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

Alaska Day

Alaska Day! A State Holiday! It was October 18th and Sitka was the site of Russia's transfer of the Great Land to the U.S. Our town celebrates like no other location in the state. Sitka has a lot of parades throughout the year and I've been told Alaska Day is the biggest. That's right, I had not been part of the festivities yet as I was in Anchorage the last two years during AFN week.

So this year I booked my ticket back from AFN to partake in Sitka's Alaska Day. What a super decision. It was a fun day off from work!

My plan had been to merge a bunch of iPhone gritty video together into a montage. But, the reality is I just don't have the time or attention span to do so. In order to share some of the fun, and really, it's worth sharing, I'll just post a couple of short vids. I hope you'll put up with it and try to understand.
First up was my favorite, the Sitka High marching band. Can you pick out the tune and theme attire?

I really chuckle at the creativity of the Coho lyrics.

And, why not?

There was much more like the Seattle bagpipers and people shooting blanks in period costume. But if i can't make one video I won't put up every single one I recorded on fair Lincoln Street. We love Alaska Day, a day in which we saw rain, snow and sunshine.

*Amy

Fourth Fever

Nothing like vendors, games, rain and a festive parade to add to the fun of our sacred summer holiday. The city's fireworks display was on the 2nd (due to the Fairbank's pyrotechnician's busy schedule) and we were delighted FOH SURE. The residents around town are very generous in their illegal fireworks displays because we saw full out professional-level explosions right down our street and many other areas throughout the weekend.

The Gorns and Viators found a great location for the big parade Monday afternoon. The Sitka Fine Arts Camp (expressive and creative students from around the State gathered here for a portion of their summer) brought tears to my eyes (of mirth and merriment) with their music, frenzy and crazy costumes.

Some floats expressly showed the Southeast lifestyle.

Some floats gave more candy than I've ever seen--and not just tootsie rolls but full out mini-candy bars like a rainfall from Halloween. This picture doesn't cover it but the frenzy and movement of kids after this showering was hilarious! Notice the two boys exchanging goods near the bottom of this picture.

And while wildfires are real and a danger in Alaska, Southeast's rainforests are not at risk. Nonetheless, I appreciated seeing Smokey the Bear pay a visit! Last time I saw him must have been 15 or more years ago in MN....forest protection life treats him well apparently.

And to show some final fun special to Sitka's 4th....what I've heard is the annual and anticipated fly-by of Coast Guard helicopters (pretty sweet to see), and a water fight between the local Fire Dept. and the CG Fire Dept. In addition to the rain, 3,000 gallons of water was pumped out for this spectacle!

Sweethearts

Of course we enjoyed a day dedicated to expressions and feelings of love---Valentine;s is special for us as we became engaged on Valentine's two years ago, and this was our first in marriage. From the humorous to the touching we had little surprises for each other. While I was at a noon meeting, Andy came home for lunch and found a chocolate fish that was "caught but not released." He sent me a photo to say he liked it.While back home to work in the afternoon I was surprised by a van stopping by with this purple collection of flowers.I looked forward to starting Cupid's day on the radio spinning an hour's worth of love songs. No, no Celine Dion and "The Power of Love," but classics by Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Duke E., Sinatra and more. Even The Avett Brothers and The Cure made the lovely cut. For dinner we created a special menu together: Emmentaler Cheese Fondue with caramelized shallots and red velvet cupcakes for dessert. Simple, delicious and savored. Our lifestyle and schedule in Sitka certainly affords us quality time with each other...which sort of makes every day Valentine's Day! Also makes our first year-plus together as a couple, spent long-distance from Nome to Anchorage, all worth it.

A Red, Red Rose

Robert Burns

O my luve's like a red, red rose,

That's newly sprung in June;

O my luve's like the melodie

That's sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun:

O I will luve thee still, my dear,

When the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only luve,

And fare thee well awhile;

And I will come again, my luve,

Though it were ten thousand mile.

*Amy