We Made It!

We made it to Kona on the Big Island! We left Alaska on August 17th and have been missing home everyday since! It is super HOT here, the temps have been high 80's (almost 90!) most days. We are soooo not used to temps that high....not to mention the humidity! :)

Jeremy and Jillian at Hapuna Beach, the first beach we visited. It was gorgeous and the waves were super strong. They knocked me over twice while I was holding Jillian! This is supposed to be a good place to boogie board....hmm, we might have to try that sometime....if I decide to be brave enough.

Jillian playing with the sand at Hapuna. She ate much sand this day! :)

We took this picture from one of Jeremy's sites. From this site you can see 3 of the other islands....Maui, Molokai and another island starting with L that I can't remember right now. It is very hard to see in this picture...but, in between the clouds and ocean is land. Maui! I could see all 3 islands surprisingly well on this day, very cool!

Summer in Alaska

A few weekends ago we decided to take advantage of a warm, sunny afternoon and took a short little car ride. We stopped along the road at a turn-off and were blessed with this amazing view!
Our destination was the Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood. We rode the tram to the top of the hill and took more photos. We watched paragliders take off from the side of the mountain and Jillian got to meet a 3 month old puppy already in training to be a rescue dog....cute!

Deep Sea Fishing

While Jillian spent the night with the Burson's, Jeremy and I drove down to Ninilchik and went halibut fishing! The day was cold and rainy and I was sick the entire time...but, we still managed to have great fun. :) Here Jeremy and I are posing in front of the fish we caught (4 belong to us, the rest of the fish belong to the other people on our boat.) If you know anything about halibut, you'll recognize these are just babies....but, we're pleased and they'll taste just as yummy! :)

This is a picture of the boat crew...just 2! Captain Keith is on the right and Tiffany, his deckhand, is on the left. Tiffany worked her butt off...she baited all the hooks and reeled in many of the fish (even one of mine when I was too sick to do so myself!). They were both alot of fun and totally made the day!

On the way back home, we stopped for ice cream at Summit Lake. Alaska is breathtakingly beautiful! We will definitely miss the amazing outdoor scenery when we move.

Jillian and The Bursonators

Last weekend Jeremy and I drove down to Ninilchik to go fishing for Halibut. Jillian had a sleepover with the Burson's...she pretty much spent 2 days and one night with them. They were so thoughtful...Jillian was in bed sleeping by the time we got home!!!!! :) She had a total blast! She had so much fun that she was too busy to talk to me every time I called. And I called approximately every 4 hours. Except through the night. In this picture, Jillian is taking a car ride, probably to McDonalds or some other super fun place.

Tim and Jillian. Sorry Tim, I know you have your eyes closed - but the picture is too cute not to post! :)

Here is Jillian coloring. This is why Tim and Joy are more fun...at home she has to take off her coat and shoes in the house and then to color at the table, I have to find a big sheet of newspaper or something to place underneath. Which is probably why coloring doesn't happen very often....and thats very sad. I think I must have too many silly nonsense rules.

Jillian in the bath. What a great picture guys!

Joy has a snowman couple in her entry. Jillian LOVES them! Here is Jillian with Mrs. (I think) Snowman, giving her a hug.

Joy has told me that when her boys were little their favorite thing to do was to go to McDonald's and play in the PlayLand. Jillian has never been before, so they took her! And let her play for hours! What an awesome idea! Joy said she had a ball and was exhausted by the time they went home. Jillian, that is. Actually, I'm sure Joy was exhausted too, Jillian is a wild thing. Luke was the hero of the day, and climbed through all the tunnels with Jillian...teaching her the ropes. :)

Thats Luke and Jillian peering out of that big ball! Thanks Luke! Can we bring you along the next time we go? :)

Jillian and a Bug

Sick Kid! Almost 2 weeks ago, Jillian caught a flu bug and out of the blue was a sick little girl. We spent many hours watching TV, reading books and sleeping.

Feeling better! After 5 days, Jillian was well enough to sit on the counter again. :)

Fun Times

Jillian playing in the ball pit! :)

Spring is here! Jeremy took this fun pic one afternoon when they were out playing on the deck. :)

Happy Easter!!!

The Burson family invited us over for Easter dinner this year. We had a ton of fun! Thanks guys!!!!! :) Jeremy missed out on the fun because he has been on Oklahoma taking a class for work. The food was amazing and the company outstanding! Thanks Burson family for a fun, fun day!

Jillian is enjoying free reign over the candy bucket...thanks Uncle Tim! Jillian has never had so much candy in her entire life as she did this one day. Thankfully, all the activity and excitement helped counteract the sugar high and she slept very well that night. :)

The meaning behind this thousand yard stare is still up for debate. Some think Jillian is in a chocolate coma. Others believe she is asking for even more chocolate. Hmmm, maybe its both -in her trance, Jillian might be saying more, more, more. :)

Josh and Jillian on a scooter. Josh and Luke play so well with Jillian and she just loves them!

Luke is excited for Easter! Or maybe its the Mountain Dew!!! :)

Jillian's honorary Aunt and Uncle, Joy and Tim, how cute are they?


Gwen Burson and Jen Withrow

Wendy Delaurentis, Tina & Bob Butcher

Missouri and Illinois

After leaving Ohio, we flew to St. Louis for a week and stayed with my Grandma.

