Weekend Over Already

I think weekends go by way to fast. Mike is working nights this weekend, which means I see him for dinner and that is about it. Yesterday I went to the gym and had a scrapbooking get together last night. Today I went to church and then taught Sunday school, we had 6 kids this week. Then I went to Dairy Queen as the youth were having a fundraiser there. They got 10% of the profits of ALL sales between 11 and 2 today so really I HAD to go... haha. This afternoon I did a load of laundry and scrapbooked some more. We had some yummy spaghetti for dinner with yellow peppers, turkey, and onions. Not much else is going on. This week will be busy. I have a dead line at work Tuesday so I will be working late tomorrow. Then Thanskgiving is Thursday with Samantha and Hans.

I will leave you a few pictures of our kayaking adventure and trip to the cabin when we were in MN.

September

Holy Cow, how is it already September? Where did the summer go? This was the fastest summer ever, I guess that is what happens when you are in Kodiak for the first 6 weeks, move/organize a new place, and have 2.5 full weeks of visitors. Seriously we only went camping twice this summer, have only have the kayak out twice, I have been on very few bike rides and I most certainly do not have tan.
September means that Marja will be here is TODAY!! I am so pumped to see her!
September means we have been married for TWO YEARS! Holy Crap how does that happen?
September also means that in only 2 short months we are going to Minnesota! I cannot wait to see everyone again and under happy circumstances. My mom is planning a family dinner on Halloween and my cousins kids are going to go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. I was thinking about pulling out my wedding dress (which still needs to be cleaned) and going with them. My grandmother thinks I am crazy but I think it sounds fun. We are also planning to go to my parents cabin in Wisconsin for a couple of nights, to get away. Hopefully it is still kinda warm and we can go out in the kayaks.
September 1st I also ran W4D1 of the C25k with out stopping! I had to slow down a bit for the last 5 minute run but I finished it without quitting!!
Oh and it means that my online class started. I am taking Arctic Engineering at UAA this year. It is required to take the PE test in Alaska so my employer is paying for it! Hopefully I will learn something new.

p.s. have I mentioned lately how much I love my husband. He is freaking awesome. This morning when he got done working a 12 hour overnight shift he came home and made me a beautiful breakfast in bed. I had cheesy eggs, hash browns and toast with a yummy cup of coffee. Seriously how much better does it get.

Weekend Away

Mike and I decided that we needed a cheap weekend away to camp and relax. We decide to go somewhere fairly close to Anchorage and went to South Rolly Campground near Willow Alaska. We loaded up the camp gear (tent and rain tent borrowed from Samantha and Hans), grill, food, some wood and the Kayak and away we went. There was a 40% chance of rain all weekend but we decided to chance it an go anyway. It rained the entire way to the camp ground but once we pulled into the camp ground it nearly stopped. We got the same camp site we had on Labor day weekend last September, right on the Lake! We set up the tent, rain canopy, Mike got dinner going and I took a cruise around the lake. We had corn, fruit, and brats for dinner and made som'res for dessert. While Kayaking we both saw loons! A family of loons with a baby! we hung around our pitiful fire and went to bed.
Saturday we slept in... it was blissful! Then had yummy french press coffee, eggs, and bacon for breakfast. We each did some Kayaking, walking around the Campground, and I did some reading. After I got back from Kayaking Mike decided we would drive up Hatchers Pass for the afternoon to Independence Mine. I had not been there yet so away we went. We decided to take the back way up the pass from Willow. The road was really windy and had some steep drop offs. For the most part it was well maintained but there were sections of gravel that were a bit rough. Once at the mine we walked around the deteriorating buildings for a while and then went on an "Adventure" up the valley and then down and then back up to this cross thing, in search of a lake that I think I made up in my mind. On our hike back down it started to rain a little. After getting some Gold Fish for a snack we started our drive back to the camp ground.
We decided to take the gravel road back to the campground... be adventurous. About 15 minutes into our drive back the low tire pressure light came on in the Veracruz. We waited until we got to a pull out and stopped. Mike got out and looked at the tires. And informed me that there was a rock stuck in our back drivers side tire, I was like a rock... OK a rock is not going to pop a tire. (Little did I know) I got out and you could here the air coming out of the tire. We decided to change the tire and head back into town. It took about 15-20 minutes to change the tire. In that time about 10 cars drove past, one slowed down to wave and a blue truck stopped to see if we needed help. But Mike had it under control and we drove back into Palmer and then Wasilla and then back to the camp ground, not finding any open tire repair shops. We had a super yummy dinner of hobo packets, played a couple of games of Yahtzee (Mike beat me), Kayaked and read before calling it a night.
Sunday we got up had some coffee, oatmeal, and zucchini bead for breakfast. We both went Kayaking and then started to take down Camp. It took a bit of organizing to get everything back in the car with the addition of a full sized tire but we did it. Our drive home was a bit longer then our drive out because we had to drive 50 mph the entire way, with the little tire on. Once home we unpacked, did a quick trip to Kohl's and Fred Meyers, I did some baking (Hummus, zucchini bread, and rice krispie treats) and then we watched the movie Fools Gold.
Today Mike took the Veracruz to the dealership to try to get the tire fixed... The service department took the spear, I mean rock, out of the tire and told us there was no way to repair it. A "cheap" weekend away turned out to cost us $240 for a new tire, to replace a tire that only had 1,340 miles on it. Oh well so is life.
(I will post pictures soon)

