fishing.
waiting.
not waiting.
exploring.
splashing.
smiling.
playing.
playing again.
lots of playing. lots of smiling.
bubbles.
fun day.
Monday, June 27, 2011
An afternoon at Harmon Lake
Saturday was a warm sunny day which we believe requires fun in the water. We chose Harmon Lake as our watering hole for the afternoon. Harmon Lake is a new man-made lake, north of our house. It is so close we could walk there. I see lots of Harmon Lake days in the years ahead of us.
fishing.
waiting.
not waiting.
exploring.
splashing.
smiling.
playing.
playing again.
lots of playing. lots of smiling.
bubbles.
fun day.
fishing.
waiting.
not waiting.
exploring.
splashing.
smiling.
playing.
playing again.
lots of playing. lots of smiling.
bubbles.
fun day.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Happy Father's Day!
We just returned home from the Vander Vorst family father's day dinner party. It was very special and very fun to see everyone and celebrate the dads.
Kya and my four-year-old cousin Parker have more fun each time they are together. Today it was all about the little red Jeep.
Kya: Oooh this looks like a nice car
Parker: Hello miss, let me show you some features. Here we have a CB radio.
Kya: CB Radio?! It's what I've always wanted!
Parker: It only gets better. This beauty is a 4x4.
Kya: [giggle] can I take a test drive?
Parker: Hold on tight. I'll give you a push.
... [smiles]
Happy Father's Day!
Kya and my four-year-old cousin Parker have more fun each time they are together. Today it was all about the little red Jeep.
Kya: Oooh this looks like a nice car
Parker: Hello miss, let me show you some features. Here we have a CB radio.
Kya: CB Radio?! It's what I've always wanted!
Parker: It only gets better. This beauty is a 4x4.
Kya: [giggle] can I take a test drive?
Parker: Hold on tight. I'll give you a push.
... [smiles]
Happy Father's Day!
Saturday in Linton
Yesterday (Saturday) Corey, Kya and I drove down to Linton, ND, to visit Grandpa Andy and Corey's mom who is there visiting.
Kya had fun showing off her walking for Grandma.
The weather was 80 and sunny. Great day to explore the yard!
Saturday evening, as we drove into Bismarck, we saw this scary cloud.
I later found out that this is a classic hook echo. The entire storm was rotating - a mesocyclone.
We made in home just in time to avoid the hail, wind, and heavy rain (which soon arrived).
Kya had fun showing off her walking for Grandma.
The weather was 80 and sunny. Great day to explore the yard!
Saturday evening, as we drove into Bismarck, we saw this scary cloud.
I later found out that this is a classic hook echo. The entire storm was rotating - a mesocyclone.
We made in home just in time to avoid the hail, wind, and heavy rain (which soon arrived).
Alaska Vacation: Part 10.1
Ok I lied. The previous Alaska post was not the last vacation post. This post will be the final Alaska Vacation entry.
We had a bit of last-minute fun before departing Kodiak.
Wednesday, June 15
Corey and my dad went river fishing at the Buskin River again. They first fished at a non-popular remote site at the state park. They fished for about 45 minutes until another fisherman approached and told them to be alert for a Kodiak bear. The fisherman had just seen one poke his head out of the bushes (on Corey's side of the river). With this news, Corey and my Dad quickly packed up and headed to a more populated fishing site a few miles away.
(thanks to their fear of bears, I have no photos to show here)
Right away in the morning, Kya, my mom and I went to a beach in Kodiak that is known for sea glass. We got a nice baggie of rolled glass to take home.
In the afternoon, my mom had a few errands to run (since my parents will soon be visiting North Dakota they are also packing to travel) so Kya and I had the afternoon to ourselves. We walked right across the street and down a public access trail to the beach. Kya got the giggles and some last few steps on the beach.
A few hours before our flight, we all drove up to Pilar Mountain again. We were hopeful that the fog and clouds would clear so we could see the mountains.
