Mothers Day Musings

Today was a lovely Mothers Day! And I didn't even mind the weather...
We woke up to horizontal rain and winds, which got stronger as the day progressed. Perfect day to huddle inside and hang out with the kids. Melissa and Fisher came over for Omelets-mushroom and cheese. Very yummy. Melissa and I took turns making them (or trying to make them!) and by the 3rd one, we had it down. (Thanks to my brother-in-law-Dan for his omelet making lesson when he was here!!)

This afternoon while at Safeway it was Mothers Day Land. Everyone seemed to have flowers in hand, or looking for a card and people where saying "Happy Mothers Day" everywhere I turned. It was quite nice-sorta like a big "Happy Birthday" to all the moms. The checker chimed out "Happy Mothers Day" as I took my reciept. It was almost like I had won a prize-for having kids. This is the first year mothers day has seemed "real". Part of it may be that Stuey started walking--10-12 steps--yesterday which is a big occasion. And this mothers day I'm rested up-on prior mothers days I've been sleep deprived with smaller babies.

This weekend went very smoothly. I think a big part of this is the kids ages. I don't have to hold Stuart all the time-he and Nora play together and I really enjoy being home with them. The past two days I felt like I was in the kitchen most of the time-cooking up new creations. Nora always climbs up onto the stool in our kitchen with curiosity when she hears any bowls clattering or measuring spoons being taken out of drawers. Tonight she flipped though my cookbook and pointed out all the pictures of food and vegetables being chopped. She loves watching and helping, which I adore. It is such good time with her and the cooking and cleaning up gives us something to do together and builds her confidence. Stuey also is making small attempts at helping as well. He'll crawl over to the dishwasher when Nora and I are unloading it and he'll take out a dish or two and hand them to us.

Yesterday Mary Jane and I took the kids to the beach which was actually quite relaxing-until having to leave. Nora is never ready to leave the beach. I need to bring a timer or something of the sort to help her know when its time to go.
Mary Jane would build a little sand sculptures with the spoons we brought from home and Nora would promptly run over and knock it over. Stuey just sat digging in the sand-fascinated. Lots of the rocks made it into his mouth. Same with Nora.
Now that Stuart is walking, I look forward to lots more beach trips in the months to come. I can see many, many hours spent at Mill Bay beach. Patrick and I both love taking the kids down there.

Tonight I watched The Diving Bell and The Butterfly. Wow. Good movie. Hauntingly good. I read the book in college and wrote a report on it. Makes me want to re-read the book. Beautiful cinematography and amazing, true story.

Zoya

PHOTOS: The only two photos I have thus far of Andrew and Tamara's wedding. Ella was kind enough to forward them to me this evening.
Top: Tamara and Andrew at their wedding in West Virginia yesterday, May 10th.
Bottom: Ella and Dicky at Tamara and Andrew's wedding.

Andrew's Wedding

Patrick's young brother, Andrew, is marrying Tamara Schulman tomorrow in West Virginia. Patrick flew out there yesterday and will be attending his wedding tomorrow. We talked tonight after he came back from a dinner and I asked him the standard questions.... about what they ate, who was there, had he met Tamara, who did he talk to, what was Ella wearing? He could remember everything except what Ella was wearing. He replied, "I don't know, Zoya. I don't notice those things."Being her twin sister, I am extra curious about her fashion choices on such a big wedding weekend. :)
I am glad Patrick was able to make the trip and I can't wait to hear more details about the weekend!

The weather has been pretty crummy in Kodiak-windy and rainy non stop. Patrick interpreted this weather system before he left. He said, "Usually when it is like this for all of May, it rains all summer." Great. At least I can prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised when the sun comes out. I don't mind the storms but our driveway/walkway area is so saturated with water that it is turning into a pond. At least this weather makes staying inside huddled up with the kids kinda fun.

Zoya

Good to be 32

Yesterday was such a fun 32nd birthday. Friends came over for a barbeque in the evening and Mary Jane made a fabulous cake (see photo!) It was a checkerboard cake with Barefoot Contessa Buttercream frosting. SO DECADENT!

For a day or two before the party, Nora walked around the house saying "Happy Mommy, Happy Mommy"...then she would laugh and say "Happy Daddy? Nooo!!!!!". She was pretending it was other peoples birthdays then would say, "noooo!!".

