My bear

On our way to our MPL vs. DPL softball game we came across a ton of cars and a trooper pulled over on the side of the road. We knew that there had to have been wildlife somewhere there in the area. Considering Chris had seen a grizzly bear right around there early that morning we figured it was a bear. We looked and low and behold walking right alongside the road was a grizzly bear. First one i've seen this season, and perhaps the only one i'll see. I love bears, they are so cute:) But I don't ever want to cross one like I had earlier on this season.

The Mountain

The other day the Mountain was SO Pretty. I took my camara to work and told Joy we had to make time to go outside and capture her beauty. It was christmas eve there at the lodge so it couldn't have been a more perfect day. The story behind Christmas on August 25th is in Yellowstone many years ago there first snowfall was on the 25th. They were snowed in so to make the most of the expereince the guests of the national park celebrated Christmas. So now, it's an adopted national park holiday rocognized by many as Christmas in August. They decorated the lodge in tree's, lights and wreaths and everyone was in a chipper mood. On the 25th there was to be caroling and many activities celebrating the holidays. It was an amazing day of work with it being Christmas eve, and also the mountain showing in all it's glory. What a beautiful day it was:)

Joy and I + Mt. McKinley

Linda Toogood And I

Linda Messenger, Ian Brown, and I

Us Making sales at the tour desk!

Rebecca and I dressed up for the holidays!

summer [2008] Princess tours Outfitters

Joy and Santa. Isn't she the cutest thing ever!?

Meet Vladimer. He's a international employee from Russia. He's in love with me. Everytime he passes he says to me "4224." That would be his room number. He tries convincing me to go to lunch/dinner/dessert, and then to watch the romantic sunset with him. Haha what a silly boy.

Alaska State Fair

Last night we went to the Alaska State fair. We had so much fun. We left the lodge around 4pm and headed for Palmer, Alaska. We hoped to catch the Lumberjack show @ like 6pm so we were kind of in a rush. It was $10 to get in but whatever. I had so much fun at the fair. There was a group of 11 of us. It was George, Steve, Debby, Dana, Andrea, Chris, Nicole, Conrad, Derek, Me, and Joy. This was the first thing we went to. It was the Alaska State Fair Lumber Jack show. There's nothing hotter than a hard working guy in carhartt pants, flannel shirt, and a chainsaw. Haha I haha Nicole and I had a good time checking him out.

This was crazy. These two guys went flying up the pole and back down, I've never seen something so cool. But this picture is actually the stills from a movie.

He'll be my husband someday!

The Log Rolling contest:)

He carved a hair chair

The Alaska State Flag in Flowers!

Derek Chris and Conrad smelling the flowers.

Chris, ANdrea, Nicole, Conrad, Joy, Debby, Dana, Me, Steve and George

Chris at the Hulla-Hoop station. We all took our turns but he was probably the one with the most hip action and skill haha

This Pig was pregnant.

These baby pigs were crazy. It was two of them messaging the belly of one that looked like it was dead. Really they were just confused because they were used to nursing from their mom. But hey, the one got a free message!

A cabbage

Only in Alaska. Off Roading Go-Karts. Haha they even had pot-holes and mounds to go over. They were definately homemade. We could see that they bumpers had been welded themselves. Totally redneck!

Nicole Joy and I. I love these 2

The 3 Expeditors and the Dispatcher. Awww I love them!

Andrea and I

My Dream Wedding I guess

MY TEMPLE:

MY DRESS:

The girl that's wearing it makes it ugly..but I like the dress, although the bow has got to change somehow...possibly a different color:)

THE BRIDESMAIDS:
(different colors)

OR

THE RING:

I like the simplicity.

THE FOOD:

The food even looks amazing! I want professionally dipped strawberries that's so summery and cute!!!

Is this not the cutest thing ever?

I love this Cake! I think it's the prettiest thing EVER!

THE DECOR:

I LOVE IT!

MY BOUQUET:

Not that i'm really thinking about getting married or anything but I have done a lot of thinking about my goals and dreams. & this is simply what I'd like my dream reception to look like...along with a few extra things. Just things I've had sitting my computer for a long time and thought i'd post it. Kind of like growing up and how your Young Womens leaders have you write letters to your future husband every year...Yeah well I'm a girl, and I've planned my Wedding haha. For a long time I liked the colors Sage and Ivory...But I think things possibly might be changing. Ok i'm done dreaming now.

oh & we can't forget my husband Michael Phelps!

