Already September!

Sarah’s Thoughts: My cousin, Jason, has been working in the cruise ship realm for a number of years. Last week, he hooked my brother, Kristen and Luke and I up with dinner aboard one of the ships. We got dressed up, kissed Owen good-bye and boarded the Zuiderdam to see how the other half live. Besides the extravagantly decorated elevators and crew members at your beck and call, I was especially struck by the excessive number of Purell dispensers. As we were standing in line to board the ship, there was a crew member with a enormous udder of the disinfectant, squirting a dab into each persons outstretched hands. It felt a little bit end-of-the-world-ish... Like we were this remnant of the human race that survived a catastrophic epidemic and now we were trying to live normally, but had this ever-present fear of another outbreak... we must always disinfect. Always. Dinner was delicious. We enjoyed our view of Douglas Island along with a complementary bottle of wine and a very attentive wait staff. After a brief tour around the ship, we sped off to Costco for a right-before-closing power-shop session. Nice little Monday.

Low- Realizing that as of Wednesday, I’ll be on my own for 2 weeks.

High- Unexpected 65 degree September Saturday and time with my folks

Luke Update: It was a big week. Luke officially hung up his guiding waders for the 2009 season and is currently creating a pile of gear to take with him on his moose trip up north. He takes off Wednesday night and then when he gets back, he’ll have a day and a half before we leave on a trip south. All this upcoming traveling means that if we’re going to have any smoked coho salmon in the freezer this winter, now is the time to catch them. Luke has been out a few times over the past week for salmon and halibut without much luck. He did manage to score some pity halibut so we were able to enjoy some halibut curry for the first time this year.... Ah! So much to catch, so little time...

Owen Update: I wish I could paint a picture for you of the amazing number of words that flow from Owen’s mouth. Whether it’s “Pterodactyl” or “Mama, I want to take a bath with dinos too,” nothing is to difficult for him. I use to sing this “clean-up” song to Owen whenever we were straightening up his room. I stopped singing it months ago because it didn’t seem like he was really catching on. Yesterday, we were picking up toys and Owen started singing the song. I was amazed. He’s like this person who has been in a coma. I’ve been talking to him and singing to him, not thinking he was really hearing or understanding anything. Then all of a sudden, he’s coming out of the coma and I realize that he heard and remembers everything. I’m sure all of you that have kids are saying, “yes, we remember that phase.” Still, daily I’m awed by my incredible boy.

Taking advantage of a free ride up Uncle Christian's new driveway

The classic "up to no good" look

Christian's newly purchased house

Melting a down-rigger weight into molten led for bullets

Owen's "Deadliest Catch" pose

Taking "Tops" for a little spin on the old Red Flyer

And now for a little peek at dinner with the Koldens

Note, Christian in prime form

Grandpa Roger

Chrsitian and his mother. Classic pose

Boys that make their mother's hearts surge with pride

Christian and Kristen.

This and that

Sarah’s Thoughts: I’m not sure what happened this week. Its all sort of a blur. Work was draining and the rain hasn’t stopped. It rained so hard last weekend that all the lakes and streams flooded onto the roads. I didn’t take one picture this week, so I’ve compiled a few oldies and a couple recent photos taken by Owen’s various daycare providers this summer. I’m looking forward to a trip at the end of September and pressing onto the holidays... besides that, I’m feeling blah. Rain, rain, go away.

Low- burrr!

High- Looking forward to a last-minute visit from my parents this week!

Luke Update: Luke is starting his last big push of fishing trips. Today he completed the first of 6 days in a row. He has just 2 trips booked for next week and then is officially finished for the 2009 season! Yipee! Today’s fish report was seriously thinning numbers of salmon at his go-to creek, so hopefully, the weather will cooperate and he’ll be able to reach some other streams for the remainder of his trips. Here’s a little trivia: Before Luke started his business, he worked for another outfit for 6 years doing similar trips via float plane. This is his 6th season operating Sea Runner Guide Service... Also, if he’s able to complete the remainder of his trips, that will make 60 for this season, which is an all-time record. I just realized that’s a lot of 6’s... Hmmmm...

Owen Update: This weekend, Owen has expanded his palate, experiencing 2 new beverages. The first was hot chocolate. Two thumbs up. I’m sure most of you are thinking, “duh,” but our boy is not a big lover of sweets. He’d much rather have an apple then a cookie. Weird, I know. Today after nap time, I made Owen some hot chocolate in the special walrus mug that I use to drink hot chocolate out of when I was a little girl and he slurped it down, wanting more! Maybe it was just the mug? The second beverage, got two thumbs down which is probably a good thing... At a wedding this weekend, we took Owen with us to the beverage station to pick out our special drinks (beer). For some reason, he NEEDED my beer. Big, fat tears, red face, dolphin kicking, crying and crying for a good 5 minutes. People around us were pretending not to notice, the whole scene was a bit embarasing... I tried to offer him pop corn, punch, a dinosaur, but nothing was working. Finally, I thought, “Fine. I’m just going to give him a sip and he’ll realize he doesn’t want it.” Sure enough, one little taste and he decided that the punch wasn’t so bad. Silly boy!

loving the hose

Owen at the beach with his day care buddies + some others friends

(Owen is right in the middle with the red jacket.

