North to the Future - July 19, 2013

James finished up his last required class at SLCC in order to get his Aviation Maintenance certificates from the FAA.  He studied and studied and studied and took all of the tests. Three written tests and three oral/practical tests.  He passed them all and is now a certified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic.  So proud!  While he was studying, he was also researching options for potential employment.  A mechanic friend in Alaska talked up the potential for year-round work in Cordova and after talking and thinking and praying.... we're moving to Alaska!

James has packed up all his tools, clothes, guns and stuff into Little Blue and he is driving by himself from Salt Lake (via Idaho Falls, ID; Big Fork, MT; Canada) to Cordova.  He'll start working and then fly back down at the end of August to help move our little family and the rest of the stuff.  It's going to be a long 8 weeks for Lincoln and me. James is ready to go though!  Friday, July 12, 2013

Bye Daddy!  Be safe!

James spent Friday night in Idaho Falls at Brian and Tiffany's. On Saturday he drove north into Montana and stayed Saturday night at Uncle Norm and Aunt Marlynn's house in Big Fork, MT.  Thank you! Thank you!  This is Sunday morning - such a pretty yard!

Sunday, James drove all the way to Canada and crossed the border - of course the car got searched. Probably because of the guns he had packed, but it only took half-an-hour.

Oh Canada!

Moraine Lake in Banff National Park - next door to Lake Louise.

It's JULY! and it is 38-degrees! and James is CAMPING most of the way!

"There was a pretty good thunder and lightning show about 2-3 in the morning. Glad I decided to sleep in the car that night. Not the most comfortable but I was warm, dry, and didn't have to mess with the tent in the rain!" and James woke to fresh snow on the mountains between Banff and Jasper.

Hanging Glaciers.

James stopped in Jasper National Park, but it was super foggy.  He didn't see much of the scenery...

Just this gorgeous mountain goat!

Highlights of Canada: Dawson Creek - Mile "0"

Incredible scenery!

Wildlife - Bear

Moose and calf

And beautiful, beautiful blue sky when he crossed back into the United States and Alaska.

The border between the state of Alaska, United States and Yukon Province, Canada

International boundary sign. In the distance, you can see the "no-touch" zone. It's a clearing of trees and vegetation that runs along the border between Alaska and Canada and also between Canada and the rest of the lower 48. 

James spent his last night on the road in Anchorage and drove to Whittier to catch the ferry.  This boat - "The old "Spiridon" with newer pontoons and outboards sitting in Whittier. I spent most of a summer outta high school in 97 running around Prince William Sound on this boat with the Alaska State Troopers. Saw a lot of cool things and places on that boat and lots of memories! Good times! Didn't think I'd run into this boat again!"

"After a full week of travel: 5 days of solid driving with a 3 1/2 hr ferry and 2 days of driving with family and friends visits I have finally arrived in Cordova, AK!!   (Sorry for the not so great photo)"  July 19, 2013

My best estimate of James' route:  3,360 miles (per mapquest)

A: Salt Lake, UT    D: Banff, AB                 G: Anchorage, AK

B: Idaho Falls, ID  E: Jasper, AB                 H: Whittier, AK

C: Big Fork, MT    F: Dawson Creek, BC    I: Cordova, AK

 

Simpson Reunion - June 26-30, 2013

Playing on the swing set in Uncle Kurt and Aunt Carlee's backyard with Tyler, Christy, Jake, Rachel and Oma.

Dunking the ball in the hoop at Opa and Oma's house

Good morning - Lincoln slept in a port-a-crib in a tent at SISCRA campground in Cascade, ID

Beach day at Boulder Creek State Park day area on the Cascade Reservoir

Helping Daddy play cribbage - the official Simpson family card game.

Exploring at McCall lake after a nap in the car.

Saturday night is pinata night!  As the youngest Simpson great-grandchild, Lincoln gets first swing at the pinata.  Check out Lincoln's tie-dye tank top.  Daddy designed it and did the orange and green dye.  Mommy finished up by drawing the hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds.