Things I only have to wait 4 weeks for:]

• Peach Propel


• Chocolate Chip cookies


• Real Food


• My own Bed


• My mom's messages


• Movies


• My closest friends (+him)


• The north Idaho outdoors


• Road trip:)


• My parents


• One step closer towards going back to school.

there's so many things i've learned that I take for granted. The simplest things in life mean so much. Yesterday I was looking @ a little gift given to me over the past year and I thought about how much it dearly meant to me. This specific gift has traveled with me pretty much everywhere i've gone. It went to school with me and was a lot of help there, and it was even more help here in Alaska. There is no need to display what this gift is, or even who it was from...it just made me realize how many valuable things without value I do have. Things I cherish most and don't really understand what my life would be like without them in it. Now needless to say this gift is special-It's also a symbol. A symbol that you don't need to see something, or someone to know they're always there. More recently in my life I know this is true. I've been blessed with many great friends who have been there with me through thick and thin, and also my dear family who has allowed me to call many times throughout the lonely nights just to talk, or vent. I appreciate things a lot more I think, and i'm getting to be wiser by my choices. I was young when I thought my life was all laid out for me...Now looking I realize I have so much more ahead of me. I don't need "things" to comfort me...all i need is those I love most, and those who love me most. I'm a vulnerable person I guess, and don't give up easily as many know. I fight for what I feel is right, and it gets me in trouble most of the time. I haven't had many people tell me recently "give up, it's not worth it. stop trying" which is probably what I actually need. I didn't actually fathom the importance of friendship till yesterday, when I viewed it from the outside looking in. A friend is someone whose there all the time. A friendship isn't just something the dissipates. It's longlasting no matter the status or situation. I'm greatful for the many friends I have, but most of all i'm greatful for those few best friends I do have. Those who without a doubt have held me when times get rough. I can't wait for the next 4 weeks to be over, so I can return to civilization with my newfound attitude. It seems like things in my life were rainy, but the sun is beginning to shine:) I'm so happy with how things are. Sure I miss memories of how my life was, or how it could of been, or how I dreamed of it being, but there's no sence in thinking today should be perfect, because then there's no need for tomorrow. The simplest things bring me joy. The smallest things bring me happiness. I guess it's hard for someone to tell me to cheer up, or tell me things will be alright...when sometimes I honestly feel it's not. Thanks to those who are there. Thanks to those who are counting down the days until I come home:) I can't wait to see you all!

EXACTLY 4 WEEKS LEFT!

Bittersweet Goodbyes

I'm so sick of everyone leaving. I hate saying goodbye to those i've come so close too. This summer has really opened my eyes to all the amazing individuals and opportunities out there. What will really be hard on me is when all my international friends leave. I get so close to someone and then they have to leave. Uhhhhh that's terrible. Hopefully the majority of them will all come back next year :)

Carissa And I! We had our moment but I can only hope that we'll both look back and only remember the good ones. It's hard living and working with the ones you love most, and I think we learned that lesson. Things weren't easy here in Alaska. We were tested all the time and I'm so happy that I met these individuals.

From Left to Right ( Becky, Chris, Carissa, Bethanie, Mitch, Nicole, Cathrine, Derek, Sadie, David, Me, Brantly, Andrea, Cody )

Sadie, Brantly, and Carissa are all leaving Thursday :(

The SUITE MATES

I had a blast with all of them these passed few months. I know that we all had our dramatic moment but I couldn't be more greatful for the memories we've shared and our ability to let things go and have a good time. From Left to Right (Carissa, Sadie, Me and Andrea)

*In with the New, Out with the Old*

These are the new roommates standing with Andrea and I. On the Left is Bethanie from Spokane, and on the right of me is Nicole from Deer Park. Below us is Carissa and Sadie, the two that are leaving on thursday. Both making sad faces because they are being replaced.

I LOVE YOU BOTH!
thanks for the good times:]

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

The passed couple weeks there have been a lot of individuals that have left Mt. McKinley Lodge. Most of them headed back to school. It really makes you pause and realize how many wonderful people you meet. I can't imagine meeting more prefound people in my life. I love every single one of them and am indeed greatful for my opportunity to come up here to Alaska. Here are a few photos from our girls nights. The first one was for Allison. We ate at the mountain view and dressed up a little. The second night was right before Kiara left this last week. We ate at the mountain view again and it was a blast. I'll see Kiara again in Vegas a month or so :]

• ALLISON'S NIGHT OUT
  

From Left to Right. Bethanie, Carissa, Andrea, Joy, Allison, Me, Sadie, Nicole, Rebecca

We only could fit 5 to a table. From Left to Right. Nicole, Joy, Me, Lisa, and Sadie

• KIARA'S NIGHT OUT
  

Kiara, Hayley, Me, Joy and Nicole

Nicole, Kiara, Joy, and I

Nice walks :]

a sweet boy put flowers on my door. How nice of him. The sign is from Kiara.

The view from the Hill Trail.

Just the 4 of us. We went on a little walk up the Hill Trail. It's Derek, Brantly, Sadie, and I

we had a good time:)

This is my neighbor Brantly. You can also see a part of the flowers that derek decorated my porch with. lol