A Special Moment

So here's what happened this morning(with in about 10 minutes)-On the computer trying to pay a few bills while boys playing in their rooms. The usual desctruction taking place until I here "poop, poop!" Come running in to find bed tipped over, matress, blankets off, books thrown out of box, dirty clothes basket emptied along with all the clean clothes out of the dresser, and both boys with pants and diapers off and poop everywhere(beds, walls, clothes, books, floor, boys)! Clean poop off boys and send them out and while trying to clean their room they go into ours and dump all the clothes out of the dirty basket and throw them down the stairs and then throw basket of clean socks down the stairs. Proceed to the living room to take cushions off of couch, pull blanket off, and throw dirty clothes that made it down both stairs all over the living room. Trying to decide which disaster do I clean or just sit down and cry! And I can't send them outside because it's 35 below zero!!! Love my life, never a dull moment!!!

Summer 2011 - Take Two

After our visit with Jeff's parents then my parents came the first of August. My mom arrived first and the kids had a blast spending time with Grandma- picking berries, reading stories, and going on a 4 wheeler ride. After a few days my dad and youngest brother, Cameron came and we went on a fun, but very wet and chilly camping trip to Tangle Lakes.

At Tangle Lakes our friends the Tomeo's braved the weather and joined us for some camping. We had a great time trying to stay dry, canoeing and kayaking on the lake, doing a little fishing, and for the glorious couple of hours the sun came out picked some very beautiful blueberries.

Kiddos, and Martha in the canoe

What a Beautiful sight!!!

Tangle Lakes

Jeff and Ali in the kayak

Should we really leave the camper ???

After our camping trip my mom had to head back home but my dad and brother stayed for another week to watch the kids so Jeff and I could go sheep hunting for four wonderful days. Can I just say I have the BEST Dad and brother in the world. They not only kept everyone alive and happy but took them to the park and the fair.

Canyon helping Grandpa fix the 4-wheeler

My dad, youngest brother, Cameron, and Ali - ready for a ride.

Ali and Grandpa

A VERY sad talent we are desperate to break!

Enjoying our favorite breakfast, toast and hot chocolate!

Summer 2011-Take One

Another one of our favorites this summer was the visit of Jeff's parents. They flew into Anchorage after our dipnetting was over and we spend four wonderful days camping, hiking, exploring, and fishing on the Kenai with Grandma and Grandpa. We had beautiful weather almost the entire time they were here and they were great sports in putting up with our maddness! Canyon chilling with Grandpa and Hayden playing with Grandma

Our first day we checked out Whittier and hiked to a beautiful glacier

Grandma hiking with Canyon

Hayden's attempt at hide and seek

We cooked lots of hotdogs and smores - Yum

Getting ready to hike to Exit Glacier with Grandma and Grandpa May

Jeff and I, with the boys, continued on to the Harding Ice Field. It was a gorgeous day!

Enjoying a beautiful day on the beach in Seward

Having fun at the SeaLife Center in Seward

Visiting our favorite wood carving place after our annual dipnetting trip-Alaska Kids!

Yes, we are having fun!

Dipnetting July 2011- this year several of our friends met us on the beach in Kenai and we had a great time camping, playing, and of course fishing. It was very slow the first couple of days but then smokin hot our last. We all caught plenty of fish and had a great time. The run was coming in so good that even Ali, using our net, caught two fish all by herself!

Hayden hangin on the beach

One of Ali's fish she caught all by herself!

The dipnetting scene and our camp

Another of our highlights this summer was the purchase of a pop up camper. I grew up with one of these and have wanted one for awhile. We took it out several times this summer and on more then one occasion was VERY happy to be nice and dry inside the camper while it was pouring rain outside! We still love and use our tent, but the camper is oh so nice! This was the camper's maiden voyage.

Me and the boys (Canyon left, Hayden right)

One of my highlights this summer was in June Jeff watched the kids for me so that I could go on a backpacking trip with two of my friends, Martha and Autumn. We backpacked to the head of slime creek and then climbed to the ridge the next day. We had amazing weather and enjoyed two blissful days of hiking till our hearts content!

Two for Two

Here we are at day one! I can't believe these tiny, sweet little babies have grown so quickly.

Here we are at one year, Hayden left, Canyon right

Now we're 2!!! Hayden left, Canyon right. For the boy's birthday, June 4th, I was taking a group of young women from church on a hike in Denali so we didn't get to celebrate their birthday till a few days later. Of course they didn't care they were just excited to get some blocks and cars and to FINALLY not get in trouble for tearing and ripping something!

The anticipation, the victory