Nate Backpacked Crow Pass, 26 miles!

Where's Nate?

Nate is loving Alaska, he went on an amazing 26 mile camp out with the scouts in our ward. The hiked Crow pass. They start in a town called Girdwood and then hike through Crow Pass back to Eagle River. They camped two nights, crossed snow fields, a river at the bottom of the glacier, FREEZING, and made it! Everyone was in charge of their on meals, tents, and gear. The boys divided a tent between them. They all had a great time. Nate is planning to do the hike again with a couple leaders and boys next weekend, this time they will do the entire hike in a day.

Well We are winding up our wonderful Alaskan summer. We went on our ward camp out and fish fry. Wow! It was delicious. The kids had a great time with their friends and we had a great time with our friends. There was singing around the campfire and a wonderful breakfast. I wish I could claim that I stayed the night with Nate and the boys, but I wimped out and took Hank home to sleep and we woke up early and went to have breakfast. It was great as well. Nate helped make pancakes and cook breakfast. We had a wonderful time.

Last night we went and hiked Baldie as a family for FHE. Nate asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this, "You know it is straight up?" I told him ya it will be fun. I thought maybe the last part would be straight up but no, the entire way is pretty much straight up. You are almost using your hands and feet it is that steep. Braxton was amazing he did the hole thing without complaining. Luke rode on Nate's back for half the mountain and then for the steepest part he wanted to do it himself. He Smoked us! Next time he can do the whole thing himself. He was running and didn't want to stop once we got to the top. It was a beautiful view and well worth it. We had such a good time being together as a family accomplishing something that was hard to do. I am so proud of my tough boys!

Our Sweet Baby!

Hank is such a good baby. We are so blessed!

He is getting to be more fun each day.

He actually has his two lower front teeth. We knew his teeth were coming in sometime only because his gums were getting larger and then one day I decided to feel and there they were. No fevers, or crankiness. Hooray!

A Warning to all Children!

Be careful of what you ask for. You just might get it!

I pulled out some whipping cream that I had made and knew we weren't going to finish; so I was throwing it out. But not before I took a nice big finger full and ate it. Braxton and Nate asked what it was. Brax to a bite and asked what we were having to eat. I said,"What do you want?"

He said,"Whipping cream, whipping cream!"

So while he and Nate were in the fridge looking at what we had to eat. I made a nice big plate of whipping cream for Braxton and when they closed the fridge I gave it to him:)

He is just like his mom though. He retaliated very quickly and effectively. I had it all over myself.

Hiking anyone?

Luke and Nate went on a hike to a place they call "Baldie" (because there are no tree's)

They went with our friend and Nate's new boss Jeff Shaw and his daughter Sidney "Sid" as Luke calls her.

It was a very steep hike and Luke was a little nervous. He had never been in a hiking pack before. He did great and was very brave.

Luke is enjoying the view of Eagle River and the Cook Inlet.

The boys and I go with a kids hiking group almost every Tuesday. This week was beautiful and over cast. It was Hank's first time in the hiking backpack. He did great and had a little nap after snack time. Luke was not in the mood for pictures. As you can see the boys were prepared for any bears that might come our way. Luckily none yet:)

Before and After

Hooray! After weeks of working it is starting to pay off. We are so excited to have a yard. We are almost ready to cut the grass for the first time and then the kids can play on it. The boys were such great helpers. We began the project on Nate's b-day, happy birthday honey. We shared birthday cake with some of our neighbors who helped clear out 2 tons of trees.

We are so excited for Luke. We went to the track and decided to take off Lukes training wheels and see how he did. This is him after about 10 minutes. After this he proceeded to ride all the way around the track by himself, starting and stopping without help and only one small fall. Way to go Luke!