July photos

Our summer sure seemed to fly by - here are a few photos from July!

Fun at the Sand Lake Elementary playground. The ground covering is a rubber mulch and Boyd pretended to swim through it.

Getting ready to "feed" his turtle pillow breakfast.

Fun times downtown at Music in the Park. I think "Fiddle-dee-dee" was playing on this day.

I had to come in to work for a few hours on a Monday (usually my "Momday" with Boyd) so as per usual he took over my desk and charmed everyone in the office. He still asks to go to mama's office every once in a while.

I bought these hearing protection earmuffs even before Boyd was born, just in case we would need them for the boat or an airshow - but we've yet to use them. Mostly he likes to put them on randomly - they do make his little cheeks look even rounder!

Measuring up a box in the garage. D put Boyd's green lawn chair in there - and ta-da: instant fort.

At the end of July, it was time for to try our hand at dipnetting from shore. D's parents had camped at Centennial in Soldotna, so we were able to stay with them and they watched Boyd for us as we fished.

Dipnetting from shore in Kenai was an interesting experience. We started around low tide and the photos below were from when the tide came in - we were VERY far out and the water was right around my chest area. 

Glassing for moose on the highway, from the truck. 

The Troopers stopped by while D and I were fishing - the officer gave Boyd some awesome goodies!

Pyrah's U-Pick Farm

On Friday, August 8th, I took the day off to join my friend and her kids at the U-Pick farm in the Valley. Technically this farm is in the Butte, near the town of Palmer. Every week during the summer they open different fields for vegetable picking and charge by the pound. On this day we picked up peas, potatoes and broccoli.

We scheduled a hayride in the afternoon for us and the kids. Boyd requested horses but they pull these wagons with tractors.

Boyd eventually got into the picking process and really had a good time checking out the plants.

My friend, one of her kiddos and Boyd:

He held these peas for the whole drive home (45 minutes!)

Hay!

Russian River campground - June 2014

June was rough with a lot of sickness in our house. We rallied toward the end of the month and joined D's parents down on the Kenai and Russian Rivers for some much-needed family and fishing time!

June 26 was our 4th wedding anniversary! D and Boyd treated me to a great dinner at Cattle Company (plus a Moscow Mule). 

How to use a duck call

(photos from July 2014)

Calling in ducks is serious business. Here is our resident expert to demonstrate the correct technique.

1. Practice your duck-calling face.

2. Choose and familiarize yourself with the instrument.

3. Begin your calling.

4. Don't forget to blow from your diaphragm.

5. Go ahead, have fun with it.

6. Practice makes perfect.

7. Signal that you have finished. Have your mom get you applesauce and cookies after a job well done!

Randoms

Photos from the month of June...

A mama & Boyd day at the museum. Chomper the turtle in the background.

Playing at Hama's (grandma Ann's house).

A visit to the pet store.

I took Boyd to a playground next to a creek a few times in June. D was pretty sick so it helped if we were out of the house. 

Another playground visit, this time to a school a few miles away from our home. I hitched up the Chariot carrier to my bike and off we went!

Boyd and one of the little girls that Risha nanny's for. 

I laugh when I see this photo! Doesn't he look like a little gnome? 

Summer solstice

Summer Solstice is June 21st, so Boyd and I hit up the festival downtown. D was hit pretty hard by the flu - by that point I had sort of gotten over my bout with the flu and Boyd was soon to catch it too.

Boyd loved the fire truck! We must have walked around it 10 times, just admiring all of the gadgets and shiny things.

A very talented wood carver made this bird from a tree. And quickly too!

I would have loved to bring this carved fox home, but it was $500!

The placard on this bear statue says to rub its belly for good luck.