Having a Blast!

Pat recently set up some shooting targets in the backyard. I know, only in Alaska! (yeah, maybe a few other red-neck states!) After giving the neighbors a call to let them know it's us, Pat takes his hand-cast, hand-loaded bullets out to practice his speed shooting.

Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya?

Gluten Free Blog!

Hey, just for all of you whom we may visit, I've started a blog that will have "normal" recipes that are naturally gluten-free. I'm hoping to include most of our regular meals, and then those that I experiment with. Most of these are likely to be relatively simple since I don't like to cook! I've found lots of other blogs with really fancy recipes, but I have a real lack of ingredients up here! I know that there are friends of yours out there that also struggle with Celiac or may just have a wheat allergy. Feel free to pass along the blog site. If you have recipes that you'd like me to include, I'm up for that as well. I have a link on my blog roll. Thanks!

Greenhouse Update!

Just the other day, it was the most perfect day! The sun was shining, the wind was non-existent and the temperature was warm but not hot!

Besides the multitude of flowers in bloom, my tomatoes are ripening, my squash has been yummy, and I'm anxiously awaiting the first pepper!

Last Week

Work has been getting tough. We have a rogue flamingo that seems to be out for us.
Despite the cold, cloudy, rainy weather, we do still have a few blooms!

Friday night, Pat took me out and we had dinner and played a bit of pool at our new local smoke-free, alcohol-free pool hall!

Sorry

I know I've not been diligent in posting. I've been back to work and much more interested in other family's blogs! My sister has been updating her blog to relive our time together, and my sister-in-law has been adopting a super cute little boy in China. I've been mostly watching their blogs this week! If you'd like to see more on Julie's blog, I'd highly recommend it! The link is on the right! I'll update soon~maybe!

New Nephew!

Today, or tomorrow in China, we are adding a new nephew! Pat's sister and brother-in-law are picking up their Joshua Shen as I write! He will have lots of welcoming family.

Thank You!

The last many days have been a whirlwind of kids and fun activities. I've had the amazing opportunity to watch my nieces and nephews wake up in the mornings, have breakfast with my sister, and watch the news with my brother-in-law! This morning "routine" we had was followed by all the activities that made our new memories.
I can't begin to express the gratitude I have to my brother, Chris, for bringing my sister to me! for bringing the entire family up here to visit! I know it couldn't have been easy. I also know that there is no real way to understand a sister bond, but he supports us just the same. Thanks, Chris!
I enjoyed the most wonderful time with my sister. Julie is such an incredible woman. I see her interact with her children in such a loving manner. She loves them, instructs them, disciplines them, laughs with them, and leads them. She is also a great wife. I see how she supports her husband and loves him. A model for others and her daughters. She's also an incredible sister. She loves me through all my craziness. She gives me advice and makes me think I can do things that I would never believe possible. I think she gives me too much credit! I am glad that she listens to all my blabber about my self analysis and loves me anyway!
I love you!

Raegan's Birthday

The first gift of the day was from Mommy and Daddy: dress-up clothes! Rae had her entourage dress her and prepare her for the big birthday cake event!

She, too, had her very special princess cake!

Who couldn't love Miss Pattycake & more cards!

That evening Pat took us out to prospect for gold. It was amazing that everyone found some after panning and searching very hard!

It was hard to leave our claim, but we figured we got most of what the waves washed up!

Weekend Fun!

After an unsuccessful trip to the canoe system, Pat took Chris out to Fuller Lake to try for Grayling. Unfortunately, it proved to be just the same for the fishing, but it was lovely!

Sunday we went to Russian River Falls. Pat rigged up an Alaskan Rickshaw (spelling?) for the kids to take turns riding. It was a perfect invention! We got to see a few fish work hard to jump up the falls.

We had a great hike and a fun trip!

Sydney's Alaskan Birthday!

We spent Sydney's birthday on a day trip to Seward! We stopped first at Exit Glacier where we were getting pretty moosey!

We walked up to a big glacier and felt the icy air coming off of it!

Then we were off to the Sea Life Center where we saw lots of fun animals and even got to touch some anemone's and starfish!

The Stellar Sea Lion was a BIG hit!

On the way home, we stopped to pick up a special cake made just for the occasion!

A very "cool" 8th birthday!

Crazy Busy

Before our company came, Pat and I discovered a new beach access near our house. We went out late and enjoyed the almost sunset! Pat is below "brother-in-law" welding. Two welders at one time is what that means!

I brought Julie, Chris and the kids here on Wednesday. We have had many adventures and seen many animals! The kids are watching Pat set up an obstacle course for our race!

One surprise was a tadpole that was caught when we were racing!

Then we were off to Captain Cook State Park. The beach has a ton (literally) of boulders and lots of fun rocks to throw!

We closed this evening with a baseball game where we gave high-fives to the mascot and watched the Oilers win!

Our way home was made even more special with a glimpse of a cow and calf moose grazing in a field of lupine and fireweed.

The Anna

Pat went out this weekend to help on a job on the Anna Platform. He went out to help build these stairs and landing. Fortunately he HAD to be back Monday morning for another job at Tesoro.

Our old friend Tony was on this platform and is the guy who rigs up the gear for the crane operator. Here they moved a 25000 Ton tank - I kept asking Pat if that was right.


Notice the NASA/Browning welding hood!