The Sound of Music

Did you watch this classic on TV tonite? We happened to flip it on right at the "Do Re Mi" through Salzburg, and I couldn't help myself but to blog my first memeory of this wonderful movie. (It is my all time favorite!) I was about 6 years old, and had some version of the stomach flu. My mom let me stay up late to watch this movie while I sipped 7-Up and she ironed. I remember having to run to the bathroom right at the wedding part! I was devastated! The next day my mom asked me about the movie, and she was amazed that I remembered the entire thing- love at first sight! She pulled out the record album soundtrack, and from there I began my repetoire (sp?) of Sound of Music favorites. I still know all of the words- and now Abby does too! Are you a Sound of Music fan? What's your favorite song? Did you dance around the couches in your living room as a girl pretending they were the gazebo? :-)

Half-Marathon Complete!

After walk-jogging at the Wasilla Sports Complex last winter, jog-running at the Alcantra Trails this summer, and actually running the streets of Wasilla and Palmer this fall, Stacy and I finally finished the Long Beach Half Marathon on October 12! Woo Hoo! We had a so much fun running with 18,000 people, celebrated our muscles and their soreness, and got to hang out in the sunshine with girlfriends for 3 days! Both of us plan to repeat the same race next year, only with a new and improved race time! :-)

Friends in the picture: (pictures soon- tech. difficulty!)
Seattle Pam with Baby Cate
Becky
Allison
Tina
me
Stacy

Eleven Years of "I Do..."

Our 11th anniversary came this past September 27. For the first time ever, we flew to Seattle without kids and lived it up! We spent the first night in the swanky Woodmark Hotel on Carillon Point in Kirkland, and woke up the next morning to beautiful Seattle weather. Off to the Mariners game we went with Steve's brother, Grant and his wife, Natalie. The baseball tickets were our Christmas gift from N and G - thank you! I still am not sure which was more anticipated by Steve- the Mariners game or a weekend away with his wife! :-) We ended our day with shopping at one of my favorite spots, University Village, and a fun sushi-on-the-conveyor-belt dinners. After a night with N and G, we had brunch and jetted back home! Refreshing, relaxing, and such a reminder of life before kids! Eleven years is a relatively short marriage in the big picture, Steve tells me. I'm grateful for every minute with my true love, Steve Novak!

Girdwood

So much fun with our friends over Labor Day Weekend!

*We drove to Girdwood in a boys' van and a girls' van, along with a Starbucks stop. :-)

*We saw tons of Beluga whales playing around in Cook Inlet.

*We found a fun playground to let off some pent-up riding in the van energy.

*We had a yummy dinner at Chair Five Pizza.

*We swam and played in the pool.

*We slept, yes all 10 of us, in a hotel room at Alyeska.

*We had breakfast at The Bake Shop.

*We hiked the Winner Creek Trail and rode the hand tram.

*We panned for gold in the rain at Crow Creek Mine. (Plan this one into next summer's family outings- wow- lots of fun- could be an all day adventure!)

*We drove home with soaked-happy-exhausted kids sacked out in the back seat!

Thanks for a great weekend, Bacons!

Alaska State Fair

We made the annual trek to the fair this past August. Steve and the kids brought Grandma Debby (Steve's mom) along for the rides (Steve and Abby got stuck on the Ferris Wheel for a few minutes), and I met them afterschool at the Lumberjack show. After lots of fair snacks and booth visiting, we enjoyed the petting zoo and hula hoop pitstop. We also won $2 at the Rat Race, watched the stunt dogs, and saw lots of 4-H animals and vegetables. Abby and David both won stuffed animals, and chose a HUGE lollipop as their treat.

First Day of School

David, our first-grader!!! Wow! He has the same teacher, Mrs. Haralson, and is now an "older" in the K-1 classroom. He is adjusting well to his longer school day, and loves playing at recess with his buddies from last year!

Abby started preschool this morning. She'll go two mornings a week. After a shy start, she had a great time- and even told me at lunch that next time she's ready to come to preschool all by herself!

Remembering this Sunday 2007

One year ago today I sat in church with my mom for the very last time. Today was a very emotional worship service for me... to say the least. This weekend was the weekend my mom flew up last year to spend some time with us, to enjoy the fair with us, to see David off to kindergarten, and to say good-bye. I've been reminiscing all week about my experience at this time last year. Today in church though, I just had such a feeling of empathy for my mom's experience on this Sunday last year. She really wanted to go to church, although I had thought she wouldn't want to for several reasons. She had been so sick in the night, and she was so tired and weak. She couldn't stand for the singing, and when the worship team led us in "Amazing Grace," I sat down with my mom and held her hand as she wept. And I wept. And I'm weeping right now... Today I finally was able to wonder how what my mom must have felt as the words to the hymn and the workings in her heart affected her. The joy of what was to come, but the fear of the unknown, or even her life flashing before her- what were her feelings? She was so private about her faith. I am assured that she is experiencing that "Amazing Grace" without looking back. I feel so blessed to have had a connection with my mom through our faith, and to have been included in her closure this Sunday in 2007.

These are some memorable pictures of this weekend in 2007. I have enlarged each of these photos, and now have them hanging in our stairwell. I love seeing her smile, and recalling the warmth of her visit last year. We were honored to have her. I love you, Mom.