vacation report

Sarah’s Thoughts: Its been 3 weeks since my last post and I have a lot to report! I had two weeks off of work, so Owen and I kicked off the vacation with a surprise 9 day visit to Washington to see my parents. My sister and her kids were already there visiting from Minnesota and so my dad got to spend Father’s Day with 2 out of 3 kids and all of his grandchildren. We did lots of swimming, playing and Owen got use to always having someone at his beck and call. When we flew home, we brought my sister’s oldest, Bailey, to Juneau with us. He’s visiting for 2 weeks and headed out to Echo Ranch Bible Camp tomorrow. Needless to say, we’ve been showing Bailey all the Juneau sites and he’s rolling right into the rhythm of life in Alaska. We’re thinking about keeping him and signing him up for football this fall... Yesterday, we celebrated the birthdays of Owen and the USA, starting off with fireworks and ending with a beach BBQ picnic. Its been a busy 3 weeks and I’ve got the pictures to prove it!

Low- The never-ending guilt-laden list of things to do (laundry, clean house, blog, fix food, clean house, clean house...)

High- Beautiful sunshine, incredible family and friends, time off work, and a precious 2 year old boy

Luke Update: While I’ve been enjoying vacation, Luke’s schedule has been the exact opposite. If he hadn’t taken Owen’s birthday off, he would’ve worked nearly 2 weeks straight. Thank goodness the fishing has been hot! The 2009 season is nearly home free as, I’m happy to announce, the pink salmon have returned to most of the streams making the ever-iffy weather less of an issue. Despite his busy schedule, Luke did get to do a little personal fishing, scoring a nice king for our freezer and has plans of a sockeye slaughter later on this month. Until then, you’ll find him net in hand, giving personal tours of humpy heaven... living the dream. ;)

Owen Update: It seems like whenever I get time off work, I am way more in-tune with Owen’s latest skills. Since my last post, he has graduated to 2 and 3 word phrases and has developed a deep love for dinosaurs. We had a pre-birthday dino-themed party for Owen in Washington with dino party hats, balloons, games, presents and even a cake. It was such a hit, I copied some of the same ideas for his birthday beach BBQ yesterday and he loved it just as much the second time around. This birthday was the first time he’s been excited and focused on presents, although the mere suggestion that it might be easier to open the next present if he let go of the previous one sparked an instant loud and tearful protest. Luckily his shorts had lots of pockets.

INTERMISSION- Take a potty break, get a snack, and get ready for 30 pictures... ready?

Owen and Yia Yia's rocks

Yia Yia loving

bowling for Father's Day

Owen's cousins worked and worked for

hours digging a "hot tub"at the lake.

This is the results of their efforts moments before

Owen destroyed the whole thing.

doing the doggy paddle

"Make a crazy face" I said

So happy at the toy store...

taken just prior to throwing a colossal tantrum

when I took the stroller full of rubber snakes away.

sisters

sisters

windy group picture

shredding it up at the skate park

parker

decorating the skate park with Auntie Erin

(or "Mama" as Owen likes to call her)

my dad, the mowing machine

too many kisses!

checking the mail with Grandpa Roger

blonde-haired, blue-eyed boys

Owen and his Parker (and a dandelion)

feeties

Auntie Erin's sweet dino birthday party hats

circle of cousins

goodnight kisses for Emma

Juneau skies just before dark

lunch on the beach

Ebner Falls on Perseverance Trail

Walking Dolly with Bailey

(Owen is SO excited to have Dolly on a leash)

Bailey and the Mighty Mendenhall Glacier

Pre-fireworks explosions

the excavation site

(digging for dinos)