His little blonde twin next to him is, Zander- the one he bit.)

all zipped up with mama

Owen, Bailey, and the Greats (Yia Yia and Grandma)

checking out daddy

baby owen at the boy scout camp beach

...the old man is snoring...

Sarah’s Thoughts: The big news this week is that Luke and I became home owners. Since we’ve been married, we’ve rented our house from Luke’s parents with the intension of buying it someday. Low interest rates and the $8000.00 tax credit for first time home owners made it all possible, along with an extremely generous deal from Luke’s parents (thanks Steve and Cathy!). The whole thing was a bit anti-climactic, however, since we’ve been living in the house for the past 5 years. It would be nice to mark this milestone by making some sort of improvement, like installing a hot tub or replacing the carpet or repainting the outside of the house... but now that we’re paying $600.00 more each month, I think that instead we’re going to hunker down and try not to spend anything! Maybe I’ll just finally have a party instead...

Low- Its raining, its pouring... Luke says that fall is here. I vehemently oppose this statement, but secretly, I know he’s right.

High- Baby Jordyn! He was born right next-door (home birth) to our neighbors, Bob and Amy last wednesday. Welcome to the neighborhood, little guy!

Luke Update: Its mid-August already and Luke’s fishing season is winding down. He only has a handful of trips left, although Luke’s guiding won’t end there. He’s heading up to western Alaska to guide moose hunters for 2 weeks in September. The outfit is called “Cinder River” and the patrons pay a handsome price for their chance at a monster bull. Luke guided for Cinder River Lodge one other time, before Owen was born. He was paired with one hunter and dropped off in the middle of nowhere with a tent and supplies. Periodically, a pilot from the “lodge” would check in and drop off supplies but for the most part, they were on their own. The whole thing is very remote and I won’t get to talk to him for the duration. I think he’s excited about the adventure, but already getting nervous about missing us. I’m getting nervous about 2 weeks by myself with Owen and Dolly. At least its not snowing yet!

Owen Update: Last Tuesday, I went to pick Owen up from daycare and Leanne, his daycare provider, said, “Owen had to sit in time-out today because he bit Zander.” Sadly, this wasn’t shocking to me. He’s bit before. The biting is never fueled by anger or malice but done playfully. Regardless, he bites hard and usually leaves his victims in tears. When we arrived at home, Luke took Owen out of his car seat and asked about his day. I said, “Owen, can you tell Daddy what you did to Zander?” He looked at Luke and almost whispered, “bite Zander”. I don’t know if it was the time out that left the impression on his brain, or if I don’t give his memory enough credit, but I was amazed that he remembered what he’d done, understood my question and verbally answered. Several times over the next few days, we talked about how its not O.K. to bite and how he hurt his friend. Lately, I’ve noticed him catch himself pre-bite and choose to back off, so I know its all sinking in, but if you find yourself playing with Owen, best keep an eye on those chompers!

for some reason, the laundry basket was the

choice of refuge from the tickle-monster

Rasta boy

sporting a new rain jacket on a soggy day

Owen reminding me of a Who

from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Baby Jordyn and his mama, Amy

Feeling sort of gray

Sarah's Thoughts:

This weekend, my thoughts have been rambling and muddled.  I get that way when I'm so excited about one thing that I can't think about anything else.  At the moment, I'm excited about this creative sewing project I have going.  All day at work, I can't wait to come home and get started.  I have things that I should be doing like... hmmmm... making dinner, laundry, dishes, oh, and taking care of my SON...  but sadly, all I can think about is getting back to my project.  I try to crack down and whip myself into shape by not working on it at all.  By doing the laundry and the dishes and taking care of Owen.  But my heart is with my project.  Even now, while I'm typing this sentence, all I can think is "hurry up and say something great so you can be done."  I did go running today in an attempt to clear my head.  I ran 4 miles (I've been running about 5 times in the past 5 months) and it felt great.  I have delusions that I'll continue running every other day... but in reality, after work I'll probably drop my coat at the door and start sewing!

High - Luke and I went out to dinner on Friday night and got a real teen-aged baby-sitter!  We had fun, and Owen did great! Yipee!

Low - Church today.  I got nothing out of the service or worship and had no energy.  I do feel better after the run, though.  

