As most of you already know, we went to Disneyland a few days before Christmas. We had a GREAT TIME and it was so much fun to watch Emily at The Happiest Place on Earth. She was dressed as Snow White and everyone thought she was adorable!
We visited both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. The day was "all about Emily" so we only went on a handful of rides. But, we didn't care. We watched the Pixar Parade in DCA and we watched the Believe Fireworks in DL. We let her run around in front of the castle for about 15 minutes, and she was having a ball!
Yes, we did go on Snow White's Scary Adventure...but she slept through the entire ride. I can't wait to go back there again with her. It definitely was a fun day!!
I know I haven't blogged in a while...and, trust me, I've got LOTS to come!
But, I wanted to post something real quick...
SWIMMER SANTA!
My mom found this at a boutique in Brea and sent it to us in Alaska. It arrived in the beginning of December; I just found the picture and I had to share it with you.
It was a PERFECT Holiday Decoration for our favorite rescue swimmer!
Well, we were out over the weekend and noticed something moving along the side of the road. As we got out to look we noticed that it was a bald eagle who had just caught a fish in the creek. There are quite a few eagles out during this time of year and you can see them everywhere! As we were taking these pictures there were about 4 other eagles in the immediate area, also watching this eagle with a fish...but, I'm sure they were waiting for him to drop the fish so they could swoop in on it!
The dogs were so excited to get their very own package in the mail the other day. It seems that we get a package in the mail, about once a week. And, every time, the dogs are so disappointed that there is nothing in the package for them. I mean, they seriously get depressed! So, grandma & grandpa sent the doggies their very own package and they were overjoyed to get it and open it up!
Yep! Emily had her very first Bubble Bath...and LOVED it! It was fun to watch her get into the tub and wonder what's this?? At first she didn't know what to make of it and was a little confused as to what all those bubble were. But, she soon caught on and was having a lot of fun!
(ok...this is kind long, but stick with it, it's a good story)
Today we cut down our own Christmas Tree! Who actually gets to do that?!?! It was like Christmas Vacation...you know the one...with Chevy Chase. Yep, we were there, in the forest, freezing our butts off...cutting down a little piece of Mother Nature.
Our journey started off - 26 degrees outside.
So, we were off. First, we had to stop at the Coast Guard Military Police Office to tell them that we were going out into the forest to hunt for a tree. They were keeping tabs on people Tree Hunting, just in case nighttime fell and we weren't back yet...so they could send in search-and-rescue to come find us. So, before the Big Hunt, we drove by the office to check in.
So, off we were... We drove back near the house and took a road that lead off into the forest. We weren't allowed to cut down a tree that was less then 100 ft off the road. So, we were looking for the "perfect Christmas Tree" in a bunch of trees while slowly driving down the road. We'd see, what appeared to be a good batch of trees, and we'd stop the car. One of us would get out and scope the scene to see if there was a tree worthwhile. If not, we'd keep on driving.
This wasn't an easy task. I mean, we're in the forest...there are HUNDREDS of trees EVERYWHERE! But, they're all BIG...too big! And, those that are growing within a grouping...those are ugly and aren't growing fully because some of the branches are shaded by the nearby trees and therefore that tree won't grow branches. I could get into the logistics of everything, but it will just drag out the story...
So, we hiked about 100 yards into the forest from the main road and came across a small group of trees. By this time we had already been searching for a tree for about an hour or so. And...as luck would have it...TREES! "Small" Trees! So, we saw one we liked and started cutting.
...and the winner is...
So, after that we moved on to our second tree...
Nope...still not good enough. So, we left that spot, got back in the car, and drove up the road near the Buskin River. Stopping, of course, along the way at tree groupings to see if there was one there we liked. And as we drove alongside of the river...there it was the REAL WINNER!!
Now...there was a "catch" - I HAD TO CUT IT DOWN! You see, the tree was on the other side of a small creek and I was the only one wearing waterproof shoes. Yes, a small creek...BUT...if one of us were to slip and get wet by the FREEZING WATER...it could, within minutes, turn into frostbite! So, I just across the creek with the help of some small rocks in the water...and then I balanced on a tree branch that hung over the creek...and then walked along the branch until I reached the shore. My shoes got a little wet, but if I would have slipped in I would have been past my ankles in FREEZING WATER!
Well...I cut it down...all by myself...with Chris taking pictures of me in action. BUT...we ran into a little problem...um...how in the hell am I going to jump the FREEZING CLOD river with a 75lb tree?!?!
So, Chris decides that he needs to come help me. Not only am I not strong enough...but when the tree fell it got stuck on some nearby branches and I couldn't pry in loose. So, I walked back to my "bridge" over the river...following bear tracks, by the way...to help Chris get across without getting wet.
With some good balance, Chris got across and started toward the tree. He too had trouble prying it loose, but eventually was successful. He followed the river bank back to the "bridge" - the whole way contemplating...um...how in the hell am I going to jump the FREEZING CLOD river with a 75lb tree?!?!
Well, to make a long story short...he just walked through the creek getting his shoes and ankles soaked. Then climbed up a slight hill to get to the road where the warm car awaited.
So...freezing and exhausted our search ended.
...Ya, but it wasn't over yet. We rushed home and Chris immediately changed into warmer clothes. We then went back out to the car and pulled the prize tree from the bed of the truck. As we stood up our new trophy we couldn't help but notice that it was AS TALL AS THE ROOF! The thing had to be 20 feet tall!! There was NO WAY this was getting in the house! The branches had a 6 foot diameter around the trunk! CRAP!! 45 minutes later...of hacking away at our beautiful tree, we were left with this 'bush' that no longer looked like a Christmas Tree. But, more like a tree on drugs! We had gone to such lengths to bring home this perfect tree and it...well...wasn't perfect. We had contemplated trashing the whole thing and going to buy a tree...but...what a heck of a story! And, if anyone said anything about our ugly Christmas tree we had a great story to tell them about how we came to get such an ugly tree.
LESSON LEARNED HERE: I don't think we'll be cutting our own tree next year. I'm pretty sure we'll be buying one instead...even if it has to be a fake one!
Here are some pictures taken from that 5 hour Adventure:
It's OFFICIAL OFFICIAL - He's a United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer! In a small ceremony, Chris got his wings today! There were about 8 people getting promoted and/or receiving awards...Chris being one of them. I got to go up there and pin on his shiny, gold swimmer wings.
This is an accomplishment that we've both worked very hard for over the last two years (ok, him a little more then me. lol) But, life hasn't been easy through this transition and I'm so glad that the trek here is finally over!
Now we're just waiting for that first SAR Case! --- sigh...soon enough.
(Sorry my pictures aren't the best...bad angle and poor lighting...but, at least there's proof!)
As most of you already know, we went to Disneyland a few days before Christmas. We had a GREAT TIME and it was so much fun to watch Emily at The Happiest Place on Earth. She was dressed as Snow White and everyone thought she was adorable!
Now...there was a "catch" - I HAD TO CUT IT DOWN! You see, the tree was on the other side of a small creek and I was the only one wearing waterproof shoes. Yes, a small creek...BUT...if one of us were to slip and get wet by the FREEZING WATER...it could, within minutes, turn into frostbite! So, I just across the creek with the help of some small rocks in the water...and then I balanced on a tree branch that hung over the creek...and then walked along the branch until I reached the shore. My shoes got a little wet, but if I would have slipped in I would have been past my ankles in FREEZING WATER! 
