Merry Christmas

I just wanted to take a moment to wish all my family and friends near and far a very Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!

I mailed out lots of Christmas cards this year, but for anyone who I may have accidentally missed here is a little preview of the card.

The front which was die cut in this pretty pattern:

The inside of the card:

Season's Greeting

Season's greetings from Stewart to all of my family, friends, and blog followers.

Bove Island

When traveling down highway 2 south, shortly after leaving Carcross YT, you will come to a lookout where 3 lakes meet and there is an island in the middle.  The merging lakes are Nares Lake, Tagish Lake and Windy Arm, and the island is called Bove Island.  It was certainly windy when were stopped there, so I think there might just be something to that name.

View towards Tagish Lake
 

Bove Island

Looking across Windy Arm

A panoramic of the area

A little further down the road we could see this storm fast approaching.  Thankfully it left as fast as it came.
 

Moose!

Driving along the Alaska highway we spotted a moose eating in a pond.  Even from a distance he was so majestic looking that we could not help but stop and watch him for a few minutes.

The Alaska Highway

Just a few shots while driving along the Alaska highway headed to Whitehorse.

Watson Lake, Yukon

Our first stop in the Yukon was Watson Lake.  Watson Lake is the 3rd largest town in the Yukon behind Whitehorse and Dawson City.

Watson Lake is the home of the world famous Sign Post Forest.  The forest was started in 1942 by a homesick US army GI, Carl K Lindley of Danville Illinois, Company D, 341 st Engineers.  While he was working on the Alaska Highway he erected a sign pointing the way and stating the mileage to his hometown.  Others followed his lead and many tourists are still doing so today.  There are now over 70 000 signs in the sign post forest.  Many of these signs are from all over the world.

Years ago my parents put a sign up in the sign post forest, but with so many signs there, the chances of finding it were not great.  I was not even sure exactly what kind of sign I was looking for...big, small, colour, engraved. etc.  Well, I have to say that I did not specifically see the sign while we took a quick walk around, so imagine my surprise when I looked at my pictures at home and saw part of their sign in one of the pictures!

Not only are there sign posts from all over the world, now there is also a building covered in license plates from all over too.

Yukon Bound

Since winter is fast approaching and I just don't seem to get out and take as many photos as in the nice weather, I thought I would step back a little and share some pictures from our trip to the Yukon this  past September. 

As we headed further and further north we passed through areas were the forests had been burned by wild fires.  It was so sad to see so much of these forests burnt, but after one particular turn we saw a rainbow in the distance through the burnt trees.  It was almost as though it was giving hope to the forest that it would be renewed.

The same rainbow, but from a different location.

The welcome sign.

Untouched Beauty

Sharing a few photos taken from our trip into Smithers last week.  It was mostly grey and overcast out, but the clouds parted slightly and the sun made a brief appearance on the mountains. What a site to behold.  So glad I decided to bring my camera that day.

I am not sure if I prefer this one in colour or black and white.  I think I am leaning toward the black and white though as it is a little more dramatic.

 

First Snowfall

The first snowfall of the season is always so magical.  Watching the big, fluffy white flakes gently drift down to the ground can be mesmerizing.  The blanket they form covering everything is so pristine and beautiful.  Too bad it does not stay that same pristine white all winter long.


Here are a few pictures from that magically first snowfall of the 2012-2013 winter season.

 

 

Sneak Peek for the J Family

I wanted to share a sneak peek from the J family Christmas mini session. I will only be sharing a few because I do not want to spoil any surprises or gifts.  I cannot wait to see what mommy decides on for a Christmas card though.

I just love the way these turned out.  Such beautiful children.

We even lucked out with the perfect snowy day for a few family pictures outdoors.