Washington Trip

Birch Bay

While I was off gallivanting in Tennessee the girls went to Washington with Papa and Gram. Poor Kiley got an ear infection and had to go to the hospital in the first week she was gone. Sadness, the first time one of my babies has been sick without me.

Strawberry Festival- Tractor Ride

Despite being sick the girls had a great time with their grandparents. They went to the movies, to parks, to Birch Bay and got to drink pop (major highlight). When I was finally done with my travels we had fun picking strawberries, swimming, going to parks and of course going to Birch Bay again.

Papa and Gram

We were all disappointed in the weather, me especially. I was hoping for 70-80 degree temps but instead got weather and temperature very similar to Dillingham's. We had lots of clouds and temperatures in the 50's. Well at least we had stores, parks and movies to go to!

Park Fun

The girls had their fair share of pampering on this trip- they got their nails painted and their ears pierced. Both were big surprises for their Dad!

Posing at the Park

Happy Birthday Jon!

Snake Lake Mountain Trip

Happy Birthday to my husband and the father of my 2 (soon to be three!) beautiful children. We had a fun BBQ to celebrate his birthday with friends and family and then just had an easy day today. It was perfect, very low key the way Jon likes it!

We have had such a great summer so far! But the girls and I decided that 3 weeks away from Jon was too long and we will never do it again. The few weeks we have been home we have been having so much fun and doing all we can in the s0-so weather we have been experiencing this summer.

The reality of both of us working, and back to work, is going to hit hard, soon. Jon heads back to work tomorrow and I'm due back in the office August 1st. We definitely enjoyed every minute we had off!

Ekuk trip

Aleknagik Trip

The Smoky Mountains

Thanks to our friend Opie I got to spend the afternoon and evening in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. What a blast, and what awesome scenery. We crossed the Tennessee border into North Carolina so I was in two states this trip. I didn't realize we were that close to NC! So on my travels this summer I was in WA, GA, MN, TN, NC, CO and WY (counting just airport stops)!!! Too much, I'll never travel this much again..... well at least not for a long time!

Opie and I took a little hike (that felt like 10 miles to me straight up!!) to get to the "third highest peak in the south". It was worth the sweat, the view was unbelievable.

We had fun driving around the mountains and Opie liked that at this higher elevation (6,000 ft +) it was SO much cooler than in Pigeon Forge and where he lives. Which is good to know. He was telling me that in his house hunt he couldn't believe that some of the houses that he looked at didn't have air conditioning! So, needless to say, he thinks Tennessee is as hot and humid as I did/do.

Did I mention I got to see one of the starting points for the Appalachian Trail or the "AT"? I read "A Walk to Remember" by Bill Bryson this winter for our local book club and really enjoyed it. He recounts his attempt to hike the entire trail with an old college friend. Most parts were very funny, I would recommend reading it. I hope to one day be in good enough shape to be able to attempt a partial hike.

Dollywood!!

Shannon and Robyn in Dollywood baby!

One of the big highlights of my trip to Tennessee was going to Dollywood, which is a theme park outside of Pigeon Forge. This was were I got to see Dolly Parton twice; once at the viewing of "Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy", and at the Bubble Show. My pictures of her are so bad. Opie drove to Pigeon Forge for a visit and I got to see Robyn scream her head off on numerous rollercoasters. I also got to be a VIP for the day... which basically bumped me up to the front of the line for the play and for a bubble show I made Opie go to. But you aren't VIP every day, I enjoyed it!

Dolly! The play was um, very child friendly, and she was so gracious!

I took pictures of D.P.'s paparazzi.....

A sign from 1901 posted in TN for teachers, we thought it was kind of funny. "You May Not Wear Bright Colors" and "Schoolmistresses shall not keep company with Men" Love it, and glad I didn't have to live it!

Opie and Shannon at the Bubble Show!

I didn't get a slice, but seriously? A 25 lb Apple Pie?

The first roller coaster Robyn went on, she gave her lungs a work out on this one!

T-t-t-t-tennessee!

