2021 State Fair

Today was THE opportunity to visit the 2021 Alaska State Fair. There wasn't a fair in 2020. We drove up just as Jamin drove up. CyRi met us there. Michel and Alyse stopped in too. They headed out early to catch their flight. 

Michael and De'Etta

Allie, Stacia and Livie

Carrie, Cy and Liv

Dad wasn't sure he wanted to go to the fair. We told him we WANTED him to come with us. We didn't insist on Hatcher's Pass yesterday as we knew he'd been up there with Walt and Judy last week.  We told him the wheelchair would be best due to all the walking. 

Livie and Cy had fun smashing into Jamin and Michel. 

I wonder if the boys were remembering bumper cars at Mr. Gatti's in San Angelo, TX. I was. 

Jamin certainly isn't afraid to be himself. LOL 

We looked at exhibits, watched a few demonstrations, played bumper cars and ATE. 

Yes, there ARE big vegetables grown in Alaska. They can't possibly TASTE very good, but they're big by George.  We happened in while they were weighing this mammoth squash. The winner was grown by Dale Marshall and weighed in at 1,603.5 lbs.  In looking over this article, I think this MAY be the winning pumpkin after all. 

We finally figured out fair food. One simply gets everything, takes a bite or two, and passes it on! It was the first time I've been to the fair, ate all the fair food, and wasn't overly satiated at the end of the day. This turkey leg wasn't shared. I think this was Jamin's. We did share candy, popcorn, funnel cake, licorice ropes and cookies.  We topped it all off with a milk shake from Soda Jerk. 

The last week has been busy, full, fun. We were content, tonight, to sit around the campfire and visit.  

It was a fun day shared with loved ones. 

Independence Mine, Hatcher's Pass

 We woke up this a.m. and helped Carrie's Dad load the wedding chairs into his truck.  Everyone got breakfast, Steve, Debbie and Steven packed and then we headed out to make the most of this last day together. 

We drove out to Independence Mine in Hatcher's Pass. Josiah and Carrie met us and drove up. Livie was thrilled. 

This is beautiful spot. I like to imagine what it would have been like to live and work up here...it would be isolated and cold in the winter. The views are great. I would love to meet someone, or read a book by someone, who lived up here when the mine was operational. 

Me and Debbie

We drove on up to Summit Lake. It was beautiful. 

Stacia, Me, Allie 

Father/Son moment 

A group shot...

F - Livie, Carrie, Allie, Stacia, Debbie, De'Etta, Larissa
B - Cy, Steve, Steven, Michael, Jared

We came home and Alex stayed with Grandpa and the girls at home. JaRissa went into town to visit with friends. We drove Steven to the airport. 

Then Michael, Steven, Debbie and I went out to dinner, to Kincaid Park and to the Earthquake Park before taking THEM to the airport. We packed as much life as we could into the short visit. It was a blessing to have such dear friends come up for the wedding. 

Spending time with Steven and Debbie was wonderful. My heart wishes we lived closer to each other. 

Post Wedding - Part 4

 I didn't take a lot of photos. I did take some "mental photos." 

Livie knew she'd be staying the night with us but when the moment came she was sad. We watched together and walked of hand in hand. It was sweet to share the moment with her, to assure her that she was going to LOVE the changes. 

These guys packed "things" away, moved vehicles from our neighbors back to our house, and generally took apart the wedding set up. Debbie, the girls and I packed away decorations and food. 

Jared & Alex in the back; Steven and Michael in front

Michael got a fire going. Sitting around a campfire, roasting marshmallows and eating s'mores makes everything a bit better. 

Stacia, Livie, Allie, Me

We sat around the fire late into the night re-connecting with Steve & Debbie. Steven and Jared joined us too. The girls headed inside, and we kept talking. 

It's been fun to revisit a summer night and see how long the sun really does shine in the summer. LOL

This day brought home some thoughts which have been swirling in my mind. I have often heard that military folks make "shallow friendships" due to the move. That's simply not true. I have so many friends who were FAMILY, we lived in a tight knit community and supported one another through some tough times. Those friendships remained...even if we only spent 2 or 3 years in the same location. It has been great to see the Hardings again, we picked up where we left off. 

The Reception - Part 3

As the wedding concluded Josiah, Carrie and Olivia left with the photographer. 

📷 Carrie's Facebook

 

These guys were left with the charge of getting the BBQ going. Krista got food on the table. Stacia brought out the cake and cupcakes she had made. 

Michel, Jared, Steven, Jamin 

Steven and Michel are friends from our time in San Angelo, TX. Their Dad was the boy's Sunday School teacher for years. Steven shared an apartment with Jamin and Jared in college.  It really was great to have the whole Harding family in for the wedding. 

📷 Larissa

📷 Larissa

📷 Larissa

So elegant! Stacia's second wedding cake

Our two lovely daughter in loves - and Jared and Josiah

Stacia and Cake

Guest Book

We visited, ate and played Frisbee golf.

📷Larissa - check out Carrie's shoe attire - Xtra Tuff!

Before we knew it the guests were gone and Josiah and Carrie were pulling out of our driveway. Livie spent the night with us. There was a sweet photo of her and I walking away hand in hand...but I don't know where it is. LOL 

The Wedding Ceremony - Part 2

The door opened, Jerry (Carrie's father) and Livie headed down the stairs.  All eyes turned to the house. Carrie stood at the top of the stairs. 

Jerry, Carrie, Olivia

It was such a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding. It was AUGUST 28th - that's LATE for Alaska. It's nearly a miracle we had TWO outdoor weddings in Alaska and it didn't rain for either one! 

Josiah read his vows to Carrie. 

Carrie read her vows to Josiah. 

I KNEW this was coming and it was still tear inducing. Josiah knelt down and you could hear every woman begin sniffling. Josiah vowed to be a godly father for Livie.  It was such a picture of redemption and restoration of dreams.  I believe this is the first wedding of our kids which had me crying.  

📷 Carrie's Facebook

Mr. and Mrs. and Olivia too!