Idaho Eagles! 2020

Well, it was a different year all around in 2020 including the eagle viewing.  Where there are usually hundreds of eagles we found 4 or 5.  I watch the eagle count on the internet and it never got over 100, in fact it was going down instead of up.  We decided to wait no longer and off we went.  Good thing we did because it wasn't getting any better.  As were were driving to the eagle viewing place in Idaho I saw some flying over Lake Coeur d'Alene,  Ah, there is hope.  We stopped at our first place and nothing.  I researched the lack of eagles and there was a lack of fish to eat.  We could see a difference too.  Usually they're a lot of dead fish along the shore.  None this year.  The eagles had to go elsewhere to eat.  We did find a few far, far away in the trees.  

Mike got the spotting scope out and we took some pictures.  Not our best pictures but it was all we could do.  We did see them flying and got to watch the through binoculars! Amazing.  

An old eagle.  His white feathers aren't as white. 

We persisted and got to see some eagles.  The pictures weren't great but the day was.  The tradition continues. 

Eagle watchers!

On the way back to Spokane we stopped at Jimmy's Down the Street.  It is all part of the yearly eagle tradition.  

And there you have it.  The sign in the men's bathroom.  

Bear Lake Adventure!

A perfect day for a walk around Bear Lake.  Talena, Angie, Laurie and I met at the lake around 10 AM.  The sun was shining and there was a chill in the air.  It was a beautiful fall day, although it felt more like winter.  Off we go!   

Lots of joy here.  I am thankful that I get to hang out with these ladies.  

Taking gloves off to take pictures wasn't the best idea in the beginning but I did it anyway.  I couldn't resist. The scenery was just too special.  God's creation at its finest.  

I just pointed the camera on my phone toward the sun and took the picture.  I really didn't know how it would turn out.  Love the colors on the clouds.

A sun blob!!!  Reflection pictures are the best.  The sun is reflected on the frozen lake. Glorious!

How do I get my phone camera off of live?  I tried to help but it didn't work.  I know how to do it on my phone.  It was a good effort. 

A pause in the action for a photo.  

This is us trying to figure out how to get all 4 of us in a selfie.  

Better! Laurie had a brilliant idea.  Put the camera in position and then get our faces in the camera.  

Good idea!  

Along the way we threw rocks on the lake to get an idea of how frozen the lake was.  Could we crack the ice? We couldn't crack it with the small rocks we were using.  And up went Laurie, on a mission to get a bigger rock. 

Up, up and away! 

You know that feeling when your children do something dangerous and your heart jumps up out of your chest.  Well, I experienced that feeling at this moment. I turned around after taking a picture of Laurie and there is Talena testing out the depth of the ice.  Will it crack if I set on it?

Of course I recovered enough to snap a couple of pictures. I am really glad I didn't get a picture of her cracking the ice.  

Laurie rolled the rock down the hill. 

The rock!

I really thought I was brilliant! I captured Angie throwing the rock into the lake and the rock cracking a hole in the lake and it sinking below the ice.  Not so!  This is all I got.  I have no idea what I did.  Click to see a one second video of a rock flying.

I did get a picture of the hole and the air under the ice.  Talena was hoping to see a penguin come up out of the hole.  That didn't happen! I like the colors of the frozen lake.  You don't really see those colors just looking at the lake.  They show up in the picture. 

There was some talk about this being a man-made lake as we walked around the lake.  Nope, it was made by bears! That's why it is called Bear Lake.  Perfectly logical.   I will end right there except to say the fellowship is a blessing from God and we had that today.  

Christmas Decorations 2020

I take pictures every year of my Christmas decorations so I remember how I decorated for the next years decorations.  

 

Thanksgiving 2020

I was pretty excited for this Thanksgiving. The Lathrops joined us.  A family Thanksgiving is the best!!! 

Chef Gleason at work getting the turkey ready. Can you tell he is in his happy place?  

A masterpiece!

And here they are!!!  Lucy on the left and Layne on the right.  Love these girls and I am so proud of them.  They have great parents for sure!  

Lucy loves animals!

The Thanksgiving feast!

There was a little competition around who had the most food on their plate.  The real competition should have been who could actually eat all the food on their plate.  

Lucy was right up there with Mike and Justin as far as the quantity on her plate.  

Such a great picture and I am glad Justin didn't tilt that plate too much!  

Lots of laughter and fun and thankfulness here!

Game time.  Mike cheated last time we played this game.  Hard to believe but he did.  He told me later he looked in our mirror to see what he was on the card on his head.  Naughty.  Needless to say we kept a close eye on him.  

Next game, Apples to Apples.  It is so fun to play games together!  No TV, no football games just laughter and togetherness. It was a night to remember.  We all go so busy it is nice to slow down and enjoy each other.  It was a beautiful evening and I couldn't be more proud of this family.