Mile High Weekend

I don't know what is wrong with me lately. I just seem to be in a horrible writer's block rut. I have all these ideas in my head, but cannot seem to get them down in actual words that make sense and don't bore the reader to death. But, since I am VERY behind in blogging, you will just have to endure my terrible writing. My disclaimer.

Here we go...

So, my brother is getting married. I can't believe it. I mean, he is still a kid right? 30 is still considered a kid, right?

Maybe not. Boy, do I feel old.

But, he is getting married. And his fiancee is fabulous. I think we all knew she was the one before he did. She completes him.

Originally, I was planning on a quick weekend trip by myself to Denver for her bridal shower, but after our long Alaska trip, I couldn't bear to leave Mia again and I decided to take her with me. Which meant my first flying experience with a toddler. Alone.

Eeek.

And, since Mia sits in her own seat, in her car seat, I had to figure out how to manage Mia, a stroller, a 150 thousand pound car seat and our bags on my own.

Double eeek.

But thanks to this nifty contraption that allowed me to carry the car seat like a back pack, I was able to pull it off. It is very cool and very helpful when traveling with a car seat. I won't talk about how my back felt afterwords, or how the Frontier flight attendants were so NOT helpful. Let's just say I won't try that again alone as long as the car seat has to come with us.

Aside from the travel, the trip was great! I was so glad that Mia came along and was able to spend quality time with my family.

















She really took to Uncle Phil...


















And Grandpa John...



























And Auntie Gretchen...
























It was a great trip, but we were happy to get home to Daddy.




And I think Daddy missed us too...
























Next up....the big wedding! The three of us are heading out this weekend to Denver again (driving this time) for the big day. Mia is a flower girl. Can't wait to see how that turns out!

Pic of the week: Uncle Phil

Mia's hero...

Mia and I went to Denver last week...stay tuned for a recap and more photos.

Pic(s) of the week: Coming Home

As wonderful as our trip was, we had been gone a LONG time from our little munchkin. We missed her terribly!!!! So we were anxious to get back to her. After what seemed like a forever trip home, we finally arrived at home.

To this:

Grandma had her dressed so cute!
Oh boy, I just want to pour sugar all over her and eat her.


I don't think I can ever leave this sweet face again. I have to go back to Denver next week.
She is comin' with me this time.

To Land's End and Back Again, Part II

Sunrise, 3am

And now to the good stuff. What did we catch after all that fishing? Well.....

Halibut...
Salmon...

Black bass...


More Halibut and Black Bass...
We are rolling in Halibut...

Just kidding....that Halibut isn't mine. Other guests of the Lodge caught that one. 125 pounder! I wish that was mine.

Yelloweye...
I have no idea...

And more Salmon...

Before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye...


It was a magical trip. All in all, we brought home 100lbs of filleted fish. Split three ways. Not bad! At the time, I really wanted a lot more, but now that we are home, 30lbs of fish is actually quite a bit.
We love it there and can't wait until we can go again. The icing on the cake was to get to spend some quality time with my family, who I don't get to see as often I would like, and miss terribly.
But this trip would not have been possible without my Dad. The best Dad ever! Thanks Dad for an awesome trip and memories that last a lifetime.

To Land's End and Back Again: Part I

Hanging out at the Juneau Airport during a lay over

Two weeks ago, the Snyder clan (my Dad, my brother Philip, his fiancee Gretchen, Gabe, and myself) traveled North for a family fishing expedition. Destination: Land's End Lodge in Point Baker, Alaska. Just south of Juneau. Philip and Gretchen had never experienced this place before, but we had been once before in 2006. It was a fantastic trip, so Gabe and I were really excited to get back.

Gabe and I met the rest of the family in Denver and off we went. After three flights, we finally landed in Petersburg, AK, where we would spend the night. Then, the adventure began.

There are not many places you can walk to the motel from the airport. Petersburg is one of them.

Point Baker is only accessible by float plane. For those of us who are a little phobic of flying, this can be pretty scary. My first time I thought I would die of heart failure right there on the tarmac. But, the float plane was the best flight of them all. My little bro is also a wee bit nervous when it comes to flying and he was pretty nervous about squeezing into a plane not much bigger than his car.

Here is our plane. They call it a Beaver...
Here is Phil. His face says it all...
But, he put on a brave face.
Gabe was in hog heaven...
The view was amazing...

Finally, after a short 30 minute flight, we arrived at the Lodge...
At the Lodge, you are welcomed like family. As if we were visiting an Aunt and her family after not seeing them for a few years. You feel right at home.

We didn't waste any time. The dock boys gave us a quick tutorial/review, and then we were off...

And that is pretty much it. For seven days, we ate and fished and slept. You would think that would be boring but between the wildlife watching and the fishing it was fantastic.



In between the fishing, we were treated like royalty by the gang at the lodge. Here, you are fed three full meals a day. With the gals working hard in the kitchen to feed us delicious home cooked meals...

While the boys worked hard filleting, packaging, and freezing the fish fresh from the catch...

While we rested with full bellies...
Oh, how I love this place.
Come back tomorrow to see the fruits of our labor!