Bran made this diaper bag for me for Mother's Day. It is so
cool, ergonomically friendly and matches my BOB stroller
(since I am so in to matching these days). He designed it
from the Diaper Dude bags but this one is way better.
What a seamster.
Back in Fairbanks
Well we made it back home to Fairbanks in one piece. We have been home for a month now. It was a bit of a shock to the system as there was 5 ft. of snow and everything was in boxes. Kind of hard to get back in the swing of things after being gone so long. It was really good to be reunited with Murphy, we all missed him. Caleb & Sawyer were thrilled to be back in the snow and to have their toys (it was like Christmas around here). Bran had a week off and then started work jumping. He actually jumped a fire last night on Afognak Island which is just north of Kodiak Island. I imagine he is elated as he is in grizzly bear country...although I don't think he has is 44 with him. He was the first jumper out the door for the 2009 season.
Our drive up north was lovely. We had beautiful weather, no car problems, and zero vomiting incidences from the boys. It took us 12 days to do it. I picked up Bran in Reno and then we meandered up the Pacific Coast Highway thru northern Cal & the entire Oregon coast. It was awesome. We stayed with the Andersen's in Silverdale and got to see the newest cousin, Jedi. We saw Larissa in Seattle and then caught the ferry in Bellingham. The ferry ride was very interesting to say the least and I am glad it was only 3 days. Then a 2 day drive from Haines to good ol' Fairbanks.
And now here I sit contemplating my navel....(I actually don't know what that really implies but my mom always used to say it) and how overrated waistlines are. Baby boy # 3 arrives in 7 weeks and I have not done a thing to prepare for it....no meals frozen, no clothes bought, no sitter arranged, nada, zero, zilch. I am scheduled for a c-section on June 30th at 8 am (assuming that all holds steady). Still have not decided on a name yet.
Jeffrey David Mann
Branden's stepdad passed away on February 27th from a
rare form of ocular melanoma. It was only 3 weeks from
the time he was diagnosed until he passed, leaving us all
in shock. Bran was able to be with him, along with the rest
of Jeff's kids and wife, when he went and I am so glad for
that. I only wish that I had more time on this Earth to get
to know Jeff. We miss him
Ode to Branden..... my sweetie
No this isn't MY sweetie (although he is a sweetie). This is Bran's brother, Jeffrey
with his blacktail deer.
Bran with his beloved 9.5 Kodiak Bear
Branden was lucky enough to draw a tag for Raspberry Island (part of the Kodiak Archipeligo) this past October. The success rate for a fall bear hunt is like 20-30% so he was wary that he would be coming home with a "rug".
This has been a dream of his for a long time and he was so thrilled when he found out he was going. He called his dad, telling him that this was the greatest day of his life and for him to guess what the news was? In which his father started dolling out the congratulations on expecting a new baby (a sign of things to come). Bran replied "no even better...I drew a tag for Kodiak".
Actually both our names were on the tag and I was suppose to be his "hunting partner". Alas, this was a short-lived endeavor. After watching a hunting video in which a big, beautiful bear gets taken down and me wincing and recoiling from watching it, Bran quickly changed partners. Plus, not to mention I am a terrible shot, I would crap my pants at seeing a 10' bear and I don't believe in trophy hunting....if you can't eat it, what is that point... but I digress from B's story.
Anyway, he got his bear and if you want all the specifics you will have to talk to him. I must say that I was very happy for him and hearing the elation in his voice as he recalled the details was worth it for me.
Zion National Park
Caleb took the 2 pics above. He is really into taking pictures these days "all by himself"
We went to Zion N.P. for the weekend. Zion is one of my favorite places.
It was the off-season so we hardly saw another person. We hiked the Watchman Trail although
we didn't make it to the top (thanks a lot Caleb & Sawyer). We also went to the wildlife museum (which Grandpa Jack strongly recommend..thank you G-pa). They have quit a collection of animals that are neatly displayed and it is free. The boys really liked it especially the Alaskan display.
Sawyer had a birthday on March 3rd. Hard to believe that he is 3 years old. We had a party at the park with his cousins. We had family pictures too. Sawyer was singing Happy Birthday really loud to himself. He had been rehearsing it for a couple of days. "Daddy" grandpa & grandma bought him a sleeping bag which he absolutely loves (this is an understatement as we can hardly get him out of it) who would have thought that it would provide so much entertainment. Now we have to get Caleb one.
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