Heat

This will get us through this winter and well into if not all the way through next winter as well.

“When I retire I'm going to spend my evenings by the fireplace going through those boxes. There are things in there that ought to be burned.” - Richard M. Nixon

Something Old, Something New

On the left of your screen, a brand new pair of Carhartt double front work dungarees. On the right, the identical color, size, make and model after three years of hard use, catching bears, cutting firewood, home repairs, hunting, fishing, and scrabbling after two kids.

December Update

Check out this Flickr link to get all caught up on highlights from November and December.

BTW, our internet is running at 13Kbs tonight. That's over 4x SLOWER than dial up. Just a slight rant over our incredibly ridiculous connection. Ahh the joys of living on a remote Alaskan island.

Halloween Slugfest

There were no prizes for best costume at the Craig Halloween Carnival, but if there was, I'm sure Amy would have got a blue ribbon for the sister slugs. Check out flickr for more Halloween fun.

Word Up Yo

Who is this Wee Willie Winkie Guy?
Why is he running all over the place in his pj's?
Who does he think he is, Vanilla Ice?
Is 8:00 supposed to be some universal bedtime?

Word.

DJ Cedar-Z raps all about it.

Red

Background painting by Autumn

I've been known to dab a bit of cow in estrous on my clothes when elk hunting during the rut, but all in all I'm not really a cologne type of guy. But Amy didn't know me that well 20 years ago when we were just first dating. Gifting your boyfriend cologne was kind of the thing to do I guess. I wore it a handful of times. Because that's what you do when you are first dating I guess. But it's been 20 years. Twenty years of rattling around the toiletry drawer. Hidden in the back corner where old contact lens cases, toothless combs, and half-used dental floss resides. Good-bye Red.

Playground Comparison

When children slide...

When adults slide...

Return to Ram Gulch

Just because I completed my seven mountain ranges quest last year, doesn't mean I'm done sheep hunting. In fact I figure I'm just getting started. Read all about this years hunt at the Proving Trail Blog: http://www.provingtrailadventures.com/articles/proving-trail-blog/31-ram-gulch.html

More POW Bucks

Scott and I got in two hunts while he was here on POW this past August. Read about our second hunt on the Proving Trail Blog.

I'd write more about it here, but ever since turning 40, I'm just so tired...

Good Bye 30's

It's my last day as a young man. Tomorrow I crest the infamous hill. The last 39 years and 364 days have left me bloodied and bruised at times but overall it's been a great climb. I'm actually looking forward to being 40. I think I've earned it.

There's still plenty of gas in the tank and a long road before me. And if it's a dirt road, all the better. I'm thankful for all the adventures behind me and looking forward to all the ones ahead.

Soggy Bottom Boys Meat Hunt 2013

Scott and I got in several classic DIY hunts this season. Highlights from the first hunt can be found on the Proving Trail Blog. 

The Back Door Buck

Another deer hunting story posted to the Proving Trail Blog.

Nice Daisy

2013 Deer Opener

The Banner at the top of this blog says "there's more to life than sheep hunting." There's also deer hunting, caribou hunting...

Check out the Proving Trail Adventures website for the story of my opening weekend deer. 

Movie Night

Sage, Cedar, Paisley and Autumn know a good flick when they see it. Here they all are settling down for a viewing of "Lace 'Em Up" The first ever how-to Dall sheep hunting instructional video. If you aren't familiar with Lace "Em Up or Proving Trail Adventures, check out the website. Or check us out on Facebook.

Shamelessly using cute pics of our kids to promote our products for almost a year now :-) 

Lubers on POW

Our friends Scott and Liz and kiddos Paisley and Sage came to visit for nine days in August. Scott and I chased bucks part of the time (be on the look out for that report). A good time was had by all. So much so that three days later we packed up and headed to their house for a visit while Scott and I chased rams and caribou (be on the look out for that report too!) Check out flickr for some more pics of their visit.

Autumn, Sage, Cedar and Paisley. More fun than a barrel of monkeys.

August September Highlights

Sunshine has been in full supply this summer.

Camping in Coffman Cove with friends.

Arts and Seafood Festivus.

Can't go fishing without your lamby.

Dad and Autumn attempting to catch a pink salmon.

