I literally have a screw lose...literally!!!

I've had a nagging infection on the left side of my low jaw ever since my surgery in June.  I've been on antibiotics twice since then, once from Dr. Lee in Seattle, and the other from my orthodontist up here in Anchorage, and each time my infection came back.  I finally saw an oral surgeon in Anchorage on Wednesday.  They took another X-ray, and the surgeon thought that I had infected hardware, i.e. (presumably) caused by a lose screw.  

They wanted to schedule me for surgery right away.  I told them I was going to Hawaii on April 16th, but the surgery couldn't wait.  So I'm going under the knife on April 8th, which is one day before I was suppose to get my braces off.  Hopefully I can get them off before hand, if not, I'll have to wait until May.  Oh, and we find out the sex of the Peanut on April 7th.  Now that's a busy week.

On a different note, welcome to the blog Stu!  That makes 7 followers!  In another year maybe we'll move into double-digits!

Three letters - PFD

Emily and I became true Alaskans today.  We went downtown to submit our signature forms and passport to the Permanent Fund Dividend Office.  If all goes well we should receive a nice check in mail from Good Ol' Sarah Palin come November.  Hooray for welfare states!

In other news, that silly volcano Mt. Redoubt finally blew.  5 times no less.  But we have been unaffected thus far.  Apparently the ash has drifted mostly north of Anchorage, around the Wasilla-Palmer area.  So we don't have much to worry about.  It was actually a pretty nice and sunny day today.

Speaking of sunny days, we'll have loads of them coming up.  We're off to Hawaii (Honolulu) from April 16th - 26th.  Kari and Jared will also be in Honolulu that time, so we'll probably do some stuff with them.  We might also fly to Maui or the Big Island so we can hit up one of the National Parks.

Snow Camping off Archangel Road

Emily, Banjo and I went snow camping with Jared, Kari and Rachel this weekend. We went to a place just off of Archangel Road, which is a snow-covered road on the way up to Hatcher Pass. We left right after work on Friday, finally getting out of Anchorage around 5pm. We arrived at the trailhead a little before 7 and packed our gear onto the 3 sleds that Jared borrowed.

Since Emily and I brought our XC ski's we skied on the road into our campsite. We headed down the road for about an hour (maybe going a little over a mile) and found a nice little spot just off the main road. I was pulling a sled behind me and skiing, which proved pretty difficult at time, especially when I was trying to go up hills. To be fair, I did have a good deal of weight on my sled, like our 15-foot Christmas tree chopped up, my backpack, our tent, etc. So I was always the straggler.

Emily and I had some yummy campfire-pizzas that we made in our pudge iron. But the fire was pretty lame because it kept sinkiing down in the deep snow pack. It got pretty cold during the night, probably down around zero. Emily was nice and warm b/c she had two extra blankets on her. I was a litle colder and didn't get much sleep. But we had a great time the next day.
Neil, Jared, Kari and Rachel hiking into our campsite.
Neil doing his best sled-dog impersonation. The sled was heavy and hard to pull uphill. Especially since the sled would pull me back down the hill sometimes.

Snow camping - Saturday

We woke up on Saturday to a crystal-clear morning. It was still cold - Jared said it was 9 right when he woke up - but we managed to eat some oatmeal (and a a few cookies and hot chocolate) for breakfast.

Then we decided to go out and play in the snow. It was really cool to see tons of nice snow with no tracks. We found a pretty cool hill that we spent a lot of time at. Kari and Jared brought their snowboards, so they would go down the hill on their boards and hike back up. Emily skied around and I went down the hill on the sled.

The day was amazing - really clear and sunny. It even got hot at one point. After a while we broke camp to go back home. My sled weighed less than half as much as it did on the way in. I still had some troubles because it kept wanting to tip over on it's left side. But we made it to our cars in about half the time.
A view of the mountains from our camp.

The morning sun over the valley.
It was a nice clear day.
Here is our tent. It's not a 4-season tent, but it did the trick. We pack snow on three-sides of the tent to trap in air to help keep it warm.
Lots of fresh snow. The track ones the left were made by Emily. The ones on the right by Rachel.
Jared getting ready to start another run.
Banjo chillin' out after some long runs.Emily on one of her long skis.I think you can see Banjo and Jared on in the valley.Emily and the mountains.
Our nice little snow hill.
Jared, Banjo and Emily enjoying the snow.
There were tons of spectacular views.
Sometimes you need a rest when there is so much playing.
The happy couple enjoying the great outdoors.

A few pictures

Here are a few pictures of the boys in the kennel. Amazingly Neil fits into Banjo's kennel. I locked the doors, but he was able to open them with his big toe.




