Yakutat's Beauty

The William G. Brooks 2009 Reunion

This is the first ever William G Brooks family reunion and it was a success! We met in Las Vegas, NV. and stayed at a secret location. I can't remember the name :) We met up with My Dad and Step Mom, Sisters: Anne, her 2 kids Dylan and Dakota, Becky, Jackie and her 3 kids Savanah, Zane & Ruger. My brother Bill, his wife Brandi, and their 3 kids Daven, Reed and Emerson. My 2 step brothers Jimmy & Matt, his son Avery. My two step sisters Tammy, with her 4 kids and Allison. Myself with my 6 kids, Elyse, Amanda, Neisha, Jocelyn, Saije and Trace. we had a complete football team staying in 2 suites with 3 beds and a hide-a-bed. We swam, tie-dye shirts, ate fresh Salmon, Halibut and Octopus from Yakutat, Ak. and visited until the wee hours of the morning! It was so much fun and much needed. WE haven't all been together since 1990. After our Vegas visit we headed to hang with my awesome Grandmother Maxine! She is getting up there in her years and still can remember all the good times we had growing up. I miss and love you all, Thank you for a great time!

Hiking Russell Fiord

The girls and I met up with Carol and her girls and hiked to the one only, Russell Fiord. The path was covered in a bright green carpet which lead us to an amazing bay that had been under a glacier for many years. The bare white pines shows the line of where it once was. The White Sock mosquitoes were ridiculous! It was so good to be off the water and back on the trail. We look forward to hiking it again, and again and again!

Summer, Summer, Suumer (The Cars)

I got a job with Fish and Game sampling Salmon, Rock Fish and Halibut. I got to know the boat Captains and invented a summer job for the girls. Grubbies Boat detailing. Elyse began with the Sea Raven, then on to the Glacier Bear. Amanda and Joce got in on it and then they got another client, the Sea Wolf, with off and on jobs with the Happy Hookers. We began our own little business. I am hoping to form it into an actually company in the summer to employ tha girls. We will see. It was nice geting to work down and the dock and see the girls everyday. Lars and Trace would even come down, take the skiff out and bring in some fish for me to measure! Thanks Muck!

We're Goin' on a picnic!

We loaded up the car with the fixin's for dutch oven and instruments and headed to Coast Guard Point for a picnic. Lou brought her awesome ukulele and Dad brought his guitar. We sat around listening to music and ate some delicious potatoes. Saije slept all curled up on the beach and Elyse made sure we had plenty of memories caught on camera.

Our camping trip to Square Bay, Yakutat, AK.

Well, we had everything planned out. Get all our gear loaded into one skiff and everyone else in the other. We packed as if we were going to start living in the unknown, but we were only planning on camping for 3 days. We arrived early afternoon and got camp set up. Our camp consisted of 4 insane adults, 12 wired children and 1 hungry dog. We had beautiful weather, went fishing, hiking and walking tide pools. I lead a group around the west end of Kantak and looped around until we were on the south side of the island and then cut strait through to the tidal flats and back to camp. Lars took a group out fishing for Halibut and Carol took a group to the tidal pools. Everyone came back with some good souvenirs and stories. Lars got the fire started to dry off those that went for a swim in the sub zero water (on purpose) yes, Trace was one of them. I got a group of girls to start the cutting of potatoes and we began to cook my famous "dutch oven potatoes". We roasted hotdogs and smores then crawled into our bags for an uneasy night of sleep. Every sound that the dog made, made my eyes pop open and prepare myself for getting eatin' by a bear. So not alot of sleep the first night! The next morning we headed into the Harbot to grab Lou and Joce of the airplane. We got back in the boat and headed back to camp. How I wish that the weather we had the day before stayed with us. We played in the rain, we made fresh blueberry cobbler in the rain, and we ate in the rain, and yes we pretty much slept in the rain. The wind came up eary morning and the tide was out, which left the boat in the damn sand. Carol woke everyone up, not even I was going to get up until I saw what position we were in. So we all heaved and hooed until the boat was in the water. Then we all began loading are WET gear into the boat. We ended up doing a few trips because of our not so neatly packed gear took up too much room. But in the end I was glad that I finally got to go camping again, it has been 4 long years since my awesome campout that my family sent me off to Alaska with, I love and miss you all!

