Fairbanks in July

Hello Family! 

A great big congratulations to Brian, Mel and crew for his new job and their big move to North Carolina! Was hoping for something a bit more westerly, but I am happy for them none-the-less!!

Emily attended the UAF volleyball camp and had a GREAT time. Each day they selected a "camper of the day" based on sportsmanship, teamwork, enthusiasm and effort. There were 40 girls in the camp and she was chosen on the third day. Super excited!  She is now in a tennis camp - less thrilling, but good exercise and a way to make new friends.

We went camping at Tangle Lakes last weekend...

here are Kendra, Emily, Kara, Cole and Caleb

Cooper and Ringo, too!

The next day was too good to pass up so Emily, Laura, Morgan and I headed out to Chena Lakes. The girls have climbed up on a huge tree stump that drifted into the swimming area.

Stormy turns 9. Her birthday gift was a catnip refill in this little stuffed mouse. 

She played with it so much she exhausted herself out :)

Another beautiful day called for a float trip on the Chena River.

Emily and Morgan pose.

So, this is a foot bridge over the river near Pioneer Park. 

It is a popular jumping off spot.

As we approached the bridge (during our float) 

we watched a couple of dare-devils leaping off into the river.

The girls, of course, wanted to try.

Laura and I sporting the YOLO attitude said "Why not? Go for it"

They did and then SO DID WE... IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!

This is a picture of Em and Morgan climbing over...

This is Emily in mid-jump!

We have video of the girls and the moms jumping, but they are not cooperating for this blog :(

There was lots of screaming!

Finally, nature in action... 6 baby ptarmigan walking along the neighborhood street.

We are loving our weather and time with good friends. 

Missing you all so much!

Lots of love,

Kristy, Caleb and Emily

Hello Everyone! Hope this finds you well :)

My dearest sister asked that I not be such a slacker with my blogging...

We are a good looking group, are we not?!?!

A friend of mine did this fish tail for Emily.

We will have to try it again, it looks great.

Emily decorates for her brother's bday!

Emily at glo-putt

Her first attempt at tye-dying by herself.

Happy 15th birthday, Caleb!!

Ok, so Misty asked for updated pictures of the apartment...

here they are - Home Sweet Home...

My room

Emily's room

Girls bathroom

Em's first closet (clothes and photo albums)

Em's second closet has all of her stuffed animals and winter coats.

Living room

I call this the "office"

It's really the dining room, but no table yet.

Kitchen from front door

kitchen view from hall (across from my room)

Caleb's room

Storage area down the hall

Caleb/guest bath

Entry room (that door leads to the deck)

Entry again (that door leads to the front)

and Cooper :)

The deck

Ok, that's it.

Upcoming events: 

Emily has Volleyball camp next week and she is really excited about it. We've been practicing outside in the church's grassy areas. Two days ago the pastor came over and asked if we wanted a real net set up? Of course we did!! He had one sitting around getting rusty, he said! So, he brought it over and now we can play a little more realistically :)

Tennis camp is in two weeks for Em as well.

Caleb has hockey tryouts on the 1st, 5th and 6th of August. This is for the highest performance level team in Fairbanks, and the first shot Caleb has of NOT making the team. We will keep our fingers crossed. It is very expensive, so not making it will be ok by me!!!!!!

I go back to school in a month - GAG!! :)

Love you all!

Great news!  Emily and I are both reunited with our phones!  We found hers in her dance make-up bag and mine was found by a good samaritan on Chena Hot Springs Road... a little beat up, but works just fine!  Yippee!! :)

Hopefully these photos will catch us up to date :)

Emily's 13th birthday party at the ice rink - again!

Dinner with her best bud, Morgan

Kara bought her cool new shoes, she has the same pair so they can be twins.

Ballet rehearsal

Caleb in San Jose for Selects

Caleb and Dylan in Santa Cruz after Selects

Mother's Day cool pop-up cards

First day at the beach - it was a little icy

First float on the Chena - beautiful day. The river was super high and fast!

Our third attempt at Chena Lakes was a SUCCESS! 

Emily, Samarah and Katie with their teacher Ms. Aminta.

She moved to Colorado after the show :(

Lots of tears

Our favorite two lost boys: Omar and Sarah

My students singing at the Relay For Life Luminaria Ceremony.

That was amazing :)

2nd float down the Chena.

Yes the water is very cold, but we love it :)

My view from the back of the Midnight Sun Run.

I was late, so I got this rear picture. 

I've never been in the back before - kinda cool to see all those people.

Emily dancing at the outdoor show during the Solstice Festival.

Summer has been super hot so far - very unusual for us, but I am not complaining one bit!

See you all in a few days.

I can't wait for Myrtle Beach!

Love, Hugs and Kisses

Dear Family,

Two days ago, whilst camping, I lost my phone :(

I had not saved any recent pictures to my computer, so they, too, are also lost :( :(

I did, however, find my old cracked iphone 3 from way back and got it to function for me :)

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the phone turns up magically somehow.

Lesson learned... Do not put your life in your phone.

Second lesson learned... Don't lose your phone!

I am SOOOOOOO excited about Myrtle Beach and can't wait to see you all!!!!!

Love, hugs and kisses,

Kristy

New Apartment... New Beginnings...

Here are some pictures of my new apartment. The outside is pretty awful, but the inside is roomy and functional. It is approximately one mile from the house and closer to the high school.

One of the bedrooms.

I will use this one.

Emily is taking the master! :)

 This is the laundry area and hot water heater

 This is the other regular bedroom for Caleb

 This room is strange... it is in between the master bedroom and the hallway. It also has a door out to a smaller, second deck. I will fill it with all my storage :)

Emily's room - it has two closets and a bathroom.

A girl needs her space :)

This is Emily's bathroom, but she has to share with mom!

 This is the second bathroom. 

The one Caleb will use and guests, I suppose, If we have any!!!

 Kitchen - lots of cabinets

and, yes, orange walls!!

I'm going with "sunset" :)

 Living room and access to Emily's room

 Dining room, access to kitchen and hallway to other bedrooms.

 Throughway to the kitchen

I love this room. You walk into this room first. It's like a large sunroom or arctic entry, perfect for shoes, coats and sports equipment!!

I'm taking the picture from the door to the outside.

The door to the house is to the left

and straight ahead is the door to a really nice deck (that I don't have a picture of)

The deck looks out across the parking lot of 2 churches, which may not be fabulous to some, but it means no people or cars for 6 days out of the week - nice!

I send more later...

Hope you are are well.

Love you bunches!