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.
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
