Family Fun

Fourth of July weekend was fabulous here in Ketchikan. Kelly got in a day early and made it in time to watch Jake's championship Little League game! They lost after three extra innings to take second. But after the game they announced All Stars and Jake made it! We are so proud of him and so excited! Kelly is back at camp, but Kaitlyn and I will be going to Sitka to watch Jake play!!

Kasey, Melissa, Kyle, Tanner and Ashlynn all came over for the weekend! Along with Rob! It was so much fun. We miss those kids so much! They are all growing so fast. And it actually stopped raining and the sun came out for the parade on the 4th! Here are a few pics. And they weren't easy to come by with this crew....

Ashlynn sacked out on the couch. It was a long trip, people!

She really liked Aunt Jenn's clam dip!!

"Surrrrrrre, Dad...."

Grandpa Rob reading a story to Kaitlyn and Ashlynn.

Kyle looking a little tired.

Tanner looking sleepy also.

The boys.

One of the many cool things about living in Southeast Alaska is the wildlife. I had the window open and we could hear the whales before we saw them. We went out on the deck and I tried to get a good picture, but they never came out of the water long enough to get one. At least I got some of the back. Gotta love it.

Beaches and Baseball

It's that time of year again! Jake's baseball season is going strong. He's doing well as usual. I swear, the kid is getting so tall! And we finally had a nice enough day to go to the beach!! My poor Alaska kids, especially Kaitlyn! We couldn't stay out too long! No matter how much sunscreen I put on that poor girl she started to look a little red and we had to head out. But we still had a fabulous time. Here's hoping for some more sunshine soon!

Finally, a new post!!

I have been so bad about posting on this blog. It's not that I don't want to, I actually love it. But when I finally get home and make dinner, do the dishes, spend time with the kids, or go to various baseball activities, etc., I just don't feel like I have the energy! So tonight I will play a little catch up. Basketball season is over (in theory of course) and we have moved on to baseball. Sometimes I wonder if there is any sport Jake wouldn't be successful at. Kaitlyn considered playing softball this year, but decided against it. Probably next year. And I must admit, selfishly, I am glad. She is my partner watching Jake play and Kelly umps most of the time so I would be very lonely without her!!

Jake and Kaitlyn both celebrated birthdays in March. They are now 11 and 9. How does this happen?? They are growing up and all I want is for life to slow down. Hmmmm, I just don't think it's going to happen.





Lastly, we had the awards banquet for Kelly's team last week. We hadn't seen the girls in a while, and it was so great to see them. He brought the girls up by grade, except for the seniors, He recognized them one at a time. I think I cried during every one. I'm amazed and grateful for the opportunity to get to know these girls, and the only sad part is that we only had one year with the seniors. I honestly feel like they are family, and it made my heart smile when they were all just as emotional and hugged me like I was hugging them. Besides all that girly stuff, Kelly did such a great job this year. It was his first year coaching girls, and of course, he did an amazing job. I can never get over what a great coach he is! The kids and I are so proud of him.




So now we are working towards summer. After such a beautiful summer here in Southeast Alaska last year, I am hoping for a repeat. So far, Spring has disappointed, but here's hoping!

Goodbye Grandma Babe

My Grandma Babe passed away today. I will miss her so much. She was old-fashioned, classy, fun. I could always talk to her about pretty much anything and I knew she would listen. Without judging anything I told her, she would always give me the best advice, usually with a side of humor. Some of my best memories are spending Christmas at her house. We would get to her house, which was always so festive. She had this awesome Christmas village that got bigger every year; the tree got smaller and smaller to accommodate it. We would have yummy food and then we would play games. She loved Scattergories! I really don't know what I will do without her. I feel selfish for being so sad and still wanting her here. I know it was rough at the end, and it is better this way. But my kids will never know her. They won't get to laugh at watching her cooking in the kitchen, drink in one hand and cigarette in the other. Kaitlyn won't get to go to "ladies lunch" with her and then shopping while she explains what kind of makeup is better or which shoes look better with that shirt. Jake won't get to watch her cheer her heart out for the Seahawks or Mariners. For lack of a better way to say it, Grandma Babe kicked ass. I'm glad she was a huge part of my life, and I will miss her so much. Goodbye Grandma. I love you.