Goodbye Little Van

Five years ago it seemed so big.  We went from driving around in our five passenger Grand Am to this pretty, red, seven-seat Mercury Villager.  But the era of the minivan has passed for our family, and last week we donated it.  It's so hard to say good-bye to the vehicle of many a happy family trip, from camping to campaigning for Ron Paul.

Dylan was pouting behind a bush for the final photo with the mini van.  :(

"Goodbye van!"

You took us where we needed to go

   In wind and rain and sun and snow.

Even though you hardly had heat

  and with friends there weren't enough seats

Your drivability record can't be beat.

You never broke down.

We were never stranded,

even though, on your hood, bird poo landed.

Your windshield leaked buckets in the rain,

and though Lolo fixed it with some tape,

it's impossible to cover the aching pain

of saying goodbye with adhesive tape.

On the Way Home

Dylan broke out in a chicken pox rash while in Alaska.  The last two nights before we got home were the worst for him and Zoey as well.  I don't know why it had to be, but they were up crying and tossing and turning and of course only fell asleep right before I had to get up to get ready for plane flights.  Of course it was worth it, and they do look so sweet when they finally fall asleep.

Susan dropping us off at the gate!

Dylan posing before we say 'goodbye.'



A Lovely Day with Grandma

Julian took Dylan and Zoey to the park downtown, and I got to take Grandma on a drive down Turnagain Arm for ice cream.  My mom used to drive us up and down this road on pretty days in the summer.  It's so gorgeous, and it was so wonderful to spend the afternoon with Grandma in the midst of Alaska's beauty.

Stop at a pull-out for a quick photo.

My iphone just doesn't do it justice.

Zoey playing in the softest grass ever cultivated: Grandpa's backyard.

Dylan hanging out with Uncle Julian.

Dylan kicking the ball to Uncle Julian.



Cancer Caps and the Moose's Tooth

Auntie Janice took our picture while we sported Grandma's array of cancer caps.

This picture is for Patty.

I've been talking to Patty and all she wants is to eat at the Moose's Tooth. ;) Oh Anchorage and the many great restaurants you harbor!  Well, that's where Alex, Julian and I ended up for dinner with some of Alex's friends.  Enjoy it vicariously, Patty.

Hummus platter...umm, that was a meal in itself.

Zoey refused to smile for photos.



They ordered a pitcher of Hard Apple Cider and it disappeared like "that!"



Back at Uncle, Uncle and Auntie's House, where all we do is watch movies or play with legos...



Arrive in Anchorage for Alex's Graduation

Zoey recovering with Lolo, from a whirlwind morning of flying.

Very happy to be at the commencement!

Grandma, partially protected from a stadium full of germs.

Zoey is frightened by the sea of Asian.

Lola, involved in the commencement.

Dylan, being distracted.  Or is that distracting?

Only picture of Alex I have on his graduation day.

Food heaven.

Korean delicacies, mmmm.

My first plate of happiness.

What 3-year-old doesn't love to be held by his ankles and shaken by his uncle?

Auntie Sue introduces herself to Zoey.

...and makes her love her.

After being accosted by Auntie Sue, Zoey begins to warm up to Auntie Emay.

Dylan still loving Uncle Julian.

Flying to Alaska with D & Z

So we just came back from a five day trip to Alaska to visit my grandparents.  We took a bus to Boston, then flew to Portland, Oregon.  We spent the night with friends (it was so good to catch up with them!) and then flew to Seattle, then on to Anchorage. It was a lot of traveling and a big time change for two little people.  Dylan was also unimpressed with the miracle of flight as you can see in the video below. 

Play area in the terminal.

Zoey was thrilled to be out of the a) the carseat, b) the stroller, c) the backpack.

Finally on the plane!

The 15 seconds they actually played together on the plane.

Spring at the Creek

Before I left for Alaska, I took these photos.  I meant to upload them while I was in Alaska but I basically had no interactions with a computer except to look up chicken pox information while I was visiting my Grandma. 

Our friend Kendra visiting for the day.

Nice smiles, right?

It looks like someone is getting a little goofy.

And goofier.

Complete goofiness achieved.

Silly boys.