Other highlights from yesterday include....
Rose Kinsley made a crab quiche and a salmon quiche (both absolutely delicious).
Mike and Roxan brought smoked salmon and cheese for appetizers....
Patrick was in and out grilling reindeer, deer and goat sausage burgers and grilled peppers-he is getting good at grilling veggies.
Katie and Matt brought Sawyer and Natalie and we got some newborn baby time!! Natalie enjoyed romping around with the kids...
Fisher read stories to Nora at bedtime. He climbed right in the crib and read her Babybug. She LOVED it.
I got wonderful cards from my girlfriends-several were very funny and made me laugh!
Melissa D. came over-she is leaving soon for LA and it was so nice to have more time with her.
The kids all ran around the house playing together and Fisher had fun taking photos with Mike and Roxann's camera. Roxann was so wonderful with explaining her camera to Fisher.

The quote of the evening occured when I was nursing Stuart.
Fisher asked, "Why do you nurse Stuey instead of giving him a bottle?". I paused, thinking of how to answer. Before I could say anything he replied with "Oh, I know. Its because your milk is better for him than any other milk. I know that because I study rocks and science." Very cute answer, Fisher!


I love being 32-and am blessed to bring in my 32nd year surrounded by my family and good friends!

Zoya

Chowderhouse Birthday Lunch

BIRTHDAY LUNCH!
Patrick, the kids and myself went to The Chowderhouse yesterday for a birthday lunch. Going out with both kids is getting easier and easier as they get older. It is almost enjoyable! :) They are both such little "foodies" and love trying all the food we order. Nora gobbled up the last of the clam chowder and Stuey loved watching all the action in the restaurant. Nora saw Stuey in the high chair and insisted on sitting in one as well! Lots of times she thinks that "baby" things are cooler.

Zoya

Phew!

The library books weren't missing afterall. Phew! I called the library to just double check and the cheery librarian said, "no, you don't have any books that are overdue." Yeah! They must have slid off to the side for a while and didn't get signed back in for a day or two.

So we went to the library and got more books. Nora digs the library. So many books, so little time.

Zoya

Zoya's Birthday

In honor of Zoya's turning 32 I thought I'd throw in a little blast from birthdays past. This is a photo from Zoya's 28th birthday party at Mary Jane's house. Lots of wine that year and things got a little goofy with everyone trying on the goofy white sunglasses. Later on we clipped the little medallions that fit onto the wine glass stems (and mark whose glass is whose - see bottom of glass stem to Zoya's left in photo) onto our noses and ears as part of an informal body modification contest. They made great nose rings. A good time was had by all.

Generally on Zoya's birthday our traditional outing is to drive out the roadsystem with the spotting scope and look at all the new spring migrants. Zoya's birthday falls at the peak of the annual bird migration back north, and many of these birds pass through Kodiak. Some of those birds have pretty amazing colors when viewed up close through the spotting scope. I see it as very apropos that Zoya's birthday marks the return of life to the north country after the hard winter. Patrick

Missing Library Books

Right now it feels like I"m the only one on earth who has ever lost a library book.

Two library books are missing and I'm horribly bummed about it. I SO DREAD having to go in tomorrow to tell them we can't find them.
I'm hoping there was a library computer error and when I go in, the library people will say, "Oh, we found those two books. No problems at all!". But, that probably won't happen.
We are good about keeping our library books in a certain canvas bag, so they don't get mixed up amongst our other books. Our house is relatively neat (hold your comments, Ella) and not terribly disheveled...I like to think there is a tiny bit of order where things go.... So when the librarian said that two were missing, I was quite surprised. That said, I figured we'd find them right away on a shelf at home.

A week and several thorough searches later, they are no where to be found. The only that we found were some MAJOR dust bunnies under beds/couches and odd small plastic objects in the couches. I know that someday the books will turn up, because the they never left the house. But they probably won't turn up before the Tuesday May 6th due date.

My friend Marias said, "Zoya, don't let this get you so down that you don't take Nora to the library anymore to get more books. It is such a good experience for her." I agree with Marias and after discussing it with her, I realized that from now on Patrick and I will have to be even more diligent with keeping tabs of the books in the canvas bag.

Zoya

Shoup Family Visit

Anne, Dan, Sonya, Katja and Talia all left yesterday after a wonderful 6 day visit. It was so fun to be Auntie Zoya to the girls. Everyone stayed here at the house, and Dan, Anne, Patrick and myself would stay up late laughing, talking and drinking a glass or two of wine. I had a cold which got progressively worse, but I didn't care because I see Anne so little. It was worth losing much needed sleep for a few days to catch up on our lives. Anne and Dan live in Michigan and I haven't spent time with them for many years.

