Damon Hargraves

We had a progressive dinner for Thanksgiving this year. Appetizers at our house, dinner at the Nasset's, dessert at the Woodhead's, and games at the Howard's...a fun day. Damon and I celebrated our 5th anniversary on November 22nd. We fixed a nice dinner and dessert for ourselves. Notice my present - the crystal candlesticks!! Adrianna's 'black and white' birthday party Pizza party And our Halloween celebration... Our superintendent being himself with Damon being him

Temperatures have already been as low as 30 below zero, the ocean is frozen, we have around 6 hours of sunlight, and we won't see the ground again until May. Winter-Time by Robert Louis Stevenson Late lies the wintry sun a-bed, A frosty, fiery sleepy-head; Blinks but an hour or two; and then, A blood-red orange, sets again. Before the stars have left the skies, At morning in the dark I rise; And shivering in my nakedness, By the cold candle, bathe and dress. Close by the jolly fire I sit To warm my frozen bones a bit; Or with a reindeer-sled, explore The colder countries round the door. When to go out, my nurse doth wrap Me in my comforter and cap; The cold wind burns my face, and blows Its frosty pepper up my nose. Black are my steps on silver sod; Thick blows my frosty breath abroad; And tree and house, and hill and lake, Are frosted like a wedding-cake.

Damon's brother, Darin, came for a visit last weekend to refinish the Covenant Church gym floor.  He worked hard for 4 days, and what a difference he made.  Thanks Darin!   

Damon and I were fortunate to have my mom and grandma come visit at the beginning of September. We treated them to some true Alaskan adventure. Boating up the Unalakleet River These were the fish Memackie caught with her first 2 casts. These were the fish that my mom and Damon caught with their first casts. We hiked up to the top of Army Hill for a nice view of the village and some berry picking. Getting around town on the four-wheeler Picnicing up river on a sand bar. We enjoyed looking at bear and moose tracks. Mom, Memackie, and I flew into Anchorage and took a tour down to Seward. We went on a day cruise where we were able to see this glacier calving. More pretty Seward scenery It was a wonderful visit, and I don't think it could have been more perfect. Damon and I were so thankful that they came.

Goodbye ground, see you in the Spring.

We've been enjoying the beautiful fall weather on the tundra: Good fishing Colors changing Beautiful sky Damon went on a bear hunt. He didn't shoot a bear, but he shot some nice pictures.

The best way to sum up the past 2 months is through pictures: First stop Wasilla, AK, where we spent time with Damon's family. Picnicing and hiking with friends at Hatcher's Pass. We kept ourselves busy.  Damon built a tool shed for his dad, and took a trip to Kodiak.  I took a knitting class, and made a scarf and dish cloth.    Kodiak, AK A highlight of the summer was our trip to Hong Kong and Japan.    View of Hong Kong  Incense burners in a temple Gates to a Shinto temple in Kyoto, Japan Golden temple in Kyoto Dinner in our ryokan in Kanazawa, Japan Bamboo forest in Kyoto Taking a drink from a fountain of wisdom in Kyoto Kanazawa Garden Japanese lantern in Kanazawa Garden Sake kegs outside the gates of a buddhist temple A highlight of the trip was visiting the family that Damon stayed with when he was an exchange student to Kanayama, Japan.   We stayed with Tony (far left), from Ketchikan, AK, and his family.   After we returned to the states, we headed down to Missouri to v...