The other day at swimming this lady said to me, "Don't take this the wrong way....but, are you pregnant? I thought you were either pregnant or bloated." Seemed a little rude to me, but I guess my belly's starting to pop out some.

Peanut Visit

How does Emily pass the time while waiting for our Peanut appointment?  Knit of course!
That's the hospital parking lot.  It was pretty nasty and snowing in the morning.
This was Emily's reaction when she learned Old Navy had no maternity clothes.
Emily and Banjo playing with his new favorite toy - his Chuck'it.
Another super meal prepared by Emily!

Today we had another visit at the doctor's office today with Terry, our nurse practitioner.  The Peanut is doing great - had a heartbeat of 150 today.  Emily had some questions which Terry answered.

Since we were out and about we decided to go to Target, mainly so Emily could look for some more maternity clothes.  She also bought me a pair of boxers with beagle's on them, in honor of Saddie, whose health is failing. 

We then went to Costco to pick up a few items, as well as have a tasty lunch.  Emily had a polish dog, I had pizza.  Yum yum.  

Next was Old Navy, where more maternity clothes shopping was on the agenda.  Except there was one problem - no maternity clothes.  That made Emily sad.

Emily really wanted her hair cut so we had a stopped off at the 5th Ave Mall.  I hung out at Gamestop and the GCI (our internet/cable provider) store while Emily got her new doo.  I learned that we can get a few extra channels, all in HD, and a DVR for only 10 extra bucks a month.  I think I'm going to sign us up for it.

Since the Bam-Man had been cooped up in his kennel all day, we decided to take him to the dog park.  It was pretty sunny out, and would have been warm if it wasn't for the wind.  We used Banjo's Chuck'it.  He loves playing chasing after the ball, although he's not the best at tracking it.

After the park Emily went to yoga while I worked on my application to the Washington State Patrol.  Then Emily made a super tasty dinner of Lemon Breaded Chicken, green beans, baked potato, and a bitchin' salad with homemade strawberry vinaigrette.  Score!

Now Emily is knitting a sweater for little Baby Boy Anders.

Weekend fun

This weekend was the official start of the "last great race"--the iditarod.  This year we decided to watch the ceremonial first start (which occurs a day before the real start in down town Anchorage).  After swimming we had some breakfast and then meandered downtown at a leisurely pace.  It was perhaps a little to leisurely, because when we got there they were announcing the last sled to head out.  I personally wasn't that disappointed.  THe scene was pretty much the same as last year for fur rondy.  We ran over to try and see the last sled off (which involved me slipping on a fallen sign and spilling the free hot cocoa all over my coat).  Neil was able to see the sled, but no dogs.  I couldn't see a thing over the crowd.  Oh well.

In celebration of fur rondy or the iditarod, or maybe both, we went to see a show on Saturday night with some friends from swimming.  It was called the Raven's Radio Hour.  It was originally performed at the Alaska Native Cultural Center, and was a combination of skits, signing, dancing and some commedy.  It was really good!  One of the main characters had an understudy, which I think actually made it funnier, because instead of the elder lady being played by a female, it was the male director.  He was really funny.  I think there was quite a bit of improv too.  The show featured Native cultural classics such as a song about Pilot Bread (this hard, apparently indistructable cracker like food eaten out in the bush) and an actual oosik bone (those things are long!).

Poop in the pool

So I was hanging out at home, watching last night's episode of LOST on the internet (when I tuned in at the appropriate time last night ABC was showing last weeks episode.  When I turned back a half hour later, they were half way through the NEW episode.  What gives Alaska?) when I saw Emily and the Explorer roll up the driveway.  What was weird was that Emily usually gets home at 8 on swim nights, and tonight it was only 7.  I initially thought that maybe she wasn't feeling well (she didn't really want to go).  When I asked her why she was home early, you can guess her response: "Someone pooped in the pool."  But they didn't notice until about a half hour into the swim.  Her coach called it "bloody fecal matter."  I think that is more descriptive phrase and paints a more vibrant picture.

Fur Rondy Fun

Fur Rondy to Anchorage is what Seafair is to Seattle - just with a lot more snow, some sled dogs and a few reindeer. Calvin and Ruth came up to visit us during Fur Rondy last year when we hit up events like the parade, ice sculpture competition and sled dog racing. This year we didn't fee like braving the crowds, but there was one thing I wanted to check out - snowshoe softball. Since it was going on close to our house, we decided to walk there with Banjo.

But we got a little detoured on our way. After only two blocks we ran into a moose! And not any moose, but a bull moose at that, sans rack. We decided to turn around and go another way, but this bull decided to follow us. He pretty much followed us all the way home until he spotted some trees he wanted to eat in our neighbors yard. We had forgotten to bring the camera with us, so we went back inside to get it, and Emily took these pictures as we tried for the second time to make our way to the snow-covered softball diamond.

