Just Another Day

Bill and Barb picked us up in Anchorage on Saturday, and we made the trek to Valdez. We visited with Katie a bit before heading to bed.

On Sunday the five of us decided to take a hike on the 18-mile trail. It was a little rainy but still a nice hike. Bill and I decided to try our hiking legs again the next day and go out to the old stamp mills. We took the six wheeler back to the trail. Early on we saw a black bear, but we decided to pass him as long as we had a motorized means of transportation.

Eventually we got to a snow bank that we didn’t want to cross w/ the 6-wheeler, and we began our hike. It wasn’t long before we saw a pile of fresh bear scat, then another, and another… We decided to turn back and picnic at the small waterfall we’d passed earlier. We didn’t get much of a hike out of our trip, but it was still a nice day.

Wednesday Bill and I joined his parents on a kayak trip out to Shoup Glacier. It was a beautiful day – we lucked out on weather! The trip out went pretty smoothly until we got to a shallow river at the end. Bill Jr. had  to drag us up since he was wearing a dry suit. We had a nice stay at a little cabin that night and then paddled closer to the glacier Thursday morning. Bill and I got brave and decided a swim was in order to celebrate my birthday! Brrr!

We paddled back Thursday (with the tide, yay!), and arrived home to find the Svirs and this masterpiece created by Katie.

We decided to do the Stan Steven’s tour on Friday. We  saw lots of great wild life and some amazing glacier calving.

Friday evening Bill and I headed over to kick of his reunion weekend at a bonfire. Today we went flying (pictures to come), and tonight we’ll be reunioning again.

Hope each of you is finding something fun to fill your time with!

We lucked out and were able to head down to the Yurts to spend some time with our friends, the Holts, before they begin the move to Colorado. It was an exceptional trip, and we were happy to be able to lend a hand in packing up the home we’ve watched them build over the past couple of years.

We spent much of our time sharing memories, stories, and projecting as to what the future might bring. What an exciting time of life.

Here are a few favorite pictures from our quick stay… perhaps I can coax Tiff into sharing a few from our afternoon at the beach. 🙂

We’re looking forward to all of the adventures we’ll share in the future!

The past few days have been nothing short of wonderful! We finally got the “big” boat in and have been taking advantage of the lake. Here’s a picture of our first ride of the summer.

Bill and Jesse took a day trip up to Devil’s Cascade on Sunday, so April, Kerissa, Kaylee, and I made a day of playing on the Wii and creating some necklaces. It was so nice to have the girls out here, as it’s one of those things that makes summer feel like summer.

Work on the cabin has been at a stand still for the past month or so. We’ve just been finding so many other things to do with our time, and the place is comfortable as it is for now. It’s been great to be at the lake, right next to dad’s, and to have a little life in this place that’s sat empty for a year and a half. We are eager for more family to come and stay! Anyway, I haven’t really felt like posting a lot of pictures of the work we’ve done here, but I will share this picture of the back bedroom that Bill and I are staying in. The room has two walls painted tan and two painted “celery” – I really love it. The best part, though, are the blinds that totally don’t match the color scheme but do a superb job of keeping extra light out for late summer morning sleeping. 🙂

April initiated a fondue night for this evening, and I coaxed her to have it out at the lake. We had a TON of yummy treats – all dipable in either cheddar or blue cheese fondue or under the chocolate fountain. I think the world needs a little more fondue!

A boat ride and a jump in the lake wrapped up the evening; now Bill is topping things off with a little Mario Kart.

Tomorrow we’ll work on getting packed and head down to the cities to catch our early morning flight to Alaska on Thursday.

BTW – Congrats to YOU TWO who got job offers this week. 🙂

The adventure continues…

The weather seems to be more open to cooperating these days, and I think it’s safe to say that summer has finally arrived. However, I’ll have to put my embarrassment to the side for a moment and admit that I STILL HAVEN’T even taken a dip in Lake Vermilion. Perhaps today…

That said, I did make it in the lake the last night of our camping trip. We had a wonderful time! I was a bit hesitant to do so much moving around; camping for me has always been setting up camp and staying in one spot. This trip was all about canoeing through around a dozen different lakes and rivers. So each morning we broke camp and left for another spot. We had an amazing site on Crooked Lake – right below Basswood Falls – so we got to hear the water rush through the rapids all night. Here are a few pictures from the trip.

I should mention that we had gorgeous weather… and forgot the sunscreen. 🙁 Bill ended up in long sleeves, pants, and “headgear” to fight of the sunburn and mosquitos.

Since we got back home, we’ve kept pretty busy. Yesterday we made our final attempt to get high speed internet using the local WISP system. Unfortunately, it was a no-go… so,  I suppose we’ll have to look into satellite internet or something.

We’re going to try to get our apartment closed up this week, though it’s technically ours through the end of July. We fly off to Alaska next Thursday, and the rest of July is going to be a busy month!

So far it’s been a fast and furious summer. I think it’s time for me to put the computer down and get my swimsuit on…!

