Benny's Boots

Benny, his boots and Papa

This is not simply a cute photo showcasing Papa (Michael) and Benny. Check out the BOOTS. Benny is proud of his new boots. He has been wearing them non-stop since Arielle found them at a local thrift store.  They go especially well with his ninja pjs.

CoRielle weren't sure they'd be able to come dip netting this year due  job circumstances.  Because of this none of us found Benny "baby waders," but since they ARE going - he now has very cool new rain boots...which make him feel like an Alaskan Fisherman - even if his legs are going to get wet. LOL

Sisters - Sisters

The girls met to explore our cute downtown area today. 

Arielle, Krista, Stacia, Bre (missing Larissa)
Photo by Krista

Dad went with them and enjoyed a paper and coffee at Vagabonds.  It appears the girls took time for a drink as well.

Stacia - Photo by Krista

I knew I wouldn't get done all that needed to be done today. I didn't.....but I got more done than if I'd joined them.  I have to do some work along with the fun. LOL  The next few days are busy as we work to get ready for a week of dip netting. 

Cousins were surprised to see each other. 

Photo by Krista

I love this photo of the girls in front of the Alaska Chicks sign. LOL 

Photo by Krista

We plan to fully enjoy having all the girls in one spot for a bit of time. There's nothing like "Sisters, sisters...." (Can you hear the old song from White Christmas?)

Bella's New Adventure

Ah, just look at the excitement on Bella's face!  Bre took Bella to get her first library card!

Photo by Bre

 Do you remember the magic of the library to a young child? I think it is so important, even in this digital/tech age, to introduce a child to the library. Great books, community hangout, fun stories and who doesn't remember the children's librarian from story hour?

Miriam Old Coyote; children's librarian at the Big Horn County Library - still one of the best we've met. Hardin had an old Carnegie library.  We spent many happy hours in the children's section of the library during our MT years. I met several good friends at story hour. I miss that place.

Photo by Bre

 I go to the library at least weekly - usually more often. Most of the books I read are from the library. A library card is a frugal choice which opens worlds of adventure and information to one. It is also something we can share across the generations.  Using a library, supporting a library, is an easy and fun way to support one's community. If you've not visited lately, give it a try.

Photo by Bre

Yes, this IS a family event - worthy of saving in the family blog. Bella is the first grandchild to get a library card. The tradition continues.

Happy reading, Bella!

In Step On the Matanuska River Bike Trail

Our In Step Walking Group met again today. We were small in number....but the fellowship and fun were sweet. It was hazy. You can barely see the mountain behind us - there are several wildfires raging in Alaska just now.  The air didn't SMELL bad, it didn't hurt our lungs...we were happy to be outside.

Britney, Stacia, Krista, Jen, Jacque, Nani, Josiah, Caleb

Britney, Krista, Josiah, Caleb, Jen, Jacque, Me, Nani

We live in  a pretty area. I really enjoyed walking this path. It winds all the way from our town to a river the next little town over. I've watched families and groups of friends walking, riding, and jogging on it - it made me happy to be on it today.

No one was able to tell me the name of these purple wildflowers. I WAS told they are NOT indigenous to the state and are invasive. We are allowed to pick all we want. I can't help but wonder if they would conquer the Devil's Club in the "back 40."

Fireweed - so pretty 

Matanuska River 

We walked about an hour and then went to a nearby park to let the kids play and enjoy a picnic lunch - under a shady pavilion. It was about 10* cooler today - it really was a relief. In a land with 20 hours of sun a day - it gets old when the temps are high. LOL   Arielle and Lindsey joined us at the park with their kids.

Sydney and Harper found these great rocks. Nani, Krista and I struck out! 

Morning Guests (Intruders the rest of the family says)

Aren't they gorgeous?

Stacia was leaving the RV when she saw the twins. She looked around and Mama was on the other side of the RV. She was stranded in the RV until they moved around to where we were. 

 I was out setting sprinklers when I saw the sight below!

