a scardy-cat. Walking on ice in the dark, heading to the Mendenhall Glacier in the still of night hearing it cracking and popping was a little eerie. Not sure as eerie as the night sounds of wolves howling. (....don't freak out Mom) It ended up being one of the most beautiful nights I have ever been in. No clouds, stars were clear and the moon was shining on the ice, illuminating the glacier as we got closer. I had only seen them from a distance as the lake had not be frozen up until now. They look average until you approach them. They are not only magnificent but also towering. The walk from the parking lot to the glacier is approximately 1 mile. As we started our trek back to the car we saw a storm heading in. For the next few days we had quite a bit of snowfall.

By the time Christmas Day came, I exclaimed we were first and foremost...sleeping in!!! I'm taking full advantage of these days before we ever have children. LOL! We woke up to light clouds, beautiful sun poking out and we decided on opening presents and then heading back to the glacier with Athena. Now mind you this would be my first time going in the daylight. It was quite a different experience especially since there was a little under a foot of snow on the ice and it was packed with people. Many were out with there dogs, cross country skiers, or kids out sledding. It was a wonderful day! Hope yours was too!

Love and blessings - Bethany, Shawn and Athena

Athena's First Adventure in the Snow

November 12, 2008

Hello All!
Just thought I would send some pic's out with a few updates. Athena made it up here just fine. She was a trooper! They slid the kennel down off the plane and as soon as she could see Shawn and heard our voices, all we could hear was the tail smacking the sides of the kennel. It doesn't appear that the move phased her much. Her biggest adjustment has been longer periods of time in the house with designated time for hikes. After today, I believe she was meant to be a hiking dog. She's getting me into shape.

We took her to Eagle Crest mountain to introduce her to snow. She donned her new jacket. She got out of the car and right into the snow....didn't think twice. She doesn't quite like the snow accumilation on the ball; it appears to be very cold on the tongue. LOL! We then proceeded over to Sandy Beach. I believe this is one of her favorite spots. I thought for sure she would avoid the cold water. The labrador in her says otherwise. The temperature has not phased her...she wants to play!!!! Next on the trip was Salmon Creek, which was today's hike. You might think of a nice rolling creek...NOT! It's a long steep incline followed by another steep incline, then it turns into the soft rolling hike. My calves were on fire by the time we hit the second incline. LOL! We found a little waterfall (they are everywhere) down a ravine so we went down to get her a drink.

On the moving front, we found out that after they offered him the position in Fairbanks the VP decided to re-distribute the territory including that position. We thought we were staying in Juneau but there is rumor that the Anchorage business position is opening up. I have quit trying to figure out if we are staying or going and just focus on where I am. :-) We are staying put in the house we are temporarily in until we know more. For those asking for our address; it is as follows:

1910 Glacier Ave
Juneau, AK 99801

I am looking into working for a bit. There is a sales option I am looking at but I'm taking my time to find the right fit. I've become accustom to being an outside sales rep; the thought of being confined to an office doesn't remotely sound appealing. We'll see what options open up for me. My car arrives sometime late next week. I cannot wait to be free once again.

Either way, I hope this finds everyone healthy, happy and getting ready for Thanksgiving. Time seems to have flown by this year.

Much love to everyone,
Bethany

PS - For those I haven't heard from yet.....drop me a quick note if you can.

First Post from Juneau, Alaska

Date: Monday, October 27, 2008, 2:31 PM
Hello Everyone,
A few of you already got a quick update after the wedding but many of you I just got updated in my new computer. So if the first part is a repeat for you....keep reading.

As many of you know I got married on October 11th and well on October 12th moved to Juneau, Alaska. In the middle of this transition Shawn got asked if he was interested in a position up in Fairbanks, Alaska. That position is still waiting in the balance as to if and when that might happen. If many of you don't know, they say if you can make it through a winter in Fairbanks at -60 degrees that's when you can truly call yourself an Alaskan. LOL!

Either way we are here in beautiful Juneau for now. We flew into sunshine with a light mist and a beautiful double rainbow right by the house. The attached picture only captured one of them...but it's beautiful. I fly to SD this Wednesday to get my baby girl....yes my 4-legged baby, Athena. I've already taken the vets advice and bought her an outdoor jacket from REI to help her transition from the SD at recently 95 degrees to Juneau at roughly 31 degrees.

Which brings me to my next subject. We got our first snow this last Thursday night. I know you all say that the elation will go away and one day I'll be asking for sunshine. That may be true but for now, I'm tickled pink. It was absolutely gorgeous Thursday-Saturday. The sun was shining through the clouds and snow falling on the ground. Attached pictures we taken with cell phone cameras as we don't have cameras. Maybe our Christmas present to ourselves. As for snow that quickly turns to ice by the following rain. Shawn and I hit a patch on the way home.......is there an option to take the snow and leave the ice. LOL!!!! :-) Unfortunately, we had rain all day Sunday which melted the snow. I can't seem to figure out that when it warmer and raining it feels twice as cold as when it snows.

Shawn and I had our first snow fight. I got a shovel full down my back with no jacket on. I'll learn. :-) I didn't let him off lightly....There was a scoop down his back not shortly after. He seems to be putting up with my ability to still be excited with snow duties. Talk to me at the end of winter; maybe the excitement will have subsided.

The roughest part is that I'm still in transition. Can't set up a home as we are waiting for the call to either stay in Juneau or move to Fairbanks. Guess technically I've set up camp but not permanent residence yet!

I hope this finds everyone happy, healthy and blessed. I will try to keep everyone posted with updates. If you want off the list......just let me know.

Enjoy a few pic's.
Blessings,
Bethany Love-Woods
907-209-7760

PS - For those of you early birds, please note that I am 1 hour behind California. 6am cell phone calls have been a little rough. :-(