Our Summer / Fall Update

Let's see I haven't written since our honeymoon in March. No surprise as I went through a refinance boom that began in January and ended in last part of July but seem to take another month to recoup. Never fear we live in Alaska - there are many adventures in our own backyard.

In May I went on my first whale watching trip. I still haven't seen Shamu yet but I did get to see a Humpback whale bubble feeding.

In June we had our first San Diego visitors. Steve and Nona Barker stopped in to see me after their adventures up north. I can't tell you how warmed my heart was to see those I endear stop into Juneau. I took the day off and picked them up at the airport. Figured they were whooped and ready for some rest - I was right! A pot of coffee (fresh for Steve), I cooked breakfast and we got time to chat. Ahhhh! Afterwards I told them I would take them to the glacier quickly before dropping them off for some napping time. I think they thought I was taking them for a long drive - so 15 mintues later we are at the glacier. LOL!!! Yes it's almost in my backyard. Shawn and I got to do dinner with them - great time! Thank you both for being our first visitors. Love ya both.

Great part is we had family come up that month too! What a blessing. We went up the tram to the top of the mountain. What fantastic views from up there.

Also that month Athena learned how to swim. We all know she loves the water but yes she officially swims. She would panic each time her butt would start sinking. It took another dog stealing her ball in the water and then FINALLY she played follow the leader and followed him out, growled at him, took the ball and came back.

July - we visited San Diego. It was a whirlwind tour let me tell ya. It started with my 20 year high school reunion. I only went to the mixer and had a blast. We headed up to Stampede for some dancing and spent time with some long time friends. Sets my heart singing and my feet dancing. We got to go to Glory Mountain church and spend some time with friends there too. We tried to visit with everyone and take care of some specific items and there wasn't enough time. If we missed you - know you are loved but we were whooped when we got home. We did get to go to Magic Mountain and Shawn was able to convince me onto rides I thought I would never go on. Lots of fun!

Then came August. Shawn finally got his long awaited promotion as the Business Executive for Southeast Alaska. Shawn was both excited and relieved. He had been waiting since August 2008. His training ended up being in Dallas, TX and was gone for my birthday. I was sad!!! He is doing very well his first few months out of the gate. He's learning new things, growing new skills and expanding current ones. We are all proud of him. Odd how life works - my work ramped down and his ramped up - so we still have to schedule time together but I must admit in the last month it's getting easier. YEAH!!!

We move right along to September. My husband knowing how much I love helicopters - got me a tour to the glacier on a helicopter for my birthday. Upon his return we found a day where it wasn't raining and got in. We flew through the mountains and it was amazing! We saw mountain goats, ice fields and then landed on the glacier. Yes I said landed on the glacier. No matter how many times you see it - I'm still marveled at creation and the way things are formed together. I definitely got roots in my heart for adventure no matter how small or big. One day I'll see even more.....it's on our bucket lists!

Last but not least October. Earlier this year we planned a hike but then I threw out my shoulder really bad so we cancelled. Finally we got to go (actually twice). It's called West Glacier Trail. The map shows it up to a certain point and then McGuiness trail takes over. The part they don't show is the extended route (notice I didn't say trail) where you trek through all types of terrain following only orange ribbon every 50 feet or so. Good thing I have an Eagle Scout for a husband and a dog who marks her trail. :-) From the McGuiness split it's about another hour and 15 minutes down to the glacier caves. Well worth the trek. Athena was such a sport and did better than I expected. We were all a little stiff and sore the next day but not as bad as I thought either.

Well that is about it for us! Hope you enjoy the pictures. If you have a facebook account you can see all of them in the 2 newest albums. Miss and love everyone! Hugs, Shawn, Bethany and Athena.

MARCH HONEYMOON

Through the grace of God we got to go on our honeymoon in March. Cancun, Mexico was beautiful. Shawn and I got to share "firsts". Our first real vacation together. Our first time having more than a few hours together having fun. Our first time diving together...and the list could go on. We met a few sets of couples down there and had a great time. I have figured out that my husband is a chatty-kathy in hiding. Find a nice stranger and the conversation and stories will never end. :-)

Shawn and I went diving. Pretty cool for a girl who had never even snorkled. Anyone that knows me I tend to jump right in. Well I tried....came up for water gasping for air 3 times before I figured it out. Good thing Shawn and the instructor were patient. Once I figured it out, I didn't want to come up. Our first dive was a 15 foot dive at Xel-Ha (shell-ha). It was beautiful. The caves we went in were a little freaky. I was having flashbacks of all the underwater movies with a shark coming out of the dark. The first time was called 'snuba' because the tanks were on a little raft above us.

