Mt. Redoubt is likely to erupt

Without saying names, someone new to Alaska commented that he is overstimulated with Alaska. Temps going from thirty below to forty above, rain, snow, ice, roads closing, an earthquake, moose all over the place, avalanches, and now Mt. Redoubt is going to blow??

Which got me thinking... at what point did all of this become "normal" to me?

Dad

Today marked two years that my dad has been gone. Alot has happened since that night in the hospital, but I think that overall, he would be pleased with the way things are going with us.

We decided to take the advice of a good friend that often has great advice to give. Instead of being sad today, we used this time to reflect on the blessings that we have and our opportunity to spend yet another precious day on earth. And what a great day it was! Dad always loved the big snowflakes, and we got lots of them today (YEAH!!). So we decided to load up the kiddos and go snowshoeing. Overall, it was a great time, but I think that Kailyn might need to drink a Red Bull before we go next time. She was a little slow... Finally Brian convinced her to hitch a ride in the sled. Charlie slept in the backpack, and I loved the chance to get outside and stretch my legs!

Sitting up!!

Well, I won't say that he's completely there yet, but Charlie sat all by himself for about 20 seconds, several times tonight. He's been really trying lately, so I know that he's close! It's so exciting. Of course, he was tired by the time I got the camera, but here's a few glimpses of what's to come!

Some FL pictures

Apparently Charlie has been getting more attention on here then Kailyn, at least in picture space (Kailyn made note). So, here's some fun pictures of her! Scared to death, here she is bravely holding a "mama" snake. Really, it was a 3 month old baby snake, but Kailyn convinced herself that it must be a mama because a mommy snake would never hurt a little girl..... "right mom?" she timidly asked. She was a lot more excited about this guy - he ate snacks right out of our hand! It was sooo cool to be so close to a giraffe; what neat animals! Kailyn definitely has some Florida girl in her! She did not want to get out of the water, and absolutely loved the beach. Here's the condo that we stayed at in St. Augustine - it was incredible. I would have never thought that I would become a snowbird, but it seems that my worst fears growing up have been realized! Kailyn ran through the waves in her bikini while the locals walked snuggled together in their parkas, hats, and scarves. And I wasn't embarrassed at all!We did the touristy thing this trip... rented a minivan, a condo on the beach, and explored the town of St. Augustine. I'd been before, but it was a totally different experience with my husband, kids, and mom!We finished the trip off with a few more days in South Florida at mom's house for Thanksgiving. Here's a few family shots, and of course, Kailyn back in the pool!

A Play Date for Charlie

We got to go hang out at Cynthia's house this afternoon, and what a great time we all had! Oliver was born just a few days before Charlie, so it was nice for me to hang out with a mom of another 5-month old. Charlie and Oliver got along splendidly, seeing how they both pretty much just smile and drool, and of course, Kailyn was in HIGH HEAVEN with TWO babies to play with!

Look at these cuties chattin' like old friends! Do you see Oliver's little hand on Charlie's leg, for emphasis? I LOVE IT!!!

Martin Luther King Day

I decided that Kailyn is old enough to start talking about the meaning of some of the holidays that we *celebrate.* Thanksgiving and Christmas were easy, but this one proved to be a little more challenging. Here's why: Kailyn has not yet noticed that some people look different than others; they're all just people. And after some thought, I decided that there was no need to have her begin to classify people based on their skin color. It always seemed silly to me, too.

So, I searched online for a crafty idea that fit her level, my supplies, and Charlie's nap time, and here is what we came up with. It was perfect. We talked about MLK's dream that everyone would be treated the same, no matter whether they had black hair or blond, were tall or short, young or old. She was most concerned that sometimes people are not nice to each other, and it was her dream that the world would be full of nice people, too.

The project started out kind of funny. She chose one color for the background, red, and then I allowed her to pick one more color, white. We tore some strips and talked about how it was kind of boring so far... we needed some more colors. So we chose another color, black, and although it looked better, another color might make it even more interesting and beautiful. Kind of like the world - the more different kinds of people we play with, the more fun we have.

So the funny part, if you know Kailyn, is that she stayed true to herself and began by lining each color up in a row, grouped away and not touching any other colors. Soooo not the point. It took a little effort and convincing that they would really like to be around other colors, but this is what we finally ended up with.

Brilliance

I have a new addiction... no, it's not drugs or wii anything hip or cool like that. It's an internet site that absolutely cracks me up every time I read it. But recently, a post served me more than just to make me laugh. It is actually saving me some time and making my family more harmonious each and every night.

Last Thursday night, while stirring the spaghetti sauce with one hand and bouncing Charlie with the other, all while Kailyn was running around the house like a crazy lady, I was reminded of a post that details the glorious idea of allowing the big kids to take the little kids for a "walk" in the house. Well, for those of you that don't live in Valdez, we have been having some pretty crappy weather. It was freezing cold and super windy, then it snowed for a day and has now been raining (in January???) for the past three days. Whatever. We are all so tired of being inside that we are willing to try new ideas, even if they go against small warning stickers placed on your kids toys.

