Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Motorcycles on the Stampede

On a warm summer's day back in June we hit the trail with some different toys!  Andrew picked up an old motorcycle in the Spring and my sister and her boyfriend were living with us for the summer and he brought his up from Tennessee.  Erin and I doubled on the four-wheeler and the guys took their bikes.
The first mudhole was the nastiest by far.  Deep water and soupy muck on the edges.  I didn't manage to get pictures of Andrew making the first crossing because he got sucked into the soft edges and had quite the time getting across.
Daniel watched and learned.  He took a more direct route through the deepest part but stayed on firmer ground.



The rest were a little more shallow and smoother to cross.  Still a fun challenge though!




A long muddy trail giving way to miles of smiles :)
Andrew actually decided to turn back at this point.  His bike had sucked in some water in that first hole and he didn't want to push it.
Pushing through Fish Creek.

Oopsy daisy!  It happens sometimes when you're going too slow.
Erin laughed and took pictures, then helped get the bike up.
Slick mud and tire ruts make it difficult on motorcycles.

Fun times! :)

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Kentucky Visit

In April I was able to make a three week trip down south!  The first weekend I went to Kentucky to visit my sister-in-law's family including meeting my newest niece and godchild, McKinley!  I had such a great time! I got see a gymnastics meet and a violin recital, and we enjoyed a fun hike in a state park to see a natural bridge.  Only bummer was that Sherry's back was not feeling well so she hung back to take it easy.
I love this picture of the three big kids!  Of course climbing on the railing is what you do while waiting on the adults,  
Sweet McKinley and her daddy :)
Missy K and Reagan....So big these days!

Granddad and the Grandpa tree

Cool limestone walls!
The rock stairway to the top of the natural bridge.

Such sweet sisters!
View from the top
Amazingly Anna is smiling!  Anna sat with a very unhappy Jackson while we ventured up top.  It was my fault too because I carried him most of the way up then told him at the top I was done.  He was so upset.  Made me very sad, but I couldn't go back on my word :(  Hard lessons for kids and adults.
Beneath the bridge
After a while he finally agreed to walk to the top of the bridge through this very cool rock passageway.
Headed back to the car, we saw a tiny turtle sunning on a log. Missy K and I love turtles :)
~
What a great weekend!

Beach Time

Before heading back to Alaska, the family joined together for a long weekend at the beach!  Definitely one of my favorites places in the whole world.  The only thing that would have made it more perfect was if Andrew and James could have been there (both were working).
We had a fabulous rental house right on the beach!
 The large hammock in the carport received much use from all the kids.
 It had been two years since our last get together.  Twas a great reunion!
 Girl time on the beach! :)
 Not long though....Aunt Jennifer has to play with the kids!  Possibly be a kid herself :)
 We walked the beach every morning for sunrise.  Making memories and looking for treasures of course!



I have the most awesome nieces!!! And nephews!
We walked in the evenings too.
 And had some silly moments!

Boys...always doing something creative!

Two extremely talented boys!  Break dancing in the house after dinner might have been a little much.
 Beach treasures included a starfish and a few sand dollars.

 Such a fabulous trip!!!  I will miss this till the next time...