A Quick Stop in Ninilchik

We decided to head to Homer on Saturday. We packed up all the kids (including the borrowed one spending the night) like sardines in the car. In order to get there we go through the small town of Ninilchik. In Ninilchik, there is a small Russian Church that sits atop of a hill overlooking the ocean. It was always such a beautiful place.

I was a little sad to see it in such disrepair.



There were overgrown weeds everywhere and everything seemed so faded and sad. Even so, I found it beautiful and moving. It has been many years since I've visited. What I remember most from back then is the very small graves. I remember being so sad that so many babies died so young. It was many years ago and obviously those issues are less now than they were but still, such a sad time so long ago. It affected me then as I've carried it with me all these years.

This time, as I started to walk the path through the resting places I decided to take a couple photos. There was no rhyme or reason to those I chose to photograph. I meant no disrespect but more wanted to capture the simplicity and sadness. After I'd taken this photo I read the headstone and ...well I found it interesting that I'd stopped here.

That some time long ago, a child lost their mother so young. I can't imagine leaving my children motherless and for all children that go through life without their mom, my heart bleeds for them. For all mothers who've lost their children, my heart bleeds for them. So please pray for them today because just one look here will remind you how sorrowful it must be.

Once we left the cemetery I saw this outhouse. Tucked away a bit, in the woods.

It reminds me of a simpler time when life was likely less complicated than it is now but less convenient too.

We also took a short jaunt through the small town down the hill, below the church. It was colorful and there were signs that it was livelier just recently.

I would like to go back and visit next summer. You can tell there are many stories to be told there. I liked it.

We found a nice creek and took a few photos there.



There was a dead fish there that the kids were fascinated with. I took a photo but I'll spare you. Although, one might consider it art. :) Grandma thought I was crazy; Debbie's brain must be a little cracked like mine because she thought it was cool.

We left Ninilchik and headed for Homer. It was a beautiful day and we'd only just begun.
I will leave you with this to make you smile.


Cali was eating a push-up pop and had gotten it all over her face. I asked her if I could take her picture. (I have to do that now as she ALWAYS has an opinion) Anyway, she said yes and smiled. While smiling I couldn't see her mess so much so I said to her, "No, don't smile" and this is what I got instead.

~Look what I made~

You guys know I am not so crafty, most of the time. I am however trying new things. I saw this on a blog sometime recently. I really have to find a better way of keeping track of what I see and where. Anyway, I thought it was cute and wanted to make one. So I did. Yay Me!


I also saw this on another blog-OSM
Do you know what it means? It's the way some kindergartners spell AWESOME.
Have an OSM day!

A Day at Home with Grandma

A lot of time was spent searching for souvenirs on the Friday Grandma and Debbie were here. And the rest of the day we kind of hung out-relaxing.

Cori had a friend spend the night. Grace is from Scotland and is a very funny girl. She is a lovely person and was a joy to have visit. Cassi, Cori and Grace (with Amber's help)put on a fashion show for Grandma Friday night.

We had music, some blingy outfits and even some hip-hop duds. Debbie and Grandma even did a little demonstration too.
Enjoy the show.

Grandma Visits

Well Grandma was here(now she is gone). And what a great time it was. I am going to back track a little- I know you want to see some pictures. Plus, you get to see what we put her through this go 'round. I had such a great time and miss her so much. I know she is reading this and just want to say- I can't wait 'til the day she is here to stay.

Grandma arrived on Wednesday the 1st day of October with her best friend Debbie. Cali and I headed up to Anchorage to meet her at the airport. We got stuck in Bird Creek waiting on some road paint to dry. It's kind of like waiting for water to boil. NERVE-WRACKING! Fortunately Amber came to my rescue and got them to the hotel.

We stayed at the Puffin because Grandma said that is where she always stays. No matter that there is a new 4 star hotel in Anchorage that is absolutely gorgeous. :)

While Scott followed a few hours behind us with Cori and Cassi we headed over to pick up Grandma's daughter-in-law and grandson, who now live in Anchorage. Our (discombobulated) family tree is too hard to explain so just go with it. And speaking of family trees, we grabbed Wren while we were there because, well he and Barry are the only brothers the girls will ever have!

Even though Grandma initially insisted we had to eat at Gwinnies (right near the Puffin) I managed to convince her to try the 'Sourdough Mining Company' instead. It is near Alaska Wildberry Products. It's touristy but hey, this was Debbie's first time here; that officially qualifies her a 'tourist', right?

There is a nice little trail to meander behind Wildberry Products. The trail head has this "rock man". It stands for or means something but I blew by that educational post to take some gag photos instead. Austin(the grandson) did enjoy climbing on that guy though.


Cali liked taking the goofy pictures too.

In fact most everyone took at least one.








On the backside of the trail lives a extremely friendly Reindeer and Caribou. The both loved having their heads rubbed. I imagine it is hard to get to that spot with the tangle of antlers they are carrying around.

It was hard not to get stabbed.

Wildberry was whimsical; there was lots of fun things to look at and GREAT candy. I mean look how out of shape thos bears are!


Finally, after about 3 plus pounds of candy purchased we decided it was time to get some real food. We headed across the parking lot to the restaurant. By this time is was dark and getting late.

Most everyone in the group was either ready to pass out or getting really loopy.




Amber left school and hurried over just in time to eat. The girls, like always were happy to see her. They miss her a lot and sometimes Anchorage seems very far away.

