Dylan Oviatt

Watch out sistas...he's gonna be a lady killer!

Ian Oviatt

Ian checking out the pups.

They Like Big Butts

and they cannot lie, them other brothers can't deny

A Boy Named Jim

Another gorgeous shot of the boy they call Jim.

He Looks Great in Stripes!

Brian in Minnesota with stripes galore! How does anyone resist those big brown eyes??

Andrea Collins Smith

AndreaJesse0076, originally uploaded by jackhag66.

I met this woman after her death and she has touched me in a way that I was not expecting. She was the mother of six beautiful children and a loving wife. I happened upon her blog from a friend on Twitter and I have been so fascinated by her story.

I invite you all to read her story here: http://punkrockmommy.org/blog/

and see her family here: http://flickr.com/photos/jonolshefski/collections/72157600856172125/

I hope it brings your peace and gratitude.

Love Laura

Brian in Minnesota

I know these are a bit late - but better than never.

Some New Pictures for You

This was in the concourse of the Portland Convention Center. I was fascinated watching it.

Another shot directly below.


Some beautiful flowers in Porland, OR.


They look like cotton candy.


A daffodil on our walk with Minnie and Daisy.


Some cone flowers along the way.


Bridal lace with a wonderful beatle.


I think this is a gladiola - it's been a long time.


Daisy on the porch all tuckered out.


Minnie wondering when we're going again.

Enjoy!

My Cutie Pies!

My Cutie Pies!, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Jim & Rachel
I just love them so much!
Minnesota 5-2008

Brian

503, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

The thing about babies is, they have such a purity in their smile. They are genuinely amazed at everything. When I look at Brian my heart just fills up with love and joy. Everything I might be worried about disappears in his smile, regardless of who he's smiling at.

Gentle Ben

Ben, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

He's just the kind of dog you would want on a long hike or during a cold long winter. We met Ben in Montona in May. His owner said he was born in Hawaii. Can you imagine? He looks just like Rachel's pup, Buddy, except he's bigger and furrier. What a beautiful guy!

Love

DSC_5934, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

My nephew Aaron and his fiance Ashlynn. I took this a year ago when I visited Minnesota with Rachel. They are a beautiful couple.

Brian is my boo

066, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Gotta love the little man with the hat! I sure do!!

I wuv u gam gam

I wuv u gam gam, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

How could anyone resist such a sweet face?!! He's the very best grandson in the whole world - I love you Bri Bri - I miss you tons!!!

Yummm..Owwww..Yummmm...Owwww

Yummm..Owwww..Yummmm...Owwww, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I just love this picture of Brian. I love him so much and oh how I miss him! He's the best boy in the world and I can't wait to hold him and give him tons of kisses again!

Leaving Alaska

We left Eagle River, Alaska yesterday after spending the morning with Rachel and Brian. We also went to the DMV to transfer the title of her truck to her and to renew my driver’s license. WE said our goodbyes and packed the truck and took off around 2pm. We arrived in Tok, AK around 7pm and we checked into the Main Street Motel. The room was small and clean with wifi. We had burgers at the Grumpy Grizz and called it a night at around 10pm (very early for us). We wanted to get up at 5am to get a good start for driving to Whitehorse. At around 2am Daisy & Minnie woke us up to go outside and they ran around for a few minutes, came back inside and then decided to eat dinner. Spent an hour listening to them eat and wag their tails against the bed. Finally fell back asleep and 525am wake up became 6am get up.

We ate breakfast at the Grumpy Grizz – DELICIOUS!! Stopped at the Tok Welcome center and took a couple of pictures and then we left Tok, AK at 804am this morning. It was a 90 mile drive to the border of Canada. We stopped at the International Border marker and took some pictures and the girls, Minnie and Daisy had a nice little jaunt around, sniffing and checking out the surroundings. There was a guy there taking pictures with his GI Joe doll (he said it was a Russian soldier) and as we were getting back in the truck, we saw him go over to the Alaska sign wearing a fake Groucho Marx nose and glasses. We had a chuckle and kept going. 20 miles later, we stopped at the Canadian Customs station and showed our documents and declared our 3 Coronas.



12:31pm (PST) - We are currently somewhere between Beaver Creek and Haines Junction. The roads are waffled, bumpy with lots of dips; making it feel like we’re on a roller coaster. We are averaging about 40mph (65kph) through this area of the Yukon. The mountains are gorgeous and we have seen a few frozen lakes and lots of snow on White River still. We have no one traveling in our direction on the road and we’ve passed a handful of RVs and semis going to Alaska. It must still be early in the tourist season. We were listening to ABBA but we needed something a bit more pick me up so it’s AC/DC and Hell’s Bells, Shoot to Thrill and whatever else is next. It’s a beautiful sunny day with temperatures just above 50. The mountains are amazingly beautiful and this drive reminds me of driving to Denali National Park (except the roads there are better). There’s the usual Black Spruce forest at the base of the mountains.

3:15pm – we just went through Haines Junction and now we’re on our way to Whitehorse, should be there by 5pm. We can’t believe how much snow and ice is on the ground and the lakes. We traveled along Lake Kluane for over 45 minutes and it was covered with ice from shore to shore. When we came through 6 years ago – the lake was the most beautiful shade of turquoise.