We were lucky!
Oooh so bright. We're very squinty.
Looking out to the Gulf of Alaska. This photo shows our hiking and fishing spot - Long Island (farthest island, long and thin). This photo also shows where we got our long line stuck (far right side and out a good distance).
We had a early dinner at Henry's Great Alaskan restaurant and then flew out at 7:30 pm. The flight to Anchorage is about one hour long. Since we didn't fly out of Anchorage until the next morning, we stayed the night with Corey's aunt and uncle who live in Anchorage.
They have a beautiful home on the Anchorage bay.
And WOW. Check out the views.
These photos were taken after 11 pm. The sun was just going down. When we got up at 4 am it was already light again.
Thursday, June 16
On Thursday morning our flight left at 6 am, and was 5.5 hours to Minneapolis. The flight was mostly full so we shared our row of three with another person. Not my idea of cozy but we survived. One vent I have to make: on the flight from Anchorage to Minneapolis, I was told by the flight attendant that there were no diaper changing facilities on the plane and that I must "do that" at my seat. Unfortunately she was not kidding. No privacy for my little miss. Not cool DELTA, not cool. Lucky for us, it was just wet and Corey was there to help. I can't imagine what it would have been like if I was traveling solo with Kya and seated in the middle seat ... and opened a poopy mess. Maybe Kya could sense my stress because she was an angel on the long flight. She was awake for all but one hour, happy as can be.
Just throwing the question out in case anyone has an answer ... all the other toddlers on our flight(s) slept for what seemed like the entire time. What's the deal?! Do the parents "give them something" or are they just lucky to have a kid that can sleep though anything (and sleep for very long lengths of time)? Advice?
The last short flight from Minneapolis to Bismarck was a fight. Kya was not excited to be in another plane (either were we). Luckily is was just over an hour and nobody kicked us out mid-flight.
We had an amazing vacation but we're all happy to be back at home. (here is Kya helping me unpack)
Thank you so very much Mom and Dad, you were great hosts. We have millions of great memories of our time with you in Kodiak. We can't wait to host you in a few days!
The weather here in North Dakota has been sunny and warm so Kya and I have busted out our favorite summer duds. Of course that includes our favorite sun hats and sunscreen too.
We had a bit of last-minute fun before departing Kodiak.
Wednesday, June 15
Corey and my dad went river fishing at the Buskin River again. They first fished at a non-popular remote site at the state park. They fished for about 45 minutes until another fisherman approached and told them to be alert for a Kodiak bear. The fisherman had just seen one poke his head out of the bushes (on Corey's side of the river). With this news, Corey and my Dad quickly packed up and headed to a more populated fishing site a few miles away.
(thanks to their fear of bears, I have no photos to show here)
Right away in the morning, Kya, my mom and I went to a beach in Kodiak that is known for sea glass. We got a nice baggie of rolled glass to take home.
In the afternoon, my mom had a few errands to run (since my parents will soon be visiting North Dakota they are also packing to travel) so Kya and I had the afternoon to ourselves. We walked right across the street and down a public access trail to the beach. Kya got the giggles and some last few steps on the beach.
A few hours before our flight, we all drove up to Pilar Mountain again. We were hopeful that the fog and clouds would clear so we could see the mountains.
We were lucky!
Oooh so bright. We're very squinty.
Looking out to the Gulf of Alaska. This photo shows our hiking and fishing spot - Long Island (farthest island, long and thin). This photo also shows where we got our long line stuck (far right side and out a good distance).
We had a early dinner at Henry's Great Alaskan restaurant and then flew out at 7:30 pm. The flight to Anchorage is about one hour long. Since we didn't fly out of Anchorage until the next morning, we stayed the night with Corey's aunt and uncle who live in Anchorage.
They have a beautiful home on the Anchorage bay.
And WOW. Check out the views.
These photos were taken after 11 pm. The sun was just going down. When we got up at 4 am it was already light again.