Dixie Stampede

What a whirlwind of a summer it has been already! A few too many airports and airplanes for my taste, but you live and you learn. I won't try to fit so much into so few weeks ever again.... at least for a long, long time. My first big trip of the summer was to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with my friend Robyn, thanks to a scholarship from Best Beginnings. Our first trip down South, and what a trip it was! I got to do some amazing things in just 5 days, and here are some highlights.

1. Attend the National Imagination Library conference
2. Explore Pigeon Forge, TN
3. Go to Dollywood!
4. Explore the Smoky Mountains
5. See Jon's old roommate, Opie
6. Go to a Dixie Stampede (picture with a Southern Belle above)
7. Hike a miniscule part of the Appalachian Trail

There is so much more and I have pictures to prove it!

Daisy Girl Scout Camp Out, 2011

This was supposed to be published about a month ago but traveling and busy summer projects got in the way. I am back and ready to blog now!


We finally did it, after being on weather hold for four days we decided to just go for it and hold our first ever "Daisy Camp Out"- in our back yard. We had about 14 girls come with their tents and sleeping bags and jammies. Despite the wind and rain we survived and had a fabulous time!

Some highlights: a Treasure Hunt, learning how to make a fire WITHOUT matches, playing in the club house, jumping on the trampoline, playing on the play set, learning how to cook a peach cobbler with just coals, singing songs and putting together a photo book of our year together as Daisies.

The troop in their jammies, singing songs (11:00 p.m.)

It was cold, it rained a lot but the kids didn't care one bit. They never complained about being cold or tired. Amazing. They were troopers until about 11:00- I think they finally fell asleep at about 11:30 (of course it is still light out here so it was a bit harder for them to chill out).

Kiley and Paris, tent-mates, around 11:30 p.m.!

Next year will be interesting, we've started some traditions here. I can't wait to see what we do next year!

The New PlaySet

We've had it since last July, but no time to put it up. It takes hours and hours to put one of these suckers up! Just ask Papa Paul, he started it in the garage and then piece by piece it was brought to the designated spot. I would guess at least 20 hours of time went into this piece of equipment.

Now the kids have no reason whatsover to EVER leave our yard...... and in saying that I think Paul and Jon were crushed when Kiley said, not 6 hours after her new "playground" was complete, "I want to go to my school playground!" Um, what?

Blake had to show us how many pull ups he could do... or maybe Jon was talking trash saying he couldn't do any, something like that.

Regardless, the playset is getting a lot of action. It has been a pirate ship, Kalin has been a witch (a very mean one) and there have been a lot of races down the slide. If the rain will ever stop it will definitely be the hot spot at our house... along with the trampoline, Club House and swings!

First Day of Preschool

Kalin had her first day of Summer Preschool yesterday! Look at our big, big girl!~ I think she was ready... but not so ready that she wanted me to leave her "all by herself." Mommy & Kiley had to stay at Preschool with her the whole time.
Once we got there and she got into the groove of "school" I think she would of been more comfortable with me leaving. That was about 30 minutes before school was out so I didn't get to test my theory.
This morning is day 2 of school and she has already told us that she thinks she is going to puke.... how many more years of this do I have to look forward to?

Pantry 2011

Papa Paul is here, and boy has he been busy!

Our pantry went from this:

We told Kiley this was going to be her new bedroom....

To this:

We told Papa Paul this was going to be his bedroom too..... Actually I told him
"No Pepsi for you until this is done!"

To finally THIS!!! Perfection, beauty.... ORGANIZATION! Space!


We now have the prettiest pantry in town, just in time to stock it full with our Spring Barge order!

Student of the YEAR!!!

Yes, that is correct. Blake was chosen not only as Student of the Year but also as the Academic Student of the Year for 2011. I was told he was chosen "hands down", just sayin'..... an almost mom to a teenage boy has to brag you know.

I was surprised and he was too fast for me to get a good picture!

Blake worked his butt off this year to make up 6 credits- on top of doing his regular Junior Year school work. Hence the Academic Student of the Year honors.

Blake, to say the least is very mild mannered and um, quiet. I have said many, many times this year he is the "polar opposite" of his brother Matthew. It is no exaggeration- one is very outgoing and going, going, going... the other content to chill and work on his computer.

Basically chilling at his awards ceremony with Sis.....

