We always have time for the things we put first. - unknown

The Brooks Family

Abigail, better known as Abby, is known as the Iditarod baby. Ramy had just completed his second Iditarod in 1995 when he received a call from Cathy letting him know that he needed to get to Fairbanks and get there NOW! Thanks to his wonderful aunt in Nome and gram in Fairbanks, Ramy did make it in time for Abby's early arrival. Abby will turn 10 on March 20th.

Abby lights up a room with her personality. She has abundant energy and enjoys dog mushing, skiing, hockey, art, and math. Abby is a fourth grader at Tri-Valley School in Healy. Abby talks about one day becoming a professional dog musher like her dad but she also says that she can still change her mind.

Molly was born in the heat of the summer on July 5, 1997. The temperature was hot enough that day that no one even thought of mushing dogs. Molly's birth marked the beginning of a lot of change for the family. Shortly after she was born the family relocated to Eureka, Alaska and then eventually to Healy. Molly has never really lived with regular electricity, telephone or running water. Although born in the summer, Molly is comfortable with the dogs. On a recent training run with a friend she spent the entire time playing "tent" in the sled bag and enjoying her trip.

She is the little lady of the family enjoying dress-up, make-up, baby dolls, and stuffed animals. Molly loves to listen to books and is starting to benefit from her older sister's reading aloud to her. Molly also loves music. It is not uncommon for one to find Molly playing with dolls and toys and singing her own song the entire time!

Cathy came to Alaska from Pennsylvania. When asked what brought her to Alaska she has to honestly answer "dogs". While working on her masters at Penn State, Cathy was introduced to dog mushing by a colleague in the graduate department. When she completed her degree, Cathy packed her little car, put a dog sled on top, a dog in the back seat, and headed up the Alcan Highway. Eventually Cathy met and married Ramy in 1994.

Cathy helps with the kennel logistics and young dogs. She works full time for Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. in Healy and juggles the kids activities with Ramy's rigorous schedule.