"Black Friday!"

Since we're on a photo hiatus and I'm being stubborn in not wanting to pay to post our photos (should we ask the 7 faithful blog followers to help start a donation account?! Kidding...)....I can still write plain text, which is actually easier and quicker to whip up of course.

Last night the power went out around 2am. We were expecting more of this on Thanksgiving when a good storm took life on the water but we only had a flicker outage (right as Santa made his appearance during the Macy's parade--classic!). So overnight was a surprise. Technically it happened Saturday morning but I chuckle to think we had a real "black friday" because when I woke up to realize we had no power, Andy looked out the window to see total darkness. It was like camping. We don't have street lights anyway, but our view down the hill was swallowed.

Why write about a power outage that lasted 2-3 hours? Well, it's our first with a baby. I woke up because the baby monitor receiver, which recharges overnight, started beeping at me with no juice. Then I heard Miss A cry downstairs. I'm glad we could hear her faintly! Andy went down and of course her nightlight was out, but thankfully the darkness didn't seem to bother her. As we nestled back into bed we listened to beeping downstairs, just outside of A's room....the smoke alarm. It needs a fresh battery when not electrically connected. Reminder to self and others, check those 9 volts. Thankfully, again, that noise didn't bother A.

It's just those little things that take on new meaning with a wee one (like temporarily losing the baby monitor to Mother Nature and trying to sleep peacefully without).

As we inventoried our dependence on electric heat and our freezerS of precious fish and food, Andy decided we're saving up for a generator. Not a bad idea to have on hand for Alaska.

*Amy

Stand By

We're having Blogging Difficulties. Apparently after 4 years we've reached the limit for 1 GB of pictures storage. Of course I'm wanting to post pictures of Miss A turning 11 months and of Grandma Cathy's recent visit. We are currently weighing options which apparently seem to include paying a monthly storage fee for Google/Picasa albums to increase our photo storage. Hmmmmm.

Anyway, hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving. We went the terrible distance of across the street to spend the meal and day with our friends and neighbors.
Hopefully more soon.

*Amy

Hey, I know you!

Miss A is getting to know her grandparents better even through long distances. Grandma Judy was back last month and now A has met and spent time with her Grandpa Tom. It was such fun during that sunny spell. Thank goodness grandparents are around to take care of their grand-daughter when parents suddenly become sick with a 24-hour flu bug! Thank you for all the love, attention, care-taking and playing.

Awww, hugs to Grandma J! 

She really helped and worked with A on her supported walking.

A great first meeting with Grandpa Tom

Big special kudos to Tom for helping Andy install this propane drip heater on the Cajun Queen. Can't wait to go winter camping all toasty warm! Great work guys. 

And in a Skype call with Wisconsin the other night it was pretty clear that Miss A recognized and was delighted to see her family.

*Amy

Spooky Creatures

G2's catch off our boat this summer inspired A's first halloween costume. She was the mystery creature from the deep, in pink.

The fun started a week ago at the chili cookoff hosted in the Public Safety Academy.

 With friends!

Andy's pumpkin carving a couple of days later.

Moonlighting as a kitty with ears from Grandma Cathy. 

I'm told she rocked them for much of the day at the sitter's.

We didn't trick or treat, but wondered around downtown where the main street is closed off for businesses to give out candy. It was cool seeing the kiddos dressed up taking over downtown. A wholesome feeling with your odd mixture of ghosts, Thing 1 and Thing 2 and the like. We took photos before going.

When we finally parked near the free carnival games, we opened the back door to find her dazed. Miss A then feel asleep right in front of our eyes as we contemplated what to do as the rain drops started to fall. 

I'll admit it, we got her up and out. The rain stopped and she perked up. We joined the crowds while waiting to get our Chinese food (Halloween chowmein is a family tradition). Then we wrapped up A's first Halloween with a lovely and fun Skype call with Uncle Kyle and Auntie Steph; picture us on the floor there on the other side of the window. 

(And no, this octopus did not ink her pants as Auntie asked!)

*Amy