Eating the Lilac off our deck 

Yikes - the closest I've been to moose yet.  I dropped the sprinkler and ran onto the deck...."Moose." 

Krista had walked out the front and saw the mama. She came in to warn of moose.  I grabbed the camera and documented.  The babies got into the orchard! ARGH. It would appear we're going to have to add the electric to the fence....

Poor Lucille, our free range hen. She's taken to staying in the brush at the front of the property. This is the second day she's been sitting on eggs and had moose trample through. We didn't hear her for a long time after they left and wondered if she had gotten hurt. She's back this afternoon. 

Well-mannered - they went right to the kid's table

I was worried they'd eat our new tables. 

Benny was growling at the moose. 

They are cool to watch run. They were startled when I got a phone call. 

Off they go until another day. Hopefully, the fence will be ready to go when they return. 

The excitement slowed us down and made us a tad bit later than we would have liked to our walking group.

Just a Typical Monday - Sort of

Today was my Benny day! I had him from 8:30 - 3:30....always a fun time. 

Krista received exciting mail....her diploma...it says she's a master of divinity and graduated with honors! 

She went to the school district office to chat about various positions she may want to pursue. 

Michael worked on fixing the water lines in the RV. It turns out the water heater is cracked; a bigger job than he will finish before our weekend trip. He did fix the broken line so there is now water in the RV...and heating water is easy enough.

We continue to battle the heat for our yard...the sun may win this one.

Stacia made a couple more hats. Alex helped Michael some and worked on some gaming video or something.

I think the strawberry patch is wild berries. They are tiny - but sweet. It's a challenge to pick them when they are ripe BEFORE the chickens, bunnies, birds,  and mice.

The skies promised blue skies AND a storm this evening. We hoped....but it was all show. We did see lots of lightening and heard thunder.....

Pulpit Fill Sunday

It's 9:15 p.m. and it's finally cooled off enough to be pleasant sitting outside....still not very comfortable inside. Yes, I've been loving the record-breaking heat - BUT Alaska isn't built for high temps. Our homes are built to keep heat IN, we have no air conditioners, and the stores continue to sell out of essentials like fans and ice. 😵 Too much of any good thing CAN wear on a person. If this keeps up another few weeks, I may even WELCOME WINTER! 🐽(snort) I do NOT want winter to arrive until our silly hens have grown some feathers to cover their tushes.

Today was Pulpit Fill Sunday. Michael was invited to preach at Matsu Christian Center - a Church of God in Christ community.  Obviously, the PASTOR wasn't there or Michael wouldn't have been preaching...but the pastor's wife, Tamika,  was a chaplain assistant back in the day. Dr. Tamika Ledbetter and her husband, Bishop Fred Ledbetter, founded this church since our assignment together at Elmendorf. It is a blessing to see where God has led since she and Michael were on staff together. It is a very friendly community and we enjoyed being part of it. We were invited back for their monthly potluck Sunday - I'd like to attend when Fred and Tamika are there. Alas, Michael will be preaching that week at our church community.

Yes, I DID put on a dress and pearls 

Michael and I love our crazy and full household. We wouldn't have life any other way - but it's rare for us to snatch time alone. We took the opportunity of being out alone, to throw a mini-lunch-date into the mix. We were in Wasilla and didn't really know where to eat. We went to Chepo's, I loved the spinach enchiladas. They didn't have air conditioning and it was crazy noisy with lots of industrial fans placed around...but the food was yummy.

I wanted to attend church with Michael, but was committed to nursery at our church this week. Kudos to Krista who jumped in with Stacia to minister to the kids at our church.

Having our grands in nursery is a bonus these days. 

I came home and took a nap. I woke to adult Gherkin voices which aren't always here. Josiah and Jamin were playing Dominion with Nolan, Alex, Stacia and Krista. Michael was working to repair the plumbing in the RV.  Stacia was knitting another hat. Dad was catching up on news.

It's been a wonderful day.