Skagway Bella

When Jeff and I landed in Skagway, after our long ferry ride, we went immediately to the annual solstice party at Jewel Gardens. It is always thrilling driving through that tiny town. It brings back so many memories. When we parked at Jewel Gardens, I was alarmed at how many people were there. We walked through the gates, and I saw hundreds of familiar faces and facebook friends from spending seven summers in Skagway. I was breathing through my mouth and squeezing Jeff's hand, until everyone else became a blur-and I saw my dearest friend, Meredith.

Once we hugged, it was on. Together we navigated the crowd under the midnight sun, and saw some more dear friends-like Margeaux and Charity and even some new sweet madams. I was still overwhelmed with faces from summers past, but I was only in town for day-and chose to focus on m'dears.

Charity, Meredith, and Me

After the party, Jeff and I set up camp in Meredith's "yard." She lives in a cabin by the Skagway River (Meredith and I lived in that cabin-known as "The Cowboy Condos"-in summer of '08). Jeff, Oscar, and I fell asleep to the sounds of mosquitoes and the Skagway River.

Meredith, parked on her porch.

Saturday was a day of friends and food. We spent the morning on the porch of the cabin, watching Oscar play with Margeaux's dogs. We ate some incredible crab eggs benedict at the Fish Co with Aaron, Meredith, and Margeaux. We were even lucky enough to snag Cori, Daniel, DonNelson, and Liz for some added love. Jeff and I checked into our hotel, rested, then spent the afternoon at the Red Onion with the addition of Charity. We ate dinner at the always delicious Stowaway with Aaron, Mer, Ray, Char, and Liz. Then I finished off the evening at Margeaux's with the female heroes of Skagway, while Jeff and Aaron duded it out at the Cowboy Condos.

Emile greeted us back at our hotel, and after an amazing day of laughing with friends in my first Alaska love, we all drifted happily to sleep in our comfy hotel bed.

Oscar, perched on the top of the spiral staircase at the Cowboy Condos.

xo

Alli

Father

Grandpa James with grandson James.

It's difficult to identify what makes my dad so wonderful, because in my eyes-he's simply perfect.When I want to brag about him, I am halted by his modest example. But Father's Day is a day to brag about dads, so here goes!

Top Ten Things I Love About My Dad

10. He is the most successful person I know, and I only know that because other people have told me his accomplishments. He's one of the top air quality attorneys in the west, but he shrugs off work saying, "It's just nerdy."

9. He is always game for a good joke. I love making my dad laugh. We have identical senses of humor-personifying animals, puns, and good ole political humor.

8. He is a quiet genius. He taught himself Latin, French, and Greek-and he is fluent in Spanish. He always has a stack of books next to him, and he relaxes by learning.

7. Whenever he needs to give his name to a cashier to call when his order is ready, he will always tell them his name is either "Biff" or "Ralph." And when the name is called, my mom will always slap him on the chest, and yell "JIM!"

6. He is open minded and always pointing out a different perspective. I can be adamant and immovable in my point of view, but when I get heated about a subject-he will often remind me of the other side. Whether it's politics, religion, sports, or personal relationships, he's the perfect example of an open mind.

5. He gives himself completely to anyone in need. I've heard him finish short phone calls after long work days with, "I'll be right there."He is a quiet hero.  He just gives, and serves, and loves, and listens.

4. He is modest. He never gives himself credit. When he is honored with an award or recognized for his unending achievements, he will often hand off the credit to someone else or down play his own accomplishments.

3. He is a bit of a hippy at heart. He loves the earth, bugs, snakes, nature, and even the Grateful Dead (it's true).

2. He loves my mom. He is purely chivalrous-dropping her close to the door in the rain, buying her flowers every week, and always abiding to her needs. She knows she's a pretty lucky lady. :)

1. He has dealt with trials and adversity that I cannot even begin to comprehend. But he fills his days focused on others' needs, that (in my opinion) barely come close to his. His selflessness is palpable.

I love you, Dad!

xo
Alli

Ferry Ride

We made it! We are officially living in Anchorage searching for furniture, getting to know our way around, and enjoying "city life."

Our road trip was so relaxing and enjoyable. We started with a six hour ferry ride from Juneau to Skagway.

 Jeff had the good sense to bring up our sleeping bags, thermarests, and pillows. We sat up top on the deck, and remained nice and toasty during the sunny and brisk journey.

 Knitting with a view.

