the last great alaskan hike

This is a little late, but I just discovered the pictures on the camera. On our last weekend in Alaska we drove out to Hatcher's pass and hiked the reed lakes trail with Kari and Jared. This was the hike that made them decide that they wanted to stay another year in Alaska...uh oh. It was a beautiful hike. There were tons of big blueberries out, and the weather was pretty nice out. We hiked up a ways, and then we had to cross this boulder field. Neil had Abe on his back, and he did great. Banjo had the most trouble, until we figured out that his pack that he had on was throwing off his balance. Once we took that off he did really well leaping from boulder to boulder. The hike was about 7 miles round trip. We ate lunch up by the lake, and then hiked a little ways longer to find a waterfall. Abe was a rock star and had a great time the whole way, but by the time we stopped at dairy queen on the way home he had had enough. Chicken fingers were tossed. We'll miss days like this.

Jefferson!

They've been working on re-doing the park by my parents' house. The playground portion recently opened up, and we took abe to it this past weekend. It's really well done and actually has quite a bit of play equipment for little ones. So, yesterday when he wasn't very into napping in the morning I took him there again. Abe (or at least my dad's) favorite part was this little saucer that he sat in and spun around. Abe was mostly interested in playing with the wood chips. It was all fun, until he decided to eat them.

the walking manwich

Today Abe walked 11 laps around the first floor of my parents' house pushing the stroller for stability. I think he would have done a few more, but I had to stop (I was guiding the stroller to help maneuver around the turns) to get my phone. Needless to say he's sleeping quite nicely right now.

THis morning we went up to visit Abe's grandma/pa and uncle scott. We went to Ravenna park and played in the sand for a while. Then came back for a sloppy joe. Abe took the sloppy to heart!

hair cut time!

On Saturday we celebrated Abe's birthday at Woodlawn park with friends, family, and Banjo! My grandma wrote Abe a song about his best friend--brother Banjo.

The birthday boy!

A little late...but better late than never. We flew down to Seattle (Neil, Abe, Banjo, me) on Aug 26 just in time for Abe's birthday. Abe survived Alaska for exactly one year. We had a great little celebration put on by grandma and grandpa. Abe thoroughly enjoyed the cake once he knew what to do with it. He really could have cared less for opening presents. But he made quite a hall nonetheless. Now that he's had them for over a week he's really enjoyed playing with his new blocks, tunnel, walker, and musical instruments.

What's more ALaskan than...

..eating dip netted salmon and hand picked blueberry crisp for dinner/dessert? That would be attending Uncle Ted's funeral. On Tuesday night I happened to be driving home right around the same time they were driving Ted Steven's body to the Anchorage Baptist Church for the funeral service the following day. I was really amazed to see so many people lining the street with signs and flags and cameras waiting to see the hurse drive by. So, with Neil's prodding, Abe and I walked over to the service the following day. The church was equipped to hold up to 4,000 people, but only around 2,000 got to sit in the sanctuary, so we headed over early. I was hoping that Abe would nap during the service, but instead he napped on the way over, so he was ready to go by the time the service was about to start. So, I walked outside in the hall with him. He was being very good, but he was cooing a little, and apparently this guy could hear him over the bag pipe music, so we left. But, the coolest part about this whole experience was that while Abe and I were walking down the street, Joe Biden's car pulled up and he and his aide walked out and walked along the street next to me. I kept looking at him (trying to figure out if it actually was him) and he would give me this little smirk.

Even though Neil and I helped campaign with Steven's opponent, it was neat to be a part of the memorial. He did a lot for the state, and as my grandma reminded me, a lot for himself as well.


Here's the ABT by our house. I think it's funny that it says that it's "a caring community church", since it was their congregation that so vehemently opposed to adding gays and lesbians to the anti-discrimination laws in Anchorage.

News!

