Beautiful Aleknagik

Kiley, Jeanette, Jon, and Harley, Kami and myself went to Aleknagik and stayed over night. We couldn't have picked a better weekend! It was SO hot and gorgeous the entire time. Kiley got even more tan than from our vacation time, and I had fun soaking up some more sun too. We had a fun picnic in Sunshine Valley and the dogs swam and swam and swam. Then we did some beach walking and sun bathing. Jeanette found some "sinky" spots as you will see in the pictures, and got just a little muddy!
Jeanette and I tried our hand at oaring around on a boat, we'll have to practice a little more with that before we are old hands! Jon took Kiley out and they boated all around- she had a blast! All in all it was a great trip and we can't wait to go camping again!

Hiking to China Cap

We had a blast hiking up to the top of China Cap mountain. Kiley was our "Dora the Explorer". We told her she was going to be our leader and she heard that and kept going with it! Luckily there was a trail to follow because we had a hard time keeping up with her (the trail was pretty over grown). She got to the top and wanted to keep going!

Happy Birthday Jon!

Mr. Clouse celebrated another birthday. Kiley had fun decorating his cake, blowing out his candles... and she would have opened up his presents if we would have wrapped them :) We had a nice day full of laughs... and I wish sunshine! We have been sorely lacking in that department since we got back home, but we are home so we are happy!

A few more Birch Bay pictures

We LOVE Birch Bay! I would love to live there if we ever got the chance! Here are a few more pictures.

A few fun days at Birch Bay

We had some gorgeous days in Birch Bay, which is close to where my parents live. Kiley and Camryn had so much fun playing in the sand and walking in the warm water. The adults enjoyed soaking up the sun and walking along the beach.

Ben's pretty feet

Well maybe pretty is stretching it a bit... but Kiley did her best!

Water World in Denver

We picked the best day to go to Denver and Water World, it was gorgeous and hot. By mid-afternoon there were some clouds so it wasn't too hot. Kiley must have gone up and down the water slide at least 80 times. She absolutely loved all the water and as always was fearless! We met up with Chloe, Holden and Becky and had fun catching up. We hope to make Water World at least a yearly trip, that is how much fun we had! Maybe the D boys and Soren will be able to go with us when we go again. Kiley would love that!

Alamosa and Uncle Ben and Aunt Jenny

After a fun date night for Mom and Dad in Colorado Springs (where we got to see old friends, shop and go out for a very fun night of dinner and dancing) we went to Alamosa to visit Jon's brother Ben, his wife Jenny, and Kramer too (and although we have yet to see the newest Clouse, he/she was sure talked about a lot!). Kiley spent the night away from Mom and Dad and our reunion was fun (a little emotional for Kiley).
We had a lot of fun and Ben and Jenny's, but just wish our time with them was a little longer. I tried convincing Kiley that Aunt Jenny and Uncle Ben's cat was not nice, but she didn't believe us until Kramer hissed menacingly at her, I'm sure he would have roared or pounced if his weight would have allowed him.
As any of you who have tried, you know how hard it is to take Aunt Jenny's picture. But because Kiley just loves Aunt Jenny she was a trooper and let us take a few. Ben and Jenny had to spoil Kiley and bought her a box full of nail polish, lipstick, and eye shadow. Jenny showed Kiley how to put everything on and she was in heaven painting everyones nails!

Toads anyone?

Papa Paul and GB planned for Kiley to be at their house like only grandparents could. There was a sand box, a swing set, a wading pool and so many toys! Guess what Kiley was the most excited about? TOADS- big ones and little ones. She couldn't get enough of them.

Our little fish.....

Kiley turned into quite the little fish this summer. She loved going to the local pool in La Junta with her Dad, me and Papa Paul. The first time she went she was only brave enough to dunk her head in the water a few times, and she stuck to her dad like glue. By the time we went again she was trying to swim around and jumping off the side of the pool multiple times.

La Junta, GB and Papa Paul!

We made it to La Junta and Papa Paul and GB have been keeping Miss Kiley busy with toads (yes, big and small), baby chickens (hatched the day after we got here), roosters, kittens, a tree house (which she calls "my house") and toys aplenty. I'll post some of the fun pictures from our time here.

Colorado Springs Zoo!

Kiley and I made it to Colorado in one piece- and we were SO happy to see Dad (Jon), finally!

We were lucky enough to meet up with Dennis, Michelle and Darian (who is 2 like Kiley) and Erin and Chase (6 months) at the zoo in Colorado Springs. I was so happy to see Erin (my college roommate) and it was my first time meeting Mr. Chase Jordan who is an absolute doll!

I think it was the hottest day we have experienced so far (well, until we reached La Junta) and all of us got our money's worth at the zoo! Even our Colorado Natives were talking about the heat, it was a scorcher! I think I sweated off about 5 pounds....

Kiley had a blast feeding the giraffes and seeing the monkeys. She told her Dad that the best part of the zoo was the Hippo- and the Gorilla picking its nose! The day was filled with train rides, the Merry-Go-Round and lots and lots of animals. As soon as we got into the car Kiley crashed, it was a very busy day!

Horses Anyone?

Shea was nice enough to take us to her friend's ranch so the girls could ride her pony. Here is a picture of the two girls and Shea.

Washington Fun!

The girls have been in heaven picking strawberries, cherries, going to Birch Bay and playing in the water, picking flowers, shopping and sun bathing. Wow, what could two girls ask for more? Plus they have Papa and Gram doting on their every whim.... it is going to be hard to get them to leave!
Did I mention the cows? Yes Alaska girls are fascinated with live stock! Even horses... more pictures to come with them.

Washington Bound

I am so glad that Camryn was traveling with Kiley and myself- she was such a great helper! Kiley is not the best traveler and Ryn really helped keep an eye on her and distract her when necessary. The first picture is of Kiley having a fit at the Anchorage airport and the second of hte girls having snacks on the airplane.

Best Friends

Our first stop was in Anchorage and the girls had so much fun playing (and fighting too?), it was hard to leave. Kiley got to go to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time and got to play with her best friend Olivia. Camryn spent every waking second with Rikki and wants to move to Anchorage to be closer to her cousin. We are going to miss the Johnson's!