My ocean view from the couch.

Just got back from running with the dog along the water. It was beautiful and smelled so good. I wish I could bottle some of this fresh air and take it home with me! It reminds me of the days when Dave and I lived on the Oregon coast. They are similar in a lot of ways. It makes me miss them and Dave even more. Things are so relaxed here. Its a great get a way! TGI AK!

No bear or whale sightings yet.

Air buddies


Bat boy Beckham



Mill Bay Beach

Day 1

The last plane ride from Anchorage to Kodiak was insane. Up down, down up, sharp turns, too much fog to land, and so many weirdies on board. Once we landed the plane erupted in cheering and applause.

Here is Ash's house. We were all DEAD tired but awake from the excitment and neverending daylight of AK. How do people sleep here! We pinned blankets to the windows and finally fell asleep. But didn't get much rest.

Today was beautiful! We are sun burnt. Went to the black sand beach (mill bay) for hours. Low tide. Treasures. Caught tiny fish with a net. Played.
Met two AK friends. And took tons of pics.

After the kids were in bed I went running. It felt so good in this cool nice air! Utah is too dry . I ran across a bridge and to the nearest island. Down to the docks, through north end park trails and beach combed for a bit by myself before I headed back home.
I decided Island living would be crazy.! I would feel so vulnerable.?
Beckham and Roma are pretty off schedule right now ... We're two hours earlier, small or no naps and its brigter than noon day at bedtime. They are as happy as can be. Mom is asleep on the couch and Ash and I are watching TV with one eye open.
Time to wash this black sand and sea salty sweat off. Good night...! I'm beat.

Its a plane!

One down two to go. We made it to Seattle now its off to Anchorage, then finally to Kodiak! Beckham thinks that taking his shoes off at security is like getting hit in the head with a big rock. Tramatic!

BIG NEWS: This Memorial Day, we are flying to...

KODIAK, ALASKA baby! In 2.5 days, .......Me, Beckham, Roma and My mother will be taking off to AK. The kids and I will stay for 2 weeks and Mom is flying back early (June 3rd) to make it to my sister Whit's Graduation!! Which I'm sorry I will be missing. These tickets were an incredible steal thanks to some dear family members that shared some flyer miles with us. There is No way we could have pulled it off without them. THANKYOU thankyou.

We will be staying with my cousin Ash and her kids while Will, the coastie husband is off on the boat. I honestly still can't believe that I talked my mom into coming along. She had A LOT on her agenda and "a business to run"(house) that she is convinced may fall apart without her....As it very well could?. It won't though, because dad and sisters will unite to keep it going strong. AND once we found her that early flight home she couldn't resist!. WAHHHOOOO. I am SO excited that she is coming with us. Julie Bateman is a party mom/gramma.!

I am a little nervous though...I have to admit. Because, as I'm sure you've noticed...MY love Dave will not be coming with us. :( He's a busy man. I have NEVER EVER been away from Dave this long. And it will be hard on him too without the kids for SO long. Nice in a way, I know...But hard for sure. He of course has school to teach...the last week of the year and then class to attend for his Masters.
Plus when the kids and I do fly home (Mon. June 8th) I will be handing the kids over to him full time while I catch up with Girls Camp for the rest of the week. That makes 3 weeks of crazy living and fun. You only live once though right. SO I say, adventure when the opportunity is yours.!

SO stay tuned. I will try and post often even if it is just pics for Dave to see our happenings.
This pic of us, is how we looked exactly a year ago..when Ash came here to visit us. Dave hasn't changed much.

But as for me and the kids...We are A LOT different. YIKES> sorry if the 9 monther belly is a little much. It was.






We can't wait.

Back porch picnic

A step in the right direction.

My cousin Kasey is off the ventilator! Yay! It has been 15 days now that he's been in the hospital with that tube down his throat.
They took it out today at noon and he has been breathing with a face mask. So far his CO2 levels are looking good.
He's got a long road ahead and he is definately NOT out of the woods yet.
BUT this is great news.! Keep it up Kasey!
My cousin Heather is also posting updates about Kasey on her blog. You can read them here.

Breathe

My cousin's condition is weighing pretty heavy on my mind right now. Note to self: don't get the Kasey update at 10 o'clock at night, before attempting to fall asleep.
Cuz now, I'm phone blogging in bed while Dave plays on the computer thinking that I'm too tired and off to dream world. I was.
I haven't really wanted to say or write about the whole hospital situation for a few reasons.
One, I dislike bringing up a rough situation more than is necessary for my own sake and for others that may worry. And sometimes I feel that I won't get the details right.
But in honor of the CF walk tomorrow and to help ease my mind a bit... I'm gonna write it out.
So, here's the short:
My cousin Kasey has cystic fibrosis. He is actually one of 3 cousins diagnosed with this terminal lung disease.
Kasey has been in the hospital a week and 2 days now with a case of pneumonia, medication side effects, and added breathing issues. He was put in ICU and has been on and off the vent since.
I went to see him yesterday and he 'expressed' to us and the doctors that he was strong now-by squeezing my hand and wanted to get the breathing tube out.
Well, tonight was going to be the night that the doctors felt they could make that happen.... Once again long story short, they took it out, tried to get him breathing on his own and his CO2 levels in check.. But after a hour and a half of working at it, they determined that his lungs are not strong enough and had to put that dang tube back in. BUMMER.
From what I understand,
after too long, the tube makes it harder for him to recover and easier for him to gain lung complications.
*see I'm tired now, just writing about it wears on me a bit. Plus this is lame phone typing. Anyways,
I am pulling for this guy with all my might. As I know we all are. I'm going to try and keep an update on him.. Love ya Kase! Goodnight.

Hangin with the Matheson boys

These are my friend Emily's boys. They are so cute and fun for Beck and Roma to play with. Emily and I have been taking turns with each other's kids so that we can get off our bike trainers and outside on a REAL bike ride. It's been quite nice.
Roma and her youngest are only a month apart so it's pretty entertaining/crazy at times. Here are a few randoms from the day.

Bowling with the girls.

A couple weeks ago we went bowling for our yw mutual activity. I honestly only go bowling maybe once a year BUT I LOVE IT. Everyone had a great time fighting for the high score. We all got killed by one of the newest lil beehives..she had like 5 or 6 strikes in the game. HELLO. I think it may have even been her 1st time...beginners luck huh? We had some icecream at the alley and headed back to the farm.
I've had such a good time with the girls and my leaders. It'll be fun to actually go to girls camp this year and spend the nights. Last year was a bit rough considering it was 2 weeks after I had just pushed baby #2 out. BIG HOOOORAY for THIS summer...> NO prego and NADDA new babe. Oh yes.
ENJOY THE PICS.






HERE is our WINNER. (above)