Luke Update:

Luke and midget had another fun-filled week... walking Dolly, mochas with Chris, and jury duty was cancelled.  Luke had great plans of hunting this weekend, but all was thwarted due to gale warnings and torrential downpours.  We did have a nice little Saturday, walking in the rain and a trip to Freddies to pick-up gun-cleaning solvent and a pumpkin and then onto the Nugget for a new pair of Xtra Tuffs. I was trying to take some Owen video with my digital camera, but Luke thought it would be better to use our digital video camera.  He put together this week's video.  He's getting to be quite the film editor.

Owen Update:

Owen went to a birthday party this week for his friend, Isaac.  There were 4 little boys there all within 3 months.  So cute to see these little guys waddling around, grabbing toys from each other, and ending up in a pile on top of each other.  I think it was especially fun and overwhelming for Owen as he is use to being the only little one in the house.  This week, I saw more evidence of Owen's cognitive development.  On Friday morning, I was in the bedroom with Owen and I asked him if he was ready for breakfast.  He immediately walked down the hall to the kitchen and started patting the refrigerator, all the while saying "yum, num, num".  All of the pictures are from Saturday.  Messy breakfast, shower with Dad, a little playing time in the bathtub, and a rainy walk.

I let Owen feed himself Oatmeal.  How and why his foot is 

hanging out is beyond me.  He gets very excited about using utensils, 

but ends up squishing most of the food between his fingers.  Messy!

Heading for a shower... with his sippy cup.

Owen LOVES to sit in the bathtub, whether he actually gets to take 

a bath or just hang out without any water.  Its sort of a good play pen...

Fall...

Rainy Walk

Luke's masterpeice!  The music is Neko Case 

(one of our favorite artists)

Autumn

Sarah's Thoughts:

Last Tuesday morning, I woke up to fresh snow on the mountains, and frost on my lawn and windshield. The previous day, September 22, was the Autumn equinox. For once, the weather in Juneau Alaska was right on schedule! Since that frosty morning, we've had some gorgeous, almost spring-like days, but take one look at the leafy trees and the low bush cranberries and you know its autumn. Even though autumn in Juneau means lots of nasty, rainy, windy weather, its still my favorite season. I hold onto those precious few moments when a whole gust of golden leaves dance in the air on their way to the ground, and the puddles get that thin layer of ice - you know the one that you have to resist breaking with every ounce of self-control you've got? I love watching the snow creep its way down Thunder Mountain and feeling the crispness in the air. My absolute favorite, though, going for a walk and smelling wood smoke, curling up from a fireplace. It makes me want to settle into a cozy warm house, work on crafty projects and bake some delicious cinnamon treat.

Low was the never ending pile of dishes...  and laundry... and my perpetually dirty bathroom....  Is there no justice in this world??? :) 

High was receiving my on-line shopping order and finding that almost everything fits comfortably (including a pair of 3 1/2 inch heels!). Another high was going on a girls overnight at one of the forest service cabins. Girlfriends, games, and wine. Good times!

Luke Update:

Luke had another excitement-filled week of playing Mr. Mom. However, between wiping snotty noses and re-shelving piles of books, Luke did get to do some fishing. If you don't know, for a limited time only, the streams are hosting what we like to call, "Coho Heaven" and fall would not be fall if Luke couldn't get a piece of that action. On one of our spring-like days this week, he took Owen and Dolly out to super secret Spot-X where Owen proceeded to fuss his way through several fishing holes and Dolly helped herself to some delicious rotting salmon. On another day, he ditched Owen with one of our friends and took my brother, Christian out. Needless to say, I think he enjoyed his second trip out a lot more then the first... but I do think Luke deserves kudos for bucking up and just doing it! (We are currently trying to find the balance between continuing on with our normal activities that we enjoy like hiking and fishing, and being shut in parents, slaves to the baby's sleep schedule. Advice anyone???)

Owen Update:

Owen has kicked-up his walking effort this past week. I can't believe that two weeks ago, he took his first step and now, he's cruising all over the place. He can round corners, traverse the hard-wood kitchen floor and transfer onto the living room carpet without missing a beat. He's also very into steering the spoon at mealtime. We're going to have to start laying down a tarp and dressing him in his full-body rainsuit whenever it's time to eat. This week, I thought I'd try to include a video post of Owen walking. We shot it on our digital camera, so the quality isn't stellar, but still fun. Owen REALLY loves watching this video of himself. Very little keeps our boy sitting still for more then 5 seconds, but he sat there, mesmerized watching himself on the big screen. Notice Dolly making a break for it as soon as he gets near... Poor girl!

Story Time with Daddy

Fishin'

What up?

We thought Owen looked like he was at a frat party, 

showing off his mad kazoo skills

My fun girl's trip, hiking out