Off to Cello Camp We Go!

Bentley went to his first overnight camp this week!  For over 20 years a local group has hosted a strings camp for elementary grades on up.  They fly up a conductor and bring in lots of fabulous teachers and then combine music time with lake adventures, campfires, and other great outdoors experiences (cabin based).  This week we sent our oldest off (with LOTS of bags:)

His father dropped him off and snapped a picture of him by his cabin for me:

He's getting so old!  Here's to hoping he finds some food his picky palette can handle and doesn't starve.... :)

Flag Day 2016!

July 9th is Alaska Flag Day. It was on a Saturday this year. Everyone but opa and great-grandma attended. So much fun!!

Family Visit

In June my family came to visit. Because great-grandma lives with us we are a magnet for family from out of state. This year my family decided to congregate in June because it was 50 years ago on June 23, 1966 that my family moved to Alaska. We started in Haines and after three years moved to Anchorage.

So my family had a family reunion of sorts. My brother James and his wife Diane came with one of their single daughters (Lorna) and one of their married daughters (Rachel with her spouse Tanner and children Milo and Gracie--they stayed with a cousin, only spending one night at our home).  Their other single daughter (Emma) is working at Cooper Landing, Alaska for the summer so she came to town twice during their three week visit.

My sister Jean flew in from Juneau for five days. The family had a number of get togethers. Some we (Altmans and Enzenbergers) joined, some we skipped. Mark and I took Evan and Lincoln to hang with the extended family at Eklutna one sunny afternoon. Kara posted photos of Evan and Lincoln playing there, but I have more photos of the whole gang (see below).

 

And two other random photos from their visit:

Lincoln & Evan at the Lake!

Last weekend Evan and Lincoln headed out with Matt to enjoy the gorgeous weather and have a camping adventure.  Unfortunately they couldn't find a camping spot!  The state has started using an advance reserve system for many of the campsite spots which means you end up with a lot of empty but "RESERVED" sites.  It's a bit vexing.  In any case, they still got in some fun time at the lake before driving home at the end of the night!

Everyday Life: June

I took Lincoln and Evan to park day with the cousins. 

The B, J, & V were at camps that day.

Same park day!

Bentley, Lincoln & Water Balloons

Another Day, Another Park

Viva transplanting the flowers she started from seed indoors.

Viva having a playdate with Chloe from church.

Lincoln and Evan playing ping pong! 

(They aren't very good, but they are cute.)

A Super Bubble Bath

A Bubble Monster

Bubble Monster's Older Brother

My Travelers Return!

Bentley, Jake, & Viva have been adventuring with Grandpa Tim for the past week.  They didn't take any pictures for me (alas) but it was a great time.  They road tripped from Lewiston to Boise and then from Boise to Las Vegas.

There were zoo trips, aquarium trips, lots of Mexican food (Grandpa Tim's restaurant), Circus Circus, movies, pool parties, and golfing.  I'm sure they were very sad about the lack of school work they did while gone.

They returned yesterday and we are so happy to have them home!  It is MUCH quieter with two children instead of five in the home, but regardless of that they are some of my favorite people.  And I think their little brothers missed them quite a bit too.... :)

4th of July Bike Buddies

The 4th of July was quiet around here this year because the big kids were busy flying home from Vegas.  It was on the rainy side and we decided to pass on the parade this year.  Matt did a long bike ride alone in the morning (a rare treat for a Dad of five!) and then a "bike ride" (he runs, Evan rides!) with Evan in the afternoon.  Lincoln opted out to hang out with me at home.  It was a good day!

Afternoon at Eklutna

Lincoln & Evan spent last Saturday out at Ekltuna with Grandma/Opa and some visiting family members.  Opa took some lovely photos of the little tykes, so here is a photo overload post!  The boys tell me they had a fabulous time and are already plotting how to get back out to Eklutna.  Water, rocks, beaches, sticks.... the combination never seems to grow old for young children.  Or the young at heart!

(Please note: their shirts say "Join the Resistance" & "Rule the Galaxy".... !  Just a fun detail that I love!)

Happy Birthday, Twins!

It's been a crazy week!  Viva's 3 week dance intensive finished with a performance downtown Friday night, and Boy Scout camp wrapped up with a camp fire evening on Friday evening.  Then at 1 am on Saturday morning Matt, Bentley, Jake & Viva hopped on a plane for Idaho.   Matt's family was having a reunion day at the park Saturday afternoon and so we figured it would be fun for the kids to catch part of that before heading off on a road trip from Idaho to Las Vegas with Grandpa Tim.  Crazy times.  :)

They made it to part of the event and have been keeping up the non stop fun.  Meeting new cousins, swimming at the hotel pool, golfing at 7 am (yikes!), learning to clean trout, climbing trees.... !  Jake tells me there will be s'mores tonight.  Awesome!

Most importantly they've had a chance to spend some time with their Great-Grandma Darlene.  We will celebrate their birthday more when they get home.  Happy birthday to my favorite twins!  Can't believe they're "half" grown.  :)

Snapshots from the Week

We've been keeping busy and time keeps flying, here are a few fun pictures from the past week around here!!  Water balloons have been a big hit around here.  My fingers were a bit numb after the first couple hundred and my Mom taught the kids how to tie them using a large carving fork.  Now my life is golden and they are having fun too.... :)

The playground!  I like the new spinning discs some of the new playgrounds have installed.  They can go awfully fast sometimes though.... :)

Art time at dance camp!  I like her headdress.  :)

It's exhausting around here.  I totally relate.

A scary amount of enthusiasm for 6:45 in the morning.... (on the way to Scout camp!)