The snowshoe softball was fun to watch. One guy actually made a really sweet diving catch in left field. I wondered why all of the batters were swinging at the first pitch they saw until I finally saw one take a pitch and the ump yelled out "2 and 2". I guess they start everyone off at 1 and 2 to make the game go a little faster. Everyone really does run a whole lot slower with snowshoes on, and the bright neon pink softball pretty much dies in the outfield so it doesn't roll around a whole lot. And what softball game would be complete without a giant case of domestic beer - Coor's Light was the choice today. We only stayed to watch a few innings because it was a bit nippy out with the wind, even though it was a beautiful day.

The batters need to be aggressive when they start 1-2 off the bat.
Softball in the snow - you gotta love it.
The defense take their positions in the snow-covered field.
Emily and Banjo hanging out by the bleachers.
Me and Banjo on the way to the diamond.
The moose that chased us home!

Fur Rondy to Anchorage is what Seafair is to Seattle - just with a lot more snow, some sled dogs and a few reindeer. Calvin and Ruth came up to visit us during Fur Rondy last year when we hit up events like the parade, ice sculpture competition and whatnot. This year we didn't fee like braving the crowds, but there was one thing I wanted to check out - snowshoe softball. Since it was going on close to our house, we decided to walk there with Banjo.

But we got a little detoured on our way. After only two blocks we ran into a moose! And not any moose, but a bull moose at that, sans rack. We decided to turn around and go another way, but this bull decided to follow us. He pretty much followed us all the way home until he spotted some trees he wanted to eat in our neighbors yard. We had forgotten to bring the camera with us, so we went back inside to get it, and Emily took these pictures as we tried for the second time to make our way to the snow-covered softball diamond.

The snowshoe softball was fun to watch. One guy actually made a really sweet diving catch in left field. I wondered why all of the batters were swinging at the first pitch they saw until I finally saw one take a pitch and the ump yelled out "2 and 2". I guess they start everyone off at 1 and 2 to make the game go a little faster. Everyone really does run a whole lot slower with snowshoes on, and the bright neon pink softball pretty much dies in the outfield so it doesn't roll around a whole lot. And what softball game would be complete without a giant case of domestic beer - Coor's Light was the choice today. We only stayed to watch a few innings because it was a bit nippy out with the wind, even though it was a beautiful day.

How do you spell 'party'? D-N-A!

Sometimes moose just pop in your yard when you live in Alaska.
Munchin' on a little tree.

Since Emily had her swim meet on Saturday, she didn't have to wake up early to take me to basketball.  Our team won - we beat the only winless team, and coincidentally, the team that bitches the most to the refs about the calls.  I missed all of my shots in the first half, but scored a few in the second.

So how do you know you live in Alaska?  When you're driving home while it's snowing on a Saturday morning in late February and you spot a big ol' moose across the street from your house on your way home.  After it was done munching on trees across the street, it came over to our yard.  I snapped there pictures from our deck.

As Emily said earlier, after her swim meet we went out to Eagle River (about 15 minutes north of Anchorage) to my boss' house for a DNA party.  It was pretty fun.  Michelle's (my boss) two kids were there, who are 2 and 4, and Stacey's (one of my CODIS partners) 3-year old Sterling was there, as was Sara's (new casework analyst) young niece.  The kids all ran around and had a fun time.  Us adults drank some adult beverage (I brought fixings for Long Island Ice Tea's - I had my little 'bar' set up in the corner) and ate some great food.  Everyone made lots of good food - deep fried halibut, homemade salsa and salmon spreads, black bean soup, salads, salmon, and home-made chocolate desserts.  After dinner we played some Apples to Apples (to Emily's chagrin).  It was a real fun time.

Swim meet

Overall the swim  meet was a lot of fun.  We went there afterwork yesterday.  I wasn't too sure what to expect.  We got there a little early so I was able to warm up a bit, and then I was sitting there, and all of a sudden Neil pointed out that my event was up.  Oops I was heat number one and everyone else was on the blocks.  So I quickly stripped off my sweatshirt and put my cap and goggles on.  They didn't have to wait too long.  It actually worked out kind of nice, because I didn't have time to get nervous.  

When we signed up for the meet we were supposed to put down times for our events, only I didn't really know, so I just put down the time that Paula usually gives us to swim them in practice.  So, some of my swims were a little mismatched for the heats.  At Whitman I only ever swam the 50 and 100 yard free.  And I think that my times were about the same as they were back then.  (Although I was telling Neil today that this swim program has far better coaching then we ever got at whitman).  My times were 1:23 100 IM, 31 50 free, 1:09 100 free, 7:03 500 free.  

