Pictures

Me and Mommy at Rest stop by Hope

Rest Stop by Hope

Fish Mike caught on Friday!

Bear Creek Winery

The Salmon

Bear???

Mom, Dad, and Mike went on a hike today.. while I was at work. Above is what they saw on their walk. Fresh bear print and bear scat!

Rain Rain Go Away

This weekend Mom, Dad, Mike, Samantha, Hans, Jacob and I all packed up and headed down to Anchor Point for a mini-vacation. We rented a cute little cabin "Cabin in the Woods." It had a loft with 2 beds, a bedroom with 1 bed, a living room, bathroom, kitchen and a washer/dryer. It was very nice to have place to warm up from the rain.

Mike, Dad, and Hans were "supposed" to go halibut fishing on Saturday morning... however the winds were to high so it was postponed until 1, and then the charter was completely canceled. So the boys headed up to the Kenai to dip net, with Dad on the shore watching. They only caught one fish.

Samantha, Mom, Jacob and I headed into Homer and went to Bear Creek Winery for some wine tasting. Jacob had a juice box and some string cheese. They had some really yummy berry wines, Samantha who "does not like wine" even bought 2 bottles. Their Strawberry Rhubarb wine was super yummy and we each bought a bottle. Then we stopped at the National Wild Life Refuge looked around the small but interesting museum before heading out on a walk. Jacob was so cute on the board walk, he at times looked like the one who had been drinking the wine.

Sunday Mike and Hans got up early and headed out to the Kenai for some more dip netting. Mom, Dad, and I went on a short walk around Anchor Point before starting the treck back to Anchorage with Samantha and Jacob. The Boys made it the the River at the PERFECT time Sunday!! They caught 10 yes 10 salmon!!! Mike 6 and Hans 4, between 10 AM and 3 PM. Needless to say they were happy. While they drove back we all went to church to welcome our new pastor. We ended the long, but short weekend with a pizza and the boys cleaning fish.

I will try to post pictures sometime...

Visitors Visitors!!!

I love visitors! And Mike and I have at least 5 coming up in the next month and a half. First my parents get here on Thursday, like in 2 days!!! We are going down to Homer for the weekend, Mike and Dad are going Halibut fishing out of Ninilchik. They are here through the 1st of August. Then Mikes Grandma I, Grandpa I and Father, Mike Sr, are coming up the 18th to the 25th of August!! Mike and I are so excited for his family to come up! Not sure what we will do yet, just cross you fingers for good weather!!

Tattoo

Well I did it, I got my tattoo last night! and yes getting a tattoo on your foot hurts... a lot. I hurt a lot physically but I knew the pain would end vs hurting emotionally over Callen and not seeing an end... ever. Much to Mikes dismay I did not cry, tear up yes, not I did not cry. I almost made him cry with my death grip. For the most part I just laid on the table, on my side trying to keep my lower body relaxed, gripping the side of the table and Mike's hand. I did not hear anything that was going on around me, I was trying to focus and breath. Mike said multiple people stopped in the room and talked with the tattoo artist, Greg, but I heard nothing. Once it was done however I did hear numerous tattoo artists say they would never get a tattoo on their foot because of the pain and that they were impressed that I did not move my foot at all when he was working. In my mind to stiller I could stay they easier it was for him and the fast it would be over haha. The tattoo looks a bit dark right now and seem HUGE on my foot but when it heals it will lighten some and really it is only 2.5" in diameter, exactly what I told them I wanted.

I think Callen would really like it and now every time I look down at it I can think of his adventurous life. I miss Callen a lot and did not sleep to well last night because I was thinking of him. What would he say about his fairly conservative sister getting a tattoo before him? Would he like it? I miss Callen's passion for life. I miss his big brown eyes and the smile that can light up the room. While I am slowly healing I still have times of massive grief resting on my heart.

Today my foot started out at its normal size but throughout the day it has swelled... a lot. I called the tattoo place and they said it was normal to take some Advil and elevate it. It does not help that the air system in my building is BROKEN today so the only air circulation I have is my tiny 8" fan. FYI they told me to not ice it unless absolutely necessary. Looks like this is where I will stay tonight... on the couch.

p.s. I will post some pictures of our new place, you can see the floors and new rug in the picture above :)

Photos: Camping and Car

Jacob ready to Dip net

The Boys fishing in the Kasilof

Jacob playing in the sand

River by the Camp Ground

Pretty Flowers

Camping on the Kasilof

New Car!!!

Update of Life

Well Mike and I have so much new stuff in our life I do not know where to start.

First I am back from Kodiak, and Mike in back from Minnesota.

Mike got all our stuff moved into the new condo and we are about 90% done unpacking, but I still have a ton of organizing to do. I love the new cabinets, counter tops, and floors. The bathroom is really nice to. Mike bought me some rugs for the living room and guest room for my Birthday. Java is adjusting slowly, she has jumped out the kitchen window once, and tried to more. But she enjoys a new perch in the living room, by the stairs, and has fun sliding around the hardwood floors. She has gotten into some trouble cruising the counter tops.

Mike and I bought a new SUV yesterday. A 2010 Hyundai Veracruz, color driftwood or Mocha. It is pretty. We have not seen a ton of them on the road but they are Hyundai's largest SUV and has All Wheel Drive. It has enough seating for 7 but the back 2 seats fold down completely when not in use. It is WAY more fancy then the Versa, even though it is the "base model." It has heated seat in the front, a ipod jack, blue tooth built in for cell phones, xm radio (although we do not have xm in Alaska), and a factory roof rack. It can also tow up to 3,500 lb, but currently does not have a hitch. We upgraded and got the weatherizing package so I have to take it into the dealer on Saturday to have the cloth all sealed, the bottom of the car sprayed with tar stuff, and the paint sealed to help with rust. Mike also bought the all weather mats for the first and second rows, which will be really nice with the Alaskan Winters.

Tonight we are going out to dinner for my Birthday with Samantha and Hans. We are going to Crush, a local wine bar downtown that I have always wanted to go to.

I will try to post some pictures soon...

Five Months

Wow I cannot believe it has been over 5 months since I have talked to Callen. I miss him with all my heart, soul and mind. I am reminded of him daily by others with dreads, in the things I do and the music I listen to.
Today another blog that I follow, A Ruby Family (http://Rubybaby09.blogspot.com) is suffering through the exact.same.thing. Ashley's 22 year old brother Charlie died suddenly in a car accident. I cannot help but have tears running down my face thinking that another family is going through this.
Monday I found out that my childhood friend and neighbor SSGT Kyle Malin was injured while serving our country in Afghanistan, he was on his 3rd tour there. The vehicle ahead of his hit a road side bomb, he ran up to help when another one went off. He has had both legs amputated, one leg above the knee, the other just below the knee. Last I heard he was in a comma and on his way to Germany to recover and then he will be transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. I think I am more in shock about this then anything else. I feel so bad for his wife, two sons under 5, his parents and his sister who was my best friend growing up. His life will forever be changed not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. The Army is what he had wanted to do since I can remember. I remember Kyle "painting" Callen with his army painted, Callen thought it was so cool. They would run around plying army and recking havoc on their sisters.
I have decided that Life is not Fair. Why do good young people get injured and die suddenly? Why do good people get hit again and again with bad luck? However I do know that God will only test us with events he knows we can get through...

Happy 4th of July

While most people are enjoying the day with friends and family, I spent yesterday and today making food that is red, white and blue. (Rice Crispy Bars with red and blue M&M's and pancakes with blueberries and strawberries). I cannot wait to be back in Anchorage, only 4 more days.