 I didn't get much knitting done, because the whales and sea-mammals were putting on too good a show. Sorry-no pictures of the orcas this time round.

When we docked in Skagway, we went straight to the Jewel Gardens Solstice party. We were greeted by some of my best friends, and specifically m'lady-Meredith. I was overwhelmed with love in Skagway, and that whole experience deserves a separate post.

xo

Alli

Embark

In a mere 24 hours, Jeff, Emile, Oscar, and I will be on the ferry, embarking on the beginning of our long drive up to Anchorage. The last couple of days have been full of cleaning, packing,  and throwing/giving our stuff away. We are beginning a lifestyle of living with less things. I am excited to see if I can control my spending, and let go of my attachment to stuff. It is tricky, because I love my clothes. I have cut my wardrobe in half over the last month-so I am proud of that. I will never be someone that only has ten things in my closet. That's just not me. But if I can only hold onto what I really like wearing, that's enough for me.
I don't know what to expect when we arrive in Anchorage. I am a little nervous. Juneau is my home, but I've never been one to shy away from a little adventure-especially an awesome road trip.

We are taking about four days to get to Anchorage. We'll take a ferry to Skagway, spend a day in Skags, drive to Tok, then on to Anchorage-with 24 hours of actual traveling time. And I'll be taking pictures the whole way.

Time for more packing.
xo
Alli

Three Days

Only three days until Jeff and I hit the road for our six month adventure in Anchorage. Now, granted it will be more work than adventure, with a few spurts of fun mixed in. But I'm anxious just the same. Our condo is in complete disarray. I'm overwhelmed, scared, and in enough denial to just take a nap instead. 

I am no stranger to temporary moves. I haven't lived in one place for more than six months in more than six years.  I love moving because it gives me the opportunity to downsize, and attempt a bit of reinvention.  We already have goals for a healthier lifestyle. We  signed up for a weekly local, organic produce box; we've noted the local farmer's markets; we live close enough to work to walk or bike; and we are even trying to live with only 100 things each-but I'm counting my wardrobe as just one thing :). Who knows if we'll adopt these changes, but we definitely need them-whether in Anchorage or Juneau.
Even with our combined excitement, I will still be nervous until I'm there and settled. I'm nervous for a new town, new people, new job, and a bit of a new life. I hope I can get it all together in the next 72 hours. 72 HOURS?! CRAP! I better make another donation pile, but I'll probably just procrastinate on facebook instead.

xo
Alli

Not a Baby Blog

I read a lot of baby and mama blogs. I love the adorable pictures set against colorfully clean fabric backgrounds. The faces and clothes are always clean, and life always seems so happy and perfect. Now that I have some some time with some real life munchkins, I realize that those blogs don't always represent the truth-they just show the joys. Luckily for the past ten days, I tended a couple of kids that seemed to be right out of one of those perfect little blogs-most of the time. Oh, there were screams, and tears, and definite confusion on my part-but it didn't matter. I love my niece and nephew so much more than I did eleven days ago. I will miss carrying that little potato-sack boy on my hip, with his constant giggle. I will miss Caroline's love of all things frilly, pink, and princessy, with her unbelievably obedient nature. What a wonderful eleven days, even if it wasn't perfect.

Here are some bits..

Lulu stringing beads.

A cupcake and her cupcakes.

James and James.

Jimbo and his Great Aunt Julie.

Memorial Day gathering at Memorial Estates.

Princess making crowns...

...for everyone.

Modeling some crowns.

Indoor tea party.

Outdoor tea party.

Gorgeous and gorgeous.

And a lot of sugar.

Goodbye sweet nibs!

xo

Alli

Princess Tea Party

I am day NINE into babysitting my little sweet-um niece and nephew. It's been pretty tiring, but overall they have been so much fun to hang out with. I get stressed and worried about eating and naps, but I am reminded that it's all a crap shoot. When dealing with babes, just be sure that they're clean and fed. I hope to savor the last couple of days I have with them, before I have to venture back north.

On Wednesday, we had a sweet little princess tea party. It was the perfect little activity to look forward to, and Grandma decided that it should really be fancy. ;) 

"The cream" (Sprite) and "the tea" (apple juice). They are Mormon children, after all.

"The Queen" (grandma) and "the Princess" (Lulu).

"The Prince" (me).

and "the Jester" (Jam-a-lam).

 The princess is pretty pleased.

After a few cookies, and lots of sprite, we let set all manners aside.

What a delightful afternoon.

xo

Alli