Cedar's recent fascination.

A big slug and a little slug.

On the ferry heading north to Fairbanks and Anchorage.

Autumn on the stern deck.

Amy and Cedar enjoying the calm waters and sunshine.

Oregon to Visit Grandpa and Grandma

At the end of July and first week of August, Amy took the kids to Oregon to visit Grandpa and Grandma B. My sister Angie did a tremendous job capturing their trip. No need to duplicate images here. Just go to Angie's Photo Blog to see all the highlights from that trip. It's worth your time to scroll through Angie's other pics too as she is quite the accomplished photographer.

Salmon Berries

Words do no justice to the love of Autumn and Cedar for berries. We had a bumper crop of salmon berries this year. They wanted to do nothing but pick and eat. Go to the park, no. Go to the beach, no. Go to the school playground, no. Pick berries, jumping up and down yes. Our friends Dan and Carmel have a yard loaded full and invited the kids over to pick to their hearts content.

The berry pickers.

The idea was to bring some home...

Family picture almost serious.

Family picture fully serious.

Cedar with berries and little doggy = Heaven on Earth.

Note fullness of bucket here compared to earlier pics.

Berry in mid flight.

July Update

Here are a few shots of the girls from July. A highlight was the Craig 4th of July activities. Check out Flickr for more.

Popcorn. Always a snack favorite.

Playing with door weather stripping. Dad not happy.

This is the friendliest the cat has ever been to Autumn.

Autumn enjoys a surprise care package from Grandpa Larry.

A & C in patriotic skirts for the 4th of July parade courtesy of Grandma and Papa G.

Face paint check. Next: nap.

Endless Summer

The Fullcurl of Life is still alive, but who has time to blog during summer? Apologies to all the grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends who faithfully keep checking in (all 5 of you). Here's a shot from the Craig Harbor on fourth of July. The weather hasn't changed much since, although the fireweed is long gone. With hunting season winding down and the days getting shorter there are sure to be more frequent updates. Stay tuned!

No Mom Weekend #2 Camping

Hot dogs, hiking, rain, tent time. Check out flickr for more shots from our camping trip while Mom was away. A good time was had by all.

No Mom Weekend #1

A couple weekends ago Amy headed to Ketchikan with some girlfriends for a four day get away. It was just me, Autumn and Cedar. It was the longest we've spent without Amy. First order of the weekend was hiking a local trail. Check out Flickr for more pics and check back in the next few days for camping action...

Recent Text Conversation

This conversation recently took place after Amy's weekend away with the gals while I watched the kids:

[on the phone]:
Amy: Where are the rest of the muffins that were in the freezer?
Steve: We ate them all while you were gone.
Amy: (Slightly annoyed), oh, um, okay.

[switch to texting]:
Steve: 12 muffins for 3 people over 4 days is not unreasonable.
Amy: My unspoken expectation was that they be eaten once for (a) breakfast, not finished off by snacking.

Steve: So far today I have eaten zero muffins...
Amy: But you could have if they'd been left in the freezer and you hadn't had a snack attack.
Steve: We all ate them over the weekend. There was no muffin fest.
Amy: Yes, Autumn just informed me. Good to know.
Steve:For lunch I got 6 muffins and Autumn and Cedar got 3 each.
Steve: Muffin micro-manager. They were drying out anyway.
Amy:Yes, you're right.
Steve: I'm saving that text for future reference.

Amy:Well, note I didn't apologize.
Steve: Well you know what unforgiveness does for you. Let go of your muffin bitterness. 
Amy: I'm not bitter, just judgmental.
Steve:Why are you always judging me because I only believe in muffins?
Amy: Ha ha ha...I am response-less.

Steve: They were the Lords muffins, for the ninos.
Amy: Lol, The ninos needed salad...not muffins...
Steve: They got plenty of salad or something.
Steve: Plenty of carrots and celery in the fridge if you're hungry
Amy: Yeah, thanks.
Steve: Going back to work. Hopefully your muffin issues are resolved.

Amy: Fine. Let's change topics. The thermos does not go in the dishwasher...
Steve: Crimony...if you want a job done right...
Amy: Duck 'n dodge...

June Flickr Update

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60147020@N03/