One happy two year old

showing off the birthday loot

Cuddling with his dinos at the end of a long birthday

Reprieve of the clouds

Sarah’s Thoughts: To us poor Southeast Alaskans, sunshine for 2 weeks in a row is like a giant shoe sale to a shop-aholic with a shoe addiction. The practical side says, “Eveyone needs shoes and I’d be crazy to pass up such a great deal,” but then after buying 50 pairs, its obvious over-indulgence. Sadly, as long as the sale is going on, those shoes keep flying off the shelf. Finally when there are no more shoes to buy and our poor addict returns home, she realizes she haven’t done laundry or dishes for the past 2 weeks and her son is covered in sunburn and bug bites. I have to say, I was a bit relieved to see the clouds roll in and we finally have clean clothes and dishes again. Phew! We have a very busy week ahead of us, which I’m a feeling nervous about. Knowing this, you’d think I’d take advantage of the cloudy weekend to get my life in order, but alas, I spent most of my free time on Facebook and thinking about making a list.

Low- While dog-sitting, 2am Thursday morning, I checked to see if prodigal Chachi found his way home. He was no where to be found.

High- My snuggly boy

Luke Update: Poor Luke has had a disappointing week work-wise. This time of year, his trips are especially weather dependent due to the limited numbers of streams where fish can be found. Too many times, Luke has seen the weather report has call for high seas while the water remains flat calm. Because of this he feels obligated to try to do trips even when the marine forecast is less then optimal. Sadly, this week he’s had 2 trips that he’s had to turn around and cancel due to uncooperative seas. This means finding daycare for Owen, spending at least 3 hours getting there and back, and at the end of the day, feeling like he accomplished nothing. This week he has 5 trips booked so we’ll be praying for calm seas. Early July, marks the massive flood of pink salmon returning to the streams. The pinks relieves the pressure of traveling long distances in search of fish, but they return in such large numbers, they remove the challenge of “pursuit” and turn Luke’s trips into a brainless work.

Owen Update: The flowers in our yard are blooming like crazy and Owen is very very slowly learning which flowers are O.K. to pick (dandelions & buttercups) and which are not O.K. (everything else). Every day it seems like I have a different illicit bouquet of flowers courtesy of my little gardener. He’s also been quite excited about balls lately and has a surprisingly good arm for a nearly 2 year old. An old baseball found its way onto our lawn and Owen wanted me to catch it, however, he wanted to be about 12 inches away when he threw it. Needless to say, I was quite nervous. Whenever I’d try to back up, he’d just come closer. I’d say “stop!” and he’d say “Stot! Stot!” and keep right on coming. It was quite comical and I managed to catch the ball a few times so I guess you could say it was a successful game of “catch”. He was also the recipent of two small soccer balls which he’s insisted on having close while eating/napping/bathing... Maybe that’s just part of being 2?

Mama and her snuggler

Owen and his friend Gabbie

Kissers

Watch out for that fastball!

chasing bubbles...

...thanks to Daddy

Glorious!

Sarah’s Thoughts:  The weather has been incredible this week. Temperatures in the 70s and 80s every day and nothing but sun sun sun! This was one of those freak weekends that comes along once every 6,000 years... The weather was gorgeous, I had 4 days off in a row, we had no other commitments and Luke didn’t have a single fishing trip booked, so realizing we needed to take advantage of this rare opportunity, I forced Luke into camping. We love the camping experience, (minus the mosquitos and minimal sleep) but its the suffocating amount of stuff required that almost makes a person opt for a ho-hum weekend at home... However, we powered through the food preparation, extra clothing packing and gear-organizing and made our way over to Shelter Island. It was Owen’s first tent-camping experience, although we took our wall tent and brought Owen’s porta-crib so I'm not sure that counts... We ate junk food, collected rocks, waded in the ocean and walked barefoot on the beach. It was everything that summer in Alaska is all about.

Low- Owen’s red and swollen face due to the impressive number of mosquito bites he received. Please don’t call child protection services! We really are good parents!

High- Glorious sun and time off work with the fam

Luke Update: Luke still has the bug for going after salmon. He did some Dolly Varden fishing on our camp-out and then took us fishing for Kings today after church. We have yet to catch a King Salmon but Luke has plans of filling up our freezer and I’m totally in support. In addition to the salmon, he plans to add a mountain of moose meat. He is heading up to western Alaska to guide moose hunters this September. Since the hunters are mainly in it for the trophy, the guides usually get to take home as much meat as they can transport. We figure that even with extra luggage fees, we’ll end up on top. Add a little deer and we’ll be sitting pretty! My Luke is such a provider for his family AND he can back a boat into the driveway like nobodies business! That’s a real man!

