Special Weekend!

We had such a great weekend! It started late Thursday night when Nikki and Baby V flew in from Anchorage! We had the gift of their company until Monday morning.

Sunday morning of this weekend Miss A was (finally) baptized.  It was a special time and very smooth with Baby V (13-nearly 14 months) and A at Mass. Father Jim was laid back and encouraged their happy noises as we sat up front.

The two girls met one another 3.5 months ago but this is the first time they've had "quality" time together with parallel play and interactions. Baby V is obviously mobile and we took our first stab at baby proofing the house. She loves to say "Hi" and I loved saying "Hi" back!

However A was not as friendly. If Baby V tried to get close or touch her A would melt down. Obviously some personal space issues!

Baby V got to explore around our little house.

Poor gal was just visiting Miss A when she had to watch this reaction!

I always wonder why I don't take more pictures. Shame on me. We had a couple of days of rain together but got out on the Cajun Queen nonetheless. At one point both girls triggered each other and we had a double meltdown going on. It was hard not to laugh at the situation! But Baby V spent time on the ocean and her mama caught a ling cod that was all head waiting for its body to grow. Andy even plucked a tiny halibut out of the water.

The rain disappeared for "brilliant sunshine" on the day of the Baptism. Hurray! What a gift and a chance to also go walking and hang with friends at the beach later in the day.

As I said, Fr. Jim was just great for the sacrament. He didn't flinch when A tried to take his Baptismal reading booklet from him as he read (he even offered it to her), and he seemed to enjoy when A and Baby V talked back and forth at one point.

Miss A only cried out once a couple of scoops of holy water dribbled down, but once she was patted dry all was well again. A seashell with "Peace" inscribed was used for the scooping and pouring of water. Pretty neat and appropriate for here.

 Her lovely and special gown was a gift from Grandma Judy and Grandpa Tom. It fit perfectly and I'm happily surprised she didn't mess with the bonnet.

 Thank you special friends for joining us!

Sunny Day! Thanks for the scenic memory, Nikki. 

It was perfect for visiting with friends on the porch after the service.

Miss A managed to swipe a bit at the cake frosting and maybe got a little to her lips. Not sure, but we didn't offer cake to the newly baptized. In fact, she went down for a nap a bit after the activity. It's tiring joining God's family! We are happy.

We miss you, Nikki and Baby V! I'm glad we got in some adult Euchre playing once the babes went to bed. Can't wait to see her walking soon.

*Amy

the Nome boys...

...came down to Sitka. Fantastic. Tony (G2) and Cole (G4) spent nearly a week with us at the end of July. Man, did those guys fish! And they did awesome. Andy has to show off pictures of the catches, including an interesting sea creature hooked from the "mudhole." Cole took to Southeast like butter on bread. I couldn't wait for the end of my work day when they'd come back from the boat. The excitement was explosive as 6-year old Cole told me every critter they spotted and all that was caught. Every day on the boat they wrote down the wildlife list on a paper plate with a Sharpie and Cole would wave it at me as the day's stories spilt. Three Gorns on a boat get things done.

We also enjoyed a couple of days at the Tom Young cabin. The cabin is owned by the City of Sitka, about an hour boat ride away. Andy reserved two nights (just like a public use cabin) last winter and he was stoked. It's just across a little body of water from the Goddard (natural) Hot Springs!

We all went along with our good friends and their two boys, same age range as Cole. I think the boys got along swell. We had lots of excitement on our adventure including regular visits from a male deer on our beach (or, its beach?)--just one week before deer hunting season! That was one lucky critter, for that weekend anyway.

Miss A approved of the cabin's rustic comfort.

One afternoon some of the guys returned after a small fishing excursion on our friend Matt's boat.  A line was thrown into the water before returning to the cabin for the fun of it. Cole called it (he had a knack for knowing when something would hit and what it could be), and a 100+lb. halibut was given over! G2 got to harpoon it!

 Bravery in touching the eyeballs.

 Cheddar jalapeno moose dogs over an open, contained fire

Cole often sought out his little cousin to play or interact with her.
It was the SWEETEST. 

 G4 never tired of spotting & catching tiny crabs near the shoreline.
And they were EVERYWHERE!

First time solo in a kayak

 Behind the cabin in the woods are suspended old fishing nets, Swiss Family Robinson style. Miss A's friend Naomi put her in it and played with her.

Jetting across the water to soak in the warm springs on a sunny day was what the doctor ordered. The paddle back to our beach was great too. Plus beach fun, campfires, happy kids and good weather (eventually) made all the gear packing and hauling worthwhile.