Here is my mom, in back with her mom. I am the oldest of four and the shortest, how fair is that? I am sitting on Katie's lap. Next is Allison (with the green bead necklace) and she is holding the baby, Natalie. Natalie will graduate high school this year, young thing. :)

Poor Jeremy, hanging out with my family will lead anyone to drink. :) Sorry girls, it is so true!
The Butterfly House in St. Louis was soooooo neat! There were thousands of butterflies, everywhere. They would land on you and all around you. Inside the dome was incredibly hot and humid, Jillian's hair immediately turned to curls.

Outside the House was this fun carousel. Jillian and I just had to go for a spin.

My Dad, Grandpa John, aka PaPa. We drove to Illinois to visit my dad and see Lisa (our fav photographer). On the day we left we asked Dad to watch Jillian while we packed. I came downstairs and saw Jillian sitting on the dining room table eating Girl Scout cookies from the box.......and chocolate ones at that! And yes, this was a supervised activity. :)

Ohio and Kentucky

We just got back from a huge trip to the lower 48! Now we are exhausted and are reminded why we aren't able to go home often as we would like. The first 2 weeks we spent in Ohio with Jeremy's family....and had a total blast. Here are a few pictures.


Jillian and Uncle Jake at Nanny's. We just love the action shot. Little rocket.

Nanny (Jeremy's Grandma) is holding Cousin Logan. Logan is about 5 months old and Jillian just loved him. She gave him hugs and kisses and whispered "Baby, baby" in his ear while rubbing his back.

Nanny, Krissy and Jillian....just chillin. Jillian loved Krissy (and all her toys!), every morning as soon as she woke up, Jillian would run down the hall yelling "Krissy, Krissy". Like, girl - it is time to get the playing started!

Jillian is officially two!

I love you, Nana! (Jeremy's Mom)

Cousin Kelly, Nanny, Jillian and a little bit of Nanny's fierce bodyguard Buddy the dachshund. We were there for 2 weeks and at the end of our visit Buddy would still bark at us when we came too close to Nanny. He liked Jillian though....and she loved playing with him too.

Aunt Eileen and Uncle PeeWee, aren't they cute? :) Jillian calls PeeWee on the phone, he is just so fun to talk to! :) You may not be able to tell it from this picture, but these two are card sharks! Seriously!! :)

We took a little road trip to Kentucky. We couldn't come this far and not see where the Corvettes are built and tour the museum! Jillian and I are pointing to the brick for our Alaskan Corvette Club, the bricks are right outside the museum. Earlier that morning, Jeremy toured the manufacturing plant while Jillian and I stayed at the hotel and rested. The tour walks right on the floor where the vettes are being made...so little kids are not invited. I'm sure I'll survive missing that. Hee Hee. :)

Backpack Girl

This is Jillian with Josh B., our most favorite babysitter! Josh is truly wonderful with our little girl, we are very thankful for him and we just know that we won't ever find anyone better! Josh watched Jillian one afternoon so Jeremy and I could go grab lunch with his parents, when we came home we found him carrying Little Miss around the house in his school bookbag. How cute! Josh, thanks for being so great! :)

Corvette Kid

I'm sorry it has been so long since our last post! Here is Jillian with the bear. :) When asked what the bees say, Jillian responds "Bzzzz". Horses say neigh, cows say moo, dogs go "oof". But, the bear...now that is one friendly animal for all bears say "Hi" to Jillian. :) We're not sure where she picked that up, but every time Jillian is asked what the bear says, she responds with "Hi". We think its awfully cute, but we might have to teach her "Grrrr" before she goes to school.

Bye-Bye Allie!

My sister moved to Chicago and left Monday afternoon. We already miss her so much! She is such a wonderful person and we enjoyed having her stay with us. I think I cried everyday for the last week she was here, I am just a tad sensitive! Yesterday I cried when I couldn't complete the crossword puzzle from the paper without her help and didn't have her coffee cup to load into the dishwasher. I actually looked for it before I remembered that she wasn't here anymore. Hmmm, or maybe I was crying because I had to load the dishwasher...she always took care of that task. :) Its the little things, like our morning routine, that I will miss the most.

Allison, thanks for being my sister! We love you!!

My Buddy and Me

The other night Jillian escaped from the bathroom right before bathtime. She ran and hid in the crate with Athena. Jeremy and I had so much fun taking pictures capturing this silly moment. What a ham!

New Year, New Look

Happy New Year! For the new year I decided to make some changes to Jillian's blog. I am still thinking and playing....and having fun with all the options! Let me know what you think!

Nana, this pink theme is for you! (Hee Hee!!!)

Merry Christmas!

The Withrow family after Christmas Eve service.

Miss Jillian opening a present....or four. Thanks Nana for my camo outfit!!

Its a pink furry phone! :) Thanks Nanny!!

Aunt Allie and Jillian playing with a new toy. Thanks Dave, Peg, Kelly and Derek!

On the eve of Christmas Eve, Jillian opened her present from the Burson's. What a gorgeous dress, how did you know? Thanks guys, we love it!

Aunt Allie and a little ski bunny. Thank you all for making this Christmas so truly wonderful!