Fishing the Situk on a jet boat

Yea, today Lars, Trace and I got aboard a flat bottom, jet propelled river boat. It was so fast and scary that I almost wanted a seat belt! Trace and his classmate Emma road in the front as if it were a carnival ride. Her grandfather Bob, slid us up the Situk river with his eyes closed. We drove right over log jams and got into the most amazing places to fish. The guys were catching fish like crazy but not landing them. I was struggling with the technique of fly fishing without an indicator, but caught on and landed my first Sockeye, and then my second, and then my third. I limited out so I sat back and enjoyed watching the Lars and Muck bring in their limits. Nothing quite like watching a salmon jump 3 ft out of the water!

Lars gets to view the Hubbard Glacier

Lars headed out with Sam to pick up a group that were out in Yakutat Bay doing some research on the whales. He said that it was pretty scary in a skiff. They were not able to get too close, you can get locked in by the icebergs and have to wait until the tide drops for the icebergs to move out again. The wall of ice is a couple miles high and sounds like gun shots going of when the crash into the water. Awesome!

End of 09 school year!

For Trace's last day of being in 2nd grade, Captain Gary Klushkan on the Tlingit Warrior, took Trace's class to the the Hubbard Glacier. They had a nice picnic while watching the icebergs calve off the glacier. Thanks Gary, Trace had a great time! Saije had her last day out on Cannon Beach. She and Elyse showed them just how to blast a baseball into next week! They also played football, horseshoes, and layed around a roaring fire roasting marshmellow's for Smores, Yummy!

Saije's Prom 09

Jr. Prom, Yakutat, AK. Saije wore Neisha's Senior Ball gown and rocked it! She looked like a butterfly. First they went to the Glacier Bear and ate dinner with a group, then headed off to the dance. She danced the night away with her good friend Elias. I got to go in and take some photos, and enjoy the music. They had a great time forming a huge circle and taking turns showing off their moves! And yes that is Elyse hiding under Saije's gown, that's how we snuck her in! Hee Hee! JK! Next year Saije will be a Senior!!! Oh my baby girl is growing up. Love you Birdie!

Spring AASG 2009, Sitka, AK

Lars and I took the Student Council to Sitka, AK. We have never been there before and Wow, what a beautiful place. We got some hiking in, but not much sleep! We had reservations with the Gym floor at Mount Edge comb boarding school. It got it's name from Mount Edge comb Volcano. I still can't walk straight! We took the hike on Totem Pole Trail. It was amazing to see the works that take close to a year to make, just for one! Saije got to go along w/2 other students. She also ran for Region 5 Rep, which took a lot of guts and didn't get elected. The competition was pretty much a given before they even began their speeches, but she still went through with it. You Rock Saije Marie!!! One of the classes we signed up for was to do the Army Obstacle Course, which almost killed me,Llars took pictures instead of the challenge. The Army also flew in the Black Hawk Helicopter, which really made me wish that Trace was there. We almost brought Trace, but the schedule wound have bored him out of his mind so he stayed home with a friend. He also had his first Basketball game and he didn't want to miss it. He made 14 points and is already wanted by the pros, Ha Ha! We are so proud of you Muck! We got to see his 2nd game yesterday and made 14 points! Lars and I have created a Monster Basketball Player! He has Lars' talent and my competitiveness, oops!, Like I said, A MONSTER!

Lars' water colors

I went around Yakutat and took some photos for Lars to paint, The one of the water with boats on both sides was taken by Applesauce Joce. He re-made them with watercolors. Sweet!!!! He's hoping to get really good so he can start making some cashola!

