Happy Summer!!

It is amazing how fast time flies. It doesn’t feel like 3 weeks have past since I last wrote. We have been pretty busy with traveling, company and planning picnics. We had an awesome time in Valdez, once we got there. Our Excursion didn’t feel like making the trip. We got 50 miles from home and it started leaking oil everywhere. Thank goodness we had Jaramiah with us. We got it towed back to our house. Dennis came with Matt’s truck so we could tow the trailer back. Then Matt, Jaramiah and Dennis went to the Ford dealer to see if they could get the part that broke. An O-ring on the high-pressure oil pump. They don’t sell just the o-ring, you have to buy the whole pump…$650. Ouch. So being the handy guys they are, they found an alternative. Got an o-ring installed and we were on the road again. The guys (minus Ryan) were scheduled for a halibut charter at 6:30am and the girls (plus Ryan) were going on a Glacier cruise. We made it down to Valdez about 4:30AM got the camper set up so the glacier crew could get some sleep. We had a great day out on the water. Saw a mama and baby humpback whale, a few rafts of sea otters, and a couple clans of sea lions. About 10 bald eagles flying or sitting watch in the trees on the shore. We didn’t get to get as close to the Columbia Glacier due to the ice moraine. It was still an amazing sight. The guys made it back to camp before we did. Had a little fire, made some chicken and enjoyed watching the sea otters play in the Prince William Sound. Check out some other pictures from our trip.

Friday was overcast and chilly all day. Tim, Alan, Matt and I went to the Valdez museum while Michele and the kids took naps. Then we ordered pizza and went to a common area at the hotel and chatted for a while. It was nice to just be.
Saturday we headed home and wouldn’t you know, at the top of Thompson pass, the truck broke again. We were prepared though. We had our mechanic, about 100 more o-rings and all the tools to fix it. We got to see the glacier up close for about an hour. Jumped in the truck and headed home again. The truck has an appointment next week. The oil pump should be under warranty still.

The Hunter crew arrived on Sunday. We enjoyed some of the 160lbs of Halibut they caught. It was yummy. We got Kyle packed up for The Alaska Catholic Youth Conference. He was down in Anchorage for the week and on the way back went white water rafting in Denali. He had an excellent time. However he got home Friday and had to leave for Football camp on Sunday Morning. He made the trip down to Anchorage again, this time came back bruised and sore. He had a great time again and learned that he isn’t the big fish in the sea right now. I think he will enjoy Football this year. It should be fun watching him. He’s had a busy summer so far. It’s good to have him home again. Andie even thinks so. She had a great time with Aunt Shelly and Amanda. I think she enjoyed being the oldest with the little ones. She has started singing in the Church Choir and doing stuff with the youth group from church. She has been spending time with her best friend, who is moving to Utah in July. She is also making new friends. Check out her new Do. I think it is adorable!


Ryan had a really great time with Amanda. He even asked if she could stay here with us. His summer has been pretty normal. He got to take a few days off of school while our company was here. At least twice a week he asks when Kindergarten starts. We have the countdown going.
We are looking forward to our next visitors in July. We have plans to go down to anchorage, Seward and Birch Lake. It funny how we only see Alaska when company comes.
Matt has been working on the boat and has even had it in the water a few times. He’s also been working on the Yard. Or should I say Jaramiah has been working on the yard. We realize now that permafrost melts when it is exposed.
And black spruce trees have very shallow roots. We are having fun and I can picture the end results. We aren’t going to start anymore projects until Matt gets home next year! Check out some more remodel pictures here.
I survived another planning of the company picnic. Met some of the people from Washington. I am definitely psyched about going to Seattle in August. And going to Utah to see the newest addition to the Warehouse.
Well, you are probably tired of reading by now. Which really means I need to write each week. Our summer seems to be filled with running from here to there. The kids are having a great time. I look forward to your comments. Have a great week and God Bless.