Sonya, Katja and Talia got along well with Nora and Stuey-there was the occasional "no!" or crying but with 5 kids in the house it was less chaotic than I would've expected it to be. Sonya and Katja play well together-they would disappear for a long time playing dolls or pretend play. Sonya is the oldest one (6), Katja is the middle (4) and Talia is the youngest (18 months). Katja enjoyed being older than Nora and telling her what to do. Nora would follow her around in awe. Stuey and Talia basically followed the older kids around and they are both into hitting, biting, pulling hair (Stuey more so than Talia).

Last night Patrick gave a public talk on his hike to Shisaldin Volcano in 2005 as part of Island Trails Network presentation. I wanted to go so badly but really needed an evening of rest and sleep, so I stayed behind. I slept for about 10 hours and am starting to feel rejuvenated.

I miss the Shoup family here at our house! :(

Zoya

Photos
Dan and Stuey
Sonya and Katja building a block fort on a table so the little kids couldn't get to it.
Anne reading a book to the girls
Katja with her doll.

Chief Cove

Yesterday I caught a ride to Chief Cove with the USF&WS and Alaska Department of Fish & Game. I checked out archaeological sites for the Wildlife Service and helped Fish and Game with their deer mortality studies. Basically checking out how many deer died this winter out there. Walking around looking for fur piles and bones in the bushes. Then we'd do a little forensic archaeology and determine to the best of our ability the sex and age of the critter and how much fat was in the bone marrow. Pretty cool stuff actually. They compare this year's results with those of year's past to get an idea of how the deer population did this winter relative to year's past.

While out there I even found a previously unrecorded archaeological site. A 2,000 year old village. Chief Cove was a pretty nice place to live. Lots of seals. whales and cod.

Photos: Top - the team prepares to depart on the survey. Alaska Peninsula on the other side of Shelikof Strait. Reflection of a mountain in a pond. The team preparing to depart in the floatplane - Tanya, John, Brandon and Willy the pilot. Patrick

Sweet Tracks

I love when I'm done skiing, driving home, and when I look back at the mountain I can see my tracks. This was my view back of the mountain today. I had to play with the photo colors and contrast to get the ski tracks to show, but there they be - right down the ridge into the south bowl of Pyramid. It gave me a sense of accomplishment. I must admit I stopped the truck multiple times to look back and admire the view.

After the blizzard of the last few days we ended up with 2 feet of new snow on Pyramid, and some of the biggest drifts I have ever seen. If you look closely at the photo you can see the new cornice at the top of the south bowl. I intentionally avoided this obvious avalanche hazard. Right now the snow is the deepest I have ever seen it on Pyramid. Patrick

Davis' Birthday

April 30th is Davis' 14th birthday so we decided to celebrate early.
Brooks made a moist, scrumptious carrot cake-from scratch. It had coconut, mandarin oranges, grated orange zest in it along with the carrots. So yummy. Davis got to wear the birthday hat and we all joined in chorus (including Nora and Leo) to wish Davis a Happy Birthday!

Happy 14th Davis!

Zoya

Snow Storm in Kodiak

Right now we have big snow storm in Kodiak which has left Ella and Dicky unable to leave on time and Anne and Dan (and family) unable to get over to Kodiak. It is a full blown winter storm-high winds, lots of snow and poor visibility. Recipe for disaster for trying to get on or off of Kodiak Island.

What a great visit with Ella, Dicky and the boys we had! Highlights included baking with Brooks, skiing trips up Pyramid, watching Nora and Leo go after eachother and getting to know our nephews better.

Zoya

Photo:
Group shot this afternoon.
Nora and Stuey at breakfast this morning.

Kitewing Kodiak

Finally after days of bright sun and calm winds we got some wind and flat light. Dicky was ecstatic. So we took tele gear and the kitewings up to the ski chalet and hiked on up on the south side of the pass. It was not quite windy enough for Dicky's tastes but the wind was blowing up slope so it was quite easy to rip back and forth across the hill slope and slowly lose elevation. Nothing like the feeling of high speed and immanent takeoff!

Today we got even more wind and a blizzard! I love it. Winter is not dead. Patrick

Easter Egg Hunt at the Haakanson's

Last Sunday was an Easter Egg hunt at Balika's house-see photo attached. Nora was more into playing with Isabella's outdoor fake kitchen over hunting for eggs, but I think she understood the concept of egg hunting by the end of it. The day was sunny and brisk and there was lots of laughter had by the kids!

