Kodiak~Surfers Beach

We love exploring Kodiak but we don't get the opportunity very often. Matt is usually underway and I certainly don't feel comfortable walking thru the trails with the kids by my self (Bear territory). One place we have briefly explored was Psagashack. It's about 25 miles outside of the base down a mountainy twisty, windy road! So of course the first tie we went I got car sick! Well this weekend the weather was awesome and I decided to drive! We made it past Psagashack and found the very popular "Surfer's Beach". It was beautiful and well worth getting sick for-on the way back! lol I got to take some great pics!

We even noticed a small group of whales playing just behind the surf! I took some shots but they were too far off. This was the best one I got of two whales surfacing:

It is days like this one where I like living here and getting the opportunity to experience these things!

Mt Mckinley

We took a trek up to Denali National park last week. It is very difficult to see the top of Mt McKinley because the weather in Alaska can be unpredictable and grey. Also the peak has it's own set of clouds that like to hang around. All week I tried to get a decent picture and took about 40 shots. On our trip back down we stopped to pay our respects at the Alaska Veterans memorial. I turned around to head back to the car, looked up and this is what I saw. The sky opened up for about 5 minutes so I could get this shot!! Maybe it was my favorite Marine looking down on me! Thanks Uncle Tom!

Mom's Snow Day

Living in Alaska has definitely been an adventure. Especially dealing with all the snow and ice we had this past winter. Lately the sun has started showing more (literally 4am-1100pm) and it's been more like Spring fever! I personally have been more than happy to see the snow melt away. Well waking up on Mothers Day... I got a very unwanted gift..... more SNOW!! We got about 4 inches!! I decided to pull the snow bots, hats and gloves out and we went on a photo shoot with my REAL present.. a new Nikon camera!! Here are 2 shots I got! Enjoy and Happy Mom's Day to all the moms out there who know life is NEVER how you planned it... it's even better!

"Snow Flower"

Kodiak, Alaska

   
                                                   

GC Tragedy

On Thursday (4/12/12) our base was rocked by a Coast Guard shooting! Two men were shot and killed while working at the "COMSTA" also known as the Communications Station. It is located on CG property but is not situated directly on the base. Living on a military base you almost always seem safe. Families live here that are just like you, most of them with kids, and we go about our everyday lives. We worry mainly about our spouses while they are underway on a boat or flying in a CG helicopter or plane.  We don't ever think about them going to work on base and not coming home. Two dedicated Coast Guard wives lost their husbands in this unexplainable tragedy! Children lost their dads and heroes! How do you even try to offer your condolences while you know your husband will come back home safe and sound? All I know to do is to pray for these families and for our fellow CG family as we all try to heal and make some sense out of this loss. I will be more thankful every time my husband comes home from work or makes it safely to port after being out at sea! May God Bless ALL of our military and every spouse who has to bear the burden of losing their wife or husband. 

Pure Love

Its no secret that my son adores his Grandpa! Here is my new favorite image that shows it! 

Sea World

Normally I don't do theme parks. Mostly because my mom used to drag us every year to Disney, despite the fact we were totally too cool for it! It was always hot, crowded and we never had extra money for toys and things! My husband and I decided after we had our son that we would not subject our kids to the park experience until after the youngest one is at least 4! Well we are sticking to our guns with the exception of "Sea World". I LoVe it and my son loves animals and water, so it is a perfect fit. Plus once a year military families get to go for free!!!

So while in FL we gave it a go and we had a blast! Even my one year old daughter was captivated by "Shamu" the whale! I also got some great shots! Thank you "Anheiser-Busch" for supporting our Military!

Great Trip

Most of my family and friends know that I finally got the chance to leave Kodiak! What a blessing. I totally needed time away to see my family, friends and just regroup. Of course seeing them makes me just miss everyone even more! We had so much fun and did a lot of fun things. I will be posting over the next few weeks about some of those things. I go to take some great pics too, so of course I want to share them too! 

Here is the first one! ENJOY!

My Parker turned 4 yesterday and this picture totally captures him!