Margie and I drive into Anchorage and steal Kalib away from his parents

"I am so lonesome for Kalib," Margie said. "Let's go to Anchorage and steal him away." I had big plans for this weekend. Starting yesterday and then going all the way through Sunday, I was going to devote myself to a little proposal that I want to make, one that has the potential to make a big difference in my life. It also has the potential to take up three days of my time and then go nowhere at all.

New Year's Day, I discovered that I was simply too tired and burned out to do it. So I figured, "Ok, I'll go at it hard all day Saturday and Sunday and I can still get it done."

But when your wife announces that it is time to go to Anchorage and steal your grandson away from his parents, then you had better go steal your grandson.

So I warmed up the car and then we got in it.

So off we went, and drove out of Wasilla, headed for Anchorage to steal our grandson. Margie leaves for Arizona Thursday night and won't be back until February 2 (Melanie's birthday), and that it made it all the more urgent to her to spend some time with Kalib.

I'm going to Arizona, too, but I don't leave until the 17th. I will come back with Margie.

When we arrived in Anchorage, we learned over Margie's cellphone that Kalib had just dozed off for his afternoon nap. You can't steal a grandson when he is napping. It wouldn't be right. We wanted to visit Lisa, anyway, so she agreed to meet us at Middle Way Cafe for coffee. Melanie and Rex were both out of town.

Here's Lisa, coming to the back door of Middle Way. She will chide me after she enters; she will say that I looked ridiculous, standing there taking pictures. But, I will tell her, that's what photographers do.

Yes, she will say, but photographers stand there with big, professional-looking DSLR cameras and there I was, standing there with an itty-bitty pocket camera, looking ridiculous.

Well, I will tell  her, photographers can't worry about whether or not they look ridiculous. All photographers can worry worry about is whether or not they get the picture, whatever size their camera is.

As you can see, I got the picture.

I'm pretty sure it will win me a Nobel prize.

This, of course, is Bryce, Lisa's boyfriend. He works at Middle Way. Today, he was being a baristo.

This is Bryce's co-worker, Joel. "Okay," Joel said, "you can put me in your blog," after I told him I was going to. He will probably regret it when he sees this picture. I do have other images in which his eyes are open, but I like this one better.

I tried real hard to catch that blink and I succeeded.

You know what they say, "success breeds success."

This ought to be a successful year for me, now.

Thank you, Joel - I couldn't have done it without you.

Margie and Lisa. We bought one piece of chocolate beat cake to share. I'm not quite certain how they work beats into a chocolate cake recipe, but the result is scrumptious - when its fresh. It was stale today. Not so good. Somebody better get on the ball or I will stop buying beat cake.

Who wants stale cake, beats or not?

Lisa had much on her mind, but not for me to share here.

Bryce has some kind of technique that allows him to put designs in latte's. He put a heart in Margie's.

Soon, we said goodbye to Lisa and went over to steal Kalib. His parents let us in so we could do so, but he was still napping. They had bought him this remote-controlled train engine for Christmas, but had forgotten to buy batteries. 

Jacob had just put some in and was testing it out.

Finally, Kalib began to wake up. 

Now he is awake - sort of.

After Kalib came out, Jacob guided the train engine toward him. Kalib was leery.

He was still tired, feeling a little grumpy.

Then the three of us got in the car and drove away from his parents - back to Wasilla. Now that we had stolen their son, they have a night to themselves. They can go to a movie; whatever they want to do.

They can't make another baby, though, because they already got another one coming - February 27, for those of you don't already know.

I was going to help Kalib feed the fish after we got home, but, I came out to my office and found that Margie had beat me to it. These two were feeding the fish without me.

And then Kalib had to watch his movie, Ice Age. I am certain that he has every scene memorized by now.

After finishing all that precedes this image, I went into the house to see if these two had gone to bed yet. It is 1:00 AM, so I thought they probably would have. This is what I found.

Margie cannot carry him to bed, so, as soon as I save and close this, I will go in and do so.

Well... I went in to carry him to bed and this is what I found... Royce, the frail, aging, old-man orange cat watching over him - just as he did during all the time that Kalib lived with us.

So, forgive me for dragging this out, but I had to take one more picture, come back out here and put it in the journal.

Now, I will go in and carry him into bed.

Comments

[WhiteStone]

Stealing your own grandkids! Why didn't I think of that! Where was this blog when my own DGS was Kalib's age?

