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Thursday, May 31, 2007

Memorial Day Weekend

We took Kailyn down to Caswell (just outside Talkeetna) for her first tent-camping experience. Brian's dad needed some help building a shop, so it seemed like the perfect time... and the perfect time it was! Mike, Erin, & Tyler met us on Friday, and it was great to spend some time with the family. Kailyn took a little effort to adjust to sleeping in the "Nen," but eventually got the hang of it. I am looking forward to some mommy-daughter camping trips this summer... maybe one down to Seward!




As you can see in the 2nd shop pic, there is some cleared space to the right of the shop - that's where their house will eventually go.

A Walk in the Park

I remember when I first stepped foot in Alaska in my pink sundress, totally oblivious to the incredible beauty that existed in this world.
The awe that I felt when I first saw the mountains here is indescribable for this english-deficient math-nerd. I will never forget the feeling, the smell, the chill, the friends... seeing those mountains was as moving to me as the death of our President in 1963, or the Challenger disaster in '86 was to many others; I imagine it is one of the memories that I will hold with me forever.

I remember walking out of Wal-Mart heading to the bus station thinking how lucky I was to be able to come out of such an ugly, awful place, and see such an awesome view. I remember promising myself that I would never become jaded to the beauty in my life and always appreciate our "city skyline."

So, six years later almost to the day, as I had my back to the range of mountains that surrounds my town, I was thinking of all kinds of random things.... the cabin, my dad, our upcoming Memorial Day camping trip.... but failed to think of many other important things. It wasn't until I took a seat to watch my grown-up 1-year-old go down the slide all by herself, that I was gently reminded to appreciate each day that I am blessed to be my daughter's mommy. Luckily, being grateful in a place like Valdez is a walk in the park, especially on days like this one.

I don't think that my dad ever took any of his good fortune for granted, and I hope that, as my turn to live continues and his has ended, I can continue to learn from him and the short-but-full life that he lived.



Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Sunshine!






We are finally getting some sunshine in our rainy little town! We spent a few hours at the river picking out rocks to line Cedar's gravel pad, and then worked in the yard getting the deck finished and ready for some summer BBQ's! It was so nice that even Willie went for a swim!

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Un, Do, Dree, Five!

Un... You put some dirt in the pot...
Do... You pat the seeds down (after we put the seeds in, of course, but that was definitely a two person project... no pictures!)...

Dree... You add some more dirt...

Seems like we're forgetting something.... I know Mom said there's another number.... nope.... Just smile for the camera, she'll never notice!

FIVE!!! Lots of water for the flowers....
We are going to give a garden a try this year, and I am so excited! However, let's get to the part where KAILYN IS COUNTING!!! Can you imagine the tears in my eyes - I AM SOOOO PROUD!!! I was worried she would say her ABCs first and be one of those english nerds like her Aunt Teresa =), but she absolutely loves to count!! (Even though she usually only gets to two).

This one was right before she grabbed her little mini-rake and shovel and re-did it all. Who knows where the seeds ended up???

Monday, April 02, 2007


Brian, Mike, and I took a morning ride up Hog's Back and had a GREAT time! The weather was incredible, even with a little wind chasing us around. Of course, I was a little hesitant to go up some of the climbs, but I did my best not to hold the boys back. It was so warm that I had to take out the liner in my coat...... aaaaahhhh..... spring is here! I can't wait to start my garden when we get back from Florida!
p.s. I dug out my flip flops last week and wore them in the mushy snow. Between you and I, it was pretty cold, but felt SO GOOD to wiggle my toes!

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Only the good die young....