Needless to say, we are very, very proud. Our spring was a little rough, and this award made it all worth it.

Kiley in Anchorage!

The plan was for me to take Kiley to Anchorage and she would spend a few days with her Auntie Jeanette while I was at a conference in Girdwood. That was the plan.....until my conference got cancelled.

We didn't think Kiley would want to go into Anchorage by herself.

We were wrong. She told everyone she got to go to Anchorage "all by herself" and even wrote a story about it at school.

Kiley left Sunday morning (I wouldn't let Jon leave the airport until the plane left the ground) and we have barely heard a PEEP out of her this entire time! Kiley do you want to talk to your mom? NOPE Kiley do you want to talk to your Dad? NOPE Kiley do you want to talk to your Sister? NOPE

Hog heaven+being spoiled rotten by her Aunt= no homesickness whatsover and not wanting to talk on the phone for even a second.

Here are a few of their adventures so far.

First stop "Lippa Heaven" aka Wal-Mart

Second stop: Dog Park! (Note the fancy new white shorts)
3-D Movie! With pop and popcorn!

We hope to see her again Wednesday.... if she will get on the airplane that is.

Pee Wee Wrestler- in Video!

You can see the power in her stride....

Pull Up Head Strikes Again!

Kalin showing us her crazy moves when she was two, which really wasn't that long ago!

Look at her moves, she doesn't "think" she can dance, she knows it!

Kindergarten Hot Dog Run, 2011

Try not to listen to the crazy woman screaming too much. No one could contain her.

See how fast she ran? Her shoe came off!

Prom 2011

Somehow Jon talked Blake into going to Prom this year (no Dumb and Dumber costumes, remember what it took for M. to go to Prom?). He waffled back and forth, back and forth and finally decided that he would go.
A few hours before the dance he told Jon he would need some "lessons" in slow dancing. This cracked me up. Jon tried to show him without me- can you picture it? Yeah, I died too. So when I got home Jon cranked up Alisha Keys' "No One" and we busted our moves. I warned him that his date might try to get a little frisky (aka stealing a kiss or two), I even modeled.... Jon didn't seem to mind. I offered to show Blaker how to dance, he turned about 10 shades of red and passed.

I think overall he had a great time and going to Prom at least once is an experience every high school student should have. The Tracker has made it to Prom three times, actually made it home to our house only twice. We were happy we didn't have to find it in a pit at Aleknagik the morning after Prom.

But to end on a bright note....I think Blake made the right decision to go to Prom. He cleans up pretty good.

Hot Dog Run!

Kiley ran her very first Hot Dog Run (if you don't know what that is- you run a set distance, and get a hot dog as your reward at the end of the race!) last week. She was so pumped she ran her little heart out, so fast she lost her shoe right at the end! She told me that when she runs "really, really fast" her shoe always comes off.

For some reason I can't get our movie to upload then you can hear my crazy voice-- I was just as pumped as she was. She was a little nervous before the race and told me she didn't think she could run it, I gave her some sound Mom advice but in my head I was thinking, "Really? I've been waiting 6 years for you to run this race."

I couldn't have been prouder, my baby got second place in her class. Go Kiley!

They had so much fun the first race the girls ran again!

Happy Mother's Day

What a wonderful day. The whole family together minus just a few key family members.

I think Gram was in hog heaven with all her grandchildren together in one place.

A priceless picture, they grow up too fast!

Wood Splitting!

We go through a lot of wood in the winter, um, it gets cold here. Oil is expensive, as is electricity!

Since we are down to about one row of wood in our wood shed that holds about 4 chords I thought it was about time for us to start splitting the wood Jon and Blake have been off getting this spring.

My mother-in-law has told me many times that you can get a lot done in just an hour. So, with that in mind, I gathered up my troops (Blake,Kiley and Kalin) and headed out to chop some wood! We got about a row done in an hour of work. Plus we all got outside for some fresh air and a little sunshine.

It has been pretty busy around here with our travel schedules and other commitments but we are getting it done!

Jon said we just need to make sure to leave some wood for Bonnie when she is here in August. She might not want to stay for a month if we don't have wood for her to split for an hour every day.
Don't worry GB, we will have plenty for you to split!