Owen Update: This week has been all about getting wet in the sunshine. I came home from work one day to find Owen running through the neighbor’s sprinkler. He was ordering the sprinkler around with a outstretched palm and a firm “Stot!” (stop) and then squealing with delight as it showered him! We went to a picnic at Sandy Beach one afternoon and introduced Owen to wading in the ocean. He’s never been shy of cold water and he was wading up above his belly-button. He loved it although we did decide that he needs a life jacket for future wading expeditions. He also got to do some wading on our camp out. His little feeties took a beating because it was more of a rocky beach, but he didn’t seem to mind. He’s saying more words then I can keep up with. I remember one night last month laying in bed and thinking that I could probably make a list of all the words that Owen knew, but that’s no longer the case. He’ll be two years old next month and will probably talking in sentences by then!  

Wading in nothing but a diaper and lifejacket!  

Kids today have no shame!

Luke's boat 

Sink bath

The moment Owen discovers that wading is SO much fun

Next year's Christmas card-

Check out our sweet digs!

Land Ahoy!

I Heart Juneau

Sarah’s Thoughts: Last winter really had me down with all the cold dark snowy weather, but today, I was reminded that there are some reasons that I really love living in Juneau. I love that if I want to go to the beach, I can be there in 8 minutes, stay for an hour or so and then be home. I love the taste of fresh salmon on the grill. I love that I have at least 3 mutual friends with every stranger on the street. I love that the boat harbor is 5 minutes from our house.  I love the fact that all of the meat we eat is 100% organic. I love that our T.V. antenna doesn’t receive any channels. I love that if there were to be an attack on the U.S., we’d be completely untouched and could retreat to a wilderness cabin somewhere and live off the land. I love that when the clouds clear and the sun is out, I’ve never seen such a beautiful place.

High- Forecasted 68-85 degree weather this week!

Low- Having to work when its so beautiful outside!

Luke Update: Luke has been spending time with his parents who arrived from Georgia this week. He’s hoping to take his dad out on the boat but so far, the small craft advisories have put a hold on his plans. Instead they’ve been busy casting bullets and testing out their wares at the rifle range. Luke only has 2 trips scheduled while his parents are in town, which is a quite fortutious since he had 6 scheduled the previous week. I think the plan is to go bear hunting tomorrow which will be fun for all. As you know, Luke’s bear hunting was cut short this year due to car trouble and Steve, Luke’s dad, hasn’t been for years. Cathy, Luke’s mom will be in charge of Owen until I get home from work. If that’s not paradise on earth, folks, I’m not sure what is.

Owen Update: Owen also has been getting to spend time with his grandparents. They immediately charmed him with books, a toy bus and new shoes. He got to wear those new shoes at the playground at a nearby school. His favorite is the slide- in fact, I’m pretty sure he thinks the way you say “slide” is “WEEEEEE!” He’s turning into such a big boy! We were leaving church today and Owen really wanted to say “goodbye” to his friend, Luke. He tracked his friend out the door, hugged and kissed him and then waved “bye bye!”. What ever happened to my baby?  All that kissing is a sharp contrast to his two new favorite phrases this week.  He's been doing a lot of whining, while yelling “MINE!” and ”Want That!” Could it be that the terrible twos are starting a month early?   Help!

All Aboard!

Owen and stickey

Sea Runner Cathy

Grammy loving

Weeeee!

