Alaska Airlines Picnic

I decided to take the kids to the annual Alaska Airlines Summer Picnic. It was a beautiful day out, a little windy but since it was so hot was nice to feel the breeze. The boys had such a good time. They had games, petting zoo, face painting, food, climbing wall, prizes and more!! It was nice to get together with some of the girls from work and chat. I don't' work too often and rarely with all of the girls, so it's nice to catch up. Thankfully, Mimi came along to help wrestle and chase kids!! We had a great time and were all sunned out ready for naps when we got to the car. Actually, Boden fell asleep riding the horse.....and it was only about a 30 second ride!! He was soo tired~ Bradyen and I both did the potato sack race. I did not win, but Brady was way out in front and then looked back and decided to wait for the rest of them......letting the girls win!! I'm not sure he even understood it was a race, he just wanted to be next to the other kids not in front! Thankfully they all got prizes!!

Miss Birchwood's Outstanding Teen, My Niece Krystina!!

My beautiful niece Krystina, who is the Miss Birchwood's Outstanding Teen 2009!! She was in the local Bear Paw parade wearing the gown that I pick out and bought for her!! Love it!! She's riding with one of the little princesses part of the Miss Alaska program.

She use to ride with me in the parades 8-9 years ago when I was competing!! I threw in a couple pictures so you can see how much she's changed!! I can't believe she is going to be 18 next month!!! Where has time gone!! I'm so incredibly proud of her!!

Bear Paw FUN!!!

It's Bear Paw time!!! What fun we had from riding the rides, eating good food, watching the parade, and playing games!! I've always loved the Chugiak/Eagle River community and here's one more reason why...The Bear Paw Festival!! A good time had by all and we were some of the first to enjoy it!! I made sure I was there as soon as it opened to avoid the crowds and lines! I'm always amazed at how much those silly rides cost, but I suppose it only happens twice a year, so I give in and let them do a few, plus a few games that I know they'll never win anything more than a silly stuffed animal, but it's the memories that count right??

Crazy Blogging Lady!!

Ok, so I know you guys are getting a mass amount of blogs all at once, but with weather like we've had this summer the last thing I want to do is be inside on the computer!! And my usual late night computer time has been sleeping time....the sun wears you out, especially with two ACTIVE little boys!!

Wanted to show some love, so here is the boys lovin on each other and posing perfect for pictures I might add!!

Daddy has been a source of relief for Mommy this summer.....the boys are estactic when Corey comes home and so is mom, for so many reasons then they know!! haha Brayden is so incredibly proud of his "best buddy" and wants to be exactly like him. As I type, he is asleep in his bed with nothing but undies on, JUST LIKE HIS DAD!! I tried to explain that he needs his jammies to keep him warm, but he doesn't care. Anything to be like his daddy! On weekends, Brayden always makes sure Corey has the same color shirt that he has on. One time he snuck into his room to change his clothes and came out with a white t-shirt and jeans on, exactly what Corey had on!! I love it!!

Boating with Daddy

This summer has been so ridiculously warm, that we've done just about everything from hiking to boating!! The boys absolutely LOVE Daddy's new boat and I do too with the padded seats!! We took the boat out to Maud Lake and brought lunch and snacks for the boys. This lake is one of my all time favorite places to take the boat, because there are these really neat canals that you wind back and forth to get out to the lakes. You are almost guarenteed to see moose back there and usually right next to you in the water!! Today we saw 8 moose, 3 of which were babies!!! The kids were so excited, it almost became a game to spot the next moose!! I love Alaska and sun like this!!

Church and Boden

Lately, when we head to church...Bodey starts to get this whimper about time we pull into the street of our church. I didn't correlate it at first, but now I realize he hates to be left at church. He's been in the baby room for the past year, so is usually bored out of his mind. I just realized he could move up to the toddler room where there are lots more toys, slides, and BALLS!! The last few Sunday's I've helped out since they were short and he acted as if I wasn't even there...so I'm hoping next Sunday he plays and is excited to go much like his brother Brayden!! Brayden tried to console him, but he wasn't having any of it.....I think he was hoping I'd feel sorry and keep him with me!! They have to learn sometime right??

Time to catch up!! Starting with the 4th of July!!

The 4th of July is a very important holiday in our household.....we celebrate our country's freedom everyday, but the 4th is a special day to remember what this country was founded on...Faith, Family, and Patriatism!!

This year we headed to my parent's annual 4th of July bar-b-que and the Chugiak 4th of July parade (which I've watched since we first moved up). Brayden loves parades and made sure to have a "special" bag ready for his treats!!

We stopped at the park before the parade started.....it was a hot day, so sitting in the sun for an hour waiting for the parade did not seem as fun as playing on the playground!! Bodey has gotten soo independent and insists on following Brayden wherever he goes, even if it's too big for him!! Thank goodness for Mimi to help me play "catch" when and if he ever fell!!






And of course we all have to dress the part, including Grandma!! We are proud to be Americans and proud of our country!! The parade was great and the kids made out like bandits thanks to the "Candy Cash Cow (aka Rural Discount Center)".....I totally teared up when a float with some Marines that had just returned from duty went by......I'm a sucker for soldiers and what they do for us!!! Remember to thank a soldier tomorrow!