The Jessi James Gang

After one month... - October 11, 2013

After one month... I know we're going to like it here. Some of my favorite photos (in random order) from mid-September to mid-October. Fall in Cordova is wonderful.

9/17: playing with Daddy at Grandma's house

9/20: the view from the ski hill - looking out toward the ocean

9/15: clouds above Eyak Lake

9/16: Visiting Daddy at work - being an aircraft mechanic

9/14: Linc and his only (so far) McCalvy cousin - Nick

9/17: playing in a puddle outside the library on Main Street

9/18: Exploring at the harbor

9/23: hanging out at home

9/28: playing a game with Grandma

9/28: watching a movie with Tia Kathleen

10/2: new full time job at Ilanka Community Health Center

9/20: At the top of the ski hill

10/01: throwing rocks into Eyak Lake

9/30: running through puddles in new rain boots (thanks Oma and Opa!)

10/10: Happy Anniversary!

Happy 7th Anniversary - October 10, 2013

According to Wikipedia, the traditional gifts for celebrating a 7th anniversary are copper and wool. To celebrate our 7th Anniversary, we drove out the Copper River Highway and watched for sheep on the mountains.

Twice as Nice, Lincoln is (still) TWO! - September 14, 2013

Lincoln shares a birthday with Carter, his Simpson-side cousin. In Idaho, they celebrated Linc's 2nd birthday and Carter's 9th birthday on their birthday - September 9th.

Lincoln missed sharing a birthday with Nick, his McCalvy-side cousin, by one day. Nick's birthday is Sept 8th. We celebrated Nick's 14th birthday and Lincoln's 2nd birthday at a family get-together at Uncle Bob and Aunt Terry's house on September 14th.

Ooh! Cake! There are 16 candles - 14 for Nick and 2 for Linc

Opening presents on the floor. Lincoln is getting good at ripping wrapping paper.

Scooby Doo jacket from Auntie Beth and Nick (thank you!). It's a 3T, so he can wear it for a long time!

Showing Daddy the "Bop It" - The game is one of Nick's presents. He got a new version of the "Bop It" game. It made noise and had flashy lights and Lincoln loved that thing.

More "Bop It"

Tia and her nephews - Linc and Nick - and the "Bop It" I think you had to 'bop it' when the light was in the center three dots, it was tough!

Getting the Birthday Boy ready for bed - why is he in a box? The burrito box was how I carried home Lincoln's presents from the birthday party. Linc emptied the box of the presents and climbed right in.

Happy Birthday Again Lincoln! We're so happy to celebrate with you. Not every two-year-old gets TWO birthday parties. Love you little man!

Oma in Alaska - September 14, 2013

Oma's visit was WAY TOO SHORT, but we are very, very grateful that she brought Lincoln with her to Alaska. They arrived on (Friday) September 11 and she flew back again on the 14th (Mon) - but didn't make it home until the 15th (Tues). Sorry you had to 'sleep' at an airport!

Here are some pictures (some are Oma's) of her adventures in Alaska

Sat 9/12: Exploring the area around the McCalvy's winter home - a view of the little lake cove and Mt.Eyak in the distance

The back 'yard' including the dock and part of our little cove of Lake Eyak.

Looking up the driveway away from the lake.

And finally, looking down the driveway on Stamper's cabin on the lake on 5 Mile Loop Road. The covered porch wraps all the way around the little house, so there is a great place to sit and watch the wildlife and the lake. There is a basement with laundry, bathroom and bedrooms, the main floor has the kitchen, living room and a 'junk closet'. The upstairs is an open loft with media space and master bedroom. Linc's crib is in the media space and it's going to be an adventure.

Front door photo of the McCalvys

Poor bird - as Oma was exploring, she found this bird feeder - including a trapped bird - on the neighbors porch. We couldn't figure out how to take it apart. Finally, James wrapped his hands around the clear plastic and that helped the bird find its own way out the opening.

Exploring Cordova - a view of the harbor and ocean and islands in the distance. We went to one of the grocery stores and one of the fabric stores and several of the shops on Main Street.

Sun 9/13: After church we drove several of the longer roads. The church is on Whitshed Road (pronounced White-Shed) and out past the church is a pretty drive along the ocean for a few miles. We also drove 'Out THE Road' along the Copper River Highway. The road is closed at Mile 36 / Bridge No 339 because the river channel changed and cut a new channel on the far side of the bridge. We drove out to the bridge and then turned and drove back. Isn't this corner of Alaska so beautiful?

Mon 9/14: Oma's flight wasn't until evening, so we did more exploring. There are two airports in town - the main airport is actually 13 miles out of town. The other is right along the edge of Eyak Lake. There is a paved strip for planes with wheels. And then several small docks and ramps where float planes can tie up. This is a float plane trailer. Only the front tires, engine and a seat of a really old, rusty truck are attached to a trailer. They drive the trailer down the ramp into the water and under the float plane. Then secure the plane to the trailer and pull it back up the ramp onto dry land - just like pulling a boat out of the water, right?

We also went for a hike in the rain - to Sheridan Glacier. Oma said it is her very favorite glacier, ever. Since I have a ton of pictures from that adventure, there will be another post. Oma is on the trail, with the glacier in the background.

Another pretty scenery picture - this is at the trail head where we parked to hike to the glacier lake. I think it is the outlet from the glacier lake, but I haven't hiked along it to be sure.

Don't take me with you.... Mommy! I wanted a picture of Oma and Lincoln in front of the plane - since Lincoln's first flight was with Oma and Oma didn't have a single picture of the two of them from their flight up. But Linc was not having it!

Our two-year-old has no problems climbing chain-link fences. The barbed wire at the top makes his Mom a little nervous though. Don't you love Oma's Copper River Fleece jacket? She debated and debated. So many colors and styles. Then you can choose the decorative trim ribbon to go along the zipper and hood - if you want it. Looks great Oma!

Have a safe flight home, Oma, we'll miss you!

A million thank yous! Thank you thank you thank you thank you.... for taking care of Linc while we drove across countries. ... for purchasing two flights up to Alaska (and one back) and bringing our two-year-old to us in one day. ... for taking time off to explore our new little corner of Alaska.

Sheridan Glacier - September 14, 2013

On Oma's last day in Cordova, she had an evening flight, so we ignored the rain and went for a hike to Sheridan Glacier. (Most of the pictures are from Oma's ipad. Thanks!)

Oma said that it is her very favorite glacier ever.

View of glacier in the distance