Happy Holidays

Last minute Christmas tree and stockings

Veterinarian kit, complete with patient

Never a dull moment with us, even staying home for the holidays and not having visitors we still manage to make life difficult.  We are half way through a move, on Christmas.  We thought we might be in the new place in time, but my work schedule and the needs of a three year old conspired against us and it just didn't make sense to have things harder than they needed to be.  Most of our stuff is in our new apartment, but because clothes and food are still in the old place we decided to stay there to celebrate and use the upcoming weekend to move.  Anyway, some much requested pictures of Miss Madeline opening gifts and overall just being her cute self.  Thanks to my mom for the toys, clothes and books, and brother for the thoughtful gifts.  Thanks to Dave and Judith for the new boots.  Thanks to John and Rose for the Duplos. Thanks to Nicole's Aunt Pat for the polar bear and book.  Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and that all is well with you and your families.

Books, books, and more books

New Bogs boots, thanks Dave and Judith

One of many boxes of Duplos

Polar bear with book

Baraka

I'm just going to say it, Baraka no longer exists.  Legal ownership of our sailboat changed last week, and with it the name of the boat changed as well, so she is gone.  Bittersweet doesn't even come close.  It was the right move to pass her along to someone that would use her.  Sitting in the yard wasn't doing anyone any favors, her least of all.  But we had a lot of dreams wrapped up in that boat, so now comes the time to let go of those dreams and start formulating some new ones.  Instead of trying to describe my thoughts and feelings in words, I'm going to let our photos tell this story, this chapter in our lives.

Our first day together, bringing her home.

Puget Sound Cruising Club raft-ups

Great Friends

Old acquaintances at Goddard Hot Springs

Windy Bay

Milltown Sailing events

Squirrel Cove

Wonderful sailing companions

Family

Poulsbo 3rd of July festivities

Great sailing

The best mate

Packing for travel

New crew

Elfin Cove

Fjordlands fun

And the rain

And the snow

And the yard work

"Any port in a storm" port tasting

Christmas

Red Bluffs Bay

Impromptu gatherings

The best times

Dock life  in winter

It really doesn't get any better than this

Exploration in Tracy Arm

Family Visit

Several hints in my last post about family visiting, and then nothing for months.  I've been busy, and lazy, and overall just unmotivated to write.  I started to write a different post (which will be coming right after this one), and then remembered I should make good on my previous promises first.
Earlier this summer, my mom and brother decided to fly up and visit while we were still in Juneau.  We filled the time with the usual touristy things, went to the Mendenhall glacier, went out on a whale watch tour, rode the tram, went to the hatchery, visited the city museum, ate at all the decent restaurants, drove out the road to look at the wildlife.  The days were packed with activities beyond just chasing a toddler around.
Their timing was good for salmon watching, the fish ladder and holding pens at the hatchery were filled with salmon and it made for some great viewing.  we really took advantage of the tour company I was working for.  We tried to go on a beach safari trip that they offer, but unfortunately had mechanical issues and had to turn back.  We did get in a good whale watch trip, with lots of humpback activity including a mom and calf doing simultaneous breaching.  My brother and I also got to go on a hovercraft tour to a nearby glacier, a very interesting experience giving a different perspective on our surroundings.
Some of the highlights that are shown in the photos included a great show by the humpback whales on our tour (photo by my brother), an up close visit from a bear while we were taking pictures out the road, and a panoramic shot from the hovercraft trip.
Even though we had seen my family recently when we stopped in MN on our way to AK, it's always nice to have folks put in the effort to come see you, especially when you are a moving target like we are and tend to stop in pretty remote locations.