Wild Elk (kinda)

The day after arriving at the cabin in Donnelly, we decided to go for a horse drawn sleigh ride. The company we found took us on a short sleigh ride that ended in a clearing that is a wintering home to over 120 wild elk.

The elk cautiously approched the stopped sleigh and began to feed on the bales of hay that we were sitting on. We had been instructed to be very still and quiet and reminded that these were wild animals. Hard to believe that you can barely get within a 100 yards of these animals during hunting season before they bolt.

Even a trophy buck!

Talk about up close and personal. This female adult elk, (cow), choose Erica's seat as her choice for a late lunch.

While another younger cow dined inches away from Shelly and Bryce. Both evidentally had to move as the elk continued to nudge them over to get at the warmer hay.

Hot Tubbing

Before leaving the Donnelly area and heading back to Boise, we decided to visit one of our favorite natural hot springs. While Gold Fork is a little more commerical than others, the water is very clean and just the right temperature.

With a variety of pools to choose from you can always find a perfect spot!

The kids liked the sandy bottom pool.

A great place to relax and just soak it all in!

A Bad Day at Bogus

After a great day of skiing and snowboarding to end 2007, Bryce's first run of 2008 didn't go as planned. After what appeared to be a normal fall in soft snow, it quickly became clear that things were beyond a sprained wrist. Bryce had managed to snap the largest bone in his left forearm. The break was displaced which meant a lot of pain for our brave guy and a trip to the operating room. They were able to reset the arm with out surgery and the Doc says he should be back on the slopes in about 4-5 weeks.

Still a little foggy in post op but back in one piece.

Back at home relaxing with Albert.

A Great Day at Bogus

After returning to a valley filled with snow, we were anxious to get up to our local ski resort, Bogus Basin, and hit the powder. We were not disappointed! What a great way to end a great year!

A family shot at the summit!

Bryce carving it up!

Blue skies overhead and light powder everywhere!

Ski buddies - ready for another great run. You take the left, I'll match your turns on the right.

New Years in Boise

The return trip from Seattle to Boise was just as snowy and icy as the trip out and it was nice to be welcomed back home by my folks, Gary & Judy. They arrived just before we left for Seattle and spent Christmas in Cascade with two of dad's sisters and their famlies. It was also nice to see everything covered in a nice blanket of snow. Our first morning back we went for a morning walk along the river, enjoying the sunshine and the crunch of the fresh snow.

Mom and the kids scraped up enough snow to actually make a snow man.

Bryce enjoying some 1 on 2 time with Papa and Nana. Albert is never one to miss out on attention too.

One morning we had a special quest drop by for breakfast. Marilyn is mom's cousin and was in Boise for our upcoming special meeting.

Christmas in Seattle

After a special but brief visit with our special reatives visiting Idaho from Hawaii and S. Carolina, we loaded up the Avalanche and headed for Seattle. We had not spent Christmas with Shelly's family in many years and were looking forward to seeing many of her realitives during this special time of year.

Chain control, ice and snow reminded us why we usually make the 8 hr drive during warmer times but the truck proved the perfect vehicle as we continued on with no delays or incidents.

Our first stop was in snowy Snoqualmie, where Shelly's family from her Dad's side had gathered from all over the state. It was great to see so many in one spot. Some of whom we hadn't seen since our wedding reception some 16 years prior.

It was then on to Seattle, where we spent December 23 with Shelly's mom and step father, Myra and Tom. Shelly's brothers joined us in the morning and all enjoyed sourdough waffles, gifts and good times.

It was wonderful to have almost all of the cousins together.

On Christmas Eve, we spent most of the day with Shelly's dad and step mother, Larry and Nita. Keith and Troy joined us, so Shelly got to spend more time with her brothers, neices and nephew.

And the cousins had another day of fun and gift exchanges.

The day after the holiday, we met Shelly's mom in Tacoma at her work and she gave us a VIP tour. We spent the afternoon together in Tacoma exploring the Museum of Glass. Before we knew it the trip had come to an end and we were headed back to Boise.

Happy Holidays!

As the days before Christmas quickly disappear, we look forward to being with friends and family soon. Mom and Dad will be arriving in Boise on the 19th, followed by our Aunt and Uncle from Hawaii along with their son and his new bride.

We will spend a couple days with them before heading to Seattle for a week to be with Shelly's family for Christmas. It has been many years since we have been with them at Christmas time, so we are looking forward to special days.

We plan to return to Boise in time to close 2007 and celebrate New Years Eve/Day with friends and family.

We hope that you all have a safe and wonderful holiday season and that our paths may cross in '08.

Eric, Shelly Bryce & Erica