Sunday, September 20, 2009

Pokerface(s)

Our good friend Nick came to stay last night and we have had so much fun! He has been showing the kids how to play poker. It's pretty funny listening to them talk about betting. Or hearing Kaitlyn knock on the table to check. Or Jake say "burn and turn." Here are some pictures of our card sharks.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Welcome to Ketchikan Football

Some things can be a little different here in Ketchikan. Case in point: Ketchikan football. We don't play on a "field" here. Oh no. We don't have grass, turf, etc. We have an area with sand and rocks. Small rocks, mind you, but it's still rocks. As if that isn't enough, we don't exactly have great weather at this time of year. So tonight the family loaded up for a football game where not only were we going to cheer on our team, we were watching Kelly officiate. I had to laugh to myself. I've been to many football games, whether in high school or college. I remember picking out cute sweaters, shoes, and hats to not only keep my head warm but match whatever else I was wearing. I would also dress my kids warm, yet adorable. It's a completely different story here. We drag out all the rain gear we can find. We put on baseball caps, because lets face it, hair doesn't stand a chance. We put on our Xtra Tuff (it's a brand that's extremely popular here in Alaska) boots and grab umbrellas and we go stand, yes stand, because there aren't bleachers. Well, not right on the field anyway. It's also the baseball "field" so the bleachers are in weird locations. We stood out there in freezing, sideways rain for the entire game. We lost, but it was still fun to watch some football. And Kelly in his fabulous ref uniform. My kids are seriously impressive. Not one complaint the entire game. Talk about tough Alaska kids.

Kayhi getting ready to play.
My husband the ref!
It's hard to tell in this picture, but it's raining REALLY hard.
My two awesome kids. By the way, Jake is wearing his Husky hat and Kaitlyn is wearing her Cougar hat. We're equal opportunity Washington football supporters!
Adorable!

Monday, August 31, 2009

Stop Growing Up!

My kids won't stop growing! I know this is what happens; kids get older. But it seems like lately they are growing up at record speed. Jake is now in 5th grade. How did this happen?? It seems like only yesterday was his first day of preschool! I can no longer pick out his clothes, kiss him in public, and I can barely hold him down to tickle him! He's just too big! Not to mention the fact that his feet are pretty much as big as mine. Too crazy. Kaitlyn is now in 3rd grade, and she is definitely no longer the baby of this family! She's more outgoing than ever, and I'm so impressed with everything she is willing to try these days. Gone is my shy, scared little girl. This Kaitlyn is ready to take on the world! She's more confident and is realizing she can do anything her big brother can. This brave girl got a shot last week and didn't even blink. She just told the nurse to bring it on. I told her afterwards that I had never seen her that brave, and she decided that if she can handle that, she was ready to get her ears pierced. So we took her yesterday! I don't know who was more nervous - Mom and Dad, or Kaitlyn! I was sure she would make a run for it, but you know what? She sat right down and my daughter now has pierced ears. They are adorable. And this morning, she was so excited to show her friends and I just had to take a picture. And we can't take a picture without including Jake, of course. Here are my two cuties. Who are growing up way too fast.



Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Summer Fun

What a summer this has been! We went on a whirlwind basketball trip, had amazing weather, had a super basketball camp here in Ketchikan, and just had some special visitors. Aunt Mindy and cousin Kaleb came to stay for a few days! It was so nice to see them, and the kids had so much fun together. They all had a "slumber party" every night and watched movies in Jake's room, who graciously slept on the air mattress on the floor. The kids start school in a week! Already! Kelly gets back from camp tomorrow for good, and he will be back to school Monday. It's been a wonderful summer, but I think the kids are ready to get back to school. Well, Kaitlyn is ready to wear her new fab clothes, and Jake is ready to tear up the basketball courts at recess anyway!






Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Beating the Heat

The kids and I went to the beach today. It was so hot! The kids swam from the time we got there until the time we left. Thank goodness for beaches and cooling off!




Thursday, July 9, 2009

My Little Grown Ups

Well, Jake is officially on his way to Wrangell for the All Star tournament. I really wanted to take some pictures of him leaving and getting on the ferry, but he was very worried I would embarrass him. So I took these before he left. Is it me, or are my kids looking way old????

Monday, July 6, 2009

Champions

Jake's team pulled out an amazing win this past Friday to win their league championship. He was so excited! Now on to the All Star tournament!