A day's outing in Puerto Rico

On our 2nd full day in Puerto Rico we departed in the morning in our two rental cars for the El Yunque Rain Forest. One can readily notice from the pictures that we encountered both rain and forest. After the rain forest, we spent some time at a nearby beach. - rw

A Tropical Christmas

On December 24th Nancy and I spent all day on airplanes, flying from Portland to San Juan, Puerto Rico. We arrived at about 1:00 a.m. on Christmas morning. Our first night was short, but was spent in the airport hotel. Then, after we had rented a car and had a Christmas Noon meal at McDonalds, we managed to get lost en route to our week-long stay in a Comfort Inn in Levittown. Then, shortly before 4:00 a.m. on the 26th, Mark, Marta, Daniel, Eli and Micah arrived from D.C. Pictured is their family and the view from our 5th floor room. - rw

Leaving White Christmas -

On December 18 when I left North Pole, AK sunrise was at 10:56 am and sunset was at 2:39 pm for 3 hours and 43 minutes of day length.  The high recorded temperature in North Pole, AK on Dec. 18 was -5 and the low was -15.  I enjoyed the beauty of the frost and ice covered trees sparkling in the bright sun in front of the school where I work. I had an overnight flight Dec. 18 and arrived in Portland, OR Saturday morning Dec. 19 to a warm 49 degrees. It was great to see Ron and be in our home in Newberg. - Nancy

Good news!

Somewhere Nancy dug-up this old photo from almost 35 years ago -- on Tasha's 3rd birthday. Also, today I got good news on my prostate cancer. A PSA test I'd taken Friday came back with a result that was less than 1/2 as much as the original reading that led to the prostate biopsy. (My doctor had said that "any reduction" was an indication that the hormone therapy is working!) I do praise the Lord for this development, and am immensely grateful for all the prayer support! I see my urologist on Friday for continuing therapy. Nancy gets home for Christmas on Sat. a.m. - Ron

Winter on Ice in North Pole

Today it was free to get into The Christmas in Ice display at Santa Claus House here in North Pole. The carvers were still working on the sculptures so it was interesting to see them working. Below are some pictures.

Santa and his Reindeer

 My favorite is the train. Notice the carved puffs of smoke coming from the smokestack. - Nancy

Reindeer eating supper.

A Thanksgiving Surprise!

I had a big Thanksgiving surprise in the arrival of daughter Tasha from Honolulu. I knew that Mark would be with me (I picked him up at the airport), but had no idea Tasha would be coming. The doorbell rang in late morning on Thanksgiving Day and it was Tasha! We (Mark and I) had previously arranged to have dinner with the Fawver family at Mike and Nancy's, so the food is shown below ...

Also pictured is Mareesa Fawver (Mike and Nancy's eldest) with ripe olives on each finger! - rw

Winter Scenes in North Pole, AK

I know I'm getting used to Alaska winter weather when I think it's warmer and it's still -1 degrees F. This week I had two dental appointments. It was -21 when I got home from the first one on Nov. 18. That is the coldest it's been since I've been here. There was a warming trend and on Nov. 19 it was a warm -1.

I have been taking walks in the snow. It seems that kids here go sledding via snow mobiles that pull them. That eliminates having to walk up the sledding hill. -Nancy

Winter sun is low in the sky