Mom, will you do my hair?

This morning while he was getting ready for school, Taylor asked me to do his hair.
He wanted it all spiked up. This is a first, I think ever in his life-- most certainly during school-- that he has wanted his hair done.
He looked so handsome , I had to take some pictures.
Taylor seems to be growing up so quickly.

Off to catch the school bus.

Trace's New Suit

A few weeks ago, Trace took his wetsuit and other kiting gear out of his truck (because Shannon was using it that day and he was hoping to go kitesurfing that afternoon) and put it in the back of my truck. He took off to head into town but was back home fairly soon with bad news. His wetsuit had flown out of the back of the truck while he was driving and was gone. He looked all along the road way for it, called it in to the police, and went on the radio flea market program asking if anyone had found it. No luck, that night he ordered a new wetsuit. ( I not so secretly think he purposely put his wet suit in a unsecured location . . . the loss was quite mysterious. . . ) The company shipped it by barge (no joke) and it finally arrived yesterday. Trace was soooo happy! He loves his new suit and is anxious to get on the water.

Shannon's Haircut

Shannon got her haircut--short. I think it is cute.
More pictures to come when she dyes it (she is going dark again.)

First Day of School

2nd Grade
Today is the first day of school! Taylor is in second grade at Paul Banks Elementary.
His teacher is Mrs. Martin.
He was excited and nervous about school. Taylor got up on his own and got dressed
(I didn't make him change even though his pants and sweatshirt did
not go together--good job mom!)

Taylor is looking cool.
(Taylor choose this sweatshirt on his own)

(Okay mom, I'm ready for you to leave now.)

One of Taylors friends from last year.
He was there before us and saved Taylor the desk next to him. (Good luck Mrs. Martin)

Phelps Phever

Taylor has "Phelps Phever." We have joined the rest of the nation in awe struck appreciation of his athletic ability, but Taylor has developed a great hero worship for Michael Phelps. The other day at his cousins birthday party at the swimming pool he did a front flip off the diving board because he was Phelps and was playing Olympics. He watched as many of his events as he could and even watched the interviews after the events. Go USA!

Ninilchick Fair

On Saturday, despite the rainy weather we made a trek to the fair in Ninilchick.
The rain stopped by the time we got there but it was muddy everywhere--which Tanner LOVED. He splashed in many puddles. His second favorite thing was all of the animals.
He called the goats dogs, and pet a cows nose and several horses. He didn't stay in one place very long so it was hard to get pictures. He didn't seem to care about cotton candy but did enjoy some of my funnel cake and let his balloon fly away(which he thought was funny). We brought the stroller but that ended up being a waste because Tanner freaked out every time we tried to put him in it. He walked all over the fair grounds for almost 5 hours and then fell fast asleep as soon as we got back in the car.
Overall, I think he had fun at his first fair.
Taylor is a little more seasoned when it comes to fairs. He liked the animals okay, and played a little mini golf getting two holes in one (WOW). He spent quite a bit of time watching the rodeo with Gma Pat and Popo. He loved the bull riding. He had cotton candy and pizza and funnel cake and some kettle corn that grandma shared with him (I eat my way through a fair too:P)
But his favorite by far was the rock climbing wall. He did it a couple time and made it all the way to the top. Way to go Taylor.

Quote of the Day

We were driving home after picking up Shannon from work and the conversation went as follows . . .
Taylor: Mom, would a squirrel jump on my face and eat my nose?
Me: Umm, I don't think so Taylor.
Taylor: Good, 'cause I need mine to pick.

Nature Walk

I promised Taylor that on a nice day this summer we would go up to the Nature Center (where Shannon works) and take a walk and since the weather was so nice . . .
Hike day!
Before we even got to the cabin we were greeted by this little squirrel
--sitting right on the walkway eating a spruce cone.

Taylor and Tanner sitting on a bench on the trail at the beginning of our nature walk.
We didn't take the guided tour but since Taylor has been up there for BioKids he was our fearless leader.
And where does a 7 year old boy lead you . . .

To the BOG!

Taylor explored up close while Tanner and I rested on the platform.

After leaving the bog, Tanner decided he was done walking (of course)
so I had to piggy back him the rest of the time.
We had lots of fun looking out for bears and other wildlife.
Taylor is very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna
(at least he sounded like he knew stuff) and was a great guide.
Still smiling at the end of our walk.

Happy Birthday Gma Pat

On Sunday we were able to wish a very special woman Happy Birthday.
I don't know how old Grandma Pat is, but we send her warm wishes and hope
to celebrate many, many more birthdays with her. She
has touched our lives by loving us, feeding us, and teaching us valuable lessons through her
loving example.
We love you Gma Pat--
Happy Birthday!!!

The Playground

The weather has been absolutely beautiful lately (60 degrees) so we went the the playground at the elementary school to play . Coming down. Tanner LOVES slides!

And going back up for some more.

They don't call them monkey bars for nothing.

Complete with a picnic lunch. What a great day!

The Fishing Hole

Summer time in Alaska is not complete without spending some time down at the Fishing Hole
trying to catch some salmon.
The Silvers were in so Wednesday I took the kids down to go fishing.
Taylor and Marissa

Marissa
Taylor--fishin'

After a while of playing on the shore and throwing rocks,
Tanner wanted a turn so Trace helped him fish.
He was very cute reeling in the line.
Before he started fishing, Tanner threw our extra bobbers into the Hole.
He thought they were balls--
that kid has an arm and we were not able to save them.

Without much success fishing Tayor handed his pole over to Dad and decided to explore the shore line looking for creatures.

He found a couple of sea urchins . . .

The catch of the day was this little crab.

Go GoCart Go

On Monday, we took a little jaunt up to Soldotna. We saw Cristie and the girls (but I forgot to take pictures), did a little shopping (Taylor got shoes for school) and . . .
rode the Go Carts!!
Taylor wasn't quite tall enough to drive by himself so Shannon went with him first
(I had Tanner).

Shannon and Taylor ready to go.
Weee . . . This is fun!

Next I got in with Taylor, he got to steer and I controlled the gas/brake.
Taylor kept telling me to go faster. By the time we had gone around the course twice Tanner was completely freaked out so . . .

I got out and Shannon got in.
Taylor said she was better to drive with because Shannon would got fast
(that is what cool aunts are for).

Taylor and Shannon after the ride.
I have a feeling we'll be doing that again soon.
(We really missed having Trace with us--he had to work)

Old Friends/New Friends

Trace's childhood friend Sanford came up from Utah to visit.
They tried to pack as much as possible into one week--
a quick trip to Seward, fishing for Reds in Port Graham, 4 wheeling, Surfing/Kite Surfing, and a softball tournament (actually Trace played and Sanford and I watched.)
Sanford needed to go home to get a vacation from his vacation.
Out to eat at Cafe Cups. Yum!

Sanford and Trace pose outside the famous Salty Dawg.

4 Wheeling

The "big" boys went 4 wheeling to the head of the bay. Taylor loved being included and had a GREAT time. Dad even let him drive a little.

"Are we really going down that?"
Trace and Taylor check out the hill.

This is the life
(notice the bear tracks in the mud behind him?)

Trace, Taylor and Sanford

Beautiful scenery

"BIG" fish story

Trace and Sanford went to Port Graham (across the bay) to do a little fishing.
They had a great time.