Aidan's Excellent Aleutian Adventure

We drove out to Summer Bay and around toward Morris Cove but realized we had no gas so turned back!   We saw some sea otters and lots of birds.

After getting some gas, we drove up Ballyhoo and checked out all of the WWII remains.  Aidan was pretty fascinated with the "fallen down buildings."   

Wow, we are up in the clouds!

Looking out of one of the bunkers.

You can see a lot from way up here!

Aidan's been helping with chores, shucking some corn for dinner and vacuuming the living room.   
We have a great Aquatics Center with a HUGE slide!

We enjoyed our time in the pool.

Yesterday, we headed back to Morris Cove and found the wild horses.  Aidan saw them when he was about 4 years old but he was a little frightened then  and  didn't want to get too close.

This time he had lots of fun feeding them carrots.

We also tried to drive around the pass but encountered some snow that we were a little leery of trying to get around.  We decided not to take any chances but hoping it will be gone before long.

Our days have been very full and we are having so much fun!   I have to say that I am not having any trouble sleeping at night.   :)   

Aidan and Gigi travel to Alaska

Aidan has become very interested in taking photos.   He took this one of our plane in Dallas, along with many more of the various vehicles and equipment on the runway.   :)

Here we go--first flight--Dallas to Seattle.

The digiplayer is a lifesaver on a four hour flight.

Thanks to a very kindhearted pilot named Steve who made a little boy's day by posing for a photo after our flight.

We love priceline.com!  The SEA-TAC Hilton for $60.   We got in pretty late with just enough time for a drink, a few phone calls, and nighty-night.   This is the next morning, getting ready for our second flight--Seattle to Anchorage.

Waiting for the shuttle to the airport.

At our gate, waiting to board.   We had a smooth flight to Anchorage but left Seattle late and had a very close connection in Anchorage.  When we  landed, the flight attendant announced that there were four passengers to "Dutch Harbor" and one to Adak Island who needed to be allowed to get off the plane first.   We hurried to the front, where we were told to "RUN" to our gate because the plane was being held for us.  We could not RUN very well, a 6 year old and an old lady with both her arms full of stuff.  We did the best we could, arriving at Pen Air out of breath, only to be told that the plane had not even boarded yet.  Of course it hadn't!  

Third flight.   Unalaska, here we come!

Dallas again

"Where's Elle?!"  Playing with Daddy before getting ready for bed.  Aidan and I arrived back in Dallas on Monday and had a little bit more time with Sarah, Miles and Elle before flying out.

What a happy girl!
Aidan brought a little skateboard with him.  I could just envision us in the ER treating a broken arm before coming to Alaska.  LOL  

Miles 
Cute little Elle

Ahhhh, sweet cousins.   :)

Sarah and I took the kids to the YMCA where they played on the splashpad and in the pool.

Look at both of their faces!  Hilarious.

Swimming

The next day, we went to a park near their house.

We love swinging!
And sliding!
I really just wanted to get off my feet for a minute but this little seat started spinning and Sarah and I could not stop laughing.   I got so dizzy and it gave me a headache behind my eye that lasted the rest of the day!  That's what  happens when Gigi gets too wild.  LOL

Back at Sarah and Miles' house getting ready to go to the airport.  

In the car on the way to DFW.  

Another wonderful visit comes to an end!   It was quite a whirlwind trying to squeeze everything in and I never feel like I have enough time with  my kids and grandkids, but I am thankful that I have the opportunity to travel fairly often.   Thanks, everyone, for lots of fun and I will see some of you in June!

Aidan and I arrived in Unalaska on Thursday evening and Grandpa Rich was there to meet us. We were both so happy to see him!   I have more photos from the trip home but wanted to get these posted and then I will add the actual trip another day.   I need to get caught up so we can chronicle Aidan's visit.

We're having gorgeous days, rivaling the not so hot Texas weather I encountered.  LOL

More from Abilene

I went to the grocery store to find Jim and Susan before a potluck dinner with friends and parked right next to this vehicle with Mississippi plates. Suzassippi had arrived in Texas.

Susan and Jim
I know I have not included any scenery shots from this trip (that's Rich's forte and not mine!) but I loved these flowers on Jim's street.

Potluck with the old gang at Sherri's place. Susan and Sherri in the kitchen. We had lots of great food and even more gales of laughter. I love these friends and we have had so many adventures together.

Karen and Sherri
Being goofy. We tried many angles to get everyone into one shot and it just did not work out, though we laughed so hard it was definitely worth it.

Sherri, Diana, Karen, Jane and Jim

On our last day in Abilene, we met at the Hickory Street Cafe, one of my all time favorite places, famous for its fabulous chicken salad and zucchini bread. Aidan and Ally are sweet little siblings (at least some of the time!)

Susan, Jim and Aidan
Susan and Ally
Saying goodbye. Susan was a little teary-eyed about letting her boy go all the way to Alaska without her and staying away from home for so long.

But Aidan had no worries and was sound asleep in the car most of the way to Dallas.