Tree Trek '08

Well it was a success. Our 2008 Gates' Christmas Tree trek was an adventure. Between a mix of snow and rain showers we managed to come out with 5 Christmas trees (7 if you count the 2 little trees that Callie found for herself and Jill) This year the trees were extremly sparse so finding that many good trees took some time.

Here is just a glips of this years Trek (thanks to Natalie our photographer).















Tyler and I decided on a small tree this year (very Charlie Brown like) since we will be spending Christmas away in Seattle. It will fit well on our corner table in the livingroom, however by the time Tyler puts on all the lights he wants to we'll be lucky to have a tree that stands up at all.

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving Day and More

We had a great Thanksgiving, with lots of snow and lots of food. We traveled out to "the property" (Tyler's parents home) in Palmer and spent Thanksgiving with all the Gates' (at least with all the Gates clan that wasn't on a catamaran in the BV Islands). We also had some new friends of ours, the Ham's, join us out there for a Thanksgiving feast. And I believe that my little niece Jill, at only 1 year 11 months, ate more then anyone else at Thanksgiving.





Tyler and I both got to enjoy a nice long 4 day weekend and really did nothing much to show for it. Tyler broke in his new "Gears of War 2" Xbox game and I did some reading and of course some shopping. I didn't brave the early morning crowds on Friday but I did venture out around 11:30am and got some great deals which I was more then happy with.

Now we have our house all decorated for Christmas and we are playing Christmas music everyday. I love this time of year.

The Swap

So we made the big move and canceled our cable.
No we did not switch to dish we have the good old fashion Bunnie Ears at our house. You might be thinking that we're crazy. I mean it's winter time in Alaska and that means dark days, cold weather and lots of snow so why in the world would we be so foolish to cancel cable at this time? Well we have remedied the situation by joining the thousands of others who are members of Netflix.

That's right we have joined the throngs of movie watchers and have become one of "those people" who watch our mailbox for the next movie on our queue to arrive. Really you wouldn't believe the excitement and anticipation there is waiting for your next movie to arrive at your door. Also being an Xbox owner was never something I thought I would get enjoyment out of but we can now stream movies directly to our xbox through Netflix so we can watch them instantly if we choose. It is a great way to get entertainment at home without having to brave the cold weather and the snow laden roads.

So, don't know what to do with your winter evening? Give us a call and see what we are cozying down to in front of our fire to watch and maybe you'll want to join us. Now you won't always find us in front of our TV enjoying the benefits of Netflix (we do get outside some during this time) but during this winter season we will be expanding our movie trivia knowledge though this new addition so be ready for the Movie game...we'll be unstoppable (at least Tyler will. I still have very little retention of movies that I watch and actors in those movies.)

So ... want to join us one evening? Here is what's coming over the next few weeks:

What we've all been waiting for...

Yes, it is unoffically the Holiday season again. Starbucks has the famous red cups out and that simple little paper cup has always made the begining of winter a joy and delight to me.


Last year I decided that I needed to bring this simple delight of the red cup home and so I outfitted my little mug tree with these:



If you haven't had a cup of joe in the red cups yet you're missing out. Come over to my house if you would like or go into Starbucks some time today. My recomendations this year:

1) Passion Tea w/one honey (ask for a grande size with only one tea bag and they will only charge you for a tall size...more for you money)

2) Chai Tea (ask it to me made with no H20 and w/soy milk for a creamy and wonderful delight)

3) Black and White Mocha (this is a mix of half white chocolate and half regular chocolate mocha)

4) Peppermint Mocha (this is a very festive drink)

Now, please control yourself and don't get to carried away by the Holiday excitment just yet. I think that Thanksgiving gets shafted every year. I mean there is lots of excitment for Halloween and even before Halloween gets here the stores are decked out with the Christmas docor and the holiday advertisments. Where is Thanksgiving? Shoved aside and forgotten about really (untill you eat that amazing Turkey).

So don't get to wrapped up in the Holiday season just yet and if the simple excitement of the red cup makes you forget about Thanksgiving don't worry there is a remidy for that as well - simply order the Pumpkin spice Latte. Who can forget about Thanksgiving when drinking this delightful latte?


MMMMMM....I think I need to take a Starbucks run

Did you?

Happy Birthday Big Sis

Today is a very special day. It is Amie's Birthday!!!


Whatever I can say about Amie here on this blog cannot begin to describe how wonderful she is. I have lots of fun memories of us growing up together: Playing games, camping, collecting earthworms, being scarred to death of Amie's "pet spider" was loose in the house, reading all the Berenstain Bear books we could get our hands on, and acting out Little House on the Prairie in the yard are only some of the fun memories I have of growing up together.
Over the years it is fun to see how things change, how life grows us and how even family relationships change. Amie has been such a great friend & sister to me, always encouraging and always sharing about how the Lord is working. Apart from being a wonderful sister she is also an amazing wife and mother.
It has been fun to see her move from avoiding all men to falling in love with Jon learning how to be a wife, and becoming a mom.

Both Rosemary and Providence are blessed to have my sister as their mom who is teaching them and training them in the the Lord and who loves them with all her heart.

Amie, your gift in hospitality, your love for your girls and Jon and your love for the Lord are a great example to me. I love you tons and wish we could be there to help celebrate this special day with you. I hope you have a wonderful birthday.



Happy Birthday!