Zoya

All's well that ends well...

Family get togethers are never without their share of drama and we had our share today. The air was thick with drama today in the Saltonstall family, but all ended up Ok by early evening. Kid and adult drama had subsided. No further details necessary...

Nora and Leo were doing well this evening until Nora BIT Leo-Leo was crying very sadly and we looked on his arm and there were big teeth indentations in his arm. Poor guy. Nora got a time out for that one, and her binky for the rest of the evening (much to Ella's dismay...).

Davis and Brooks enjoy playing croquet on the lawn. Our croquet set is tattered from much use over the years from our nephews. It is fun to watch them outside doing their own version of croquet. Most often a game ends with one of them coming inside saying the other one is cheating. I notice its not happening as much now that they are older, however. Another favorite past time of Brooks and Davis is throwing our empty bottles off the cliff. Our Cliffside road silica recycling program. :) Makes for good beach glass on Cliffside Road.

Its good to know that at the end of the day, family is family-and a good family we have. All's well that ends well.

Zoya

Photos:
I've been learning more about f-stops and shutter speed with my camera and I took these photos this week--

Leo outside yesterday
Davis and Leo
Zeke
Nora pushing Leo away this evening. Big time action shot.

Snow & Sun

Lots of snow and lots of sun. And that sun burns! Every night I've been waking up with a face that is on fire - so today I decided to use sun block. This may seem like a no brainer - and I know it annoys Zoya every time I forget to put it on, but I hate sunblock. Just seems so responsible or something.

Anyway, I used it today and also took these pictures of Lisa (bottom) and Dicky (top) ripping up the corn snow today on Pyramid. Still no wind - Dicky really wants to get the kite wings out (basically windsurfing on skiis) - but we need wind to do so. Hopefully we'll have some Kite Wing on Kodiak photos on the blog later in the week. In the meantime, I'm not complaining about the lack of wind and perfect skiing conditions. Usually it's the wind that makes skiing uncomfortable on Kodiak. Patrick

Pyramid

With the family in town we have been skiing every afternoon on Pyramid Mountain. Such a convenient place to go! Short drive, and you can ski right from the car. And the skiing is Great.

In the top photo Brooks strikes a pose ruining the family photo while Leo howls in the snow (not pictured). In the second photo America's top ski model shows off the form that has left her competitors in the snow (Brooks in this case). Third photo is of Dicky posing in front of the run we had just completed.

Finally, with such good snow you could hardly expect not to see others on the mountain. But yesterday we were still a bit surprised to find more than 50 Navy SEALs enjoying the snow (bottom photo). Needless to say, but we felt quite safe with our convoy of SEALs as we skinned up to the summit. It really was quite a site - big packs, guns and disciplined groups of ten or so doing their training. All of the SEAL recruits were quite cheerful and seemed to be having a good time in the sun and snow. It is heartening to know that these are the guys defending our country. Patrick

Nora Vs. Leo

The past day there have been some down right nasty fights between Leo and Nora. The funniest one occured today over the red pushcart. Leo and Nora both started screaming and quasi hitting eachother. Ella, Dicky, Patrick and I just looked at eachother and laughed. Maybe it was irresponsible parenting on our part to not intervene, but in many ways it feels best to let them duke it out. As long as there wasn't serious harm going on. The fight amounted to a lot of screaming, shrieking, tears and a mass of two kids crawling after eachother in the kitchen.

Zoya

Family Ski

Family times here on Kodiak - Dicky & Ella, Zeke, Leo, Brooks, and Davis all arrived yesterday evening. Today Davis, Dicky and I went skiing on Pyramid. Weird haze in the air the last few days. The air quality and haze is similar to what we see during the summer when there is a fire on the mainland, or to when Mount Augustine erupted a few years ago. But no news on the radio about eruptions or fires. We are all a little worried that it is air pollution from China. Seriously.

On Pyramid the visibility and snow conditions left a little bit to be desired but we got in two runs and had a good time. Patrick

"Two Moms"

When Leo got off the plane this evening, his first words were "Two Moms?!" as he looked at me and looked at Ella. So cute!

Everyone made it in safe and sound- Ella and Dicky laughed as they got the same 10 year old rental van that they rented 2 years ago on their last trip to Kodiak. Some things don't change-and that goes for Kodiak rental cars!

Ella and the guys came over for a meal of Elk and potatoes then headed back to their B&B for rest. They were wiped out-but seemed to be doing amazingly well after almost 20 hours of flying. Ella said, "yeah, on the way here I remembered why we don't do this trip very often...". It is exhausting.