Our second dive was 33 feet and this was with a tank on our back. I forgot how much GEAR weighs. I finally got the nerve to fall backwards off the back of the boat and off I was making my way down the rope, stopping to unplug my ears every so often.

Well we returned home hoping for Shawn to have a promotion waiting for him (so we were told) and me to begin filling my pipeline again with loans. The promotion never came to fruition and ended in a small train wreck for Shawn. I came back to a refi-boom and filling the pipeline became easier than before our honeymoon. My boss took her vacation and I covered some of her files in her absence. Talk about learning trial by fire. Whew!!! Well we are still in a refi boom and God has blessed the work of my hands abundantly!!!

As for Athena, some may have seen my Facebook pictures but she is doing well. We are now trying to manage her weight. Not having a back yard and working too much has caused the girly to be a bit 'tubby' as Shawn endears her as. For that matter Momma has become tubby too.....too much work and not enough play. So we have recently started remedying that matter. We are walking with a friend and her dogs a couple times a week in the morning. And each weekend I am trying to stay out of the office at least one day and go take her out. The picture to the left is a trail on the back side of the aiport. There are lots of ducks and geese and WATER!! Oh yes Athena's favorite.

Today Athena and I were invited on a hike up Perserverance Trail. AMAZING! We saw our first bear of the season. Momma and a new cub were tucked up the hill from where we were. I was very happy to have a group of us as I'm not quite ready to encounter a bear. We had one in our front yard last week....Thank God I wasn't home. Today's hike was a great combination of flat areas, slight inclines and steep switchbacks. I'm so out of shape. LOL!!! But it truly is beautiful. Today was a good day. Athena is sacked out behind me snoring and I'm pooped.

Well we are coming to San Diego July 9th through the 18th. We hope this finds everyone happy, healthy and full of joy!

Much love,

Bethany, Shawn and Athena

How We Spent Our Christmas

Christmas In Alaska

Well let's back up just a little. We started Christmas celebrations early with Shawn's mom on December 13th. She was leaving to California to spend time with the family and to see the

newest addition to the family...the first grand baby! Shawn is officially and uncle. Dominique Woods came 1 week early giving Dana and Ellie (Shawn's brother and sister-in-law) time to recover before Christmas at Grandpa's.

The following Monday, Dec 15th, I started my new job at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. I have been in training and my brain is a sponge (some days retaining, some days it's too full). LOL! Shawn has been busily working the retail rigor that comes during the holidays. I titled myself as a "retail widow". His days off are usually weekdays and the extended hours for the holidays means we see each other for a few hours at night. We can't wait for a position outside of retail to open so that we can be on the same schedule. :-)

The Monday prior to Christmas, Shawn had the day off and I was at work. Athena had been couped up more than normal and so Shawn being the good Dad...took the girlie out to the glacier. The weather had been sunny and very cold (between 3 - 11 degrees without windchill factor) for over a week and it was no different. PS - I love it!! It had snowed quite a bit a 10 days prior and so the frozen snow was bright, beautiful and glistening with the sunshine. The waters were glassy and beautiful. Any who, the very large lake at the Mendenhall Glacier was now frozen and Athena took her first trip on ice! Shawn says she was a little unsure of her footing and stayed close but she was happy to be outside. Here is one of the GREAT pictures he took. He has a very good eye to see a good shot. If only we had a good camera. This was taken with his IPhone.

Later that night upon my return home, Shawn convinced me to go back to the Glacier at night. I have to admit...I was a scardy-cat. Walking on ice in the dark, heading to the Mendenhall Glacier in the still of night hearing it cracking and popping was a little eerie. Not sure as eerie as the night sounds of wolves howling. (....don't freak out Mom) It ended up being one of the most beautiful nights I have ever been in. No clouds, stars were clear and the moon was shining on the ice, illuminating the glacier as we got closer. I had only seen them from a distance as the lake had not be frozen up until now. They look average until you approach them. They are not only magnificent but also towering. The walk from the parking lot to the glacier is approximately 1 mile. As we started our trek back to the car we saw a storm heading in. For the next few days we had quite a bit of snowfall.

By the time Christmas Day came, I exclaimed we were first and foremost...sleeping in!!! I'm taking full advantage of these days before we ever have children. LOL! We woke up to light clouds, beautiful sun poking out and we decided on opening presents and then heading back to the glacier with Athena. Now mind you this would be my first time going in the daylight. It was quite a different experience especially since there was a little under a foot of snow on the ice and it was packed with people. Many were out with there dogs, cross country skiers, or kids out sledding. It was a wonderful day! Hope yours was too!