The last night in a tent - this crib is crowded with blankets, sleeping bags, a stuffed bear and a little boy.

Car ride back to Utah - we had company, Christy and Tyler rode with us for part of the way. Should have gotten a picture of all the kids. Instead, Lincoln and all the stuffed toys.

 

A WHOLE BUNCH of videos of Lincoln from the past month or so - June 5, 2013

OVERLOAD of videos - fun stuff that Lincoln's been up to in the last month or so.  The earliest videos are April 19th - Linc is 19 months old.  And the most recent is June 5th - Linc is still 20 months, but just barely.

AT THE PARK
April 19, 2013 - :58sec - Mountain View Park with Aspen, I thought it was cute how Aspen interacts with Linc - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chT_4PM_E8g

May 2013 - blowing kisses! I couldn't decide which video was more fun, so you get both! - :43sec - inviting Mommy to teeter totter - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzLMgw4rktc

1:00 - blowing kisses from the space shuttle - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E8-q0vtpbM

May 12, 2013 - :29sec - climbing up the slide - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKBO90GTH6M

May 18, 2013 - :32sec - new park, new climbing features, no hesitation - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4by6CFD5LQ

May 2013 - 2:04 - in pajamas because it was just before bed time.  Lincoln's getting so animated in his play and he's so brave!  And then he's talking more and more and he still wants Mommy to play with him. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qedMIZW7nBE -

PLAY WITH DADDY
April 19, 2013 - 1:42 - jumping off cat tower - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJVWt5qEjVY
(SORRY, no imbedded link! technical difficulties - you'll have to click the link for this one)

April 2013 - 1:31 - Daddy's face! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QsdLOpbiMI
(SORRY, no imbedded link! technical difficulties - you'll have to click the link for this one)

May 2013 - :26sec -  Blow him over - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3hteDm_UKU

May 22, 2013 - :44sec - I can fly! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjuoSVAy5ag

June 5, 2013 - :20sec - Baby Foosball - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG7m3hfdPbY

OUTDOOR FUN
April 27, 2013 - :28sec - ski day at Alta, "Where's Lincoln?" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKh9-ZZKOnE
(SORRY, no imbedded link! technical difficulties - you'll have to click the link for this one)

May 10, 2013 - :27sec - play in puddles -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY3wa3toT8c

May 11, 2013 - :17sec - hiking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NtdiefdQ6g

May 18, 2013 - :24sec - bubbles at the zoo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeknDM3Gtt8

May 27, 2013 - :58sec - skiing with Mom on Memorial Day - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opPzK2I-gbA

OTHER ADVENTURES
May 19, 2013 - 1:07 - tossed to a bean bag, this was at our friends' home: Fred, Alison and Teancum E - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxpY7fpj2mA

May 2013 - 1:14 - jump to the recliner, and it makes me laugh to watch him climb back onto the end table -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpzq53nHABo

May 23, 2013 - 1:17 - food! He had green beans in the blue bown and broccoli soup in the yellow bowl. It took awhile to wash down all the counters, cupboard doors and floor after he was done eating. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQHHySXFrDo

May 27, 2013 - :58sec - box on the porch, James loves to hear Linc's "sound effects" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw-2G64EA0g

May 2013 - :54sec - first time on trampoline, Isaac and Oliver have a mini trampoline that they brought out on a rainy day. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULGwqH6j4ZU

We sure are having fun!

Memorial Day - Auto-assisted Ski at Guardsmans Pass - May 27, 2013

We love family play days!  Memorial Day is a perfect day to go looking for snow.  We found it along the Guardsman's Pass road. Where there is snow; it must be skied.  Lincoln and Daddy got first tracks while Mommy drove the support vehicle.

 

 

Then Mommy and Lincoln got the second run.

It was super soft snow - the kind that lets you zoom in shadows and holds you up in the sun.  Linc held onto his juice and had a good time.  Every time I stopped to do some route-finding, Lincoln would say, "Get set, Go!" and then while we turned, "Whee!"

