Alaska Day 4

It rained all day on Monday, so we decided to just hang around the house. I made a dinner for everyone a then T & I played cards with Teri while the boys went downtown. Teri still beats us at Gin Rummy every time!

a puzzle that I finally finished (with some help from Makena & Chad)

Alaska Day 3

On Sunday morning, T, Makena, Teri and I went downtown to do some shopping. Three of the cruise ships were in, making the small town of Ketchikan a bit more busy.

a little cooler right in the mall looking up a street in Ketchikan

then we had a great lunch at Steamers

Makena and I took T & Teri home and then decided to drive around the island for a while. First we drove out to check on Jamie and Chad fishing.

Then we went to Saxmen Totem Park to take a few pictures.

Then to the other end of the island to visit Settlers Cove - a State Park.

I wouldn't let her put it to her ear tho!

Just a few miles away is another totem park - Totem Bight.

where Makena had a staring contest with

one of the totem people

Then we stopped back by Dad & Teri's house to see how the day of fishing went. Apparently it was impressive, as they began calling themselves the "Salmon Slayers".

Jamie filleted (or butchered as Chad said) one of the salmon and they brought it back to the house to cook. Chad baked it and we all enjoyed it.

Alaska - Days 1 & 2

Because it took over an hour to upload just these photos, this will be the only post actually from Alaska. We are having fun spending time with family and enjoying the island of Ketchikan. Here are some photos from days 1 & 2:

We arrived at the airport on Friday, just in time to find out that they had cancelled our flight and just added us on to a later one. Geeee...thanks for letting us know! Because we did have a little time to wait, we decided to get some lunch and were then on our way. Once we landed on Airport Island, AK - we took the ferry over to Ketchikan. The price now is $5 per person; which really isn't much of a choice as you don't have any other way off of Airport Island!

on the ferry

relaxing in the rental house
T made dinner for us the first night

Because we had a house, Jamie & I headed to the store that night for the 'necessities'. I forget how much things can cost in other states...especially islands! The tomatoes were $4.49 a pound, which I thought was crazy! Then, the clerk put 2 or 3 things in each plastic bag, also driving me crazy! I started unloading the cart and told him that I didn't need all of that plastic - Jamie just laughed.

On Saturday, we were all ready to head to Ward Lake for a Harley Riders Assoc. BBQ. Jamie rode Teri's motorcycle out to the lake. He actually spent most of the week riding Teri's bike and enjoying the scenery.

Jamie on Teri's bike - next to Dad's

Ward Lake

Dad playing a little game of horse-shoes

Jamie & Chad beat the bikers!

Teri had to be inventive as no one brought a spatula - knife and stick it is!

T & Dad

Makena & I walked the 2.5 mile path around the lake

Ward Lake was the only place that I found with a recycle bin, and a large one at that. I began asking people what could be recycled in it, but no one seemed to know. So, I figure that I'll put whatever I can in there and hope that most of it gets recycled. Quite difficult for me to throw so many things away! We don't usually have one full bag of garbage a week at home, because of everything that we recycle or compost. It seems like we're going through a bag a day here. It just seems strange.

After the BBQ we just all headed back home...rest and relaxation.

Can you Ketchikan?

...Jamie has been saying that non-stop. It's a little annoying.

Alaska has been fun :) I'm kind of sad that we don't get to spend much time here, but, I'm having fun. The house we're staying in is pretty cute, too.

My hair looks cool, if I haven't already told you ;) Pink and blue... WOOH!

I guess that's it. I've been listening to some new bands lately (trust me, you haven't heard of them.) And, one of my favorite bands, Panic[!] at the Disco, broke up. Ho, hum, pigs bum :( I suppose I'll live.

~Makena AKA Awesome ;)

Off to Alaska

We leave for Alaska tomorrow morning, and I'm horrified to say that I haven't even started packing! I'm usually getting things ready about two weeks in advance, so I'm not at all sure what I was thinking!?! Things (Life) has just been going on...

I am trying to get the last couple of loads of laundry done so that I can get up early and be ready to pack. I also have to make a quick trip to Fred Meyers and hope to mow the yard. Makena wants me to 'swing' over to the library really quickly too. We'll see what I get done by 10:30am!

I think I'm caught up on this blog now...the photography one has been slacking tho. I know I'll have lots of pictures to share of Alaska when we get back. And, who knows, I may blog from there! If not - be back next week!

Visiting the Big G

We arrived in Garibaldi late afternoon - Rudy & Uncle Wink were still out fishing and Gram, Aunt Kari, Aunt Tami & Momma were pricing for a garage sale. We got there just in time to give everyone a break from their day and see the boys' catch.

a normal sight in the backyard

two of the most beautiful women in my life

some pictures of Momma's flowers (and a spider)

a magnet from Tam that has already found a home on my fridge

Makena's New "Do"

Makena has been asking to get her hair dyed for months. I finally broke down last week and told her I'd do it for an early birthday present. We went to visit Tracie again last night and Makena came home a VERY happy almost-13 year old! Thanks again Tracie, she loves it!!!

We went to my parents house this afternoon to drop off Moxie and visit with family. Moxie will be staying with Grandma & Papa while we are in Alaska - it's a little vacation for Moxie too. The sun was out in Garibaldi today and Mom's backyard was the perfect place to take some pictures of Makena and her new hair.

Yep...that's blue tips and pink highlights (and a small blue one in her bangs)...just what she wanted!