Hello, Alaskan Summer!

Sometimes the summers are down-right poopy in Alaska.

The past few weeks have been a little rainy and cold, but after so much sunshine and warmth this spring (and after wildfires on the Kenai peninsula burned 200,000 acres last month), the rain really was needed.  Overall, we have still had a pretty great 3 summers in a row since moving here, and I LOVE summers in Alaska! 

Yesterday we had a family picnic dinner up at the base of Lazy Mountain overlooking the valley.

It was gorgeous. 

Garrett was able to accompany the Young Men in our church on a boating/camping trip a few weeks ago on the Prince Willam Sound.  

Also gorgeous.

They had a blast and caught some halibut and jumbo shrimp.

That halibut made one of the best meals I've ever had in my life, by the way.  Nothing compares to freshly-caught Alaskan seafood.

During the sunny days the girls love going to Grandma's house and jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler under it.

(Of course we never remember to bring their swimsuits, so they end up being nakey)

A few hot Saturday afternoons have called for daddy/daughter trips to go get ice cream cones. 

We love seeing the moose out and about (especially the little calves).

The view out of our front door is pretty spectacular. 

And on days when it was been rainy/cold, we enjoy inviting friends over, popping popcorn, and watching a movie in our "Harry Potter closet".  

And I never mind having extra down-time inside to mug on this precious face:

Of course it's no hot summer on the beach, but we enjoy making the most of the beautiful valley we live in and squeezing every ounce of fun out of the summer months as we can.