Everyday Life in Alaska

Lina Turns 2!

2011-04-14T11:37:00.001-07:00

Oh my gosh! Time is FLYING by. Lina turned two on Sunday. She is at such a fun age and is such a fun addition to our little family. We are truly blessed!

Happy Birthday Ian!

2011-01-10T00:08:00.000-08:00

Ian is 3! I can't believe how fast time is going. We are so grateful for his birthparents; we are so fortunate to have him as a part of our family...this little man is such a blessing in our lives!

The CUTEST photo EVER

2011-01-09T23:59:00.000-08:00

I saw a fight coming when I saw Lina on the BackHoe and Ian trying to climb on; however, this was the end result. Ian was ready to take Lina for a ride. So sweet!

Little Angels

2010-12-24T00:16:00.000-08:00

For Christmas Eve this year we did the "Christmas Story" and had the kids act it out. Logenn, Alli and Avery were angels. Too cute!

Happy Birthday Logenn

2010-12-18T00:12:00.000-08:00

Logenn requested a "store" cake this year and has had this princess one picked out since the week after her birthday last year. She is such a good sport about having a December birthday, so I had to comply. My baby is 6...growing up too fast!

Just the Kids

2010-12-01T01:46:00.000-08:00

Just a cute photo of the kiddos!

Daddy's Little Girls

2010-12-01T01:40:00.000-08:00

I snapped this photo of Jeremy and the girls at our Thanksgiving week at Silverking. This is Lina's "cheese" pose!

The Christmas Card

2010-12-01T00:33:00.000-08:00

Anyone who is interested in this blog, most likely gets our annual Christmas letter, so this photo would look familiar. Just wanted to post a recent picture of the whole family!

The Pirate Party

2010-11-09T00:51:00.000-08:00

Jeremy has been bothering me for years to have a "pirate" themed birthday party. This year I finally gave in and much to my surprise, it was SO much fun. Here are a few photos of some of the guests!

My Pumpkins

2010-10-25T23:22:00.000-07:00

Tonight for Family Home Evening we had a pumpkin carving party at Grandpa's gym. All ten grandkids were in attendance and it was a fun, crazy time. Ian had a hay day digging inside the pumpkins and Logenn had a ball tracing the patterns. Lina just enjoyed the open space to run and play!

Family Fishing Fun

2010-09-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

A few photos from our recent family fishing trip excursion.

Cutie Patooties

2010-09-25T01:27:00.000-07:00

These girls are just getting so big! So fun that Logenn has such great friends in her cousins!

Off To School

2010-09-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

Logenn and Alli started Kindergarten. Where does the time go?

A Day at Silverking

2010-08-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to Silverking for the afternoon and had a ball. It was a fun way to spend the day with Grandma Chris in town and the weather was AMAZING! Now this is summer!

Happy Fourth of July

2010-07-04T01:44:00.000-07:00

The Fourth of July is always a blast. Here are a few photos from this year's celebration.

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T00:21:00.000-07:00

So we went up to the cemetary to take some flowers to Landen's grave. Logenn was in charge of placing the flowers on his headstone and I was trying to take her photo. When she realized I was taking her picture, she layed right down on the headstone and posed! Funny girl!

Playing at the Park

2010-05-30T01:34:00.000-07:00

It's official, Lina likes the park. The weather has been surprisingly great and we have been spending some time at the park. Lina is thrilled with her new found freedom and can't get enough of being outside!

Silly Sisters

2010-05-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

Lina is developing such a personality. She loves her big sister and fights with her brother! I hope that Logenn and Lina will always have a super silly sister bond!

Daddy Time

2010-05-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

With the summer season upon us, Jeremy is taking every opportunity to be with the kids and they are enjoying every minute of it.

Fishin' With My Dad

2010-05-27T01:13:00.000-07:00

Ian got to participate in the kid's fishing derby this year and he thought it was great. He didn't even mind using Logenn's barbie fishing pole!

What A View

2010-05-26T23:34:00.000-07:00

I was driving home and had to pull over to take this picture. The scene was breaktaking. The state of Alaska flag was flying next to the American flag and they were on every light post in the main part of town...the background was lined with an amazing sunset. It really was a sight to see. I am so grafeful to live in such an amazing country!

