Fun in AK part 2

More fun in Alaska as we had so many people to see and so many fun things to do. 

 Eating dinner at my best buddy Paul's house. His son Oliver and Norah are about 2 months apart so it was really fun to watch them play "together" 

 Hiking up Perseverance trail. Norah got to ride in the nice soft stroller all the way up. 

 This is the end of the trail as you can see the river has swallowed the bridge. Norah and No-Ni were throwing rocks and having a good old time. 

 Dead center on this picture is our close encounter with a black bear. He was young and quite scrawny. I was happy that Noah got to see a bear. Wendy normally has intense focus to see a bear. Yet I (Brian) was the one who found this guy. 

Our customary hike to the glacier to see what fun ice caves await. There is a newer trail that we had never done before and that was pretty cool also. 

This time it was a little sketchy because there were big rocks falling out of the ice ceiling. Noah got hit on the shoulder with a baseball sized rock and he said "uh let's get out of here" I agreed. 

Juneau, Alaska!

It had been two years since we visited Juneau, Alaska! Wow! Time flies. So, we headed up there, Brian and our nephew, Noah first; and Karen, Norah and I a few days later.

Not a bad plane ride for the three of us! Norah enjoyed a nap. Which helped us all!!

The first night we stayed with my good friend, Julie and her family. It was wonderful! Brian and Jesse (mostly Jesse) went out late that night and scooped up a whole bucketful of crab. AHHHHH, I was in heaven. Eating all I wanted. We made some delicious crab cakes.

After that first night at Julie's, we headed to Brian's old home where his dad and stepmom live. Here is a fun picture of Norah and Grandpa.

Norah enjoyed the little dogs at their house.

A few days after we got in, the sun was so beautiful in the sky (it usually rains there a ton), I dragged Brian up a mountain with me. Mt. Jumbo (also known as Mt. Bradley). 2.6 miles one way 3,300 elevation gain. Quite a hefty climb. 

We are about halfway up in this picture. Continuing to enjoy the view.

Almost to the top! Legs burning! Can you see how steep these trails are?? They are crazy!

Brian and I often talk about how my heart "hurts" when I see a view like this. I can't explain it, but this is one of the most beautiful places I've been to.

To prove I was on the top. I had done this mountain way back in 2007 when I first moved to Juneau and it had been cloudy at the top. I'm glad I went back this last week and did it again. Totally worth it!!

A view the other direction.

And yet another view.

After our hike we headed out for a bbq with friends. 

Then the next day, we picked up Noah! He had gone to camp for the week. More to come on our trip!

Valley of the Giants

Happy Anniversary to us!! Seven years since our wedding day and still having fun together. 

Brian planned a fun day for us, and we took off in the car to a remote little trailhead with some GIANT trees.

The Valley of the Giants is in the middle of logging forests, a protected 51 acre site of some fantastic trees. Including the tree below, named "Big Guy", before it blew over in a wind storm in 1981. Thought to be over 600 years old and stood 230 feet tall with a 36.5 foot girth. See the picture below!

So, happy anniversary to us! Brian then took us out to pizza! Yum! All without Norah. She got to hang with my mom. 

Lucas Lodge

A few weekends ago, we headed southwest to a little town called Agnes. We headed there to stay at an awesome lodge with our friends Dan and Maddi. Dan's family has owned the lodge since 190something. The early, early 1900's. Every year they have a work party weekend to get the lodge ready for visitors. So, we tagged along. 

Norah found a few friends along the way. 

Old time slide! Awesome!!

Norah and Hudson, working on breakfast.

It was a good weekend. Brian helped with a lot of work. Maddi and I were assigned the job of babysitting our own kids. We were only able to complete one job. It was a good weekend!

Happy Easter!

He's alive, He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide

I am so thankful for Easter! 

Anyway, here are the token pictures of Norah and the special day. I tried to get her to smile before church. I like these facial expressions in the next few pictures. 

Selfie!!

1. Nice smile

2. I'm trying to be cute

3. Now I'm really making a face!

Too bad she wouldn't leave a bow or headband in her hair...Oh well, next year.

A little bit of Norah

So the months are continuing on...Spring is here and we have even had a few days in the 80's! Which was a bit crazy feeling. Here is a few of Norah. Because she is our favorite little girl at the moment.

At the park behind our house! It is so nice to walk out the back gate and be there!

Norah and Calvin, a year and a half old.

She got so big and little kid like! No longer a baby! 

At my mom's house, watching her mow the field. Maybe someday she will mow it. 

Below, she is checking out the llama. Thinking about how she can feed him probably. 

Pigtails for the first time!! Too bad she doesn't leave them in...someday.

She is now 1 year and a half.  Such a fun little girl, loves to say Daddy, even if I am asking her to say Mommy. She eats almost anything. Has a good nap during the day and sleeps pretty good at night. 

Norah loves animals and points out dogs everywhere we go. Her smile and laughter brighten our day.

Can't wait to meet our next child...whenever that may be.

Spring Happenings

We waited and waited for this form to come in the mail. And it finally did! (About a month ago, I'm a bit behind in my blogging.) Approval from the USA to bring an orphan into the states! So, a month ago, I can say all our paperwork got to Kyrgyzstan. Praise Jesus! Now we just wait for a child. It may take a few months, six months, a year or more. God is in control of the timing!

Norah is no longer small. She got in the swing, enjoying it one last time. Haha!

Spring time is such a beautiful time. God really knew what He was doing, creating a time when everything blooms and grows and develops after a dark, dreary, wet winter.

A few weeks ago, Brian and I skipped everything, dropped Norah off at my mom's house and went for a hike. We did choose the best day to hike unfortunately. It was so wet and rainy!!

Monty got pretty wet too, but he enjoyed himself!

Little North Santiam River