Inspirational and Unknown Quotes

Yes, yes... we're still here! As mentioned in previous posts, we're just so darn entrenched in the AK way that I forget to write about it! In an effort to get you up to speed on the goings on of the past few months, but not to bury you under a mountain of narrative text, I offer a series of quotes:

PINHOLE CAMERA MAKING. A family weekend of creativity and science...

Indigo: "I really get to make my own camera and take pictures with it? I'm only five, remember?"
J and Kim: "Yes, and yes."

Making the pinhole part...

Loaded and ready to roll!

They came out!

TECHNOLOGY and EDUCATION CONFERENCE. A professional development week for Kim in Anchorage...

Polycom Rep: "Hi there everyone, the very first thing I want to offer is a chance for you to express your needs - that's why I'm here. What can Polycom do for you?"
Guy next to me: "Well, most of my students leave school for weeks at a time with their families to go caribou hunting, hiking hundreds of miles off the road system; do you have a portable Polycom in a backpack that we could send with them so they could connect back to the classroom from the hunt?"
Polycom Rep: "You're serious, aren't you. [pause] I don't get asked that in California. Let's talk."

SPRING BREAK SKIING IN AK. A conversation about J's upcoming boys' ski trip to Hatcher and Thompson Pass came up at a neighborhood bonfire gathering...

Neighbor: "So you're headed up to Thompson Pass to ski, huh? Lots of slides up there. You could bring some explosives with you; do a little avi control on your own."
J: "Interesting... [translation, "what are you f-ing crazy?"] where does someone get that sort of thing?"
Neighbor: "I've got some... in my back pocket." (Literally pulls two sticks of dynamite out of his back pocket and hands them to J. I'm not making this up.)

2013 Spring Break Guest Blogger Andy returns for some goods...

And brings another Lower 48er, Ryan, along for the ride.

Ridiculous bonus quote because I wasn't there to razz them in person: "Andy and Ryan, is that dynamite in your pocket or are you just excited to be in Alaska?"

SPRING BREAK PLAYING IN MAUI. A glorious venture with Kim, Indigo and Gran...

Indigo: "Rainbows are sort of like the Northern Lights out during the day."

Somewhere, under the rainbow...

Beach buddies.

How does "Team Leslie: The Maui Adventure" sound?

DRIVING BACK FROM THE AIRPORT. Team Leslie rendezvous in Anchorage after our respective Spring Break trips...

Kim: "Bore tide!"

At the right place at the right time.

PRESCHOOL SOCCER. Got to be harder than herding cats...

Assistant Coach Kim: "Okay defense kiddos, you have one and only one job - to keep the ball out of this goal!"
Preschool boy: "And not to bite people!"

Coach J: "So, now that I've got your attention, let's-"
Preschool girl [reaching up to touch J's mega-beard]: "You're like my daddy cuz he's got whiskers too!"

Look out for biters...

SPRING IS HERE. The temperatures are warming up, the sun is out, the daylight is long, and we still have a little snow...

Team Leslie: "Ahhhhh..."

Multiple family yurt, climb and ski trip - and all the kiddos came up the mountain!

Between Dad's legs on the way down.

She can have her Maui and her AK too!

Going for it...