Jacob

I took these pictures of Jacob last night... isn't he cute!

In other news Mike and I went to REI tonight armed with our 20% off coupon, our $11 dividend, some cash we had saved and a gift card we had received from G&G I for Christmas. There we bought... a lot of Yakima Stuff. A whole roof rack system for the Versa. We got a thing to hold the kayak and two bike holders. We are excited to get out more this summer with the bikes and Kayak!!

South Rolly Camping and Kayaking

Great Weekend

Mike and I have a truly awesome weekend. Here is just a quick overview of what we did

Friday: I got off early and we drove to South Rolly Campground (http://www.dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/matsu/sorollylkcamp.htm) We got an awesome site, right on South Rolly Lake, where we could put the kayak in the water from the site! We saw loons and Mike saw some beavers.

Saturday: Got up and drove to the Alaska State Fair where we met Samantha and Jacob. Ate a TON of food, went to a lumber jack show, looked at the world record cabbage and the hundred of shops. Then drove back to the camp ground for a fire, and some kayaking and reading.

Sunday: Got up had eggs and sausage for breakfast, yummy! Went on a 6 mile hike to Red Shirt Lake and back. Then drove to friends cabin. My boss, Brian, and Mike co worker, Lindsey, are siblings and invited us out their family cabin in Willow, off of Shirley lake. So we hung out all day with them, had a BBQ dinner, went on another walk and played some games. We stayed up way to late and drank a little too much but it was a great time.

Monday: Slept in, had sourdough pancakes, bacon and sausage for breakfast. Did some kayaking on Shirley Lake and saw a loon family (mom, dad, and baby). Packed up, helped clean up the cabin and headed home!

We had such an awesome weekend. I love getting away from it all but back to real life this week.
(I will post pictures soon)

Labor Day

Mike and I are packing up and heading out to Nancy Lake to go Camping this weekend! We are taking the Kayak, the bikes, the tent and of course a ton of food. I am excited to have a camp fire and it actually be dark so we can enjoy it. Maybe we will even be able to see some stars. It will be a little chilly in the tent with the lows expected in the low 40's to upper 30's..brrr.
We are going to go into the Alaska State fair on Saturday. We are meeting Samantha and Jacob out there! Mmmm fried food, free crap, lots of entertainment, farm animals and giant veggies.

In other news. I am super pumped! I am going to be a co-coach for FIRST Lego League (FLL)Robotics team through Girl Scouts! Me, two coworkers and another engineer are leading a team together. We will have a team of 7-10 girls ages 9-14. From now until January they will have to build a robot, and program it on the computer to complete different tasks. It has some way cool applications. I had the first coaches training last night. The basic program is somewhat like what I did for Tech GYRLs in College, so I have a bit of a leg up!
For more information on the events look here http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/missions1.aspx

Twenty-three

I am twenty-three as of today. It seems a little weird to be that old, how did I grow up so fast? Some times I feel like I should still be in high school and other times I feel much older that the other 23 year olds around. Mike got me the Kayak for my birthday which I LOVE!! And also a nano ipod to use at work. Thanks Mike! When my parents were up in Alaska they got us a grill which we have been using and LOVE food tastes so much better on the grill! I have also received cards from my parents, my grandparents, Mikes grandparent (R & I) and have received many birthday wishes via text and facebook.

So this is what I am thinking on my 23rd birthday

I am so happy for all the people that I have in my life at this time!

I am thankful for all the people who have supported me to get me to where I am today.

I am thankful that in this economy that Mike and I both have jobs that we enjoy!