We are grateful for the great visit. These guys are welcome anytime. And I think they hauled back to Nome enough fish to not forgot us on the other end of the state. G4 asked his Dad if they could come back to Sitka in 2 weeks. Miss A loved the head rubs and funny talks with her cousin. 

We miss you Uncle Tony and cousin Cole!

*Amy
ANDY: you're up next on the blog, okay??! You gotta show the captured sea creature.

2nd Annual Oktoberfest

A night of friends and drinks came to the "von" Gorn Haus for a second year in a row. Bevies of all shapes and sizes (and alcohol content) showed up for seasonal sampling and enjoyment.

We're missing representation in this photo from the local Baranof Island Brewing Co. (BIBCO) but it's certainly not because it wasn't consumed. I hit up BIBCO not just for a growler of Spruce Tip ale, but for a GALLON--yes, a gallon, of their stellar root beer. In the midst of such special beers, some wine and ciders for Oktoberfest, the root beer didn't catch on with most (except me), including the kids. There's a lot left.

So, if you're interested in an artisan root beer float, just come on over! We also have some brats to offer. For the second year Andy boiled all the brats in beer, grilled them up and then placed them in warm crockpots full of kraut.

I completely forgot to take photos from the event, but we enjoyed having about 20 people and 3 kids over to our place. Any reason to socialize and "Prost!" right?

Andy recommends the Perseverance beer from Alaska Brewing-their 25th anniversary special. We were told at the brewery in Juneau that it will peak in 2-4 years so we actually have a couple of bottles stashed away, for now. By then I'll partake in the sampling for sure!

*Amy

Get-Together

Some other things to mention from MN last month...I timed the trip to coincide with the Minnesota State Fair! The second biggest fair in the country (after Texas) in terms of offerings and attendance. I was soooo excited to go, get my food on, wander familiar areas and discover new booths. Even better was my company that day---cousins!

The Fair isn't called the "Great MN Get Together" for nothing! This is a Fargo, Twin Cities and Alaska reunion. (thanks to photographer, Robert)

I graced the Facebook world with a photo of me diving into a disgusting amount of fried cheese curds. I won't go there again, but the overdose cured my craving (at the time). There wasn't even a wait at the booth.

We didn't see the baby animals but I couldn't resist. Our familia did sit by the Grandstand and enjoy the awesome sounds of Heart's opening music act for that night's concert. The Wilson sisters rock. It was a HOT day and we navigated our appetites and crowds like champs. I haven't lost my Fair connection.

Then I enjoyed another non-Sitka activity: mini golfing! My bro, sister-in-law and I went to a course with real grass, real sand bunkers, water hazards and flags in the hole. It was a hole-in-one time! And those two better golfers putted to a tie for first place.

And no visit back is complete without some spent in Roseville. Love you Grandma and Grandpa!

Got my summer bake on, time with fam, lots o eating, relaxing and visiting. Perfect and needed.
*Amy

Not Just A Layover

We hadn't really spent time in our new hub, Seattle. For me, it's been a layover airport on Lower 48 travels.  This month we explored the big city and loved us some big city livin' too. We figured out Seattle's excellent public transit system, walked many, many city blocks (with more steep hills than we ever expected), ate all the time, got Andy a pair of jeans at Nordstrom Rack (big success!!), visited REI's mother-ship store, caught a couple of movies, and shopped a little bit more.

Oh, and we were lucky to find out at our first purchase that Alaskans have sales-tax exemption status. That's important considering their 10% sales tax. It's worth saying you're from Alaska, and getting your license ready to show while at the cash register. That's a bit of savings on our end.

Two meals that really stick out was at Tulio's and Fado's. Tulio is rated online as an excellent Italian place, cuisine that really appealed to me, so we hiked uphill to find an exceptional (and expensive) little restaurant. We did not hold back and stuffed ourselves as a true-blue belated anniversary meal. Can't get bone-in veal stuffed with spinach, cheese and truffle oil in Sitka!

Fado's is a fab, comfortable Irish Pub and we just wandered in during a mid-afternoon for a late lunch. Andy got some great Guinness pours and our pub grub in the dark-wood setting made us just feel right with the world.

Often, we'd walk several blocks from our hotel, in the "Alaska building," to the famous Pike Place Market. It was always bustling, and full of visual and olfactory stimulation. We saw the market a bit subdued and filled with locals an early Sunday morning as we picked up some groceries before flying out.

We also made our way up the Seattle Space Needle for panoramic views of the city and Puget Sound. While at the City Center we also took advantage of the huge Taste of Seattle (can we say big corn dogs??).

