Fun with Friends

In late July, we had a visit from some special friends!

Everyone loved meeting baby Owen for the first time- even Scout!

It was super hot, so going to the park might not have been the best idea, but ice cream sure hit the spot!

Sweet family=sweet memories!

Lessons on Lincoln

In mid-July, we took a little field trip to southern Indiana to visit Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home.  Mike & Carol also taught us what they have studied about this amazing man and president.  Abe Lincoln certainly overcame a lot, and we left with even more respect for him and his accomplishments. 

In anticipation of a possible school project for Kate, she became the star of most of the pictures. 

We were thankful for the opportunity to do this with Mike & Carol!

Summer Days

After our trip, Scott got to work!  He enjoyed earning money throughout the summer mowing and doing yard work for a couple of people.  He managed to do two different long jobs on one record setting hot day this summer.  He's a very hard worker.   (Probably not cool when your mom drives by and takes pictures of you at your job, but I couldn't resist!)

The girls practiced lots of volleyball up and down the stairs. 

Fun to enjoy fireworks in your pajamas from the comfort of your home!  Thank you neighbors!

Scout "treed" a baby raccoon on our back porch.  Bad dog!

The kids played in the rain one afternoon- this was Kate's gear to protect her from the downpour.  (???!)

Scott & Jon took a trip to a trail to ride the Polaris.  Fun time for the guys!  (I managed to escape an invite...this time.)

Whirlwind Trip Home

Sadly, it was time to begin our whirlwind trip home.  We took a 6 hour evening train ride back to Anchorage.  This was fun again, and this time we got to enjoy dinner on the train.  We then had to catch a taxi at 10:30 at night to our hotel.  That was a new experience for us too!:)   After sleeping for a few hours, we had to get up at 2:30 a.m. to catch our shuttle to the airport. 

After going through TSA, we were heading to our terminal when I saw this cool moose in the airport.  I said to the girls, "Hey! Let's stop and I will take your picture by the moose."  

Natalie quickly replied, "Mom!  It's 3:00 a.m.  We're not in the mood."   Understood.

Later, while we were waiting, my parents went back & got a picture with Scott & the moose. 

We then boarded for our flight back home. 

Within a short amount of time, this was us. 

We made it safely back home and were eager to see Scout!  Thanks to Mike & Carol, she had great care while we were away. 

Alaska is a beautiful state, and we had enough adventures to last a lifetime.  We are so thankful for the opportunity to go!  The only thing that would have made it better is if we could have brought home a puppy...(although Scout may beg to differ!)

Can We Take One Home?

Just when we thought Alaska couldn't get any better, they threw in puppies!  On this day, we went on a sled ride with some dogs training for the Iditarod race. 

After completing the trail, we were able to meet the dogs. 

Then we met some of the puppies.  They were so cute, and by this time, we were all really missing Scout. 

We thought our experience was over, but then they brought out the youngest puppies.  AWWW!!! 

Could we ever convince Jon to let us have another puppy?!  They were so adorable!

So sweet!