Construction Site

Mike’s friend Paul came across some pink plywood and gave it to us. He decided he wanted to build a playhouse for Sydney with it. So he prefabbed it at his house and then came over and with the help of Mike and Tony, they got it up in one afternoon. I convinced the guys, she need a deck that would hold her flower boxes. An attorney at work gave me some shingles for the roof and the decking for the deck. Paul has since made the little deck. We just have to put the boards on top. Hopefully we will get to pick up the material this weekend. Stay tuned for more updates on Sydney's Place.

Paul & Tony Butch.
Here is Sydney’s playhouse in construction.
The crew!
A sleepy little girl wanting to watch more Curious George.


Mike taking a break.

Sydney growing up!

See how Big my little girl is getting. She is starting to talk more clearly and remembers everything. She tells me how to drive. Slow down, watch that car, green light-go, seatbelt, and to go left or which direction to go to get to grandma’s house. Now I have two backseat drivers riding with me. Her hair is getting very long and we have trouble combing it. She usually throws a fit, unless I can distract her some way. She hates to wash her hair and the only way she will wash it is for her daddy. She first scrubs his hair with shampoo, and then rinses it, and then he gets to wash her hair. So it is a good thing that he has short hair. It is rather funny. Sometimes a lot of water gets spilled on the floor.

Sesame Street Live

Sydney and I went to see our first live show together. Sesame Street Live! She enjoyed Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and the gang. She also got to go the same time her friend Josie went. They both had a great time and wouldn’t pry their eyes off the stage. Sydney even learned a little type of cheer. Clap, Stomp, High Five, Roll it! I forgot what the words were though.

Sydney and Josie enjoying the Show.
Sesame Street Live

Peter, Sydney & Josie

A happy little Girl!

Holy Smoke!

I just got the poo poo scared out of me. We had a garage sale today and was outside all day long. We are going to try to sell some more tommorow. So I ran outside to put something else in the garage and noticed that the garage door was open. I tried to shut it, and something was in the way and the sensors wouldn't let it shut. So I went around to the front and was trying to move a piece of furniture out of the way when I heard a commotion in my neighbors yard right next to me. I look over and a bear was coming out of his yard. After my feet touched the ground from jumping so high, I high tailed it into the house. But being me, I grabbed my camera and ran back outside to get a picture of it. It was meandering down through the neighbors yards accross the street. I got some pictures and as soon as I can find the cord to download them, I will put them on this post. Man talk about the adreniline pumping. I tried to go through the back door, only to discover that my door had locked behind me. I will have to make sure that it doesn't keep doing that when I go outside. Don't want to be an afterdinner snack for Yogi Bear!

Fireweed 400/Valdez

Last Weekend I went down to Valdez. I have to say this was the longest that it has ever taken me to get there, but it was probably the most fun. Starting on Friday night Rachel and I went to Palmer to stay at Christina’s house. After dinner and a race strategy session, we hit the hay early (before 11 for me). The next morning we got up at 4:30 and was out the door at 4:45 on our way to Sheep Mountain Lodge about 75 miles from Palmer.

We met up with the rest of the crew from our office at the Lodge. They were on two different bike relay teams. Christina and her neighbor, Nan, along with me as their driver and they were known as team petal rockers. The other team vicious cycle was Michael and Laura Jungreis, Jim, Rachael and Bob Mahoney as the driver. Both teams got started at 6:30 in the morning.

It was a little gloomy and rainy when Rachel and Christina started out the race. It cleared up pretty quick though. Things were going well, when on the second leg of the race for Christina she had two flats. Nan and I eventually figured it out and she took over for Christina and we were back in the race. I thought I would have a lot of time to read my 6 magazines and my book. I even had DVD’s to watch. But boy was I wrong. I wasn’t even riding and my adrenaline was pumping. I would pick up one rider and drop off the other, and then we would take off to the next planned change out point. Along the way we would sometimes cross over with our other team before we took off again. I ended up barely getting through one Catalog by the time we crossed the finish 13 hours later. Soon the weather cleared, the sun came out and I quickly changed clothes to try to get some of the much need sunshine.

