Here it is. My very first ski doo! It is a summit 583 from 1994. I picked it up for only one thousand and the fellow was so nice that he threw in his helmet, riding jacket and big gloves as well. I think it was a great deal overall. The seat is a little short for both kids to ride, but thankfully their butts are small enough that they can fiut in front and behind me, as long as we cuddle. Haha.

Wed Feb 25th

It's beautiful and mild here today. The light change is very dramatic right now and really makes you feel excited for spring. The sun feels soooo much warmer and the light has been great. My first day of work it was still dark at 9 am and dark again by around 4pm. Now we have full light by about 7:40 am and still light at 6 pm.
I picked up an old ski doo summit 583 and the kids and I have been riding it around town and on the bike trails. Technically, you're not supposed to do that, but it's Fairbanks and the police seem to accept it....so far. Two nights ago it arrived at our house and after much anticipation we were finally ready for our first ride! The kids were excited and so was I. 200 pulls later I hated the machine and cursed myself for buying it. It wouldn't start! What could be wrong? It had been so well cared for and I was so sure this was the one. Hint....check the gas tank. After adding gas....it started. Yeah, I'm a doctor! Haha. Diagnosis....too excited to think. We're learning to trust the ski doo and wandering ever farther from home. We explored a tree lined field not too far from our house and even drove it down Noyes Slough toward the river. I'm not brave enough to take it on the river yet. I don't swim well at -10. If I get brave enough to get on the river, I may be able to get myself all the way to work. My goal is to drive the ski doo to work just to say I did it.
The yukon quest dog race is wrapping up and we haven't been able to time it to see any of the dogsleds cross the finish line yet. I'll try to get some pictures to post!

To all my family and friends....I love you guys and miss you terribly. We are a long way away, but this is the right spot for us. We've never been so happy. I've never been so happy! Business is very good, too. I'll try to get some new pictures on here really soon.....maybe even of the ski doo.

Our first moose!!!!!

We came home from skating at the outdoor rink and look what was standing in our yard. Alaska is incredible. The kids were so excited to see him and mom was hanging out nearby but didn't seem to mind us. We stood back at a safe distance, but the darn things are so cute you almost want to give them a hug....but we'll settle for pictures.

downtown

Here is Dominik skating at one of the Fairbanks outdoor rinks. This one is really cool. It is right downtown and has boards made of solid (see through) ice. We spent about 1 hour there today.

Yukon Yanik

Here is Yanik preparing to attack the woodpile.

Notice how dad taught him the proper way to hold the axe.

My first blog

Well, it's Saturday night in Fairbanks, Alaska. We had a few of Kari's old friend over so I could meet them and drank a little wine. It has been much warmer here lately! It's amazing how 15 degrees can feel so warm after -35 at the end of January.

We watched 2 Irondog snowmachine racers cross the finish line today after work and then went home to cook weiners in the garage barrel stove. Couldn't get the darn thing to start and ended up smoking up the entire garage.....painful eyes all around. Chopped a little wood to clear out.

Sunday is the rare day that I can sleep in and not have to go to work. We'll probably hang the new mirror in the downstairs gym and take the kids to skate at the big dipper, and maybe hit the sledding hill. Fairbanks is great. Keep believing it's cold and dark and miserable. It's a great secret.

Business is much better here. I really feel like the sky is the limit. Considering how rough the lower 48 is right now, we're in the right place!

I'll add funny patient stories as they arise. I have doctored my first Eskimo!