Snuggle Buddies

2010-05-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

Ian has been quite attached to his big sister lately. When he is crying and sad and I ask him what he needs he responds "I need Logennnnnnnnnn....." I came up the stairs this morning and found Ian and Logenn snuggling on the couch watching tv.

Pretty Toes

2010-05-24T00:26:00.000-07:00

Logenn loves loves loves to have her fingernails and toenails painted.

Gifts from Grandpa

2010-05-23T23:29:00.000-07:00

Jeremy's parents sent the kids some new Sunday clothes and they were very excited to wear them to church today.

Uncle Nae

2010-05-22T23:19:00.000-07:00

For some reason Ian calls Janae "Uncle Nae." All the other Aunts are aunts, while Janae continues to be "Uncle Nae." I wanted to remember this, because we have gotten such a kick out of it. We have definitely stopped correcting him. He is too stinkin' cute!

Brown Eyed Girl

2010-05-21T00:36:00.000-07:00

Lina has the biggest most beautiful brown eyes I have ever seen and I love how this picture shows them off!

I'm Too Tired To....

2010-05-20T23:15:00.000-07:00

In the past few weeks, Ian has come up with a new excuse for whatever he does not want to do. It is that he is too tired. It started with "I'm too tired to go to bed." We have also heard "I'm too tired to eat dinner" and at church "I'm too tired to whisper and be reverent." Oh, brother!

All Smiles

2010-05-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

Everytime I pull out the camera Logenn poses and pulls out her best smile.

Up To Speed

2010-05-18T23:04:00.000-07:00

Janae and I were the very last of the entire family to switch over to the I-Phone. Even my parents switched before us! I just don't have the time to sit and figure out a fancy pants phone. Once I get it all figured out I am sure that I will love all the features and whatnot, but in the meantime Jeremy has been laughing at my lack of technological ability!

Stripes, Smiles, and Snuggles

2010-05-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

We are absolutely loving Ian's personality lately. He is so much fun and everyday brings something new. Terrible twos...no way! Now if my experience serves me right, we have another thing coming when he turns three!

Breakfast for Dinner

2010-05-16T22:51:00.000-07:00

We have always loved breakfast for dinner. Tonight as I was cooking "dinner" I thought, "this is what I will post on my blog for today". I forgot to take a good picture; so this is what we get--my leftover french toast and my grill. Just for clarity's sake there was also hashbrowns and sausage. YUM!

Spring Baby

2010-05-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

I am excited for the spring/summer so I can put these little tank tops on Lina and show off her super cute chubby arms!

A Boy and His Tag

2010-05-14T17:52:00.000-07:00

Since Ian was very young he has had a thing with his "tag". I think I noticed it when he was about 6 months old, he would reach for the tag on his crib bumper when I would put him to bed. Now that he is in a big bed, he adopted the tag on his pillow.

Blue Sky

2010-05-13T22:39:00.000-07:00

When you live here, you have to appreciate everyday when the sunshine comes out. We have had multiple days in a row lately where the sun has shined and I love it!

Lady and the Tramp

2010-05-12T22:34:00.000-07:00

Ian and Logenn were bouncing on the tramp this evening and I was able to get this photo of the two of them. I thought that it captured their personalities perfectly

Just a Cute Baby

2010-05-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

No other reason for this post other than to say, "I have a cute cute baby!"

Grandpa's Girl

2010-05-10T22:19:00.000-07:00

I am in love with this picture of Logenn and my Grandpa. We have had the best trip to Idaho and have enjoyed our time with Grandma and Grandpa. I don't want to leave!

Horseback Riding

2010-05-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

Last year our friend Tashina promised Logenn that the next time we went to Idaho she would take her horseback riding. Logenn was very very excited to FINALLY get to ride the horse!

Lina's Sealing

2010-05-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

Today we took our family to the temple and had Lina sealed to us. What an amazing experience. Heavenly Father has given us an amazing opportunity to be an eternal family and we are so grateful for these blessings!

Sidewalk Chalk

2010-05-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

Logenn was intrigued by the idea of sidewalk chalk. For one we don't have sidewalks outside our home and for two it is rarely nice enough to be able to color outside. We got her some official sidewalk chalk and she went to town outside on Grandma and Grandpa's walk way.

Reading With Grandma Thel

2010-05-06T22:08:00.000-07:00

What a special thing for my kids to be able to get to know my grandparents. I lived next door to them for the first 11 years of my life and they are two of the most important people in my life. I truly cherish these opportunities.

