We Tied the Knot!!

Albert came all the way from Arizona just to make his prized homemade icecream at our rehearsal BBQ. We give it 2 thumbs up!

Well, it's official...we've been married now for a month! After the wedding, a great Hawaii honeymoon, and a hot Fiesta in Southern Arizona, we're both back to "normal" life and work in rainy Juneau. Now we're trying to compile photos and share them with you all. Enjoy the start of what will be many to come!

San Diego Jessica lends a much appreciated helping hand at our Rehearsal BBQ at Katy's parent's. Notice our much prayed for sunshine?! Mom Pam came through with so much great food!

Katy's Trip Home

It's officially getting REALLY close to wedding time, as Katy just drove home to Soldotna. Just a measley 5 hour ferry ride and 1,000 mile drive through 3 countries. The trip was sunny and beautiful, and the only casualities included a squirrel, one exhaust pipe, and a crack in the windshield. Either than that, Marsha loved stretching her legs on a stretch of road longer than 50 miles! One picture above includes the two studly body guards protecting her along the drive.

Fourth of July Festivities

We hope everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend! Ours was spent with a spectacular midnight fireworks show in the blustery Alaskan weather, a parade filled with many celebraties, great fishing, and high caloric intake. We love those pulled pork sandwiches! Here are just a few of our favorite sightings....

Super Mario...Soapbox races...Midevil times...My dream man on a motorcycle...Orlando Bloom...Tlingit Elvis...Norwegian ancestors just off the boat...

Fourth of July Fishing Fun

Our friend's sailboat we enjoyed our fresh halibut and crab on!

The FIRST halibut in the U.S.S. Nana Dolly! Yes, it was caught by Katy!

What's on the end of that line??

Hmmmm...Interesante!

First Blood!

first blood in our new boat

An Alaska Sneak Peak...To Entice You All To Come On Up!

Beautiful Glaciers and Wildflowers!

Ahhhh...the Ocean!

Whale's Tails!

Whales!!

Exotic Fish Species!

Beautiful Glaciers!

Giant King Crab!

Patriotism!

Exotic Sand Creations

Check out our new toy!!

Some may think I'm crazy, but I gave Jesse the "OK" this past week to get his dream toy! We found a steal, and couldn't turn down a great offer from a cute 80 year old man with a bow on his cap! And yes, this is in both our names so Jesse can't sail away into the sunset before the wedding. Now when you all visit we'll be able to take out more than one fishing at a time!

The Engagement...January 19...Sunshine Cove

Jesse likes to think that he proposed to Katy with the help of Neil Diamond, who suddenly appeared on the beach singing "Sweet Katy Beth..." In all truthfulness, after a secret trip to Soldotna for a tasty ribeye and nerve racking dinner with Katy's parents, Jesse surprised Katy on bended knee with a diamond ring between two graham crackers instead of marshmallow and chocolate. It was all completely unexpected and perfectly timed during the rare Juneau sunset on a cold January day at the beach. Needless to say, Jesse's "wierd" behaviour could finally be explained and Katy's parents were just glad that they didn't have to keep anymore secrets!

News Flash...Katy Passes Her Defense!

Yippeeee!! After much sweating and some begging, Katy successfully passed her Master's Thesis Defense on May 27th. Alright Jesse, time is ticking! This face almost captures her excitement right now, but not quite!

Meet the Dads

Meet father of the bride Allan Howard. Al enjoys playing fishing guide, music trivia games, and lumberjack. Look at the size of fish he's guaranteed to hook you on! His unique eyes have been known to cause auto accidents and get a confession out of even the sneakiest of highschool kids.

Father of the groom Manuel Echave is the elusive fisherman seen above. When not playing grandpa to his many grandkids or chasing down that record elk in the Jemez, Manuel is busy keeping many of the government's top secret satellite configurations in his mind. Just a warning, he is willing to share these secrets when asked, but then he'll have to kill you.

Meet the Moms

Meet mother of the bride Pam Howard. She is one crabbin' mama!! When not acting as middle school nurse, you can find Pam strumming along to her favorite folk tunes, hiking where the bears aren't around, or winning the Annual Howard Silver Salmon Derby.

Looking so fine riding that mini hog above is mother of the groom Cindy Staples. When not riding one of the many southwest highways with the wind blow through her long her, you can find Cindy creating award winning gingerbread houses, feeding the Jemez chipmunk population, or helping birth baby alpacas.