5:06pm – arrived in Whitehorse, made a stop at the Wal-Mart for an ipod adapter because we only have 6 CDs in the truck and we’re already sick of them. We checked into the Westmark hotel on the main street in Whitehorse. Tried to reach Rachel with the calling card, no answer (no surprise) – did you know that calling cards expire? I didn’t until this evening, but the guy at AT&T was very nice and helpful and extended my expiration until May 2010.

8:54pm – Just got back from dinner at Boston’s Pizza; so good here in Whitehorse, not so good in Anchorage. Amy, our waitress, was very helpful in recommending a place in Fort Nelson (our next stop) to stay with the dogs. Brad is making the reservations. After dinner, we took the dogs to a park next to the Yukon River and turned them loose. Boy did they run and run and run!! They really needed to stretch their legs. Minnie and Daisy are doing really well on this trip, although I think Minnie is not eating as well as she should. As long as they’re with us, they are happy. As far as they will run, they will come back to us that fast!

Well, gonna try and chat with my daughter whose online. More soon!

Mirror Lake

mirror lake4, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I took this on the way back from Seward 4 years ago when my dad came to visit.

Brian's First Snow Angel

DSCN0390, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Brian made his first snow angel this evening. He wasn't crazy about the whole cold wet stuff in his face. He did a nice job though. Can you believe we've had over a foot of snow since 9am this morning??? It's April 25th for goodness sake!

A Surprise Gift

This came in the mail yesterday for Brian. It was made by a woman who lives in Fallon, NV. Her name is Kathleen Gross and she is the mother of a young man, Justin that Brad and I befriended during some trying times for him. Anyhow, I would have never in a million years expected this. What a beautiful gesture.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

My neighboring Starbucks on Elmendorf, AFB

The barista makes my coffee.

Their pledge of service - Your drink should be perfect, every time. If not, let us know and we'll make it right.

My usual is a Grande Breve, no foam, one sugar. They get it right almost every time. The down side, I only go there when I go to the PX, which is only about once a month. So I usually go to the one of Fort Richardson which is only a few blocks from my house. Same order, totally not right almost every time.
When my husband gets it for me, he doesn't realize that its wrong until he gets home and hands to to me. By then, I just deal with it because no one is going back there to get it right. Last time I stopped in there was last Thursday after the Post Office and I ordered my usual and the first thing she did was to put Splenda in my cup. I reminded her that I had asked for sugar and her comment back to me was that I didn't state SUGAR IN THE RAW! Since when is SPLENDA sugar?????
After she finished making it, she capped it and pushed it towards me. I picked it up and realized immediately that there was foam so I took the cap off and asked her to remove the foam - if looks could kill....
My point is obvious, don't post a sign promising something you are not willing to keep.

Sh1t the Gorgeous Green Monster

Sh1t the Gorgeous Green Monster, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

This is Sh1t, the gorgeous green monster, who travelled all the way from Scotland to be with me. I bought him from Fi at Moose and Bear Crafts to accompany my Dammit doll. I got her a long time ago from a friend who must have thought I would need her at different moments in my life.

One of the main attractions I have towards Sh1t, the gorgeous green monster, besides his lovely smile and wonderful green color, is his name. It happens to be my dad's favorite word. He didn't like cussing, in fact he would get mad ifsomeone started using profanity but he loved the word Sh1t and I think partly because it pissed off my aunt.
When he passd away, the minister came to his house to discuss the memorial with my brother and I. My daughter was sitting with us and the minister asked her what she would remember most about her grandfather. What was the most important thing he taught her, and she thought for a moment and said - "Sh1t, he taught me how to say his favorite word, sh1t." The minister smiled with a lot of understanding - she knew my dad well.
I love my new monster Sh1t and I think my dad would have too.

liquid love you

liquid love you, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Tagged...

...honored!! Fi at Moose and Bear Crafts tagged me today.

Here are the rules:
1. link to the person that tagged you.
2. post the {very important} rules on your blog.
3. list 6 very unimportant, random nothings about yourself {should be an easy one}

Here are my random things about me.
1. I love thunderstorms (and miss them here in AK).
2. I have recently begun to enjoy Judge Judy and Live with Regis and Kelly
3. One of my favorite albums of all time is Men at Work's Business as Usual.
4. I don't really like seafood, despite being raised on the Gulf of Mexico.
5. I really love to walk on the beach, not to tan, but to put my feet in the sand.
6. I have an addiction to glass vessels.

I hope I did it right Fi. So now I want to tag Design Sponge, Pamdora, Sarah Raffuse and MommyFooFoo - YOU ALL ARE IT!!

Snow in April

Snow in April, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

We went for a drive today and this is what we saw here in Alaska. Snow, snow, snow!!!!

Brian and applesauce

Brian and applesauce, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

My grandson enjoying his applesauce and his mommy. I think he's the cutest baby ever!!!!

sheltered

sheltered, originally uploaded by isa13.

Ask you shall receive. I love her macros and I commented that I would like to see more and voila! Tres bien!

Printer & Piemaker

Printer & Piemaker - Excellent blog - just wanted to share this post. Definitely check out her entire site. Cool cool woman!!