Off to the Temple

2010-05-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

The Seattle airport has a hidden gem. It is the children's play area. It saved us on this trip. We had a four hour layover on our way to Idaho for Lina's sealing. The kids had a blast playing on all the fun toys.

Oceanside Baptism

2010-05-04T23:52:00.000-07:00

My nephew Carter was very adiment that he be baptized at our off-island lodge in the Pacific Ocean instead of at the church building. It was one of the neatest baptisms I have attended. Our closest friends and family loaded in the boats, traveled out to the lodge, and enjoyed this special occasion with Carter!

What a Handsome Boy

2010-05-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

I snapped this photo of my little Ian. I'm really pretty certain that their couldn't be a more handsome little boy.

Girls On The Boat

2010-05-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

Janae and my girls out on the boat. These girls love love love their auntie. We are so fortunate to live so close to family.

There Goes Jenn

2010-05-01T21:41:00.000-07:00

My good friend Jenn also getting caught up at the scrapbooking retreat. Jenn started teaching school again in January and so we have not had much time to spend together lately. It was a lot of fun to hang out with her for the entire weekend.

The Craft Retreat

2010-04-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

We hosted a scrapbooking weekend at one of our lodges. I hadn't scrapbooked in almost a year and it was so fun to get caught up a bit and get some things done.

Xtra Tuff

2010-04-24T14:13:00.000-07:00

You can't live in Alaska without a pair of xtra tuffs. The little kid pairs are my favorite and believe me they get plenty of use around our house.

Seeds or Kernels?

2010-04-23T23:55:00.000-07:00

It has just come to Jeremy's attention that in my world these are called popcorn seeds. He thinks this is ridiculous because they are "kernels". I'm pretty sure I am correct and what does it really matter if I am wrong? I am 30 years old, it's not like I'm going to change what I call them!

The Upside Binkie

2010-04-23T23:49:00.000-07:00

Lina has this funny thing with her binkie. She doesn't care if it is upside down. Most kids will spin it around when it is in wrong, but Lina just doesn't care. Upside down, right side up---who cares!

Rotary and Dandylions

2010-04-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

One of our local Rotary clubs sells carnation flowers around Mother's Day as a fundraiser. Every year Jeremy agrees to buy the flowers for me, but somehow I end up writing the dumb check. I keep telling him that if he is going to "buy" me flowers, he at least should pay for them---but once again this year I got out my checkbook and accepted my flowers. Logenn had to add her own donation to my vase with a bouquet of dandylions!

My Picasso

2010-04-21T23:25:00.000-07:00

Logenn wants to paint or draw or color 24/7. She is our little artist!

Superman?

2010-04-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure that the big sister was the one who put this little trick in Ian's mind. Lately I have found Ian propelling himself from the coffee table to the couch again and again and again.

Going Retail

2010-04-19T23:14:00.000-07:00

I was approached by a local store here in town about carrying my bows and headbands. This was the start of my first big order to get them stocked up for the tourist season.

Mr. Feelings

2010-04-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

Ian is really into his feelings lately and it has been hillarious. He will be in tears one second and the next he looks at me and says with a huge smile "Mom, I'm HAPPY!"

McDonald's Coke

2010-04-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

There is no Coke like a McDonald's Coke---for some reason, they just taste better.

My Little Man

2010-04-16T21:02:00.000-07:00

We have finally planned Lina's sealing date and I ordered Ian's suit. It came today and I wanted to make sure it fit him, so I stripped him down and dressed him back up and are you kidding me? My little boy looks like a little man!

The Tide Book

2010-04-15T23:58:00.000-07:00

I have been working on the annual King Salmon Derby Tide Book again this year. In our family this is what happens when one person is in charge of something...the rest of us somehow end up with jobs! It has been a lot of work, but I think I will be happy with the end result.

Piggy Tails....FINALLY!

2010-04-14T17:34:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh. It is about dang time. I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for Lina's hair to get to the point where it would go in pigtails and finally it will...yay! No more of the flitty flighty wispy hair on her ears.

Sleepy Sleepy Baby

2010-04-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

Lina was eating lunch and I was around the house doing this and that. I came into the kitchen to check on her and here is what I found. She was too tired to even make it to her crib for her nap. So stinkin' cute!