Owen showing some intensity in his carseat

reading stories with grampa

Spic and Span

Sarah’s Thoughts: I’ve been on a spring cleaning kick. Not sure if its because we’re expecting company or if its just that time of year, but I’ve had this burst of energy to organize and simplify. It is amazing how many little things pile up. Its not that it takes a terribly long time to re-distribute the piles, throw away the old jars of mustard, or windex the glass coffee table, its just all those little things add up.  Before I know it, nap time is over and I haven't even started on the job that I intended to complete.  However, when the sun shining in the windows and the living room is dusted, its suddenly its all worth it. Like running, I vow to continue the momentum, to keep up on the housework and not let it pile up. However, like running, that’s about as far as I get... I need a consultant to schedule my week and get me on track with exercise, cleaning, meal planning, reading my bible, etc.  Where are you, Erin?  

Low- Owen’s snotty nose. You’re not suppose to be sick when its sunny!

High- Juneau AK Freecycle.com Got rid of 2 couches, a stove and a refrigerator.

Luke Update: This week was the official start of Luke’s fishing season. Its been a bit of a rocky ride so far. He had to cancel the first trip of the season due to weather. And the second trip he had an amazing killer whale experience, but found no fish. If that’s not enough, we’ve been having break problems with Luke’s work vehicle. Towards the end of the week, Luke finally found some fish and found someone to fix the breaks. Today he headed out on the trip with calm water, freshly repaired breaks and promising numbers of fish. It was shaping up to be his best trip yet! He came home this evening to tell me the breaks still aren’t fixed. Darn! Anyone want to guess how we’ll be spending our Memorial Day?

Owen Update: Owen is turing into a big boy before my eyes.  His language explosion continues with nearly 5 new words every day.  He's also been much more self-entertained lately, which has been wonderful. I actually am able to get a few things done without plugging him into the TV. He's also been very interested in zippers, especially in the zippers on his pjs.  I have this irrational fear of zippers, nervous that I’m going to zip skin. I think it stems from my mom catching my brother in his jammies when he was a baby.  I cringe every time Owen grabs at the zipper and it doesn’t help that his jammies are fitting a little bit tight these days, but he has successfully zipped them all the way up on a few occasions. 

wet face after playing with the hose

playing "peek" in the stroller

self portrait

dandelions for mama

baby in the woods

Long summer days

Sarah’s Thoughts- Last Sunday, it was not only Mother’s Day but also happened to be Luke’s Birthday. Since birthday trumps Mother’s Day, I made birthday muffins for breakfast, and had friends over for birthday dinner... steaks on the grill, halibut, corn on the cob, homemade bread, carrot cake and strawberry rhubarb pie. Delicious! We bought a new little charcoal grill this year and have been crazy about cooking on it - pork chops, back strap, king salmon, brats, you name it! Owen has taken to yelling “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” to let us know he’s ready for his grilled entree. The weather has been so nice, its been really hard to get excited about doing anything inside, so good thing we can cook out. Poor little Owen’s eating and sleeping schedule have been completely thrown off by the nice weather. Not only is he going to bed about a hour later then he use to, but the sun shines so bright in the morning that he’s been waking up at like 5:30 in the morning, shuffling into our room with his cuddle sleeve with a, “hey guys, what’s going on?” look on his frumpy haired, red cheeked face.

Low: Owen’s fat lip from falling off his bike. Looked like a little beak, poor kid!

High: Our Saturday boating adventure which eventually landed us on a secluded, warm and sandy beach. We roasted hot dogs, played barefoot in the sand... It was lovely.

Luke Update- Luke has had a busy last couple of weeks. Between assuming the role of Mr. Mom and getting ready for a busy fishing season, he has had his hands full. He was suppose to go on his annual spring black bear hunt this week, but due to circumstances beyond his control, he only got to go hunting one day and spent the rest of the week working on the car breaks. After much frustration and bolting/unbolting the tires, it seems like the job is done? And just in time for the first trip of the season, which is tomorrow! Despite all the distractions and disappointments, Luke has been an incredible dad and husband. In addition to making dinner every night last week, Luke has won Owen over. Usually, Owen makes it pretty obvious that he’s a full-fledged mama’s boy. However, lately, he’s been loving on the Daddy, reaching for Luke in the morning to snuggle and high-fiving for every bus spotted on the road.

