It's Love

So, like my brother, I like to let Coorperate America be my DJ. Sometimes I like DJ to be my DJ (Damon James..thats my brother). Damon sent us this song by Chris Knox. It's mine and Oliver's song. We rock out to it........as you can see....

Number 4

Oliver recently went to see Sesame Street Live. Other than being a little scared of the "shadows" he loved it. In addition, we DVR sesame street for him. In addition to that, he loves Feist.... And in addition to that, our good buddies over at Faux Martha have led us to this:....

Paci....where's my Paci!!!???

Today is a tragic day in the Circosta house. Trying times are ahead. We woke up this morning and somehow, all at once, every one of Oliver's pacifiers seem to have developed very large holes in them...almost as if they were cut on purpose with some scissors. We think this is very suspicious. But, instead of working with a broken tool, Oliver has taken the high road and decided to throw all (I mean every one) of his paci's away. He did that this morning. Throwing each paci away one at a time with a ceremonial posture that brought a tear to my eye. We are on our first day with no paci. Oliver is keeping a personal journal of his experience. This morning I read his first lengthy entry that begin with the words "Day One".

Coincidently this event has taken place while Automme is out of town on the Koyukuk River for work.

God speed Oliver. You are a true martyr.

Mom!!! Oliver isn't sharing!

A question we might pose to our parents. When do our children become grateful for the time, energy, and money we give them? Wouldn't you think they would understand that we share almost everything with them? Wouldn't you expect them to recipricate some of that....any of that....I mean even just a bite of their dinner......how about just one bean from their burrito maybe?

A Tribute to Mom

Today is my mom's birthday (e-mail her if you want bradyj5@cox.net ) . For those of you who know my mom, you know that she is a bit quirky (see picture of her wearing two pairs of glasses at the same time). Anyway, if you know me, you know I am a bit quirky as well. I believe I have inherited the "special" gene from my mother. But, I have grown to enjoy being quirky and a bit "special" myself. I also am fortunate enough to have grown into loving my mother more and more every year. I believe her and I share something, maybe a mother child bond, maybe a genetic mutation, don't know, but I think that "something" is always unsaid and her and I know in our hearts that we have it. I know many people who grow estranged from their parents as they grow older. Although I live in Alaska, I feel very fortunate that I grow closer to my mom as the years pass. Growing up mom created a house that was fun and warm. There was always humor and love in the home. I can only hope that my child(ren) become adults and remember something similar. Mom, I Love you very much and I am especially proud and grateful that you are my mother.

The Ox and Family (midmonth post)

Just an update....we had the Bohnes, Chad Burris, and the Johnsens over for dinner.....Grady and Krag took in some monster halibut and we took them down at the dinner table. Charlene Carmen had a farewell at her cabin on Horseshoe (its now for sale).......here's a few pics and a video of it all. If you like random pics of people you may or may not know THESE PICTURES are real interesting....if not..not

Mess with the Ox you get the horns (graphic violence)

The wild Alaskan Muskox are quite pleasant by nature until provoked. I made the mistake of messing with one last week. It was all fun and games until the attack. Luckily the camera was between me and the wild beast. Scary stuff......



By the way...my friend Charles calls my son "the Ox". I guess he did some personal brainstorming and went from Oliver to Olly to Olly Olly Oxen Free to "the Ox.

Just a note of interest...we had two black bears in our neighborhood yesterday.

Kichen 07...Backyard 08-09.....deck to come

Well, in our spare time we remodeled our kitchen last year. We're almost done...but I thought I would post some Pics..Click HERE.

Also, started a new project in the backyard to make it more Oliver friendly. We have a sloped back yard so we're putting in a couple of retaining walls.....pics Click HERE......other than that...not much....and you?

The Happening(s)

So, June has been a busy month. We have had quite a few "happenings" going on:

The Anderson's hosted a Memorial Service for Grandpa Phil. Phil was an Alaskan' pioneer, who was a great father, excellent cribbage player who frequently beat me, great grand father, and "great" great grandfather to Oliver and Quin. Phil was the kind of guy who could make you feel important just by sitting next to him. Phil always was seen wearing a smile and we will all miss him very dearly. Patty took some good Pictures at the service...

Automme went on another work trip to Kwethluk and took some great Pictures..

We had Oliver's Uncle Tim, Auntie Kalo, and Cousin Quin into town for a fun filled trip to Alaska. Quin got to see all of his cousins Adam and Laura and was awesome with Oliver. Oliver and Quin were best buds by the end of the trip. They also took some great Pictures.

I've completely torn up my back yard to make it more play friendly. Despite the mess we've been able to hang a swing for Oliver and have a few smores in the fire pit. We've been getting regular updates from Oliver's newest cousin Sam and "The Happenings" from North Carolina. Here are some of our pictures of June .

By the way...we actually used a Grandma and Grandpa sponsored date night to go to the theater to see "The Happening"..... worst movie ever since Tomb Raider.

We'll end this one with a new video...