New Career - Tour Guide

Ty and I got to use the road lottery ticket and drive our car into Denali National Park this year (driving in the park is restricted to tour buses and the few lucky lottery ticket winners at the end of the season). It was the first time I got to be at Denali and it was totally worth it. Check out our videos to see our trip.

Don't worry once you see the videos you'll know that I am not really going to change careers to be a tour guide. Tour Guide and being in front of a camera is not for me (the tip is broken down into two videos due to time limitations with You Tube ... but watch both, they are only a total of about 17 min).





This trip reminded me how much I love Alaska.

So mom and dad doesn't this look like somewhere you would want to go on one of your visits up here?

Goodbye Fall

So fall is officially over. The termination dust has come and the snow has arrived along with the cold weather. Though it seems extra early this year for snow, Tyler assures me that this is really pretty normal for AK. The past 3 years I have lived here it hasn't really snowed 'till around Halloween and apparently that is later than usual. So this year is my first "real" winter I guess you could say.

This year is the first winter for our pup Yawkey. Our deck looked like this earlier today when Yawkey went outside.
After a short time of constant snow fall it began to look like this:

While he is very timid and greatly dislikes the rain the snow is a different story. Yawkey loves the snow. We let him out on our back deck and he goes crazy. He walks around and sniff the snow for a bit then decides to start eating it and before you know it he has taken off on a full out run chasing the snow balls that his legs kick up in front of him. It is pure entertainment for Tyler and I to watch until he runs in the house covered in snow shivering. (Here is a short little video link you can see of him playing.)

IT HAS ARRIVED!

Unbelievable - but it's true, Alaska has just gotten its very first TARGET store. It opened this week and yes, I have already been there.

They were prepared for the madness and excitement, from parking lot attendants, security guards inside and having every register open and running...Target was ready for the rush of both those of us who walked in and had that look of seeing a long lost friend after many years to those wide eyed newbies who couldn't believe their eyes once they stepped into the world of Target. To those newbies it was like seeing the pages of a store, only seen through photos on the Internet, come to life. Mothers, teenagers, toddlers, grandparents, newborns and everyone in between could be found at the new Target location last night.


Though I prepared myself for the worst: angry customers, empty shelves, long and slow lines, pushing and shoving, I was surprised at the great time I had browsing the aisles, looking at candles, picture frames, kitchen gadgets, and clothing...my time there was delightful and the lines (though very long) moved very quickly.

I am proud to say that Alaska has finally gotten one of my favorite stores and it makes the coming winter a little more appealing...'cause really what better pass time in the cold and snow then to shop (and I already have my first Target Purchase picked out for my next visit - isn't it a great sofa table?)

Smarties

Ok, so I'm not really doing an entire post like you might think on Smarties the candy. (Though they are quite good and therefore do deserve a moment of recognition since this post appears to be named after them.)


I am talking about just one person or "smartie" (and I mean that in a good way not in a Jr. High name calling way).

Today I came from an all day seminar that my company sent me to to learn more about some of the laws that I work worth on a daily basis as a Benefits Administrator in the HR department. After finishing this 7+ hour seminar I received a "certificate of continued education" for completion in the one day training. But really should a receive such a honor for doing absolutely nothing? (I mean I simply wrote down what the instructor said and he even gave everyone the answers to the tests/exercises after each completed section).

So no, the "Smartie" here is definitely not me. The "Smartie" that I want to recognize is non other then my Mom.


Just a few weeks ago my mom completed her Masters program in teaching. There was blood, sweat, and tears involved in the process I'm sure if you were to ask her; and plenty of tests and papers that she was not given the answers to. However, on top of working full time as a teacher she plunged in and decided to become a student herself once again. She even gave up her longed for summer days of freedom to work on homework and lots of papers...now that is dedication. It has all paid off however and now she is the proud recipient of a Masters degree. What a great mom I have who has shown, and continue to show, a great dedication to all she is involved in and a great work ethic.

CONGRATULATIONS MOM! You truly are the "Smartie" here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA !

Unbelievable that Anna, whom I call my little sister (since she is my younger sister), is turning 20 today. I am so lucky to have her in my family and so very proud of all her hard work and dedication to the things that she is involved in. Her dedication to school and hard work ethic are a good example to me. She is a great sister and often makes me laugh.

I wish you lived closer Anna so we could spend time with you and celebrate with you in person on special days like today. We miss you and hope your birthday is special.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

3 Years and counting

Today Tyler and I celebrated our 3 year Anniversary. Hard to believe that it has already been 3 years. We have lots of friends and family who have gotten married the past few months and even more getting married in the next few months. It all brings back great memories of our wedding day.

What is even harder for me to believe is that I have lived up here in AK now for 3 years and 3 months, man the years go by fast. But I'm ready for my 4th winter and for many more great years with Tyler.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TY


Where Tyler and I got engaged



Our Wedding Sept. 3, 2005


Summer 2007


A few months ago in Africa 2008

Birthday Reflections

So today being my birhtday and all I thought I would share a short (and very limited) photo history of the past years. One more year down and one more year closer to 30 (scary)...though I have to say I must still be young since I am excited to turn a year older and don't mind sharing my age with those who ask.

(At home either watching TV or something...sweet hair ribbon/bow huh?)

(some time in highschool)

(First day at Master's College)

(Before Tyler and I were married)

(Last summer)

(Me today...this picture looks a little awkward 'casue it was a self portrait...best i could do...mostly so my Fam can sort of see my new hair)