 

Our last run was a family event. When we got to the road, Mommy and Lincoln played in the snow near our gear while Daddy walked/hitched-a-ride back up to the car. Beautiful day to enjoy our freedom.

Family Hike - Mill B North toward Dog Lake - May 11, 2013

Family Photo

Trekking on his own down the trail

Traded hats. My cute guys!

Moab Weekend - May 3-5, 2013

On Friday night, Daddy hopped in a rental mini-van with Emma, Aspen, Uncle Clay, Aunt Kristen, 4 bikes and a whole bunch of gear for timing a mountain bike race.  They got to Moab after midnight. (This is the only picture I have of the Dotys - I was going to take a big group picture on our Sunday hike, but that never happened.)

At 4:30! in the morning! they all had to wake up and go out to the bike race.  They were done early in the afternoon and got to spend the rest of the weekend exploring.

Lincoln and I stayed home on Friday night so that we could go to a baby shower on Saturday afternoon.  We got to Moab on Saturday evening.  We got to splash in a cold pool, play in a hot tub, go for ice cream with the Dotys and we all shared one little hotel room.  We had to move the table into the tiny, tiny kitchen space in order to set up Lincoln's port-a-crib and Emma and Aspen slept in sleeping bags on the floor.

On our way out of town on Sunday, we went into Arches National Park for a hike.  Lincoln is so cute!  He wore his hat most of the time, his sunglasses for a while and every time he kicked off a shoe, he would start saying "shoe! shoe!", so we never lost one of those.  A lady, who sounded like she was from Australia, even asked if she could take a picture of my "cute little mate".

I started out hiking with the Dotys and left James and Linc to catch up.  James is a much faster hiker than I am, so I had no doubt that he'd catch up quickly.  When we reached the first arch (about a mile hike) and they still hadn't caught up, I decided to go back and look for them.  They were about a half mile into the "hike".  Lincoln had flat-out-refused to go in the backpack and James had carried him most of the way that far in his arms.  Lincoln was happily throwing dirt out onto the trail and James was not so happy.

We gave up on hiking and turned it into play time.  Lincoln had fun in all the sand.

He climbed through these rocks a dozen or more times.  I'd gone as far as Landscape Arch before I turned around to find my guys.  James went a little farther than Landscape Arch when he went on a solo hike, but turned around again because we had a long way to go to get home.

Lincoln had a juice break on this awesome dead tree. And eventually we made it back to the car.  Linc was not happy to get back into the car for another long road trip - even if we were going home.

For awhile, I gave Linc my phone to play with.  He just touches icons at random, but I ended up with this self-portrait!

We drove through a small town called Wellington - there was a fabulous playground right next to the highway.  So we stopped for an hour to let Lincoln play.  He laughed as soon as he saw the playground and even started walking across the grass toward it without us.  He tried out everything, the slides, the climbing wall, the swings, all the ladders and tunnels. We had the entire playground to ourselves.  Most of the features were for "big kids", so Linc had a lot of attention from us as he explored.  We still had a scare on a big, big slide.

Lincoln climbed the steps by himself to get to the top (I followed him up for fall-prevention) and James waited to catch him at the bottom.  At the top, Linc got nervous. It was the biggest slide he's ever seen.  One of the big long straight metal ones.  I helped him sit down at the top and we tried to talk him into going down on his own. Finally, James walked up until he was right next to the slide, maybe at the top third.  I pushed Lincoln to get him started and Linc spread his legs wide - so that he could use his shoes to slow himself down.  One of his rubber shoes caught against the metal side and Linc turned in the slide and BEGAN FALL OVER THE EDGE - the same side that James was on, so James just snatched him out of the air and we went on to another part of the playground. Thank goodness for hero Daddys - Linc was a long, long way off the ground.  No harm done, but I won't be pushing Linc down a slide again.

Even after an hour, Lincoln was not done and he was not happy to go back into the car.  We'll probably be stopping at a lot of playgrounds on roadtrips in the future. I hope. It was a fun weekend.