Jillian loves the roof rack too!

The other day Jillian and I were heading out to run errands. We got to the car and I realized that I forgot something we needed on the kitchen counter. So, I told Jillian to hop in and get in her car seat. I grabbed what I needed, was gone maybe 30 seconds, and I returned to see this. She said, "Mama look, this is COOL!" It cracked me up so much I had to get the camera! :)

Jack's Diving Locker

This weekend a local dive shop, Jack's Diving Locker, celebrated their 27th Anniversary with free scuba lessons. They have a pool at their shop where they do the initial scuba lesson. It was pretty basic...how to use all the gear and feeling comfortable breathing under water. This is exactly what we needed, since neither Jeremy and I have dove before.

There is a cute window looking into the deep end of the pool where you can watch the divers. We took turns taking Jillian to the window to see us dive.

It was fun AND surprisingly unnerving. I was constantly either holding my breath or breathing too fast. Using the tank to breathe was weirder than I expected. Our instructor said that its way easier in open water because you become focused on the fish and coral....and forget to be so paranoid about breathing.

This is definitely an activity we want to try before we leave Hawaii!

Life Without A Truck

Sometimes life is just easier when you have a truck....a vehicle that can haul and carry all the great things I find on sale! Just kidding....mostly. :) We added a roof rack to Betsey and I just LOVE it!

Waipi'o Valley

Last weekend we took a little road trip to see the Waipi'o Lookout. To actually get down into the valley you need four wheel drive. Our all wheel drive car isn't allowed on the road....apparently it won't make the 900-foot descent (in less than a mile). I guess a 25% grade is pretty steep. :) The view is amazing....very lovely! :)

Scrapbook Retreat

One last post from our Alaskan adventure....


Scrapbooking is one of my very favorite things to do....as Joy would say, it feeds my soul. It is what I do for fun and it is what I do when when I need a break....you know, that break that every mom needs every now and then. I look at our pictures and each one reminds me of a happy memory...some fun thing we did together and just had to capture on film. (Or chip as we say now....) I am reminded how crazy I am about my family and friends....and how truly grateful I am that they are a part of my life.

One thing I miss the most about Alaska is scrapbooking with my girlfriends....they are my scrapping sisters and I miss them terribly!

When I found out we were coming to Alaska, I asked Joy if we could do a retreat. She coordinated with her mother-in-law, and Gwen very generously donated her Girdwood home for the weekend Jeremy went fishing. Thanks Gwen!!!! We scrapped from Saturday evening to Monday afternoon. Now that is some serious scrapping! Ahhh, I miss those days! :)

Giving me a big hug in the photo, left to right is Sharon, Gwen, Krystal and Joy.

Tina is one of my favorite scrapping girls also...she was able to come on Saturday evening...but went home early on Sunday because she wasn't feeling well. Krystal wasn't able to come until Sunday evening because her Umma passed and she went to her funeral that weekend. With everything going on, I thought that was so loving of Krystal to even come. I am very thankful for you girls!

Scrapping Joy!

Sharon and Tina are scrapping.

Ron and Brenda went fishing the same weekend with Jeremy. On their way back home, which is about an 8-10 hour drive north, they stopped in Girdwood to have breakfast with us. I was very glad to see them! They breed standard poodles..well, they've had 1 litter so far. The parents are the two black poodles, Diesel is in front and Paris is standing behind him. Brenda is holding the baby they decided to keep, an apricot female named Lucy.