A Walk at Ward Lake

2010-04-12T16:49:00.000-07:00

The weather has FINALLY decided to cooperate and we are starting to get a little bit of spring. Today we took advantage of it and went for a walk around Ward Lake with a bunch of friends. Ian thought it was the best day ever!

Hard to Say Goodbye

2010-04-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had to say goodbye to our friends Reid and Mishel. Reid accepted a job offer back in their home state of Montana, so they are out of here! I am super bummed. They have become really great friends over the past four years and we will miss them a lot!

My Baby Turns One

2010-04-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe my baby is one year old today...time flies! Man, she's cute!

Back to the 80s

2010-04-09T23:55:00.000-07:00

My friends threw me an 80s party for my 30th birthday. I find it a little disturbing that I walked into Walmart and actually found my 80s attire on the shelf. There are just some styles that should not come back!

Cuter than Cute!

2010-04-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

I snapped this photo of Jeremy and Lina and had to post it.

Cute Kid

2010-04-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

Ian is super duper cute. Here he is in his realm---outside!

Again. Really?

2010-04-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

First the eggs and now yogurt! Seriously?! AHHHHH!!!

Family Night

2010-04-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

Logenn loves to play games for family night. Tonight she had us playing "Guess Who", which is a game that I loved to play with Janae when I was a kid.

"Egg"cellent

2010-04-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

Ian decided to get in the fridge and create a mess and I came home to all 18 eggs cracked on my kitchen floor. Later if you asked him about it, he would say, "I got in BIG BIG trouble!"

The Easter Bunny

2010-04-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

The Easter Bunny comes to our house on Saturday morning. This allows us to actually get to church on Sunday morning and to keep our Easter day focused on our Savior and the gift of the atonement.

A Party for Lina

2010-04-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

We had a party today to celebrate the finalization of Lina's adoption...YAY!!!

House Progress

2010-04-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

The addition on the house is coming right along. We have the first floor framed and they are well on their way to getting the second story up.

The Airport Ferry

2010-03-31T22:16:00.000-07:00

Part of living in Ketchikan is riding the airport ferry. Our airport is located on a different island, so you have to take a short ferry ride when you are coming or going. The infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" would have eliminated this pain in the butt! Here is Jeremy and Logenn on the ferry on our way home from Hawaii.

Lina's Ours, Pearl Harbor, and The Polynesian Cultural Center

2010-03-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Today was an amazing day. We FINALLY were able to finalize Lina's adoption. The hearing took place in Anchorage, so we were able to call in from Hawaii. Unfortunately we won't be able to celebrate with Lina until tomorrow! After the hearing we were able to go to Pearl Harbor and then spend the entire afternoon and evening at The Polynesian Cultural Center.

Wet N' Wild

2010-03-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

We spent the day at the Wet N' Wild water park and it was SO fun. The weather could have cooperated just a little bit more, but we had an amazing time on the water slides!

Fun at the Faire

2010-03-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

We found a faire in Honolulu and had to take advantage of the opportunity to take the kids.

Water on Wikiki

2010-03-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Honolulu today and headed out to Wikiki. Here is Logenn and Leah enjoying the sunshine and the ocean!

Sunshine and Snorkling

2010-03-26T23:35:00.000-07:00

Jeremy has been teaching Logenn to snorkle and she is doing really well. Pretty soon she is going to be just like her daddy!!

Cave Dwelling

2010-03-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

We drove up to the North Shore today and ended up finding a huge cave.

Party at the Pool

2010-03-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

We have been loving the pool at our condo.

Boogie Board

2010-03-23T00:22:00.000-07:00

Jeremy was so excited to boogie board. He can't seem to get enough of the water.

Sunshine and Sand

2010-03-22T00:40:00.000-07:00

A photo of Logenn enjoying the sand in Hawaii.

Region V Travel

2010-03-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

Traveling in Alaska for sports is a very unique experience. In order to compete with other communities our students have to travel by airplane or boat. The Region tournament is interesting because most of our students travel via the Alaska Marine Highway system. Our trip to Sitka was a 24 hour affair each way. I snapped this photo while the kids were figuring out their sleeping arrangements. Pure and utter chaos is all I have to say, when you shove 100 kids into one small room...but what fun memories!

Region V Cheer Champs

2010-03-06T00:26:00.000-08:00

So my girls are the 4A Region cheerleading champs. They did a great job and we are now getting ready for the state championship next week in Anchorage.

