Summer Time

It has been a long summer. We have had horrible weather as it has been cold and rainy for most of the time the kids have been out of school. We did manage to capture some of the good days out in the boat and down at the beach. Fourth of July was fun with our mini parade that goes through town. It starts on one street, continues for about 7 blocks, turns the corner and goes another 7 blocks, turns the corner and goes another 7 blocks and then ends at the "fair grounds" which are some fenced baseball fields. The town all line up on front street which is by the ocean. Once the parade passes everyone moves one block east, waits for the parade to pass, and then again moves one block east. It could only happen in Kotzebue. It was fun because Emma and Cora were in the parade. They were part of the National Park Service Float.


Aidan was sad because the big kids went hiking up the steep bank onto the tundra and he wanted to go. They left him behind but the picture was cute.

"The Man, The Machine"



The family with the hooptie.

Pink haired pistol packing mamma.
At the beach the kids have been having fun on the ATV. Mel has become quite good with the 22 pistol.
Gotta have more cowbell!!!!

Catching Up on the Blogging.

In May the girls and I attended my sister Alicia's wedding. The girls looked like little brides.
Cora, Emma, Alicia and her new husband Matt. It is about time we got some height into the family. Matt is 6'5"

So we were over at Vanessa's house for Mother's day and we were all sharing what we bought. Ariane said that Ryan had got her a plant for mother's day and did not look too happy about it. I stated that early in our marriage I bought Melissa a plant. I told her it symbolized our marriage, and that as we watered it, and nourished it, it would grow and flourish. That was all key for, I couldn't afford flowers so I found this cheap plant. I told him that I could totally see what he was doing and was with him all the way. That of course was until Ariane brought the plant in from the car. The only thing I could say was, man you screwed up. I showed the pictures to Mel at home and she could not stop laughing. I think she almost stopped breathing. Way to go Ryan. I am going to print these pictures off and put them on the fridge. Anytime in the future that Mel does not like a gift I gave her I will just thrust my finger toward the kitchen and in a defiant voice say. It could of been worse...Thanks Ryan.
You thought the other angle was bad!

I had the opportunity to go Musk Ox hunting. Mel thought it would be a good Idea to get a family picture. Too bad were late for Christmas cards.

Fun Weekend

Mel racing across the Kotzebue Sound

My speed racer posing with her machine

Getting down with the chain saw.

The Kotzebue Branch Shea fishing trip

(The fishing was good, the catching was bad)

Our new elder couple missionaries from Utah...they

were a little under dressed but they had fun.

I arranged for a babysitter to come over and sit with the kids. I had to gather firewood for the Branch Shea fishing trip and we decided to turn it into a snow machine date. We rode up the trail about 20 miles and then decided to get off of the beaten path and break our own trail. We had a lot of fun cutting in and out of the trees. We did get a little nervous when we approached a dense patch of trees...we came across a bunch of fresh bear tracks...decided not to go in there...We rode around for a couple of hours and on the way back home we stopped to cut wood. It was a good evening. It is amazing how big this country is. Three and half hours, 52 miles and we did not see one person on the trail!