So... I asked Kailyn to stop her triathlon and chat with me for a minute. Did she want to take Charlie for a walk in her pink stroller? Oh my... if you could have bottled this child's excitement and sold it you would be a millionaire for sure. She had her pink stroller downstairs and ready to go before I even finished explaining that it was a "walk" not a "run" and we need to take the corners easy.... Anyways.... it was a hit! Charlie LOVES IT, Kailyn thinks that she is a supermodel rock star mom (she pauses every so often to do a little dance and ask if I'd like to take a picture of her), and the family dog, Cedar, has even decided to join in since his walks have been pretty much nil of late. Who'd of thought I could make so many people happy with one little idea?

Lap 8....

They are all LOVING LIFE about now! Charlie is shaking his hands here he is so excited - he's such a ham!

One of her dance breaks - can you tell how uninterested in the stop Cedar is?
Kailyn is just checking out Charlie to make sure he's still having fun. She is such a thoughtful big sister!

Thanks to the Meanest Mom for the idea - check out her blog at http://themeanestmom.blogspot.com/.

Charlie's Dedication

May you always find joy in your heart, may you always find comfort in the love of your family and friends, and may you always find peace in Nature - Merreley Donohue

Thank you to all who offered your prayers and blessings as we dedicated Charlie today. In this picture are Bryan & Jessica Vincent, their son Eric, Pastor Chad Richardson, and us. Charlie is wearing the Baptismal gown (not a dress!!!) that Peggy made for the grandkids from her wedding dress. After church, we had some friends over for brunch, which was a nice way to spend such a special day. I couldn't believe that even with most of our regular circle of friends unable to come, we still had 30 people in our house! I hope that Charlie and our family continue to receive the blessing of being surrounded by so many wonderful people in our lives.

It's dumping out and we love it!

Finally, after weeks of crazy wind, freezing temperatures, and a three-year-old that NEEDS to go outside, I was reminded today why we live in Valdez and not sunny Florida. It snowed! And what a beautiful snowfall it was! I love these big huge flakes - they always make me think of my dad. Shortly before he died, he would sit in front of our window just watch the snow fall, commenting on how cool it was and that he was glad to get to see that again. And really, it is cool to watch. I wish that I knew what it was that he thought about.

One (actually a comparatively small) snowflake that fell next to my foot while taking pictures. It's at least the size of a quarter.
Thirty six degrees!! Yeah!!
I guess Brian will be digging out the snow blower!

Christmas at Memere's & Papas

We were lucky enough to be able to sneak in a trip to Anchorage to celebrate Alayna's first birthday (those pictures are on the other camera, but check out Erin's blog at http://livin-it-lovin-it.blogspot.com/ until I can add those in) and Christmas over the December 19th weekend. We had a blast, and I would even go so far as to say that it was my favorite Anchorage trip yet. We flew in, so we actually had the full four days instead of two in town and two on the road. If not for the price to fly and rent a car, I would do it that way from now on!

One of Kailyn's favorite gifts this year was a real guitar from Memere & Papa. After Charlie's bedtime story, read by big sister, I went downstairs to put him to bed. Upon returning, Kailyn had flipped her hat over on the floor in front of her and instructed me to "put some money in the hat, please."
How could anyone resist? We're off to New York next week to make some money so we can fly to Anchorage every time.

Don't you dare smile!

Kailyn had her friends Elaina, Bella, and Sarah over the other day for a play date. My lack of sleep really showed through when I suggested that we paint... we being the four children ages three and younger. Anyways, it was a great time, and we have some beautiful artwork to remember, but I think that the funniest part was when I asked the girls to smile for a picture.

Brandy joked with the girls, "don't you dare smile, nooooo, don't you do it!"

To which our daughters, Kailyn & Bella, immediately disobeyed and began giggling and smiling in hopes of the dire punishment (tickles, perhaps??) that was sure to follow. As I clicked the picture, though, I noticed that Elaina, who just moments before was also showing her gorgeous smile, had promptly minded Miss Brandy and wiped the smile immediately off her face. Tooo cute!

No more Kailyn...

My sweet daughter announced this morning that she is no longer Kailyn. Apparently, my response was not good enough, because she let out a big sigh and said, "MOM, I saaaaaaaiiiiidddd, there is no more Kailyn. Aren't you so sad?"

Realizing the gravity of this situation, I knealt down, grabbed her hands, and cried, "Oh nooooo........ where is my Kailyn? I would be sooooo sad without her!" (Much better, Mom). "Well, I want a new name. I'm not Cinderella, either. I think I'll be Gus," she replied, apparently more satisfied with my second reaction. With a quick turn, off she went downstairs to pick out her cereal. Or so I thought.

What I now realize she was really doing was creating a path, Hansel and Gretal style, for all her other mouse friends to come and find the said bowl of cereal once it was placed at her seat. She also "corrected" one of my favorite pictures of her holding Charlie in case I forgot that I no longer have a Kailyn.

We now ask that all stickers sent to Gus be in packs of 1 instead of 55.