I am thankful for the beautiful weather we have been having in Anchorage thus far this summer.

I am thankful for Java!

I am thankful for Mike who would do anything for me and gets me through everything with laughter.

I am thankful that I have loving parents who support me.

I am thankful for coffee and chocolate which get me through a bad day.

I am thankful for the beautiful and diverse scenery that God created including Mountains, Rivers, Lakes and Prairies.

I am thankful for children and the joy they bring into the world.

I am thankful for clean water, a bed to sleep in, and having enough food to not go hungry.

I am thankful for the technology in this world that helps us stay connected with family, I do not know what I would do if I could not pick up the phone to call my parents, grandparents or a friend.

and finally ...

I am thankful for free stuff on your birthday

On your birthday/ before your birthday you can register at web sites and they will send you free coupons for your birthday here are my favorites.

Red Robin-free burger for your birthday (plus dessert) (http://www.redrobin.com/eclub/)

Cold Stone- free Like-it Creation for your birthday (http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/mycs/myCS_pub_home.aspx)

Baskin Robins- free2.5 oz scoop for your birthday (https://www.baskinrobbins.com/bdayclub/RegisterInfo1.aspx)

Seward Alaska

Mike and I packed up the car on Friday and drove down to Trail River Camp Ground about 20 miles outside of Seward Alaska. Friday we just stayed at the camp. We walked around the loops in the camp ground. Made Pork chops for dinner and walked down to the lake. The camp ground was very very quiet but there were quite a few people there. The camp ground had pit toilets and a pump for water but was well maintained.

Saturday we got up and went into Seward. We walked around, had lunch at a little pizza place and the drove to Exit Glacier. It was so pretty. We just did a 3 mile hike next time we will start earlier and do the 8 mile one where you can get closer to the ice field. We went back to the camp ground hung out in the sun and read. Then we made hobo packs for dinner... yummy!! And of course smores for dessert.

Today we got up and it was really cloudy. We made breakfast and as we were packing up the sun burnt off the clouds!! So we packed up our site and drove down to the lake. We put the kayak in the water and the little wind that was there went away!! It was perfect kayak weather. We both saw a porcupine. We both went out for about 2 hours. We had a great weekend camping!!

Camping

If you look close you can see our Black bear.

The Black Bear

Our Bike Ride

The end of our ride

Kayaking!!

Dinner

We had a great weekend camping. Friday we went to Eklunta Lake and set up camp. We went on a short 7 mile bike ride... I fell on some roots and now have a beautiful purple and blue left knee and thigh, call me Grace. We hung out around the camp fire for the evening.

Saturday we had eggs and bacon for breakfast and while cleaning up a black bear walked across the edge of the group camp! After the excitement we went on a 24 mile bike ride back towards Whiteout Glacier. (I did not fall, I walked over the rooty section!) We were really tired after our bike ride but really wanted to take the kayak out. So we ate some lunch, loaded up the kayak, and went to the lake. The Kayaking went great!! That night we had a pot luck with all the other church people at the camp.

Sunday (today) we got up and had oatmeal for breakfast and took down camp. We packed up the van and went down to the lake. Mike rented a 2nd Kayak so we could cruise around the lake. It was a little, ok a lot, windy so pur arms are sore tonight. Now we are at home and took showers. I feel alive again, since the camp ground did not have showers or running water. I can't wait to go camping again!

Happy Anniversary

Happy 26th Anniversary Mom and Dad. (Picture taken by Deb Malin, June 19th, 2008)

Not much is new at the "I" house. We bought a Kayak last night and got a killer deal! (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! It is an early Birthday Present from Mike!) We got the Vapor 12xt Angler Kayak! At Sports Authority. Regular price $729.99, our price... $475! The Vapor 12's were on sale for $500 and the manager told us that was the price but when it rang up it said $629, he still gave us the $500 price and then I had a $25 off a $100 purchase coupon from the Sunday paper! I love getting a good deal. http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/kayaks/huntingFishing/vapor_12xt_angler.html

We had some, shall we say, difficulties getting the kayak on the van with the straps we bought being more for the size of a car not the mini van we drive. But we got it home just fine. We stopped at Sportsman's Warehouse and got a paddle, since they were the cheapest there for the same paddle as Sport Authority and REI had. The last thing we need to get... for now... is a PFD (personal floatation devise). We will go to REI tonight to get that since the other 2 stores really had no selection and REI has tons.

I am excited to go Kayaking the weekend. We are going camping with church to Eklunta Lake!

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chugach/eklutna.htm