Owen Update- We have really been enjoying our boy lately. I don’t know if its the sun and all the outside time, or the fact that Owen is getting a little bit older and more independent, but he’s been really happy and lower maintenance lately. At every opportunity, he’s putting on his shoes and heading outside. In the last post, I told you about Owen’s bus fascination. This week, he was going into a grocery store with Luke and there was a school bus in the parking lot. While Luke and Owen were checking-out the bus, the driver opened the door to give Owen a little tour and even let him sit in the driver’s seat. It doesn’t get much better then that, people. In addition to getting very excited about busses, he’s been loving rocks, but he calls them “rocky”. We find rocky everywhere... on the shelves, all over his room, in my shoes, even in the garbage disposal.

tending to the fire

fun in the stroller

dolly getting a ride to the boat

playing with daddy

playing trucks

mr. fix it

dump truck in action

 I've been trying to capture this picture for months

before he fell off the bike...

We've got the fever...

Sarah’s Thoughts: I remember last fall writing about new snow and how it covers up the deadness of autumn, leaving a blanket of beautiful white... Well, I am here to tell you that all that ugliness is still there underneath the snow. You’d think that 6 months would be enough time for dead leaves to decompose, but apparently, that doesn’t happen in winter. I’m considering doing some spring raking... This week, I’ve also had the pleasure of picking up 6 months worth of dog poo as it is uncovered, layer by layer in the melting snow. Most springs, I conveniently ignore our back yard, but these days, Owen is a magnet to “side” (outside). In an effort to keep my boy poop-free, I’ve been working the yard, shovel in hand. This last week, we were blessed with incredible weather- mid to upper 60’s every day and no rain, so at least poop pick up was an outside job. Oh, the things I do for my child!

Low- Expecting to go fishing with my brother on Thursday after work, only to come home to a sick, sleeping Owen. Luke got to go instead.

High- Feasting on fresh king salmon on the BBQ, courtesy of Christian and Luke. Delicious! (Luke said things like “this is better then backstrap!” and “this is the best king salmon I’ve ever tasted!” so you KNOW it was good!)

Luke Update: As you know, Luke is currently a “stay-at-home” dad. Because Owen spent the last week feverishly sick, Luke has had to forgo the roofing project and find things to do around the house. While he was a little disappointed at first, turns out Luke had a lot to do to get his boat ready for this summer’s guiding season. He managed to situate springs underneath the seats to make for a little less jarring ride. He also installed a fan for the windshield and a new stern light, not to mention scrubbed the poop deck. Besides boat projects, Luke officially finished his net and it is gorgeous if I do say so myself (see the picture below). Despite a sick boy, Luke managed to get out fishing a little bit this week. He went out with Christian on Thursday night and caught a 37” king salmon. He went on a Steelhead adventure with his buddy Jason on Saturday (fought one for 15 minutes) and then we skipped church today and went trolling for kings. The Thursday night king salmon was the only official casualty but we haven’t given up yet!

Owen Update: This has been a “S” week for Owen... sick, sun, slides. Last Sunday’s perpetual napping, contrasted with tylonol-induced playful mischief was the precedent for the week. Every day, I’d think that Owen was getting better but once the tylonol wore off, his temperature would sky-rocket to 102 and he’d have the shakes. Poor baby! Today was the first medicine-free day and he actually ate food so HOPEFULLY he’s on the mend. As previously mentioned, the sun shone gloriously all week, so when Owen was feeling up to it, he was outside in a sun hat, (thanks to Grammy) climbing around on the boat or sweeping the driveway. I took Owen to the park twice this week and we quickly discovered his very favorite thing is the slide. He usually is very cautious, but after experiencing the weightless exhilaration of the slide, he became a different child. He is a little small for most of the jungle gym-ish toys, but he’d wriggle and dolphin kick his way up to the top and fearlessly launch himself down the slide. I was so proud and he was so excited!

Sliding Fool

37" Spring King Salmon

Loving it!

Finished product.  

The picture really doesn't do this creation justice.

Napping on the boat

Kristen, Owen and Chachi styling at the beach