Ah Summer

The heat is creeping up and we Alaskans have to adapt.

Amelia has no problem at all.  

We have been enjoying daily rituals of morning walks with the dogs, carrot feedings to the horses and cousin time. 

My sister watches my nieces daughter, Olivia, a couple days a week and they have been having a grand time.

Cousin Adam and girlfriend Lauren are a couple of Amelia's favorites...especially when they play a game of soccer and run through the sprinkler with her.  Only mad when the sprinkler was shut off...mom's a meanie.

A few instagrams:  Cousin Aaron goofing around on roller blades is her hero as well.  And a s'mores fest always brings out the best stories.

and of course...strawberry picking before the heat took hold 

lots of adventure forthcoming..

Heading East

We left Dad at home to mind the fort as Amelia and I headed East on a midnight plane for a 2 1/2 week romp with cousins, aunts, uncles and of course...the horses.

As is usual...Amelia was a great flyer and slept when needed and entertained herself during 2 layovers.

 

Immediately, we headed for my nephew Matt's high school graduation.  There were 500 graduates, so texting and surfing were essential apparently...even for Amelia, who enjoyed herself immensely, singing and dancing whenever she could.

The following day...the party, complete with a house of bounce.  Amelia bounced for 3 hours straight...then passed out for 10 hours of much needed rest from jet lag.

We were busy too with morning swings and strolls...

and Amelia's first nail painting where she did the honors to her cousin Andrea (or sister as she calls her).

Lots more to come.

Baby Owls and a Cottage

Have been busy getting ready to head East for a few weeks.  Always seems I am running behind in the preparation, but when the time comes I find myself quite satisfied with what I have accomplished...ironic isn't it (direct quote from Rosetta from Tinkerbell) :)

I mentioned here our neighbors had a nest of Great Horned Owls.  At the time I took the pics for the previous post, I didn't see the babies in the nest.  Early this week we had a knock on our door and to hurry down to their house as the babies were out and about.  When we trekked down on our bike, they were more than out, they were perched right on their deck.

The only way you would know they are babies is by the down (so puffy!), otherwise they were almost as large as mom and dad who were hooting from a nearby tree.

One was perched on the deck the other 2 were still in the tree next to their nest.  Amelia was interested in them for a second then off she went to play in the sandbox with her buddy Harlow (our neighbors son who is a month younger).  Think she has a bit of a crush on him as we always have to go see if Harlow is home and show him new accomplishments like a new big girl bike. :)  He has greatly surpassed her in bike riding skills and when they are 16, I won't be surprised to see him pull up on a Harley to pick her up.  hahahaha.

Back East we will be attending my nephew Matt's high school graduation (only 2 more kids to go for my sister to have all out of high school...seems like I was just babysitting them!).  I have made 2 of the invites for previous graduations and this one was my best yet.  Made on Powerpoint.

And since this will be my first Christmas away from my sisters and all the kids (we are having an Alaskan Christmas this year), I wanted to bring as many Christmas presents as I could...wrap them and put them in a box so on Christmas Eve,  I can just call and say go get the box and put it out.  Shipping from Alaska can cost an arm and a leg, so bringing large gifts on summer trips, has been key in the past.

The shopping is the easy part, as I always shop way in advance for many things, however,  I make tags each year based on our Christmas Card theme....and uh I didn't make our cards yet...I am not that prepared!  Luckily, I think I know the picture we are using.  If I change my mind...well these will have to do.

Lastly...Amelia and I joined another neighbor for a thirty-one bag party (like tupperware...but bags).  She babysits her granddaughter and Amelia and her have become buddies, so when the party was at her daughter in laws, Amelia tagged along to play with her.  In their backyard they had a fantastic play cottage that they purchased at Sams club.  Since Amelia was in need of something to play with outside...this was perfect!  Bought the last one :) At a steal for $288!

We put it on the deck for two reasons...one: wind...two: bear and moose.  Just  a bit safer up a bit and near the door :)

Notice her Nasturtiums she planted from seed in her hand painted pots, fit perfect in the built in flower pots!

Didn't take Rob very long to put it together and Amelia LOOOVES IT.  She was playing in it while Dad put it together.

Will doll it up inside, but she already has had her breakfast and lunch in there, as well as, dragging out a few My Little Ponies.  

Now while I do dishes, I have a different view.

 Next post will be from NY where I am hoping the Cicadas are all dead. :)

Homer

Our Memorial Weekend was extended by a tag-a-long trip with Rob to Homer, AK.  Once again, Dad worked and we played...doesn't seem fair does it :)  Although he does get to be with his family on work trips!  It REALLY helped that the weather was SPECTACULAR! 

I have been to Homer several times and there are a couple posts, sans photos, in the archives (it was during the time I switched from iweb to Blogger and all photos were on Mobile me and didn't make the switch).   It is really a gorgeous spot, full of beach combing, fishing and strolling.  Like many locations in Alaska, they are really two fold.  Two years previously I brought my sister here and the wind was so bad I didn't take Amelia out for a day.  

This trip ... much different.

On the drive down you get gorgeous views of Mt. Redoubt (right) and Iliamna.  Redoubt caused a bit of havoc when it erupted a few years ago...I even collected some ash on a plate wrapped in plastic wrap!  

We did LOTS of rock throwing and hi-fives with Dad.

Mornings were ... yes, spectacular again.

Amelia and I cruised the Spit.  Homer is famous for the Spit of land that jets out into Kachemak Bay.  Little shops and eateries dot the way down and Amelia and I did our share of purchases (the white dress in the first pic was one of them...which she had to put on immediately of course).  My day was made when the gentleman in the second pic came over to me as he was leaving and said "I had to come over and say that I am very impressed with the way you speak and  handle your little girl and her behavior shows that you must be a great mom"... yep my day was made.  I replied "well my husband and I are trying for a rocket scientist" hahahaha. 

We stayed at Land's End Resort at the end of the Spit. Homer is known for their fishing and Halibut was on my plate one evening ... deliciousness!  Breakfast was Amelia's favorite with yummy french toast. 

We waited for Dad to go down to the Marina where the hardiest of Alaskan Fisherman call home...including the famous Deadliest Catch boat Time Bandit.  

On our way out we stopped at the Alaska Islands & Oceans Museum .  It was interesting, but for the money they must of used to build it ... I thought a bit more should be in store.  Still a must see.  A beautiful board walk for bird watching and views was in the back and my camera then decided to not work...sigh, luckily it was at the end of the trip and not the beginning.  Did lose most of the pictures of the boardwalk and of the spit from high above..but lucky it wasn't everything.

A great week to wrap up the somber Memorial Day that truly must be celebrated to thank our warriors who have sacrificed all to give us the freedom to enjoy these magnificent spots in the fashion that we do.