Make New Friends...

... But Keep the Old

The Davis crew

Last weekend was a great time with Trevor, Jeni, and Bodey - we can't wait to see them this weekend and go four-wheeling!!

Brave Kailyn

I babysat the big girls on Monday, June 11 all day, and we all went out to Alpine Woods park (our new favorite!). Kailyn went on the big swing and down the big slide.... who knows what this girl is capable of next! LOOK OUT WORLD!!!!

The Cabin

The back of the house
Inside looking back at the bedrooms to be
Looking out from the living room
The start of the loft

The cabin is coming up so much faster than I realized it would; it's so exciting to see the progress each weekend! It looks like we will be on track to put the roof on in July (hopefully). The weather has been great, and we've had lots of fun seeing everyone that comes up! The only possible thing that could be better would be if Dad was here to see it...

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.

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!

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???

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!

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

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!!!