Before you knew it we were three fourths the way going through Thompson pass and I was changing back into my jean and sweatshirt again. It was cold and there was snow all around us on the mountain pass. Nan was the one who did the four mile ascent, and then went downhill for the next 12 miles. She also went through Keystone canyon. Which if you ever come to Alaska, I recommend you see on your way to one of my favorite places- Valdez.

Anyway back to the race. Christina and Nan finished in 13 hours and took8th place in their division and Team Vicious Cycle finished in 13 hours and 45 minutes. I was really proud of them all, as they did an awesome job. I had so much fun and was really glad I went.

Rachel Crossing the Finish Line!!

Rachel and I in front of Horsetail falls.

Rachel & Christina in front of Horsetail Falls.

Christina getting ready to take off in front of Worthington Glacier.
Christina and Nan changing off in front of Worthington Glacier.

Nan starting the descent from the Top of Thompson Pass. She reached 35 miles per hour going downhill.

Christina and me in front of Bridal Falls.

Christina and Nan crossing the Finish line.

Viscious Cycle.

Petal Rockers.

Christina starting the race out.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Hit the 36 year mark. I don't feel that old, but the calendar says otherwise. Sydney and Mike both got me a card and some beautiful yellow roses. Everyone at work was so nice too.

Mike and Sydney helping me celebrate. I don't all ways get the best pictures of Sydney. But look at that smile and the light in her eyes in this one! These two mean so much to me. They make life special. I am so lucky that I get to see this smile everyday. Nothing makes my heart sing more than to hear her little giggle.

Sydney and I sharing Eskimo Kisses

4th of July

I meant to post these pictures on the 4th of July. They are some of our firemen who put their lives on the line for everyone. I would like to say Thank you to the firemen, police and anyone who else puts their life on the line to protect us. Especially our Troops. Thanks for all you do. You are in our hearts and prayers!

Fireweed 400

http://www.adn.com/626/story/461686.html

See the above link to the Anchorage Daily News. It is a story about the Fireweed 400 Bike Race which started today and tommorow.

I am going to be a support driver for the girl 2 person team from HRHL. We also have a 4 person mixed team from HRHL in the Race. They will start about 75 miles before Glennallen and travel down to Valdez for a 200 mile bike ride. I will probably be leaving work here shortly to go get my stuff ready for the race. I am driving out to Christina's house and Rachel and I will stay there tonight. Then we will get up early for the race start, which is about 61 miles from Christina's house in Palmer.

I heard it was alot of fun and everyone is excited and probably a little nervous. The race was started 5 years ago by Peter Lekisch a former partner at Hartig Rhodes Hoge and Lekisch. Mary said she had worked the race for the first 3 years and said it was lots of fun. This year, they have more people in the race than any of the other years. Hopefully the rain will go away and the sun will shine down on the participants.

Not sure how long it will take for my 2 person team. Last year the first team for the women's 200 finished in 9 hrs and 22 mins and the last team came in around 13 hours. So hopefully we will come in between that somewhere.

The people racing from our office is: Mike Jungreis, Jim Wilkson, Laura Jungreis, Rachel Davis, Christina Passard and her neighbor Nan.

I love Valdez, it is so pretty down there. I hope to get some good pictures of the racers and the scenery.

Sydney & Her Dad on Sat

Sydney sitting on her Daddy's head. As she likes to say






She had to ride the pony!










I have always liked this sign, showing the distance to other places in the world.










Since this was our 50th year as a state. The theme of the celebration was the 50's. So they had a old car show. This one was called Pinki. It was so cute. See how small it was compared to Sydney.












Sydney playing in the giant sandbox downtown.

She had so much fun. She said we went to the beach. She likes her sand....now. Last year, she didn't like getting in the middle of it at mom and dads house.

Pretty flowers in Downtown Anchorage

On Saturday we went to downtown Anchorage to celebrate 50 years of Alaska being a state. Yep we are just a baby. They had all kids of festivities going on down there. I couldn't resist taking some pictures of some of the flowers in town square on on fourth avenue. There was a wedding going on in Town square. If you look closely you can see the ring bearer peeking through the trees.
The horse drawn carriage waiting to take the newlyweds away to live happily ever after.