Dignified
Just
Honorable
Honest
Brave
True
Respectable
Daring
Funny.
Husband.
Father.
Popa.
Friend.
These are some of the things that he was... but most of all,
Always a gentleman. Always my hero.
MY DAD
December 2, 1949 to January 25, 2007
58 years, 1 month, 23 days
of
hell-raisin', Jamie-lovin', bike-ridin', Alaska livin' fun

Monday, December 11, 2006

A few things

We had a great visit last weekend with Memere Beauvais... until Kailyn got really sick on Saturday afternoon. Thank goodness there were two of us to snuggle with! She was up a few times Saturday night, had a fever of 101.6, and even threw up, but Sunday was pretty much back to normal! Go figure? If I was sick like that, I am sure that I would be out for a week! I think that Memere has some magic healing powers =). Not only was she great with Kailyn, she also helped me get some of my Christmas presents almost finished (whew!).
We wasted no time getting back on track. I made the mistake of laughing at her during our first round of dress-up, and now she just LOVES it! The first wig we tried was a huge red bozo-the-clown afro, and she must have worn it for an hour before I thought to get the camera. By then, she had found the box and tried a few things on herself. She is turning into such a grown-up... already loves to talk on the phone and can give an evil eye like no other.



On another note, CONGRATULATIONS TO BRIAN!!! He passed his General Contractor's license last year (with a residential endorsement!), and we have finally gotten all the insurances, bonding, and licenses squared away so that he can start earning some extra cash. The bobcat is here, and he was able to go to his first job wearing his beaver hat, hand-sewn by himself!! Pray for some more snow!!!

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Christmas is coming!

The holiday season is in full-swing at our house. We were able to find a beautiful tree just outside the canyon, and we finished decorating it last weekend. Brian and I even went and bought some garland for the stairway. We are all still waiting for some snow, but it feels pretty festive nonetheless!

While she loved decorating, un-decorating, re-decorating, undecorating, etc. the tree, she wasn't all that thrilled about meeting Santa. UNTIL he gave her some candy. Then he was alright. I guess that you can't really tell that she's crying, but trust me, she is!



We nearly froze our tails off in the 6 degree weather waiting for Santa, but we finally sang our Christmas carols loud enough for him to find us. Kailyn thought it was very cool that he arrived on a big firetruck instead of a sleigh!

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Stop Worrying!

That could have been the title at today's sermon at the Baptist Church. Though we usually go to the Catholic Church, we wanted to try something new today. It was great! The message seemed directed just to me... Brian must have jabbed me in the side every minute or so as the pastor highlighted yet another thing that I do ALL THE TIME. I am such a worrier. From the legitimate, "Will Dad be OK," to the highly unlikely, "Will Kailyn ever get kidnapped or harmed?" I even worry about things that have already happened, like "Why did I buy a new snowmachine last year?" Anyways, the moral of the story was to stop worrying, which does nothing for anybody, especially yourself, and start praying. Seems to be a much better course of action... Instead of dwelling on the negative, wish positive things for those in need (even if it's yourself). When I lay in bed at night and think of those families overseas that have soldiers patrolling their neighborhoods and friends and family members being doused with kerosene and burned alive... I cry and feel so sad for them. Which doesn't really do much for them or me. I'm sad, they're still living in a nightmare. I hope that I can focus those emotions and try to do something small for them, and maybe, if we all did the same, it might really make a difference. Who knows?

On the same note, he talked about being thankful for the situations that we are in. Not as in "Oh, I've just been in a car crash, praise the Lord," but as in "Oh, I've just been in a car crash, thank God that I'm not alone." He suggested that we think of all the blessings God has bestowed upon us, and maybe even share them with a loved one.

Here's a few of mine:


Living in a place where a family can go out to find their own perfect Christmas tree.


Having a daughter healthy enough to wonder what in the heck we are doing cutting down trees in below zero weather.

For some reason, I cannot post any more pictures. I will try again in a few days to put the ones of the tree and Kailyn & Santa up.

Almost!




Kailyn's poncho from half the Beauvais family almost fits!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving!






Swingin



A simple reminder of how great life can be if we let the simple things amuse us!

Something doesn't feel right...

I went out with the girls (well, we stayed in, but it was "out" for me!) and left Brian with the task of getting Kailyn ready for bed. When I got her up the next morning, I noticed that her jammies looked a little different than usual...