Shaggy concert at the Romain Theater in Carthage

Taking Setu out for a farewell dinner. She is off to Panama

At the concert Me, Aida, Suzie and Furaha

Me and Suzie Dancing to some of Shaggy's oldies

Furaha and Suzie dancing

Shaggy on stage

Dickey 'clan' dinner to celebrate Zaria's and her cousin Brittaney's Birthdays

Jim, his sister Becky and their birthday girl daughters


The girls opening their presents




Zaria and Wadi trying out one of Zaria's birthday presents

H2Oasis water park

Zaria at the park when she was 3!Then

Zaira at the same water park! Now

At the Buzzell's

If you listen to the kids speaking about their cousin Chelsea you will 'swear' no one else has ever had a cousin. They just adore her. Being the youngest of the Buzzell girls she has always showered them with all the attention they can possibly get from a 15 year old!


Most of you know of Becky! I talk about her a lot. She was there holding my hand as 'we' laughed through Wadi's delivery, tought me how to change diapers and clean up a baby when I was new to being a mother and not only held my hand as I was taking that first transatlantic flight back to Zimbabwe in tears but also took me on the first leg of that flight to Arizona. Then a year later held my hand as we cried through Zaria's difficult delivery making the experience less traumatic than it would have otherwise have been. Her house is such a home. We all feel very comfortable and welcome when we are with her and her family. Most of all the kids just adores her. Me! She holds a very speical place in my heart that I cannot even begin to explain. We are all very blessed to have her in our lives and there is no one better I can think of to help raise my kids than her!
Aunt Becky with Wadi and Zaria

The kids with their Aunt Becky and Cousin Chelsea

Moose! Moose! Look out!

Ridding a Moose! We have ridden just about every animal, Camel, donkey, elephant, and now a Moose... Cool!


Perfecting the art of picking out expensive bikes... I still do not get it but obviously they do. Like father like son and daughter

Just another day in Anchorage

Views from Project Zawadi

Finally we get to view our property in Seward. The view is just superb! The snow covered mountain view is amazing and the creek is clear and flows silently with just enough whisper to help one sleep... Can not wait to build that dream house. The kids spent about an hour playing on the banks of the creek and are just as excited about living there sometime soon!

Only in Alaska

Anchoring out in the Ressurection bay looking at cabins and having the kids play in snow

Snow sliding


Snow ball fighting

Hanging out with the Buzzells

Zaria with Aunt Becky, Uncle Terry, cousin Ken and Jessica in the far back ground

In the boat

getting boat ready to cruise

4 of July Parade

Some couple getting married

Senator Ted Stevens

Governor Don Young

The Home Town – Seward, Alaska

The 4th of July celebrations in Seward are usually kicked off by the Mount Marathon race. This is a 3.1 miles race (about 5km) up the mount marathon that has a trail angled bout 38 degrees. The steepest race trail slope is 60 degrees. The race starts on 4th avenue at an elevation of 30 feet, its highest race point is 3,022 feet. One has to be good at climbing and at sliding on their ‘behind’ on snow to pull off this race. I am so glad I was on the ‘cheering squad’ this time and not racing. My sister in law Katrina and her son Zachary were participants in the race. The race was followed by it’s usual lovely candy throwing parade!


Mini baby 'marathon'

Zachary heading for the finish line

Me and Katrina before the race (she is wearing her signature T-shirt)

Katrina 'high fiving' as she heads for the finish line

Hiking

The kids with their uncle Chris. (Jim's younger brother)

First morning boat ride

Zaria enjoying the morning boat ride

Wadi (with papa's help) piloting the boat

At the Marina

The magnificent train ride from Anchorage to Seward

This Coastal Classic Train ride – Runs between Anchorage and Seward with a stop in Girdwood. The first 50 miles is along the Turnagain Arm. With tides that can vary over 40 feet, it has the second highest tides in North America . Beluga whales and Dall sheep are also often see along this section. We were able to see lots of dall sheep but no whales. Heading up into the mountains there were spectacular views of glaciers, waterfalls, snowy mountaintops of the Chugach Range and a relaxing yet breath taking travel through lush spruce and birch forests.


Having breakfast on the train



Remnants of the 1964 earth quake

melting glacias