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!
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!
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! :)
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.
After we left ERNC, we headed over to Thunderbird Falls to continue the joy of hiking. :)
We made it! Our group posing in front of the falls....wait, aren't we missing a few?
Jillian in the flowers. I LOVE this picture...I think Uncle Tim snapped this shot. :)
Mr. Luke
Josh carrying Jillian and walking with Ashley.
Before we left Alaska, we had to go on a few hikes. The first was to Eagle River Nature Center. We brought Ashley, Josh's girlfriend, with us also. Left to Right above is Ashley, Josh, Luke, Tim holding Jillian and Joy.
Here we are on the pathway....Jillian barely wanted to stop for this brief photo break.
Joy and I wearing our matching scrapbook sweatshirts, courtesy of our scrapping sister Sharon. We are enjoying the majestic mountains.
Jillian LOVES bears! Remember, they used to say "hi!". :)
The mosquitos in Alaska are terrible! They are the size of small birds and swarm all around you, wherever you go....but especially in the woods! Joy is protecting her baby!
The cute couple.
Jillian wanted in on the cuddle action. She really likes Ashley too! :)
Joy and Jillian looking out at the river.
Magnificent Alaska....one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Jillian LOVES going on walks! Auntie Joy and Uncle Tim took her out several times around the block and to the nearby elementary school to swing. Fun, fun, fun.
Yoshi and Cooper went to play each time as well. Yeah! I think Jillian is holding their leash in this picture.
Looks like Jillian dropped Cooper's leash to run at whoever is holding the camera. Sorry Josh! :)
Josh and Luke took Jillian out while Joy and I started packing for our scrap retreat. Which was a HUGE help, thanks guys! Jillian and the puppies are riding in the awesome Burson wagon....Jillian loved it so much, we need one now! :)
Chicks with Sunglasses! One of our very favorite places to eat in Anchorage is Humpy's....they have the BEST beer-battered halibut served with homemade tartar sauce! YUMMY!!!!! Joy, Jillian, Tina and I being silly! :)
We miss our Corvette Club friends!!!!!!!! They have known Jillian since she was a little peanut in my belly....I think we joined the club 2 weeks before she was born! :) They have been the most supportive friends and we were very happy to see them during our visit to Anchorage! They even brought Jillian a package of goodies to play with at lunch....a Corvette (of course!) lunch box, coloring pencils and pad, and STICKERS! Thanks guys! Clockwise, L to R, is Rick, Dave, Kathi, Margo, me, Jillian, and Jeremy.
We ate at Gwennie's, which is another favorite, and always tickles us to remember that it used to be one of Anchorage's brothels! A very unique, old-time Alaskan place to visit.
We also got to meet with some of my scrapping sisters that were unable to make it to the retreat, clockwise, L to R, is Cindi, Lisa, Joy, Tim holding Jillian, Rosie, Jackie and me. We met at the Peanut Farm. It was great to see you girls, I miss scrapping with all of you!
We couldn't go to Alaska and NOT bring home fresh halibut! :) Jeremy went fishing with our friends Andy and Ron & Brenda from Fairbanks. Jeremy on the boat. :)
Ron went fishing this year....last summer Jeremy and I went fishing with Brenda and her sister Paula. On that day, the weather was COLD and the water was choppy. I stayed bundled in my cold weather clothes and spent nearly the entire day hanging over the side of the boat because I was so sick. I still caught my 2 fish though! :) When Jeremy made plans for this year, I said no thank-you! Apparently, their experience this year was the exact opposite. It was warm, Ron fished in a tank top! And no one got sick. That's the way its supposed to be! :)
Brenda is fishing! :) Last year she was a real trooper and never once got sick, what an Alaskan woman with her sea legs!
Andy in front of all the fish. They take all the fish from the same charter and hang them on hooks....for photo ops.
Here is Jeremy! My man caught the biggest fish this trip. The biggest one was about 35 pounds and he also caught the next one to the left. The fishing was pretty good on the outgoing tide, but then all the halibut got smaller on the incoming. Brenda actually helped Jeremy bring his fish in because their lines were tangled and he did not think that he had a fish until after their lines were untangled and something was still pulling. We brought home 28 pounds filleted.
The Burson's have the coolest fire pit! We had great fun sitting around the fire, talking story and roasting marshmallows. In this picture, Joy and I are cuddling our girls....it is rare for Joy to be sitting (anywhere) without a little Yoshi in her lap. Very sweet! :)
Luke and Josh are teaching Jillian the finer points of marshmallow roasting!
A father and son moment. :)
S'More's! One of my very favorite desserts. Jillian's face is covered in chocolate and marshmallow....another first! YUMMY!!!!!!! :)
When we lived in Alaska I watched a little guy the same age as Jillian. Zachary would come over to play a few mornings each week. Zach and Jillian became little buddies...he is a delight and we enjoyed every visit! His mom, Kay, and I became friends and we were sad to say good-bye when we moved! Thankfully this visit, Kay lent us one of their car seats so we didn't have to travel with one! Hallelujah! Thanks Kay and Eric! On Friday morning, Jillian and I met Kay and Zach to play at Arctic's Gymnastics open play....what a GREAT morning!
Kay is helping Zach swing. Zachary remembered Jillian and ran right up to her and said "Hi Jillian!"
Jillian and Zach playing in the foam ball pit....you can just see the tip of Zach's little head.
Jillian jumping on the huge trampoline.
A big hug to say good-bye!
