Jesse - This is Your Life

The last page of my son's album is actually the first!

I always do my introductory page at the end; I like to get a sense of the "big picture."

This was also the last day of LOAD - LayOut A Day - for May,

and I achieved my goal of finishing this album. 

Graduation

High school graduation!

The final step on the way to adulthood

and the final page of my son's album!

Always Looking for Adventure!/ 1993? 1994?

While not exactly a two-page spread, these pages do go together.

They highlight the years 1993-1994 (not sure which) and include

some adventures and some more common occasions.

That photo of the cliff features my son rappelling down its side;

his friend is at the top. His mother and I never could watch!

(Love these woodsy papers that I got from Scrapbook Customs.)

Hooray!

My son and his friend Amber were the two graduates from 8th grade at our little 

village school in 1992. One of the teachers (the one in the shower cap!)

would put on a hilarious skit every year in which he'd predict the future 

for the graduates. This was a big occasion in our community.

Family Vacation

River rafting (my one and only time!) was part of a vacation we took with our best friends.

We rented a house and enjoyed bike riding, playing golf, horseback riding, and 4th of July fireworks.

It was a perfect vacation!

You Were Right, Mom

What mom doesn't want to hear those words, especially from a teenager!

My son resisted going to basketball camp, but off he went.

Then came his letter in which he wrote those famous words!

(The original letter will be attached on top of the page protector.)

In Print

A two-page spread highlighting my son's writing.

The left side features a couple of poems, and the right page

displays a story that was published in Cricket magazine.

There's also a newspaper photo of him taking part as an attorney in a mock trial. 

Moving Right Along

Another year goes by.

One Way to Go

After his first marathon in 1989, my son ran it again in 1990 and 1991,

bettering his speed each time. Those two times he had friends to run with.

Head Hands Heart Health

The kids were very active in 4-H. 

We had our own Horse Club in Chiniak;

at one point there were almost as many horses as People

Jesse's horse was Angel, the white one.

Random Life

Another year in the life of my son.

The year he turned 12.

Here Comes a New House!

An exciting time - building a new house!

Can't find the photo of Jesse in his new bedroom; it'll turn up eventually!

Yesterday in... Kodiak

School year 1989-90 - 6th grade.

My son was one of just nine students in grades 4-6.

A Moment in Time

Random shots of my son in 1989.

"Life is not a matter of milestones but of moments."

Runner's High

My son running his first marathon - May 1989.

Hello 5th Grade

Making a Connection

Telephones came to Chiniak in 1988.

Christmas with Friends

A fun time with family and friends, including our 

exchange teacher, Omura-san, from Japan.

Fish On

He loved to fish; I loved to eat!

Now he's a commercial fisherman.

10 - It Takes Skills to Look This Good

Ten years old! Still a kid but starting to want to be "cool!"

Used this old SEI collection (Sassy) because the colors match his presents.

And really, shouldn't every boy have some pink in his life?

A Day in the Life

A 10-year-old in 1988 - skateboards, cars on a track (can't remember the name), a spoon

on the nose, a dressed-up giant gorilla, and loving a TV (a first for us)! I didn't realize that

the photos were actually from two different days until I took the picture.

Let the Sunshine In

Let the Sunshine In

This page illustrates school activities, but it's more about keeping yourself open

to new experiences and learning. As the quote says, "Be open to whatever comes next."

School Days 1986

A few fun activities.

Please Take Me to DisneyWorld

Summer vacation 1987 - DisneyWorld, Epcot Center, Kennedy Space Center, Old Bethpage Village

Spring Comes to Chiniak

Spring meant well-loved traditions at the Chiniak School - 

Pet Day, Spring Music Program, day trip to Pasagshak, among others.

My son shared his bunny, Clover, on Pet Day in 1987.

Happy Birthday - 9

My son's ninth birthday.

This is surely the most photos I've ever put on a single page!

I wanted him to see most of the friends that were there to celebrate.

Our Alaska

Even though we actually live in Alaska, this trip around the "road system" in the central

part of the state in 1986 was one of the best family vacations we ever took! Since we live on an

island, we took our car on the ferry and drove around, visiting Denali, Talkeetna, Exit Glacier,

and other sites. The focus is on my son, since this is for his album.

Hello Winter

February 1986

Crazy About Christmas

Christmas 1986.

A well-loved tradition in our small village was the annual Christmas program

and party. Santa was always there, a local person, and gifts were handed out.

I don't recall what the program was that year, but Jesse had a part, even though 

he was home-schooled. Special times!

Hello You

Back to working on my son's album - I'm determined to finish this month!

He had just turned 6 when this school photo was taken - although he was home-schooled 

at this time he still took part in some school activities. The Johnny Appleseed photos 

are a good example - this was part of a school open house night where the students

became famous characters from US history.