our soggy summer

Summer of 2010 was one of the coldest and wettest on record;

happy fungi like these flourished.
(average high of 62 degrees, plus a new record: 31 consecutive days of measurable rainfall)

It's greener on the other side, trust me.

This was taken while on a boat tour of the Kenai Fjords.

The sea life and glaciers were spectacular, but a bit too wet for great photos.

We saw humpback, orca, and gray whales, as well as puffin, porpoise,
and sea lions to name a few.

Luckily, right before we all grew webbed feet, the sun came and stayed around during the fall. This was taken right before our first snowstorm.

Mr. Home Improvement strikes again

This is the fence my handy husband built this summer.

These are the moose that ate our leaves so we didn't have to rake.

park

This summer (yes, these pictures of bundled up kids were taken in the summer) a new community park was built by volunteers (Jeff included) and funded by donations. It is a great addition to our little town. The kids even got popsicles from Senator Murkowski here on one occasion.

getting schooled

My sweet son the second grader, rides off to get educated with his

little sister, the eager kindergarten kid.

"look mom, no hands" ... and that just leaves me with this dynamic duo, looking so innocent

one decade down

In July we celebrated ten years of marital bliss.

top ten in numbers for the big ten

1: car accident and pet (other than fish)

2: bones spouse has broke while showing off for the Mrs.

3: states we've lived in and diplomas we have earned

4: years spent in school

5: pregnancies (including current)

6: times we have moved

7: cars we have owned and years spent as parents

8: ideal hours of sleep and glasses of water per day

9: professions we have seriously considered

10: years married to the greatest spouse I've ever had

I love you like a milkshake Jeffrey!

bikers at last

George finally mastered the two-wheeler and became quite proficient in no time.

Here he is riding "off-road" and taking on the speed bumps in the campground on one of the three days this summer warm enough for shorts.

Charlie, not to be outdone by her brother, learned to ride a few weeks after George.

John spent many hours strapped
in the bike trailer, pulled by
yours truly. Jeff was also glad to
be back in the saddle and living
near actual mountains again.
Luckily, he has yet to have had
any scary bear encounters while
out riding solo.

fun with fish

George's first Halibut

Grandpa, George and some guy with a moustache

First Salmon - thanks Shayne

First (and only) Crab - thanks Erik

look what came our way

Grandma

and
Grandpa
suprised
the
kids
with
a
new

puppy!

We named her Scout.

bandaids

We got John up to date on his immunizations
and Charlie in for her Kindergarten shots at the same time.

This tough girl didn't cry or even flinch through the whole ordeal.

Grand adventures with Grandparents

officially a handful

Charlie turned five last month

her new ride

opening presents first thing in the morning

awwww

a dress-up tea party with a few friends

Aquatics

summer swim lessons at so-hi were a big hit

diggin' it here

This is the tide coming in last Saturday at Clam Gulch.

Here we are "attempting" to catch some razor clams.

This is our beloved niece Mariah (w/ Charlie), that we get to keep for the summer.

Alaska rocks.

massive head wound henry

good thing for padded foreheads,

this kid falls ALOT