School is out and we've got even more going on. I used to think summer was "vacation" time and we'd get to relax and do whatever we want. I guess the kids are getting to do a lot they want and I get to drive all of them to their different activities. I guess compared to others, we're really not THAT busy.
Mallory is going to be working for 5 weeks with IBEW doing litter patrol. They hire 14 and 15 year olds to do this job as there really isn't much else they will let them do till their 16. Her shift begins in July.
Abby is attending a dance camp learning a bit about ballet, jazz and tap along with theater and is totally enjoying it! She wants to continue some how during the school year, along with swimming. We'll just have to see.
Su Bai got a job and is working at McDonalds. She is enjoying it a lot more than she thought. She may even continue to work a little part-time after the school year begins. After all, she's only got two years until college and it's time to start saving money!
Annie is learning to swim! Finally after all these years of being terrified of the water, we've gotten her used to it enough that she is excited to be in the water. She's excited to get through level 4 so she can join the swim team!
Ralph is busy working with the same everything. We've got another venture going on this summer with building a detached garage. We sold the shed we had out there in the yard and then learned there were a few snags we have to work out with zoning or something. Meanwhile, the garage we do have is filled with all the stuff we want to move to the new garage when it's built! I hope it happens soon because when the snow starts flying I want to put my car back in the garage!
Janet (that would be me) is taking some time every Thursday night to take a Digital Photo class at UAF. I have learned so much! Our first big excitement was to work with Depth of Field. I'll attach one of my favorites of my wild Iris plants. Other than all that, we've had some other adventures: We've traveled to Anchorage and visited the park I played at when I was just a little girl (the train pic shows the very train I climbed all over as a kid), visited the Turnagan Arms area, stopped at Byers Lake along the Parks Highway, and just yesterday hiked some of the Pinnell Trail only to walk into a thunder and lightening storm...so scary!!
Abigail did awesome at a swim meet yesterday! She swam in four events and here's how she did:
This has been Fairbanks by day! The grass is still green in spots! It looks as if our gorgeous Fall is coming to an end however as snow is expected tomorrow! We're actually kind of excited for the white stuff to fly but really have appreciated the extended Fall and warm days! Tomorrow we'll be ready to get the snowboards, skiis and sleds out!
This is the view that I have enjoyed the last week during the most beautiful Fall I can remember in Fairbanks! This picture doesn't do the sunrise justice, but it really is spectacular and it brings a sense of peace to the beginning of each day! Gotta love Alaska!
Today is Delaney and Daegon's last day with us...I am very sad to see them go. I love them madly and will miss them so much!
Mallory left early this morning for Bartlett High School in Anchorage. The weight lifters had to meet at WV High at 6am for weight lifting before boarding the bus and leaving at 7:30. They're safely there and will swim all day tomorrow. Good luck West Valley and safe travels back Sunday!
Okay...so this picture doesn't represent signs of spring by any means...but, it is March so we're thinking spring is bound to come eventually. We have had so much snow this year and I'm wondering how long it'll take to melt! This pic is of a cabin we camped at last month out on Chena Hot Springs Road. It wasn't heated so we had to get the wood stove going and it kept us warm and toasty all night long. It was so nice and relaxing as we had no phones, no TV and no distractions. We need to do this more often! 