I was especially excited to see some live music, an actual real concert. The AVETT BROTHERS! We drove out to Everett, WA for a VIP dinner before the show and then lived up the high-energy music. These guys didn't stop moving, and the cellist actually jumped up and down with his instrument as he played! Here are a couple of precious video clips. The first song is "January Wedding"--one of the three songs we included in our wedding slideshow last summer.

Ah, I could go back and have that night over and over. Andy would probably say the same for our very next night in Seattle--seeing a Mariners game.

Seahawks stadium on left, Safeco field on right.

Yes, we saw a loss during their horrible streak this season. Andy's summary is brief and to the point: "great stadium, great weather, poor team." I have a feeling we'll be back to this ball field as we stick around SE AK. We only had to walk from the field to our hotel, through historic Pioneer Park. City life! Again, it's healthy and important to get out and find the things that make you happy: like music and baseball. If you gotta fly to do it, well, that's part of the travel adventure.

We're feeling more confident to tackle Seattle in the future and I think we have a few favorite "haunts" to see next time.

*Amy

Captain's Log

Here's a photo reel of the last three weeks, mostly centered around visiting friends and the Cajun Queen. We went camping with Sitka friends and it was our first overnight onboard! Then, G & J came down from Anchorage and brought back home a filleted king salmon! Lastly, the Viators spent the holiday weekend with us, all the way from New York! They have the honor of catching the Queen's first halibut. I think the boat loves all the company and use. I know we do.

Click on all photos to view larger

Campsite on Strawberry Beach

Ladder Ball!

These tracks were discovered and made entirely by eagles. 

An eagle dance party.

Their talons are BIG!

First use of our dingy...heading out to grab the hot dog sticks on the boat.

Lone eagle Sunday morning. 2 mature and 1 juvenile eagle gave us their company for the camping trip.

I think they had the eagle beach party before we humans showed up.

Brushing teeth after a great night's sleep onboard. 

Check out that calm ocean water!

Totem Park with G & J

Yellow-eye rockfish in protected waters! Andy was stoked.

The Viators on water after a year in the desert overseas.

Welcome back to Alaska!

What a great June and start to July!

A Lemon, A Birthday and A Friend-ly Visit

Normally when you say "you've got a lemon" that's not very positive. My parents used to say when I was growing up that our station wagon was a lemon. It went to the car shop/garage a lot. But, for this week only having a lemon is pretty cool! That's the comparison size for the first baby Andy and I are expecting by 12/10/11! Yes, there's no going back--we are preparing (or, we will at some point!) for becoming parents just as our future baby is learning to make facial expressions this week---as the size of a lemon.

14.5 weeks along

We found out the life-changing and wonderful news on April's Fools day (about 5 weeks at that point) and kept the change to ourselves until a 10-week appt. when I got to see our little fishy. I'll share perspective soon about "how it's been" so far adjusting to pregnancy. Blog archives with excellent documentation and stories shared by my friends, Sara and Kati, more than a year ago have been really enjoyable for me to review and reference. (you're the experts ladies!)

So it was a special 31st birthday for me this Monday when both Andy & I went to the doctor for the 14-week appointment and heard baby's heartbeat! I nearly missed the moment as it took awhile for him to find it. I had to ask when it was found, at which time Andy and Doctor both said YES. Then I started listening really hard just before it disappeared. I'm such a novice. It won't be the last time for sure as one our friends in Sitka is locating her personal Doppler for us to borrow! The heartbeat was at.....140 beats. Which, according to insights shared to us by other parents in Sitka, and the old wives' tale that held true for my friend, Sara, it could be a boy. We'll find out next month and let you know!

As my co-worker said, it was a special birthday to spend with our entire family "to-be." :) We have been really blown away by the kindnesses and excitement shared by friends and family. Well wishes, lovely messages, thoughtful cards and even generous gifts for our news has really made this journey more real and special. Thank you!

I had a great weekend prior to my birthday with the visit of Liz. We both used to live in Nome and she just moved from there to Cordova. And guess what? She's pregnant too! Baby Guthier is due 1/2/12. So we indulged in comparing notes, discussing what to eat, how we feel and all that fun stuff since we're just 3 weeks apart.

We took those babies-to-be on board and cruised around with the Cajun Queen.

Blue-green water reflected in sunshine

Grilling Dinner Grub

Liz and I went to the Alaska Rapter Center, less than a mile from our house. It was amazing; I had never been to an animal rehabilitation center before. The presence and size of the eagles astounded us and pictures don't do justice.

Eagle and a football. Seems pretty American.

I call this one FedEx speedy!

What an eagle eye you have

Thank you for visiting us, Liz! I'll send you pictures soon.

Next up for baby? Joining the ranks of "navel orange" on Saturday. ha!

*Amy, plus lemon