Thursday, June 16
On Thursday morning our flight left at 6 am, and was 5.5 hours to Minneapolis. The flight was mostly full so we shared our row of three with another person. Not my idea of cozy but we survived. One vent I have to make: on the flight from Anchorage to Minneapolis, I was told by the flight attendant that there were no diaper changing facilities on the plane and that I must "do that" at my seat. Unfortunately she was not kidding. No privacy for my little miss. Not cool DELTA, not cool. Lucky for us, it was just wet and Corey was there to help. I can't imagine what it would have been like if I was traveling solo with Kya and seated in the middle seat ... and opened a poopy mess. Maybe Kya could sense my stress because she was an angel on the long flight. She was awake for all but one hour, happy as can be.
Just throwing the question out in case anyone has an answer ... all the other toddlers on our flight(s) slept for what seemed like the entire time. What's the deal?! Do the parents "give them something" or are they just lucky to have a kid that can sleep though anything (and sleep for very long lengths of time)? Advice?
The last short flight from Minneapolis to Bismarck was a fight. Kya was not excited to be in another plane (either were we). Luckily is was just over an hour and nobody kicked us out mid-flight.
We had an amazing vacation but we're all happy to be back at home. (here is Kya helping me unpack)
Thank you so very much Mom and Dad, you were great hosts. We have millions of great memories of our time with you in Kodiak. We can't wait to host you in a few days!
The weather here in North Dakota has been sunny and warm so Kya and I have busted out our favorite summer duds. Of course that includes our favorite sun hats and sunscreen too.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Alaska Vacation 2011: part 10
Well this is the last post about our Alaska vacation.
As I write this, we are packed and the suitcases are in the car. We are just waiting for Kya to wake up from her nap and then we'll go to an early dinner and then to the airport. We fly from Kodiak to Anchorage tonight. We'll stay with Corey's aunt and uncle tonight. Tomorrow at 6 am we depart for Minneapolis. We're on a late afternoon flight into Bismarck.
Ahhh ... I'm not ready to leave yet. This was an amazing vacation.
Say a few prayers for us and our trip home. We have a very spunky and often ornery little Kya and a very long flight home.
Tuesday, June 14
Pilar Mountain in Kodiak
Kya LOVES being outside. She is like a puppy and will whine by the door until someone takes her outside. This little girl would spend every minute outside if she could.
Looking down at Kodiak.
Kya really enjoys walking in the grass
All the rest of the photos in this post are from Fort Abercrombie State Park.
The park is just a few miles from my parent's house and is a really great place to hike.
Looking at the Gulf of Alaska.
Relaxing on the beach (taking a hiking break).
Giving rocks to daddy to skip.
"catch me if you can"
Walking with Grandpa Z
... Kya is awake and we're on our way ...
As I write this, we are packed and the suitcases are in the car. We are just waiting for Kya to wake up from her nap and then we'll go to an early dinner and then to the airport. We fly from Kodiak to Anchorage tonight. We'll stay with Corey's aunt and uncle tonight. Tomorrow at 6 am we depart for Minneapolis. We're on a late afternoon flight into Bismarck.
Ahhh ... I'm not ready to leave yet. This was an amazing vacation.
Say a few prayers for us and our trip home. We have a very spunky and often ornery little Kya and a very long flight home.
Tuesday, June 14
Pilar Mountain in Kodiak
Kya LOVES being outside. She is like a puppy and will whine by the door until someone takes her outside. This little girl would spend every minute outside if she could.
Looking down at Kodiak.
Kya really enjoys walking in the grass
All the rest of the photos in this post are from Fort Abercrombie State Park.
The park is just a few miles from my parent's house and is a really great place to hike.
Looking at the Gulf of Alaska.
Relaxing on the beach (taking a hiking break).
Giving rocks to daddy to skip.
"catch me if you can"
Walking with Grandpa Z
... Kya is awake and we're on our way ...