Sigh. Its so good to have family on the rock--and the weather forecast is good-knock on wood! :)

Zoya

Photo: Stuey wearing my childhood "Zoya" hat. Patrick decided that I should put it on if I'm in a bad mood-he,he,he

Idyllic Crust Cruising

Yet another picture of Elbow Creek and post about crust cruising. But it is justified. Crust cruising is like ice skating on land. It is better than downhill skiing because you are always on the go. Even the flats and uphills are exciting. And you can go anywhere. I rave about it because it is worth raving about. My average speed is greater than I could do on a road bike and I am not confined by trails. I flit through the trees, slalom down into the meadows, cruise the flats. I could rave on and on. .. .... Patrick

Mary Jane's latest high heels

Forty five degrees, sunny, and corn snow - the perfect day to try out the new AT gear. This was Mary Jane's first time downhill skiing on Kodiak, and she ripped it. Mary Jane admitted she was a little worried about buying her skiis so late in the season, but with all the snow we got this year she'll be skiing till the end of June. And I think it's the best time to downhill ski because the snow is so forgiving. Earlier in the season the conditions are generally more variable and tougher to manage. On Kodiak May is the optimum downhill skiing month. Patrick

Mike's Birthday & Getting Ready for Family

MIKES BIRTHDAY

Mike celebrated his 36th b-day with a meal of sushi and cake at our place this evening.
The meal was a surprise to Mike-earlier today Roxann brought balloons over, a German chocolate cake, party hats ready to go, candles primed for the cake.
After work, Roxann picked up a wonderful sushi and sashimi platter from the Old Powerhouse Restaurant. The spread of food was so delicious and the kids enjoyed the sushi as well!

We called Mike at 4:30 to come over for a happy-birthday-happy-hour and little did he know it was a birthday dinner! Mary Jane came over also to celebrate with us! Good times were had as, once again, the kids ripped around the house and played for a long time in the bathrooms. That seems to be the local hangout recently.

FAMILY VISITING

This weekend, Ella DIcky and the boys are coming for a week long visit to Kodiak! We are very excited---(the last visit to Kodiak Leo and Nora got a horrible stomach virus and Ella and I were pretty much trapped inside the house with VERY sick kids for a week. Needless to say, the visit wasn't as fun as we would've hoped.)

In preparation for Ella's visit, I am deep cleaning every corner of my house. (Ella is a very neat, organized person and I remember one prior trip where she organized the cans in our kitchen cabinets and put labels where things should go)

So with the upcoming arrival of Ella, I am getting spring cleaning done. I organized my pants into Khakis and jeans this morning...it feels good to pull out my summer attire, hang it up. Ella said she wants to borrow my clothes when she is here-one benefit of traveling to her twin sister's house-a complete wardrobe!

My sister Anne is coming in 8 days with Dan and their 3 girls. Can't wait to see all of them! It'll be kid playland here for a while. How fun. Its been 5 years since Anne has been back to Kodiak so it'll be fun to go to Ft. Abercrombie, hang out with the kids and just have time to chat. I can't wait! :)

Zoya

Photos

Mike with the platter of sushi from the Old Powerhouse Restaurant
Roxann and Mikes birthday cake.

50 Degree Weather!

WARM BREEZES
Today the temperatures topped at 50 degrees-finally spring weather here in Kodiak. Patrick has written many a post about "crust cruising" which is another word for skate skiing on top of ungroomed springtime snow. He is one of the few people around who have been excited about the long winter. I am personally ready for sandals, barbequeing, trips to the beach with the kids, an occasional warm breeze....not having to bundle kids up in 15 layers of clothing to go outside. Those simple springtime pleasures.

Today Mike brought Cecilia over after work and we all hung out on the yard. (Mike often brings Cecilia over and she can play with Steuy and Nora and we all enjoy a drink or chips and salsa before dinner. Its a good time. Roxann works until 6 pm so right around 6 Mike leaves to go enjoy dinner with her and Cecilia.)
This afternoon Stuey crawled around on the yard, Nora sorted pine cones into piles and Cecilia watched and followed Nora and Stuey in curiosity. Patrick rolled around with the dogs and Stuey would climb on top of him. Good times to be had in the great outdoors.

BABIES AND TRANSITIONS
As of this morning all of my pregnant friends have had their babies! Marias delivered her baby this morning. I am so excited for her and can't wait to meet her little girl.