Saije and Trace are enjoying life,Yakutat Style!

Well Trace had a tough go at Soccer the first two games, but has picked it up quite fast. He has made a total of 20 goals. He runs up and down the court, never giving up until he gets that ball in the goal. He gets a little upset at times when he is stuck being the goalie and can see where a weak spots are. He is always wanting to be a forward and kick some butt. I have even received some comments from parents on his great sportsmanship skills. At the final soccer game Traces team was heard singing "We Are The Champions". Trace scored 10 points! The Coho's team was at 2. They had about half of the team sit out and not want to play anymore, so I had our team take turns going over to the other side and helping them out. When it was Traces turn the Steelhead's began to wine, "put someone else on their team, not Trace he is going to beat us!" Well he did score 3 more points and his team members were on the urge of crying, so I switched him for another. The final score was 11 to 5. After Spring Break it's Pee Wee Basketball. Trace is loving life in Yakutat.

Saije has tried out to go to the State Cheerleading Championships! There were 3 girls that were chosen to tryout. They had to do a routine that was a combination of a cheer, a dance & gymnastics. She is very glad that she had the influence from her sister Neisha, it really helped give her the courage. They traveled to the Basketball State Championships and cheer the Yakutat Eagles on to Victory! Which during that time in another building the two Cheerleaders will go and compete against different schools. Elyse was there to give support to our "Baby Birdie"! The Ladies Basketball team has taken State 2 years in a row and this could be there 3rd! The Boys made it to state this year also! Go Yakutat Cheerleaders and Basketball players! Go-Fight-Win!!!

Happy Easter Everybody!

Today was a beautiful day. The village held an Easter Egg hunt down on Cannon Beach. Trace was ready to bring in the most eggs and wasn't going to settle for second. I believe he succeeded, and also succeeded in making a classmate's Easter very special. Let's see, Shortly after the race for the Easter Eggs ended, one of his classmates showed up late. He was sad and Trace could see that if he could have got there on time, his basket would have been half full instead of empty. Being the kind, sweet son that we have raised and taught that giving is more important than receiving, He went up to the boy and gave him some of his eggs. The boy was happy and his father completely stunned. The father shook Traces hand and said that he owed him one. We headed to the Pavilion to see if Trace had found any golden eggs, which he did! After collecting his winnings, $8.00, we headed to the car. The boys father, pulled me aside and told me of exactly what happened and that my son was a very gracious boy. Tears filled my eyes and my face beamed with pride. He followed in is the footsteps of the man we were thinking of on Easter. The following day, Trace was given an envelope with his name and instructions on it: Open at home. When he came running into the house after school and showed me the envelope, he opened it. Inside was a letter thanking Trace for his kindness, and $5.00, that was what the one of the eggs was worth that he gave to the boy. Trace said that he couldn't believe that he got paid, but I told him that it was just as important to receive the $ and not give it back, because the family was so greatful for what Trace had done. Happy Easter to you all, we love you!

Diggin' for Clams

Today we had a nice day and a low tide. Trace and Saije checked out the tidal pools and gathered Hermit crabs, baby Dungenss crabs and Starfish, while Lars was digging for clams. Saije enjoyed the challenge and I never did get one. I did collect seaweed to dry and use in my cooking. I just can't tell the kids what that special ingredient is :)

The Friday Dance

Trace is going to give Bry a run for his money with these dance steps.
The moves must run in the family!

A day at Cannon Beach

Today, we woke up to 40 degree weather, with the bluest skies I have ever seen. We threw Copper in the car and headed for the beach. Lars hopped on the 4 wheeler and took off with Samson. It seemed the whole town was there. If they weren't they were walking around town or fishing. It was low-tide for most of the day and made it possible for Saije to find an awesome Jelly Fish. Trace came across a sweet cabin which we definitely will be visiting this summer. Since I was a little girl, my favorite color was Coral. I am so lucky to get to live in a place that ends each day with a Coral sunset.