The picture says it all. We're moving--dood and all--back to Seattle! When we fly down at the end of August Abe, Banjo and I will be staying in Seattle. Neil's planning to fly back up for a few more weeks of work. Then he'll drive down the AlCan with his dad a few weeks later. I'll be entering the workforce once again at the VA, and Neil will be taking some classes at UW and working as a fulltime dad! We're sad to being leaving our Alaskan Adventure behind. We've had a lot of great friendships and adventures here, but we're excited for the *yet to be determined new blog name* chapter of our lives. Peace out yo!

Friday night bubbles

Abe with angst.

Abe with warm bubblies.

I'll eat you up!

We take our eating seriously.

Blueberries for Abe

Yesterday we went on a blueberry picking adventure. We got an early start on the day and met some friends up at glennalps. From there we biked down the powerline trail about 2.5 miles. (This was easier said than done. We were biking into an extremely strong wind, and the trail was pretty hilly. I was toeing Abe in the chariot, and I seriously thought I was going to faint.) Then we all locked our bikes and chariots together and hiked a ways to this lovely blueberry picking spot. Because it was a bit off the beaten path it hadn't been picked over. We hung out had some lunch and picked berries. Neil and I filled both of our tupperwares to the top. (Blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup (made from last years berries) for breakfast). The weather in the morning was actually pretty nice--reminded my why I love living in alaska. But, then the rain came in, and actually broke a record for the number of consecutive days of rain. So, we headed back. Going home was 10 times easier thanks to the wind, which was still blowing in the same direction. While we were standing on the path, our bikes literally rolled forward on their own, because of the wind.

Pretty cool scenery for picking.

Abe sampling our handy-work.
We left Banjo at home, because he likes to jump in front of bikes, and a few years ago when we took him blueberry picking he ate our friends berries. Sophie and Todd's dog Riley, was a nice substitute for Abe.
Check them berries out!

An apology to our 'Dood

Dear Banjo,

Ever since Abe and I returned home you've stunk. Your dad didn't think so, but to a more discerning nose, you were really quite foul. I tried bathing you, but it didn't seem to help. So, we did what we thought was for the best. For your own good, we decided to rid you of all that stinky hair. You were so trusting standing there in the bathroom, eating your peanut butter Kong while I chizzled away at your hair.

It turned out we stole your one true beauty. I'm sorry Banjo. The next time I come at you with those clippers run in the other direction!

Love, Your master

I guess he had it coming

When Abe was about 5 months I wrote about how this kid named Casey tried to throw a wooden instrument at Abe's face. Well, Abe is now having his go as the wild "bully". Yesterday I took him to Cuddlers and being the a.) big ham that he is and, b.) only kid who can move, Abe seized the moment and crawled back and forth in the circle screaming and throwing toys at all of the other little immobile babies. I think it's time for Cruisers.

Here is a video of Abe practicing throwing his toys.

Eleven months

This month's Abe/Banjo picture proved a little more difficult, now that both boys are mobile.

Babes in the City

Here are a few more pics from Seattle that Elliot took with his camera.
Thank goodness I don't have twins!
Jude tackle!
Abe wasn't a fan.
Best Buds!
The boys with baby Porter (who made his grand entrance yesterday).

My first TV interview

Yesterday the local CBS affiliate came to the crime lab to interview someone from the DNA section. They were doing a story on Anthony Dillard, who had been indited the day before. DNA evidence had linked him to two cold-case sex assaults (2005 and 2007). Abi, our DNA tech manager came in the back office area to see if anyone wanted to be interviewed on camera. Since everyone had already gone home for the day and I was the only one back there, I got 'volunteered'. So I met the reporter and the camera lady, and the reporter asked me some basic, general questions about CODIS and the work we do in the DNA section while the TV camera was rolling. Abi was also asked a few questions as well.

So I was all excited to watch the 10pm news. But when they ran the segment on Mr. Dillard, they didn't air any part of either one of our interviews. An airplane at the air force base crashed that night, so I'm thinking that story took time away from the DNA story. That, or our interviews were really bad. All in all it was a good experience to talk to the media about my job, and good practice for when I'm in court.

Catching up--in no particular order

Here are a few pictures taken while Abe and I were in Seattle.