This weekend was Cook’s annual Timberdays Festival. Each year the town comes out to celebrate, and I remember what I love so much about being from a small town! Up above you can see the main street lined with locals and tourists, folks standing on top of the only bar in town, the drum and bugle corps (that’s my grandpa in the corner of the shot!), and “being green” reaching into logging country with an energy efficient car. Of course, the day would not have been complete without a little fresh squeezed lemonade and fried bread.

Life seems to continue to move at a rapid pace. I’m sad to admit that I haven’t even been swimming yet this summer. Ugh! I imagine that’ll change this week, though, as Bill, Dad and I will be spending the week up in the BWCA.

Here’s hoping summer finds each of you!

Well, the big weekend came and went. April is officially Mrs. Glass. The ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was a lot of fun.

The Happy Couple well into the evening.

The bride and bridesmaids… minus Annie, who was kind enough to snap this picture.

Lucky for me, my cousins, Brennan and Jordan, were ushers at the wedding. I got to catch up with them and do a lot of laughing!

Great parents being good sports out on the dance floor!

One of many highlights from the evening… getting a chance to see a friend I taught with during my first year of teaching, McKinsey and her mom, Hallie, who taught with April!

Brothers-in-law acting out of character… AC/DC perhaps?

When the end of the evening came, I wasn’t quite ready for bed. Lucky for me, several others weren’t either, and Bill humors me. We headed out for another hour or so with my cousins Andy and Trisha.

It was after two before we got checked in at our hotel, and this afternoon Bill and I decided we’re not feeling as young as we used to! We also decided that last night was worth it… 🙂

“Life with you makes perfect sense…”

~ Best Friend: Tim McGraw

So, we survived the last week of school. Whew.

We were lucky enough to have our friend Rick over for a couple of nights last week. He works for an organization that Bill contracted with for some video work this year, and he flew over to help put the finishing touches on the project. Of course we snuck in a little time for a little Wii bowling and golf before the guys were heading back to the MSP airport Friday afternoon. It was a very fast couple of days but nice to have Rick here.

I finally started riding my bike to work last week. What a wonderful way to start the day! It takes about 15 minutes, and all the while I get to listen to the birds chirping and the early morning sounds of the city waking up. Tomorrow, though, I’ll have to take the car and load it up with my classroom supplies.

Moving is the name of the game these days. We headed up to Cook late Friday evening and spent a good portion of yesterday and today getting Grandma and Grandpa’s place ready for us to occupy it for a while. The new carpet was installed on Wednesday, so it was exciting to see how it looks. I LOVE it – plus it’s super soft. When we were looking, we knew we’d want something that people would want to lay around on… because that’s what you do at Grandma’s!

We did hop on the motorcycle for a short ride Saturday. I’m excited that Bill has his license. I think we’re going to have some fun adventures that way! We also met up with Ape, Jesse, and Trisha for dinner at the new Crescent. Seems to be another fun spot for Cook!

Lo was kind enough to come and hang out with us this weekend, though between work on the house and napping we didn’t see a lot of each other. She’s just started her new job in Grand Rapids – we’re all in a change mode!

This week I’ll wrap up my classroom, Bill will finish up his last contract, and then we’ll head up to Cook with a U-Haul mid-week. We’ll have to unpack quickly, because then it’s time to get into wedding mode… 6 days ’til the Aune/Glass “I do’s”.

It is crazy to think how quickly 9 months can pass. There were moments this past school year when I didn’t think summer vacation would ever get here… and I am reminded once again that wishing time away is such a foolish waste. Inevitably the end of whatever it is comes along, and I become lost in some new distraction. What a true gift it would be to understand and appreciate each moment as it comes along.

I had a fantastic weekend. Dad and Arlene stayed with us Friday night before heading to the cities early on Saturday. We went for a nice bike ride, and then I brought them over to Forestview to see my classroom. Sara stoppped over to visit and play a little Wii, and not long later it was time for bed.

Bill flew out of Brainerd to Tacoma on Saturday for Katie’s graduation. So, I had the apartment to myself for a couple of nights. The wonderfully bright sun woke me up by 7:00 each morning, so I had plenty of hours to occupy. It wasn’t hard, though, to fill them with a little shopping, a couple of movies on the couch, and lots of PACKING! Our apartment looks exactly the same, but I feel like I did put a pretty good dent in the moving process. We’re getting pretty good at it. 😉

Today was a typical first day of the last week of school… The kids are squirrelly, and frankly, so am I.

Tonight Sara made Bill and I a delicious dinner complete with a girlie drink for she and I.

We then grabbed a little ice cream at the D.Q. Bill entertained us with stories (really, with the two of them, there’s never a story shortage!), but I couldn’t help to be a bit distracted by the trees behind him. Somehow Spring got here – it’s so green and gorgeous out. I’m loving it!

Good luck to those finishing up the school year, starting new jobs, and just moving on to the next adventure! As my dad always tells me, “Try to have a  little fun!”

We had creamy spinach tortellini for dinner tonight… it was easy to throw together and pretty tasty.