I pass by a lady Santa on a horse; the new house gets torn up a bit with Kalib in the middle; Jacob is named Employee of the Year by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 4:02AM ;)
Today, as I was driving out of Wasilla to go to Anchorage, I saw a woman on horseback, wearing a Santa hat. It was a beautiful, wonderful day for a horseback ride, with the temperature at that moment four degrees above zero.
;)
I continued on to Anchorage through what was another hoarfrosty day.
;)
Someone had slid off the road.
;)
As you can see, things are changing inside Jacob, Lavina and Kalib's new home. I told you that Lavina did not like that old rug. Kalib went about the business of taking measurements for the new one.
;)
Kalib looks through the window as Melanie arrives to help.
;)
Rex seals off the tracks for the track lights in preparation for tomorrow's spray painting. There was some discussion about whether those track lights should go or stay, because they do look kind of strange.
Yet, as a photographer, I could see a use for such lights.
;)
Once again, Kalib got to feeling worn down and a bit cranky.
;)
So Grandma took him into what I believe will be his bedroom once he gets a little older. There, she made him sweep the floor.
;)
That cheered him right up.
He also enjoyed watching some Cars animation on Caleb's iPhone.
;)
After that, Lavina and I headed over to the Denaina Center, where the 1800 people who work with Jacob at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium were having their Christmas party. Jacob is still in Washington, DC, so he couldn't be there.
We came very late but still just a little bit early and so they sat us down at one of the many tables and fed us halibut and a chocolate desert that was very tasty.
At the next table, I saw this lady concentrating on her phone.
;)
This is why Lavina and I came, even though Jacob was not here. ANTHC gave out seven Employee of the Year awards. Jacob was named Employee of the Year in engineering.
;)
Lavina accepted his award for him. They said that Jacob gets along with everybody that he works with, and with all the people in the villages that he travels to oversee the installation of sewer projects where there has never been sewer projects before and where, what with permafrost and all, conditions can be extremely challenging.
They especially praised him for his work in the Yup'ik village of Quigillingok and said that wherever he goes, he understands the peoples and cultures and works good with them all.
They said more after that, too, but I lost it because I was trying to figure out how to photograph Lavina receiving his award.
It was kind of tough, but this what I came up with.
;)
Lavina with Jacob's awards, outside, on the way back to the car, beneath a hoarfrosted tree. The soapstone figure with the ivory face is an Eskimo dancer.
He also got $1000 - but, as he is now a Lieutenant in the Commission Corps, that check has to be sent to the federal government and they may or may not decide to let him keep it.
Reader Comments (10)
I enjoyed sharing your day. Great photos! Congrats Jacob!
what a fascinating and challenging line of work Jacob has found. As you get up north in rural Alaska, sanitation systems are extremely difficult because of the permafrost, which is like concrete....so you can't bury pipes. With the permafrost melting in some places, it must be even more challenging. Jacob should have a blog on this! Great photos of the awards ceremony.
I saw the lady Santa, too, and wondered whether you'd see her & get a pic. Congrats to Jacob for his award.
You are just about the most celebratingest family ever! A spate of birthdays. Employee of the year. A new house. A new baby on the way. Thanksgiving. Christmas. Seems like there is no shortage of things to celebrate at your house! You are living large, my friend. You are living large!
Congratulations to Jacob! What a wonderful family you have.
You've go to be proud Dad.......button busting proud!.......the new house is looking stylish....I may be asking the obvious, but is it harder to heat a place with high ceilings?......your crew is definitley one of the most "celebratingest"
Hello Bill! I apologize for not seeing you for a long time. I think we will have to head over to the Metro Cafe soon for a coffee. I think it is awesome that Jacob received the award for Employee of The Year! Lavina looked great while she received his award. I am certain that you and Margie are proud of him. Maybe we can meet up tomorrow for a relatively early coffee!
Take care,
Charlie
loved the photos, esp. kalib looking out window w/the lacy curtain. the grandeur of alaska - even its superhighways w/mtns in the distance - somehow makes it a holy place to live.
Wow, What beatiful family you still have. We miss you all
Good to hear about Jake and his family.