Re-connecting

We met Rob and Dollie in San Angelo, where Rob was an instructor at the firehouse. Ryan was a young man. We knew them when they brought Julia home from Romania. They were in various co-ops I ran at the time.  We left San Angelo and went to Japan, CA and RVing. They left San Angelo and went to San Antonio, San Angelo and Wyoming.  

As we were planning our Alaskan migration, Rob and Dollie told us they were PCSing (moving) up here! If you're looking for a good PA on JBER - Rob's your man. It was fun to reconnect tonight in their temporary housing...eight years later. Ryan is married and in TX. They've added Evelyn. Jared and Arielle are no longer with us....time has a way of passing sneakily until you catch up with friends from past assignments. 😏

De'Etta & Dollie

I didn't get a photo of the boys, Michael, Rob or Evelyn....but I did snatch one of Stacia and Julia. 

Stacia and Julia 

We had a good time sharing stories, I know Michael loved talking Air Force, and the dessert (brownies, berries and ice cream) was yummy! We look forward to more meet-ups.

Reed's Lake Trail

Jamin had the day off. He came by around noon and picked the kids up. He'd heard of a hike "near Palmer." They were happy to get out and about.

It turns out "near Palmer" was about an hour and a half outside of Palmer (or maybe it's an 1.5 from our RV) - anyway - it was a longer drive than outsiders would consider as being "near." 🐽

The Reeds Lake Trail is beautiful. 

Other than beaver dams, no wildlife was seen. 

The Notice

Nolan received a letter from the Selective Services.

He'll begin his senior year in August....we look forward to watching God's plan for Nolan's life unfold. 

Arielle has an Ultrasound

Last week these two journeyed to Arielle's doctor's and had an ultrasound - at 20 weeks. 

CoRielle at 20 weeks 

Look at these amazing shots of Baby S. 

Yes, they were able to determine gender.

Baby S is Baby Boy S! We are all excited! He is due to arrive 22 November...😍😍😍

Girl's Weekend Day 2

Day 2 of our Girl's weekend....we took care of business - laundry and the week's grocery shopping and then we went on the hunt for a few things we couldn't find on base. 

First stop Pita Pit - Stacia approved

Yummy food AND a 10% military discount

 We were trying to find a wok, a ceramic pot and rain boots.  Somehow, we ended up at Kohl's looking at purses....2 years since we've bought a new one. We resisted. 

We were surprised when we struck out on both woks and boots at Target and Kohls. We knew we could find a pot at Lowe's.  We stopped and savored the colors....next year, we'll have a yard...and we can plant things to stay....and have a real garden and not a container garden....next year....

We found a pot....and headed home to re-plant my Mother's Day flowers from BreZaak and the kids. 

We enjoyed some tea and scones.....dreaming of when we'll have the fine china and such for a tea. 

We're watching Princess Diaries 2 and waiting for the return of the guys.....it's been a good weekend.

Girls' Weekend Day 1

And so....since Stacia wanted girl time....it fell to me to plan a Girls' weekend. 😃

We kicked the day off by sleeping in until 9:30 a.m. I did take the guys to meet Josiah at 0600.....and I had to wake Stacia up to get into the RV as I couldn't get all the locks unlocked with my key when I got back. 

We decided to go by the JBER library and ask a few questions. Yes, retirees can have cards. We checked out a bunch of books.....these are for our research. I do see the irony in finally living in a spot long enough to invest in a garden - only to find the retirement home is in the far north.  

Next, we headed to the movie theater. We arrived early and were glad to see the strip mall around the theater. Wow - what a find. Lowes, Sam's club, Kohls, Target, tons of food places - to include Pita Pit and a juice place....and Ulta....

A word about the weather.....it was beautiful Monday and Tuesday. I think it rained Wednesday. Was gorgeous on Thursday and Friday, and rained again today. We are adjusting to the Alaskan rhythm. The rainy days are actually sort of nice- they break up the ever-present sunlight. 😉

We decided to do facials and treat our feet too. We are familiar with the masks from Japan. We hadn't tried the feet treatment before, but we're game.

We made it in time to get our favorite seats - very back row. We settled on Despicable Me 3. 

This evening, we whipped up some breakfast burritos and applied various masks to feet and face. We were told that in 4 days our feet will peel.  I am not 100% sure the foot peel was a good idea.....our feet are tingly. It smelled like polish remover and did remove my polish. 🐽

While everything soaked we watched Ann with an E and Pippi Longstocking. A word about Anne with an E. There are a couple of spots which may be inappropriate depending on the age of your children.  We chose to fast forward through one part and I used the rest as conversation starters. We did enjoy the season - and now we wonder if there will be more seasons coming.

Combat Fishing

Josiah, Michael, Nolan and Alex left this morning to go combat fishing on the Russian River in the Kenai peninsula. The plan was to fish all day, spend the night in a tent or their car, and fish all day tomorrow. Jamin and possibly Jared will join them tomorrow.

I was surprised Stacia opted to stay home. She said she wanted some "girl time." It turns out 1. the idea of sleeping in a car with all the guys didn't appeal to her and 2. Mom G had told her stories about folks nearly drowning in waders - she didn't want to try the waders. 😊 I'm happy to have her company.

The guys shared a few photos. I hear they are having fun. They are making memories. It rained all day, began really pouring around 4 p.m.  They look cold to me. 😉 Michael said, "It's a fine and pleasant misery."

Michael 

Alex

Nolan

Josiah 

 The total Salmon count for the day is 3. Michael caught all 3. One of the boys texted, "Tomorrow, we'll all get fish. If the disabled vet can do it - we can too."  There they are - our first fish since the Alaska migration.