Love and blessings - Bethany, Shawn and Athena

Athena's First Adventure in the Snow

November 12, 2008

Hello All!
Just thought I would send some pic's out with a few updates. Athena made it up here just fine. She was a trooper! They slid the kennel down off the plane and as soon as she could see Shawn and heard our voices, all we could hear was the tail smacking the sides of the kennel. It doesn't appear that the move phased her much. Her biggest adjustment has been longer periods of time in the house with designated time for hikes. After today, I believe she was meant to be a hiking dog. She's getting me into shape.

We took her to Eagle Crest mountain to introduce her to snow. She donned her new jacket. She got out of the car and right into the snow....didn't think twice. She doesn't quite like the snow accumilation on the ball; it appears to be very cold on the tongue. LOL! We then proceeded over to Sandy Beach. I believe this is one of her favorite spots. I thought for sure she would avoid the cold water. The labrador in her says otherwise. The temperature has not phased her...she wants to play!!!! Next on the trip was Salmon Creek, which was today's hike. You might think of a nice rolling creek...NOT! It's a long steep incline followed by another steep incline, then it turns into the soft rolling hike. My calves were on fire by the time we hit the second incline. LOL! We found a little waterfall (they are everywhere) down a ravine so we went down to get her a drink.

On the moving front, we found out that after they offered him the position in Fairbanks the VP decided to re-distribute the territory including that position. We thought we were staying in Juneau but there is rumor that the Anchorage business position is opening up. I have quit trying to figure out if we are staying or going and just focus on where I am. :-) We are staying put in the house we are temporarily in until we know more. For those asking for our address; it is as follows:

1910 Glacier Ave
Juneau, AK 99801

I am looking into working for a bit. There is a sales option I am looking at but I'm taking my time to find the right fit. I've become accustom to being an outside sales rep; the thought of being confined to an office doesn't remotely sound appealing. We'll see what options open up for me. My car arrives sometime late next week. I cannot wait to be free once again.

Either way, I hope this finds everyone healthy, happy and getting ready for Thanksgiving. Time seems to have flown by this year.

Much love to everyone,
Bethany

PS - For those I haven't heard from yet.....drop me a quick note if you can.

First Post from Juneau, Alaska

Date: Monday, October 27, 2008, 2:31 PM
Hello Everyone,
A few of you already got a quick update after the wedding but many of you I just got updated in my new computer. So if the first part is a repeat for you....keep reading.

As many of you know I got married on October 11th and well on October 12th moved to Juneau, Alaska. In the middle of this transition Shawn got asked if he was interested in a position up in Fairbanks, Alaska. That position is still waiting in the balance as to if and when that might happen. If many of you don't know, they say if you can make it through a winter in Fairbanks at -60 degrees that's when you can truly call yourself an Alaskan. LOL!

Either way we are here in beautiful Juneau for now. We flew into sunshine with a light mist and a beautiful double rainbow right by the house. The attached picture only captured one of them...but it's beautiful. I fly to SD this Wednesday to get my baby girl....yes my 4-legged baby, Athena. I've already taken the vets advice and bought her an outdoor jacket from REI to help her transition from the SD at recently 95 degrees to Juneau at roughly 31 degrees.

Which brings me to my next subject. We got our first snow this last Thursday night. I know you all say that the elation will go away and one day I'll be asking for sunshine. That may be true but for now, I'm tickled pink. It was absolutely gorgeous Thursday-Saturday. The sun was shining through the clouds and snow falling on the ground. Attached pictures we taken with cell phone cameras as we don't have cameras. Maybe our Christmas present to ourselves. As for snow that quickly turns to ice by the following rain. Shawn and I hit a patch on the way home.......is there an option to take the snow and leave the ice. LOL!!!! :-) Unfortunately, we had rain all day Sunday which melted the snow. I can't seem to figure out that when it warmer and raining it feels twice as cold as when it snows.

Shawn and I had our first snow fight. I got a shovel full down my back with no jacket on. I'll learn. :-) I didn't let him off lightly....There was a scoop down his back not shortly after. He seems to be putting up with my ability to still be excited with snow duties. Talk to me at the end of winter; maybe the excitement will have subsided.

The roughest part is that I'm still in transition. Can't set up a home as we are waiting for the call to either stay in Juneau or move to Fairbanks. Guess technically I've set up camp but not permanent residence yet!

I hope this finds everyone happy, healthy and blessed. I will try to keep everyone posted with updates. If you want off the list......just let me know.

Enjoy a few pic's.
Blessings,
Bethany Love-Woods
907-209-7760

PS - For those of you early birds, please note that I am 1 hour behind California. 6am cell phone calls have been a little rough. :-(