"I can't sleep!"

We've got some sleeping issues around here.  Namely, the sun is shining in the kids' room around 10:00pm when we're trying to get the kids to bed (as evidenced in the first picture.)  Skyla's moved her bed to the floor behind her bed where it's a little darker, but it's not helping.  I can't bear to put tin foil on the windows though or add ugly dark curtains...  We had darkness for so long so we're loving all the light!  It's just making bed time a little tricky... 

Twilight Run

Is there anything I won't like if it has the word Twilight in it?!  This is the Twilight 12K.  And no, aside from the name (and the fact we were running at 7pm) it had nothing to do with Twilight.  It was my first race in almost 2 years and it was awesome!  Can I just say how great it was to only have to run 7.6 miles?  In two weeks is my marathon so I love that it's time to taper!  AND there was free pizza after the race.  It doesn't get much better...

Maiden Voyage

 

Memorial Day brought blue skies and an empty Kenai River which created perfect conditions for our maiden voyage of the U.S.S. Dave raft (it has yet to be named...).  The Kenai river is one of the most famous rivers in Alaska and there are some mighty big fish that come out of its' waters.  However, no fishing allowed yet means we had the river to ourselves!  How ironic that we got a picture of when I was doing the steering since that didn't last very long.  Let me just say it is harder than it looks!  Our good friend Becky joined us and we had so much fun. We were so proud to have actually assisted in getting the raft out of the water.  Yeah, we're tough.  Thanks Capt. Dave for a fabulous day!

Dinner at Becky's

This is our friend Becky who "claims" that she doesn't cook.  She invited us over for dinner.  There were five varieties of quiche, all homemade.  And sundaes for dessert.  My kids were hoping it was a sleep-over.  Thank you Becky for a fabulous dinner!!! 


This was after our 3 mile hike.  Good times!

 

An Alaskan Lawyer

This man is officially an Alaskan lawyer now! Doesn't he look dignified with just a touch of "don't mess with me - I'm a dangerous lawyer"? :) We are sure proud of him! The judge he clerked for when we first moved here (Chief Judge Robert Coats) did the honors and swore him in. It was a beautiful moment knowing that all his studying and hard work paid off. He passed the bar, and now he's official!

Karsten wanted to take a picture and he took this which I really love! I wouldn't have thought of zooming in as he signed the papers. And it also gets a close-up of David's shirt and tie which he was so happy to be wearing since it was what he wore last time he was sworn in (as a California lawyer.) I don't know how, but according to David that is good luck. :)

You're not going to believe this

BUT, I'm actually more excited for this:

then this

Either way, I'm not a very patient person.  And anyone needing something to keep them occupied while waiting for Eclipse, I recommend "The Hunger Game" series.  But warning, not for the weak of heart! 

Birthday Girl

This little girl had a birthday!  And for the first time ever, she wanted an "adventure" rather than a birthday party.  So we packed up, and headed out to this beautiful cabin on the river.  We lucked out with perfect weather the entire weekend.  In fact, at one point we actually felt hot!  It was glorious.  :) 

Skyla's Papa called and told her since it was her birthday she should be able to stay up as late as she wanted.  She decided to take that advice, so here she is at the end of her birth day - midnight in Alaska isn't very dark!

 

It was so wonderful having a fun weekend to celebrate Skyla.  She is so funny and caring and such a joy.  She had so much fun in her rainboots exploring the river and playing outside.  She made up her own dessert called a "Rainbow Up."  (7 Up and rainbow sherbet).  And she's been singing non-stop thanks to her new birthday present - an ipod.  We love you Skyla!!

Practice makes perfect

Just add water and someone is really really happy... 

Learning to fly

15

Yes, our colors were peach and green.  We were too young, very naive, and broke.  Neither one of us was finished with school.  One of us was unemployed, the other was a pizza delivery boy (pizza pizza).  We hadn't dated long (7 months), none of our friends were married,
                                                                        yet we took the plunge. 

And fifteen years later, for better or worse, here we are!  It's been quite a ride and I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone other than this man that is always by my side.

I love you David!!

Morning farewell

Every day after I drop my girls off at the bus stop, I wait until the bus pulls away or else I would miss this cutest moment of them waving good-bye to me.  I'm so happy I was able to get it on my camera even though it's ingrained on my heart...

Summer starts NOW

The school year is officially OVER!  Skyla invited her entire 3rd grade class over for a water balloon fight, Sierra celebrated with friends until it got dark (which is not easy in Alaska), and Karsten is just happy to have all hours of the day available for playing now.

This also means that I now have a 6th grader, 4th grader, and kingergartener!!  They will all be in the same school next year which I'm very excited about.  And so so sad that my babies are all growing up!

BUT that's 3 months away.  And for now we have lots and lots of sunshine and nothing on our agenda which couldn't be a more perfect combination...