Mi Mama

FINALLY-!!! Jackson has said mama for almost 6 months or so but it never seem directed at anyone... Finally I am mi mama (or at least that's what it sounds like). It's so nice to finally be called something! He is currently running around and pestering the dog who can move at a seconds notice.

We are going to Michigan tommorrow to spend abut a week with my brother, sister in law and for a few days my mom and dad. We seem to have gotten flights at good times so hopefully everything goes well. I had packed but am going to repack tonight because although it is 40-50 degrees here, it is still quite warm there. Actually they were saying it might snow here today! YIKES!! It is cold and yucky looking outside so time will tell.

Grandma Berrilla has passed away

In addition to vacation and buying a new car, Ryan's grandmother had been admitted to the hospital. Ryan was supposed to travel there this weekend leaving tom night and coming home next Tuesday. The day I flew home to Alaska, Ryan flew to Oregon. He was able to visit with her that night and all day yesterday. She recognized him yesterday morning and they said their goodbyes. She passed away this morning and although I haven't seen Ryan in almost a month, I am glad he was able to be there with his family. She was 89 1/2 and was very active but had recently found out she had cancer.

The funeral is in Oregon next Tuesday 9/9 at 11am at Pleasant Hill baptist Church. Please be thinking of Ryan and our family at this time.

Back from vacation

It's been almost a month since the last post as Jackson and I have been in Oregon for 3 weeks. We traveled to the coast and Jack played on the beachand I went shopping at the outlets. We went to the zoo the day a baby elephant was born and jack loved all the animals!! We went to the circus which jack loved. He watched all of the elephants and tigers. He watched the clowns and motorcycles. We also made it to the carosel in Salem. He loved the horses and went on it twice. It was a great time and we did alot of shopping. I left with 1/2 a suitcase and came home with two!!

We saw President Bush!

The president flew through Eielson on Monday as a fuel stop on his way to Asia for the Olympics. We were in a hangar sitting on bleachers, so not very comfortable but it was a special event for the base. Jackson did well except for all of the waiting. We got some good pictures and made the local news at least.

Camping

Camping was alot of fun- we rode around in a boat for most of Friday and were glad because it rained on and off Saturday and Sunday! We came back to base on Saturday for a birthday party and then went back for camping. It was alot of fun and we stayed in nice cabin this time. Attached are some pics to look at!!

Rain, Rain Go Away

I sit here and look out the window and think we are on day 6 of rain- maybe not straight through but for the most part. I heard this morning that there are shelters up around the area because the rivers are high- WOW. But on a closer to home note- our backyard is beautifully green! Ryan actually had to mow it yesterday in one of the breaks of rain. Since the last post we have been camping, my birthday has happened and we went to one of Jackson's closet friends birthday party. All in one weekend.

Jackson is doing well- he loved camping but when we got home on Sunday he started running a low grade fever and kept it until yesterday morning or so but it was on and off- I am blaming alot of teeth that he must be getting. Several nights he has awoken us and been screaming with no way of comforting him. One night Ryan was on standby and had to go out from about 9:45-11:30 or so at night. While he was gone Jackson woke up and as I held him and tried to comfort him all he screamed was "dadadadada". Apparently i couldn't do it!! But for the last two night he has slept through so hopefully we are out of that for now!

He is currently watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and saying "key" "key". He is getting too smart for his own good and getting into everything. I have had to keep moving things back because suddenly he can reach them.

On a sadder note- we have found out the grandma Berrilla has cancer and are awaiting the total specifics. I am already going home in about 2 weeks until the beginning of Sept. but we have begun to look for flights home for Ryan as well. So we'll see about that. We just hope for a full recovery but are also realistic about the disease.

Above are pics from Julian's b-day and my birthday cake- made as a surprise by jenna!! love her

Wow, a couple weeks have passed

Never a dull day here in Alaska. I can't belive its been almost 2 weeks since the last post. Jack and I are always busy. We have been to the community center- a large inside playland, so that Jack can climb and play with other children. We have done some art projects and loads of errands. We got a small picnic table at a yard sale and placed it inside so jack has a table to sit at and do all sorts of things. He LOVES to climb on it, of course. He is growing so much and now can get onto the sofa and be where mommy and daddy are. We are going camping again this weekend so I'll have some new pic by then. Jackson loves to be outside and play. He enjoyed our last trip - hopefully this time it will be warmer.