Buckelew Farm - Three Points, Arizona

I am having an amazing time in Arizona with my sister and her family. We took an outing to Buckelew Farm to find pumpkins to carve. We had so much fun. The only thing missing was Jason.

The last hike

We've seen the end of summer. We had a few really nice days in late September and now (get ready for this) it's SNOWING! I have to admit, I've very excited to finally have some snow on the ground. We've had such a cold, wet summer, why not have some white fluffy stuff to play in?

Below are a couple snapshots of us hiking up "the Butte." We went with our friends Shiloh & Hillary, who are also living with us for the time being.

It's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt. And believe me, this hike HURT!

Jason needed a little help getting off the mountain.

So did Hillary, so Shiloh strapped her to his back like an elk and hiked her out of there.

Proud to be an American

Every other year, Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage hosts an "Air Show." This year I went with my brother and a few friends. What an AMAZING event. The main attraction this year were the Thunderbirds, a U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron of F-16 Falcons. I really can't think of what to say that could possibly do justice to how awesome it was to see them. I was at the Air Show from opening to closing and I was in awe the entire time. It's such an honor that the Air Force allows us civilians to be a part of the action, even just for a day.

Below: The Thunderbirds Perform

Jamin (my brother) and I in front of the F-22 Raptor

Our neighbors to the East, a member of the Canadian Air Force in his F-18, talking w/ Jamin.

C-17 Globemaster

And so it begins.

Commercial Fishing season is upon us, and with it comes the journey to Naknek. It's exciting to see our crew come together and to see the dynamic of how they work with each other. We really feel like we have a great thing going this year!

The journey will begin tonight at high tide when the Brutus (our boat!) will leave Homer harbor and begin the 1/2 day journey across Cook Inlet to Pedro Bay. The weather has been beautiful, so we're hoping for calm seas. At Pedro, the boat will be pulled from the water and trailered across a mountain pass to be dropped into Pile Bay in Lake Illiamna. From there, they will cross the lake and navigate down the Kvichak (Kwee-jack) river to Naknek, "home port" during the season.

Crew of the F/V Brutus (L to R): Garrett Laner, Jason Benner, Joshua Veldstra

Garrett is new to fishing and to us. He's an avid outdoorsman, like Jason, and a hard worker. Jason met him on a job in Denali National Park this winter.

Joshua fished with us last year and proved to be an excellent worker and a fast learner. He takes ownership in the opperation and always has a positive attitude.

Jason and I are both very excited about this season. We know that we are set up for success and we're praying for provision and safety. I am hoping that our family and friends will remember the guys and pray for them throughout the season too. I would appreciate prayer for myself too, as I am staying home in Palmer this year to "hold down the fort."

Love to you all! Joanie

6 years and counting.

June 1, 2008

"Quatro" de Mayo!

Last Sunday, Jason and I hosted a Cinco de Mayo party at our house. Everyone that I invited cancelled with the exception of my friend, Josie, who was my partner in crime in the planning of this event. I was so worried about not having enough room/food for everyone and, as it turned out, we ended up having to call my mom and her husband to help us take care of the mass amount of tacos, nachos and chili we made! We had a fantastic time with Josie, Chevy (her 5 year old son) and Mom & Harold.

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Chevy & Joz = Friends Forever

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Josie & Joanie

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Us. :)

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Jason picking on the kid.

Photos of our new home...

I know it took forever, but I finally got some photos of our new house. It's a difficult task when you don't have a camera! My co-worker, Barbara, loaned me her camera to take some photos of our model homes, so while I had it I snapped a few of ours. :)

This is our living room. We wired above the fireplace for a flat screen tv, but we can't afford one. Actually, we've really enjoyed NOT having a tv in the living room.
I stood on the breakfast bar for this one.

Of course, we HAD to put the deer up. :) (That one is mine.)

Looking toward the kitchen/entry from the sliding door in the dining room - just to give a little perspective.

Our dining room with a loaner table. My boss didn't like this one in one of our model homes and was going to put it in storage. I commented that it would look great in my house! She offered to let us use it instead of putting it in storage - an arrangement that she insists is helping her out.
I think she's just nice. :)

The safari bathroom is back! Only this time it has Peruvian accents. On the far left you can see "Paiche Shells" hanging from the shower curtain. These are actually fish scales from a fish that lives in the Amazon. The shell on the left of the counter is a fossilized clam, also from the Amazon. I turned it into a soap dish. The wooden vase is called Firewood, and the painting in the mirror is a hand painted canvas. Jason brought all of this back from his trips to Peru.
All the safari decor was a gift from Sherry. Thanks Mom, it has served us well!

The master bedroom - not much in here yet but I'm going to have a "Tropical Paradise" theme. My mom bought me the plaque (above the window) that the idea is centered around - if you can't read it, it says "Paradise Found." The master bath is off limits because it's a MESS!! I didn't get pictures of our other 2 bedrooms. My step sister and her son stayed over so they occupied the guest room, and our other bedroom isn't much to look at. My plans is to turn it into a music room, but there are so many other things that take priority over that. So for now, it's an almost-empty room.