It seems that my friends all fared considerably better with the older child adjustment after bringing baby home. Makes me realize how horrible our adjustment period went when bringing Stuart home from the hospital. I remember Nora crying for days and days and days. Nothing could console her. It was brutal. When anyone called, she would be SHRIEKING in the background and there was nothing I could do. Friends and family remember how hard this was to be part of. I'm so glad that my friends have had easier transitions than I had. It was one of the more stressful times as a parent-those first few weeks with Nora's sadness.

GOOD AND BAD RECIPES
Tonight I made my first truly bad new recipe. I found a carrot soup recipe from my Vegetarian Times magazine which is made in a Vita mix blender---you blend the carrots, garlic, chicken stock, ginger on high speed for 2-3 minutes and it beats it so fast it actually cooks it. It came out DISGUSTING. The garlic and onion flavors were too strong. It was the worst use of carrots ever. Patrick refused to even try it, which was a smart choice.
I need to give up on carrot soups. Whenever I see a carrot soup recipe I think to myself, "Oh, this one will be better than the last." NOT. Not sure why I try so hard with them. Patrick didn't even want anything to do with it before I made it. Smart guy. MIke Pfeffer was daring enough to try it. He didn't make it half way through his serving. He was quite polite about trying it and we all got a good laugh out of it tonight.

The most recent GOOD recipe was the chickpea taco recipe. It was so easy, healthy and good. It consisted of a can of chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) mixed with mushed up avocado, some lime juice, minced garlic, cilantro. Pile all of this on a small bed of a lettuce in a taco shell. Voila! Yummy taco. The flavors were amazing. Mary Jane can attest to it-she was here for that meal. The only problem is that all of us were hungry later on, so I think a side of vegetables or Spanish rice would've been a perfect addition to help complete the meal.

Zoya

Photos
Stuey, Patrick and Roxy on the lawn this evening.
Stuart cruising along the porch. Just a few weeks away from walking, perhaps.
Mike and Cecilia chasing Nora on the lawn.

To Elbow Creek and Back

Crust cruised to Elbow Creek from the outlet to Buskin Lake and back in an hour and 45 minutes. Ok, not all the way to Sheratin Bay, but to the headwaters of Elbow Creek. And now that I have the route all figured out, if I did have 3 hours free time and conditions like today I could have gone all the way to Sheratin Bay. I left around 11AM before it go too warm and the crust was perfect. If I wanted to loose speed on the downhills it was a simple matter to throw in a snowplow turn. But now that I know the way so well I hardly needed to break - I just flew.

The photo is looking down the Elbow Creek drainage to Sheratin Bay with Elbow mountain on the left and the backside of Sheratin mountain on the right. Today I decided not to go too far because I was worried the crust would get too soft and my skiis would break through, bogging me down. As it was, by the time I got to Buskin Lake the crust was already getting soft and slow. Patrick

Sawyer's Birth

36 hours ago Sawyer James St. John was born to Katie and Matt St. John. At 9 lbs 12 oz, 22 inches, a full head of dark hair he is a cutie! How fun it is to finally meet this little guy who has been inside Katie.

Matt and I were by her side as she handled every contraction beautifully. Jeremy Larson was the delivering doctor, which was fun! He helped Matt deliver the baby! He has a very calm manner about him which goes over perfectly in a delivery room!

Watching Sawyer's birth was one of the most beautiful, amazing experiences of my life. Katie handled the contractions so well and she was so strong. I will be forever in awe of her and her ability to go through labor with such grace.

April 9th, 2008 is one of the most memorable days of my life!

Zoya

Bittersweet April

I think April is my favorite month on Kodiak. The snowpack reaches its greatest depth and the skiing is at its best. And yet I know it is all about to end. By the end of the month the skiing at sea level is done and I am pretty much limited to downhill skiing. By the end of May stuff is starting to come up in my garden. So April is both the greatest month and the month that marks the beginning of the end.

But I like to get it while I can, and the 'it' is pretty darn good this year. Today I skiied up the Buskin and was amazed to find more snow now than when I skiied up in early/mid March. Fantastic skate skiing on the crust. And bear tracks everywhere. It really is spring. I got home to find crocuses blooming in the yard - the end is near.

Photos: Top photo is the view back from where I came - Pyramid on the left and Buskin lake (where I started) in the distance on the right. It took me only 35 minutes to get to where I took the photo. Middle photo is of Pyramid - I love that mountain. Bottom photo is of the damn crocuses - harbingers of Spring. Patrick