"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

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

Ten Months

While we were on a trip to Anchorage last week Miss A turned double digits in months. It was a sunny day mixed with work and fun, before flying back home to Dad.
So we took pictures two days later. :)

Miss A is eating a great variety but her inclusion of meat has been slow-going. I think the most success we've had is with pork. Venison was not a winner...yet. She is feeding herself more and more which is fun to watch and support. We think avocados are her fave. I am still breast feeding although there were a couple of days into month 9 that nearly convinced me it would end abruptly. With some creative thinking and perseverance we were back on track, for as much nursing as she's doing at this age anyway.

She's not crawling but if you hold on to her by the mid-section she will walk and cruise around pretty much everywhere (for as long as you have the stamina)! She is pivoting around while sitting, scooting backward and some other fun motions but we haven't had to full-on baby proof the house.

A's babble is vibrant and diversifying. Ma-ma and da-da, or dah-dee, is repeated often but we haven't felt it directed at us. We think her first real word, or near word, is "bah" for ball. She says it when we actually play with it!

She just loooves loud noises. Coffee bean grinder and the like bring big smiles and even some head banging that causes her lengthening locks to float about. Her liveliness, joy and energy in these moments are just beautiful and perfect.

Fall Festivities

Fall time brings with it a certain festivity that I am extremely fond of.  Oktoberfest.  We hosted our 3rd annual Oktoberfest.  It gives us a reason to eat bratwurst, slather on sauerkraut, drink a few choice brews, and hang out with friends who also enjoy the suds.

We have a simple request to our guests.  All we require is they walk into the house with a 22oz bomber of something they normally wouldn't purchase.  We end up with all types of beer. German brew, IPA's, Porters, pumpkin beer, and even Lambic's make an appearance.  We welcome all flavors.  As long as it fits into the beer category, I'll give it an honest shot on Oktoberfest.

It brings a grin to my face just thinking about it.  This is a very small sample of what our fridge contained.  Pure goodness. 

Of course Amy enjoys the event and sinking some suds nearly as much as I do.  Even our little A got in on the festivities this year.  No, A didn't consume this year.  Maybe next year. She was definitely dressed for the event though.

As has become customary at gatherings, we headed to the local Baranof Island Brewing Co. and brought home a beverage for all to enjoy.  This was the Back Draught Ale made for the local Firefighter convention.  My wife is great, she decided to go with the whole gallon vs. those tiny 1/2 gallon growlers.  Excellent choice.

Until next year.  Enjoy your Ale, bratwurst, and sauerkraut.  I hope you enjoyed your own Oktoberfest.  Cheers. Prost!

ps-Amy says to never underestimate the party value of an unexpected Etch-A-Sketch.