Alaska

Kate and I (with G-ma & G-pa) flew up to Alaska to visit Brent, Amber and Darin, and their new baby Alison! We had such a good time, and it was so beautiful there. Even though it was overcast almost the whole time I was there, the weather was just right. Darin taught Kate how to jump in puddles, and she couldn't get enough of it. (now, back home, she jumps on patches of dirt or mud. We haven't had a lot of puddles this summer :) )

I loved everything about Juneau. It is much smaller than I had imagined, just narrow rows of homes between the coast and the gorgeous mountains. You have to fly or take a ferry to leave, but luckily there is plenty to do. There are hiking trails all over the place, just minutes away. I loved it! (another thing I can't find much of at home) The people there are very down to earth and love being outside. I finally felt like I was in style, because there isn't one - an "in" style, that is. Amber told me that the people there don't care so much about appearances, but more aobut what is inside a person. Everyone jogs, walks or cycles, not because they are trying to fit into a swimsuit, but because they just want to be healthy. It was very refreshing!

Below are some of the pictures of our adventures.

On Sunday morning we arrived at church to see this little guy waiting for us! He looked so cute and friendly, it was hard to fight the temptation to go pet him. So I just reminded myself that he would probably chew my arm off, and that helped.

Baby Alison loves her new dress!

This is Mendenhall Glacier. It is enormous and beautiful. The picture doesn't show it well, but it almost shines bright blue. Kate and Darin mostly wanted to throw rocks at the "bodacious glacier."

This iceberg shows the blue glow really well.

Brent and Amber's new place is really cute. They were so nice to let all of us stay with them after they just had a new baby!

Uncle Brent is fun!

Mysophobia Support Group

Every week, Mike gets together with his mysophobic friends. They discuss their fear of dirt and germs, and come up with plans to eventually sanitize the entire world.
(ok actually this is where Mike works. It's a clean room)

It's a Human!!!

That's right, I had my midpoint ultrasound this week and the little life growing in my belly is definitely humanoid. Further scrutiny caused my physician to declare, with only slight uncertainty, that I am growing a human of the female persuasion! Yipee! Kate gets to have the sister I never had! They are going to be best friends, I'm sure of it. Because we all know that girls don't fight (sugar and spice and everything nice, etc). Judging by the way Kate carries around her baby doll (often upside down), she will be a very attentive big sister. She will also likely give her new sister lessons in basic anatomy, pointing out facial features (especially eyes) with gusto.

Mony Mony Ride That Pony

Monique came to visit again! She is such a good friend! We had a good time in the heat (didn't want her to be missing AZ), went to a musical up in the mountains, and, following tradition, set her up on a blind date :) It was really fun! I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get her to move here.

Thanks for coming Moniech!

Bye Rian!

Rian moved! She felt that natural pull we all feel to beautiful Idaho Falls. But before she left, Rian, Melissa and I got together to mourn her loss at Red Robin. We are all 3 pregnant and due right in a row! (this luncheon was also celebrating Melissa's first solid meal in several months)
I was hoping Kate and Berkley would entertain each other during lunch, but their interaction consisted of Kate scooting ever closer to Berkley, touching her, or just staring at her, and Berkley edging away in obvious discomfort. I think Kate is going to be really good at making friends.

The Mother Zucchini Has Landed

While we were moving, I kind of neglected my garden and everything got really huge! (especially the weeds)
I have Kate carry a large squash around throughout the day to build up her endurance. This way she will soon be strong enough to help me with chores around the house, like bringing in groceries and mowing the lawn.

Kate loves her Bright Music. There are songs about bubbles and marching and animals, it's great. Her favorite one is called "See Me Run" during which she runs around in circles.

We run around in circles a lot.

Mike's Birthday!

We had a picnic in the park for Mike's birthday. Mike didn't know anyone else would be there, and as we walked over to the tables he kept noticing people he knew....
"Hey, look at that, Laura and Ryan are here. And I think that's Scott and Jaime over there. That's weird... wait a minute..."
So it was hard to turn the lights out in the park so everyone could appropriately yell SURPRISE! , but Mike was still surprised to see some of his buddies there :)
We had a really good time, and got to talk to Emily on the phone during the party because she had her little boy Drew! So now Drew and his uncle Mike share birthdays!

Kate and Luke liked to steal other people's food and drinks while we were busy gabbing. Luke was SO cute with Kate. He showed her how to roll down hills and would hold her hand or put his arm around her everywhere they went.

In case you were wondering where Mike was in the first picture.
Are we surprised?