This evening we're off to Neil's boss's house.  They having a DNA party.  Neil is brining stuff to make long island iced teas.  I'm going to try and get some Thomas Kemper root beer to bring too.  We're also going to bring Cranium, but no Banjo.  He'll have to stay home and be guard dog.

week 15

This week peanut turns 15 weeks, meaning that it is now resembles the size of a navel orange.  According to the book it can now wiggle its fingers and toes, and suck them too--the fingers at least.  I'm thinking that it may have webbed feet with all the swimming that I've been doing.  Tomorrow is our swim meet.  I'm riding the bus to Neil's work so that we can go straight there.  I'm swimming the 100 IM and something else.  On Saturday, Meet day 2, I'll be swimming the 500, 100, and a relay.  It should be fun.  I'm just hoping that my goggles don't pop off when I dive in.  

Seizure and a haircut - two bits

Starting in January our Saturday routine has been to wake up around 6:30am so I can make it to my 7am basketball game at the Mormon church, and then Emily goes and swims at 8. But my team had a bye this week, so I got to sleep in.

But my rest was interrupted when Banjo made some strange burping-like sounds. I got up to let him outside, but he had a little vomit before he made it out. It looked like the one he had back in December, so I knew he was about to have another seizure. Sure enough, when I ran outside to see the poor 'Dood, he was on his side and non-responsive. But this time I didn't freak out as much, so I noticed that he was still breathing, and I swore his eyes were looking at me. My bare feet got cold (I was just in my pajamas) so I went inside to put on my new slippers that Sarah got for me. By the time I was going outside, Banjo was at the kitchen door, waiting to come in.

When we took Banjo in to the vet for his yearly check-up two weeks ago, she said that if the seizures are more than 6 weeks apart they usually don't do anything about them because the medication has such bad side effects. These two were probably 8 weeks apart. We just want the 'Dood to get better.

After Emily got home, we decided that Banjo needed a haircut. He likes to roll around in the snow a lot, which is why his fur has tons of dreadlocks in them. The fur was too tough to use the guard with our clippers, which he normally do, so we took off the guard and free-styled. Well, let's just say that we got a lot better by the time we were done cutting Banjo. With Emily's first swipe with the un-guarded blade, she took off a little more than she thought. I'm guessing you can spot where it was. We like to call it Banjo's airstrip.

It took over an hour to trim him up, and we filled up the garbage can in our bathroom with his doodle-fur.
Banjo after his haircut, where he likes to hang.
Can you spot Emily's first attempt at using the clippers without the guard?
Banjo needed to take a water break. Check out his two different legs.
Zooooom!
Up close. We still need to trim his face a bit.
We put peanut butter in his red kong to keep him still. We let him finish it off afterwards as a reward.

Portage Bay - Part II

When we made it to the trailhead of Byron Glacier, that's when the real workout began. Since it was pretty warm out still (a little above freezing still I guess), the snow wasn't that compact and wouldn't support our weight all that well. Meaning with every step we took, we sank. A lot. Sometimes past our knees. Emily was nice enough to break trail for us, but that only lasted about 100 yards. I got to do it the rest of the 0.8 miles. We all walked in a straight line (including Banjo) so we all could have an easier time hiking back.

But in the end it was worth it. It was a nice day and fun to be outside. But it might be a better hike in the summer time, because you can probably see the glacier a little better since everything isn't covered by snow.

Emily posing in front of the sign.
You think the snow is a little deep? I don't think Emily is normally as tall as a STOP sign.
Breaking trail sometimes leads to a loss of balance - and me falling in the snow.
The Byron Glacier - somewhere under all that snow.
Ahhh...family photo op.

Portage Bay - Part I

On Tuesday I went into work early (6:30am) so I could analyze my data for a few hours. Then we went out to Snow City Cafe, which is one of the better breakfast/lunch places in Anchorage. It's a place that I could see doing well on Capital Hill or something.

After breakfast we drove to Portage Bay, which is about an hour and a half south of Anchorage. There is a visitor's center that talks about the glaciers in the area. It was closed, and there was so much snow in the parking lot we had to turn around to get back out.

We decided to hike to Byron Glacier, which is only a 0.8 mile hike. But we couldn't drive to the trialhead because the road was under about 10 feet of snow. So we had to snowshoe in just to make it to the trailhead. It was probably on about a mile or so. But we had to break our own trail, which wasn't too hard, put a little deeper in some parts.


Banjo is always ready to go for a hike. Backpack: check. Dog boots: check.It's hard to see, but you can see the top of our Explorer in the middle of the picture, just over teh snow. This picture was taken on top of the snow-covered road.
Here is a picture looking down onto the car.
cEmily and Sarah coming back from our long trip.