Region V: Day Four

2010-03-05T23:20:00.000-08:00

A cheer clinic was hosted for all of the Southeast Alaska cheer participants. They learned a mass cheer to perform at the cheer/dance adjudication on the last day of the tournament.

Region V: Day Three

2010-03-04T23:16:00.000-08:00

Both varsity basketball teams, dance teams, cheer teams, pep bands, and pep clubs all travel to the Region V tournament. Although it is a basketball tournament, all of the activities make the tournament the unique experience that it is. The energy there is something that most people will never experience. Our school took about 100 kids to the tournament this year.

Region V: Day Two

2010-03-03T23:10:00.000-08:00

The cheerleaders are assigned a basketball game during the tournament where they are judged. Tonight is our night, so the girls were trying to focus a little bit before the game started.

Region V: Day One

2010-03-02T17:35:00.000-08:00

The Region V Basketball Tournament is one of my favorite things about living in this area. It is such a good time. It was fun as a participant and is even more fun as a coach.

Cute Coaches

2010-03-01T22:47:00.000-08:00

Here we go. We are off to Sitka for the Southeast Region V Basketball Tournament...yay!

Working in the Rain

2010-02-28T22:40:00.000-08:00

Jeremy had to get the heating tubes laid before the concrete pour, but that required him to spend the entire afternoon in the rain. Yuck!

Watching the Show

2010-02-27T14:41:00.000-08:00

Logenn was dressed and ready to go watch the dance team and cheer team performances at the annual dance team exibition. She was super cute in her cheer sweatshirt and cheer bow!

A Tough Life

2010-02-26T21:34:00.000-08:00

Ian is not into having his nails cut, teeth brushed, ears cleaned, etc. He is now at the age where not only does he refuse to have his hygiene kept up, he is using his hands to cover his ears or mouth or whatever so that there is no possible way we can help him. So frusterating!

Baking with Auntie

2010-02-25T22:44:00.000-08:00

I snapped this photo while Janae and Logenn were making cinnamon rolls. What a good Aunt!

Cadbury Eggs...YUM

2010-02-21T12:36:00.000-08:00

So I love these mini Cadbury eggs. When Jeremy and I went to New Zealand last year we went to a Cadbury factory and were sorely disappointed they didn't make my favorite Cadbury candy, but I can always count on Walmart coming through for me around Easter time. I eat too many every year, but they are SO good!

Pink Out

2010-02-20T23:52:00.000-08:00

The Lady Kings decided to do a "Pink Out" fundraiser for the last home game of the year in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. They sold pink shirts ahead of time and encouraged everyone to wear "pink" to the game. It was a lot of fun and means something to me personally as my grandma, mother, and a few close friends are survivors of breast cancer.

The Beach...In February

2010-02-19T15:48:00.000-08:00

Today we went to the beach. The weather was amazing and it was dry and so fun. Ian of course went straight to the water, Logenn buried herself in rocksand, and the rest of us enjoyed the sunshine and cooked hotdogs for lunch. We couldn't have asked for a better day, it might just get us through until Spring decides to come! Even Lina Bean enjoyed being outside in the sunshine.

The Calendar

2010-02-18T12:05:00.000-08:00

This is what keeps our household going, the dang calendar. I will be happy when cheerleading is over for the season and the calendar slows down a bit. Although if we are being honest, we always seem to fill it up one way or another!

The To Do List

2010-02-16T13:29:00.000-08:00

I am such a list maker and sad to say I enjoy crossing stuff off the lists as well. Anyhow, this is a typical site on my kitchen counter.

Going to Grandma's

2010-02-15T11:36:00.000-08:00

Grandma Pam lives next door and Logenn frequently walks next door to visit. On a rare occasion I will let Ian tag along...he is a runner! So I snapped this photo of the two from my front porch as I watched to make sure Logenn could handle her little brother's excitement. We are so fortunate to live next to my parents. I grew up two houses from my own grandparents and have the best memories of them from my childhood. I hope that our children will have the same fond memories of their grandparents as well.

Daytona 500

2010-02-14T22:34:00.000-08:00

Some Valentine's Day! Jeremy, Matt, Russ, Rod, Dad and my Uncle Brad took off and went to Florida for the Daytona 500 car race! They had a blast, but in true boy fashion forgot to take a camera! Jeremy is convinced he will go back someday with Ian, who by the way was concerned the whole time Jeremy was gone about the "crashing cars"!