He lives five hours away by car. He's 13 now and I don't think he would let me steal him now.

I think there should be a law that grandkids have to live within a 50 mile radius of their grandparents. I was going to type 150 miles but that's still a long drive so I shortened it to 50.

[emilypeacock]

Oh Whitestone I so agree with you. My one and only precious granddaughter lives two hours away. If I want to see her I have to call to make sure they'll be home and it's an all day production. I can't just pop in. I would amend your law to 20 miles maximum.. I have friends who have grandchildren that live on opposite sides of the country or overseas and I know I should be grateful mine is not that far away, but. . . . I think I shall continue to scowl and stamp my foot if you don't mind!

[debby]

Well, I never! Stealing a child...some places they would call that kidnapping, and in fact have enacted tough laws forbidding such a thing. Just a word of warning to felonious grandparents everywhere. In your case, however, it made Royce so darn happy I think that you would get off with a mere slap on the wrists.

Have a safe journey, Margie!

[Ash]

I'll never get tired of saying it.. Kalib is such a cutie :) and that picture of Royce standing (sitting?) guard over him while he sleeps? Priceless :)

[debby]

Oh, and Bill? What does Joel's shirt say? I really have to know. Thanks.

[Mikey]

Ahhh, seeing Kalib always makes me feel peaceful. Something about the look in his eyes.... I say this as mine is screaming because she has to go work in the garden. OH, the HORROR! lol
I'd rather be with you and Margie and Kalib right now. Send ticket, asap.

[Ash]

Do you know why the cafe is named Middle Way, Mr. Hess? Does it have something to do with Buddhism?

[kathleen palingates]

Can I steal Kalib? Please.........

[Kasha Knish]

It looks like you will be busy acquiring Kalib photos in February. Another blog that just hit the spot! (grin)

[Kasha Knish]

(I had no luck sending a comment to you on the 31st. So, will now try, again.)
The beauty of your blog - it takes you to places/people with which your readers & sometimes you might not be very familiar. Along the way we all come out of the experience with a better understanding of other cultures & the small things that we just might miss out on even when sitting at a stoplight. ... Just wandering by here daily has made me more observant of my own surroundings .... I know that there have been some rough times for you & yours, but hope that 2010 will bring you all that you wish.

Kalib is quite the cutie pie & the photo of him taking his first step & his mom's reaction was incredibly moving. So, with Kalib & his close relationship to you in mind (& yours with your readers), I submit this meaningful, yet cute song... You've Got a Friend in Me (or US) from Toy Story - http://tinyurl.com/h4mlv

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to say I enjoy your blog. I found your link at the Immoral Minority and have been reading periodically for the past several months, for no reason other than I find the photos and story of your life/family's life interesting and engaging. It's so very different from the several other blogs I read, which are more social advocacy oriented. Your blog is very personal and intimate. I feel like I am totally engrossed in a novel that I can't put down -- like one of my favorite book series, the Number One Ladies Detective Agency -- and want to find out what happens next. You also have neat perspective.

Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with strangers like me...

I wish you and your family a very blessed new year.

[Suji]

Kalib will sooon be stollen from me :) Hes damn cuteee and I am eagerly awaiting to see his baby sister/brother :) Feb 27 is fasst approaching! Margie seems better now..snaps says so, praying she recovers fully and can carry Kalib all over.

[Wasilla, Alaska, by 300]

Whitestone - Kalib is just barely within the 50 mile radius, so it's all legal.

emilypeacock - The grandparents of my newest little niece live half a world from her - she lives in Minnesota, they in India. But the grandma has come all that way to spend the winter in Minnesota - which is a huge change for her.

Debby - Margie and I both notorious lawbreakers, but somehow, we always manage to escape without getting caught.

Joel's shirt says, "Middle Way Cafe."

Mikey - Kalib does know how to scream too. On the whole, he is a pretty pleasant fellow, but he has his moments.

Ash - Thank you - and yes, I believe Middle Way does have something to do with Buddhism, but am unclear just how. Sounds like you probably know.

Kathleen - It was hard enough for us to steal him.

Kasha Knish - Thank your for the fun song. It is playing on my my computer right now. Pretty soon, we will have to introduce Kalib to Toy Story.

Anonymous - Thank you and I guess I will go look for a crime to solve!

Suji - So good to see you here! Makes my day!