The Sourdough Mining Company was a nice restaurant, with great food. There was a fabulous painting on the log wall, way up above our heads. I wish I could have gotten a better picture.

We all collapsed in bed that night. I think Grandma and Debbie had been on the go for nearly 24 hours. Cali was just plain tired.

Scott, Cori, Cassi, Cali and I left early the next morning to get Cori back for an art class. Grandma and Debbie drove home taking a side trip through the tunnel in the mountain to the lovely town of Whittier. But first, they went to GWINNIES for breakfast. I hear it was as fabulous as it always is. Then they took a quick trip through the Harley shop. Grandma even picked me up a cool shirt. I will post a photo the next time I wear it. It's in the laundry now. :)

Grandma and Debbie strolled into town that evening with the sunset. The girls were very excited to see them again. We gave them the quick tour of the motorhome and tried to settle down for the night. Since they were leaving Monday night we knew we were going to be very busy cramming all that we could into the next few days.
And that is exactly what we did.

It's been a HARD week but we got UNPLUGGED

:) It really has been a horribly hectic week however we did manage to get a HARD project in, if only for a few moments.

I didn't really know what in the heck to do. I had birthday parties to plan, mommy preschool to get ready for and on, and on, and on.

Anyway, while I was preparing a few things for the party I got Cali up to the bar and gave a baggie full of old hard keys.

I showed her how to make rubbings with a crayon. Some of them were thicker than others and didn't work out so well but others worked OK.

While she was working Grandpa came by to visit and decided to show her how to make Mr. Lincoln appear by rubbing a hard penny. Even though it was a stretch I am grateful we were doing the project when we were. I think Grandpa had just as much fun as she did. I hope she will remember doing projects with her Grandpa. I know I will.

Laser Tag-Cori's Birthday (part 2)

Well, I think we are finally through with Cori's 11th birthday. She was able to party down with friends this weekend at the new Laser Tag arena that took the place of the roller rink in Soldotna. Going in the building brought back many memories for a lot of us. There have been many a birthdays celebrated there as a skating rink, going back as far as Amber Dawn. Here is the majority of the group, but not all.

Laser tag brought new giggles, laughter and memories. It is a fast paced game that offers a lot of exercise as well as fun. We invited many friends from school and some family friends as well. Since only 14 players can be in the arena at a time we played short free-for-all games that allowed us to alternate players often.The parents joined in occasionally and Grandpa even took Cali through once which was "So fun" she tells me.


I was rather surprised at how much the girls enjoyed this game. I knew Cori did but sometimes she presents herself more like a tomboy; I wasn't expecting as much from her more girly friends. I was wrong. In all their pink, cotton candy smelling, jewelry wearing, hair coiffed glory they shot enemies as well as every other player. It was really fun to see the smaller, supposedly less threatening of the group sneak up on a those cocky little everyday gun slinging boys and end their game without a chance of escape. :) GO LADIES!

In a turn to the unusual, this party was very different in that parents actually got to visit each without screaming and falling over oodles of kids. There were usually only about 3 kids or so out of the arena at any given time so things were pretty quiet...on the outside.

We had a private hour in the arena which gave us opportunity for many games. In between games the kids gorged on sub sandwiches, chips, veggies and the most beautiful platter of fruit you've ever seen. My friend Michelle came through for me like only a best friend would and saved us all from eating day old fruit from the grocery store. I wish I had a picture to show you, it looked like it could have come from a Paula Dean Cookbook showcase.

After we settled our stomachs a little bit we dove into the huge carrot cake cupcake most of the family decorated. It was a low key year in the world of cake decorating; Scott got of easy. It was harder to ice with nuts in the frosting but oh well, it worked and they ate it!



Presents were fun and I was surprised at how they just took over the process themselves. They decided it would be more fun to sit on the floor in a big group and although they were reluctant the boys even moved in eventually.


My favorite gift was the card Cori's best friend Alli made her with items she found at the beach. I am a sucker for all things sentimental and all things smelling of salt water and sand. Some of her favorites were a Limited Too gift card, two photo albums and a new webkin frog.

Two of the boys (it is amazing how they think so alike) wrapped her gift a bazillion times so it took a while to get through the wrap. It was pretty funny but took a long time. Especially when you have to unwrap it carefully because somewhere in the middle is a paper gift certificate that shouldn't be torn.

Wren came through like only the best brother would. He sent his Dad into American Eagle (otherwise know to Wren as the store only guys who think a little differently go into) to get Cori a lovely scarf she has wanted for so long. She showed it to him over a month ago when we were shopping in Anchorage and HE REMEMBERED! True love shows itself in the very best of ways!

We handed out a few quarters to play the video games until the rest of the parents showed up bringing the party to an end. I wish I would have had video because the grunts, squeals and screams were too fun not to share. They all ended up playing this crane trying to win stuffed animals and they had soo much fun. It was a great feeling knowing they aren't quite that grown yet!

And to digress on wonderful brothers a moment, Barry didn't get to come to the party due to other obligations like homecoming. (His girlfriend still lives here) BUT, when we got home we found this on the table.

I really believe he did it on his own accord but just in case he was coerced, I think it is still incredibly special that he took the time to write it! Life is busy when your 16 and live 3 hours from your girlfriend. Weekends home are jam-packed with things to do and time past to make up for, it makes me tear up knowing he still loves her enough to take just a minute.

When your ready, head this way, we'll get our gear on and take aim! We miss all of you and wish you were here.