Exploring the Yard, Enjoying Family and Family Like Friends

We need to get motivated to hang photos and finish the school room/office and garage. BUT there are so many things that keep popping up....and we are going to have to leave about 50% of our photos/wall hangings off the walls. We have wonderful windows EVERYWHERE in this house....which makes for limited wall space.  I am procrastinating as I contemplate the problem and a solution.

Today, we opted to walk around the boundaries of the place. I discovered, under the cottonwood and weeds, these rocks define a STRAWBERRY BED. There was even a berry left and it was SWEET. We want to plant berries....I'm thrilled. I just have to figure out how to get all the cottonwood out without damaging the berries.  We'd like to plant raspberries and blueberries too.  We've seen all growing wild; I'm fairly certain they'll grow fine up here.

Jared and Larissa brought out a trampoline for Stacia's birthday. The boys put it together this afternoon.

Michael marked dead trees to be removed. 

I discovered a wide and varied crop of mushrooms. Unfortunately, Izaak says none are edible. 

Cory joined Michael for the survey

I had hoped this was portobella

 I have plans to sow some wildflower seed....it was fun to see some already growing in the woods....may just put the seeds back there next spring. 

More mushrooms

Just like that the trampoline was up and being used. 

Nolan - observed by Alex and a slightly jealous Arielle

Discovered a lot of wild roses

 

Stacia and Alex 

Nolan and Stacia

 Jamin and Jared came out to spend some time this afternoon. Larissa is in TX visiting family and we will miss her sweet presence.....Jamin decided to show the kids how to do somersaults. I never caught a good photo....but this one is fun.  

With the older guys involved this quickly become dodge ball trampoline....which I had not witnessed until I saw he video on my phone. 😅

 Stacia showed Maria how to make cookies....and Maria got creative. 

My Grandma T's cookie jar  - it made the trip just fine. 

Grandma T's cookie jar full of cookies

The guys and CoRielle joined us for Breakfast for Dinner. I thought of making something else when I heard the boys were coming, but it is Maria's last night with us and she LIKES breakfast for dinner. BreZaak had plans for homemade chili and I don't blame them at all for choosing that over breakfast for dinner. LOL

After dinner we played Dixit. I had gotten into something that made my hand tingle, then my mouth and nose. I took a Benadryl and it put me to sleep. I don't remember playing Dixit - but it appears I did play for a bit before wandering off to bed.

Berry Picking - Serviceberries

I did a bit of searching on the Internet trying to find a good spot for berry picking. I knew the kids,  Marie, and I would be going alone. Marie has a bad knee. None of us wanted to wrestle bears.

I cheated. I unearthed a u-pick "farm" - it seems to be known as both Northern Fruits Nursery and Northern Fruits Greenhouses and U Pick. It was good for an afternoon jaunt - especially while we are STILL in the throes of moving madness. We will continue to explore the spots I've heard of where we can pick free berries in the wilds. 

Maria - Berry picking in AK - checking off the bucket list

These are Serviceberries, which we are told are "like blueberries but sweeter." I'm a bit unconvinced. 

Our haul

Since we were nearby we searched out the trail head for some local trails.  It became apparent it was a bit more of a climb than we wanted this afternoon. I beckoned.

This sign cracked me up. To the left is,  "More Difficult," and to the right is, "Most Difficult." 

Dish packs filled with paper make good targets. 

Alex 

In other happenings, our riding lawn mower has been delayed and won't arrive until 30 Aug. We are going to have to rent or buy a used mower of some sort and beat back the grasses.

Michael repaired a faucet and leak in the basement kitchen and checked out the hot water heating floor system. He has a "to do" list a mile long....including installing an RV spot, finding and purchasing a wood stove, replacing other faucets and such, cutting down dead trees, setting up the garage, hanging things in the house (a job I'm banned from attempting - much like painting), and then there are the "car things," which need done. And Silvers should be running soon. 

We got into some Pushki (Poison Parsnip/Cow Parsnip), it was an overcast day, but we used the excuse to take showers and get into PJ's for a game of  Farkle after our Veggie Pot Pie dinner.

Stacia Turns 12

 Stacia turned 12 today. She's been sending siblings text alerts for 135 days.  All unpacking came to a stand still as we took the day off to celebrate this Gherkin - our encore, our finale, our caboose.  We couldn't find the birthday swag or the pig hat.....but Stacia had tucked away the tiara  - which works for her.....

We began the day with a hike on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail at Kincaid Park 

Stacia, Cory, Nolan, Michael 

 Our first moose sighting - still in velvet

Maria and Mako like Alaska 

 We were happy CoRielle ;joined us for a rainy hike. 

Cory, Arielle, Nolan and Stacia

 Stacia and friend

Start of "fall colors" 

 This runner kept sprinting down the hill and back. I was in the road, taking a photo, everyone else was stopped....he had a practice of running by.....he saw this one and said, "I'll stop for this."

We also visited Earthquake park and then headed home to get ready for diner. Stacia requested Yakisoba.

F - Larissa, Bella, Bre, Marie, Stacia, Arielle
B - Jamin, Jared, Izzak, Nolan, Alex, Michael, Cory, Josiah
Not pictured - De'Etta and Gideon 

 We DID find the birthday plate! It's ODD as we know just where the birthday stuff was in the RV hatch - but it's not there! 

This girl loves Yakisoba. 

We brought the little table up and added it to the big one for the night. 

Stacia asked for a Mint Moose Tracks ice cream cake. I knew we'd need two cakes to feed the crowd....Arielle was craving peanut butter.....The one on the left is moose track ice cream with a layer of peanut butter and reeses and an oreo crust. The one on the left adds mint.

I found this fantastic candle at Fred Meyers. As Michael read the instructions, he noted it said to stand 4 feet back from the candle. I'm glad I got this video - the candle is epic. Note how many moved away from the table, leaving Stacia to fend for herself.  The directions said to cut a wire and it would quit playing, it didn't. We put it on the deck and forgot about it. Nearing mid-night, Cory came up and brought it inside, he could hear the music in his room. He and Michael totally dismantled it. 

Stacia is a very responsive gift receiver - which makes it fun to share with her. 

Bella is determined to re-distribute the wealth

Marie found cute sleeping masks - we suggested sending a pair with Jamin to OCS. 

So fun to have Cy around.....

Jamin helps unleash the big gifts

Stacia's room is a transition room. It's full of her dolls, but she wanted to make the area under her bed a "sitting area."  I bought the string of teal/white lights, silver lamps and chairs. Marie bought the little tables and baskets that are silver and teal.