Summer in Unalakleet (Early June, Mid-Late July)

Although we were busy moving for a lot of June, we still got out for several short hikes and trips to the playground. Once we got back from our trip, we've been doing the normal UNK summer things: boating, BBQing, fishing, berry picking, jelly & jam making, canning other stuff, hiking with the dogs, and just spending time together as a family. The outdoor fun never gets old... the views are stunning, the land plentiful, and we love seeing the wildlife even when Jake's not hunting. =) We saw a cow and calf moose and several rabbits last time we took the dogs for a run up the hill. Jake always packs a gun with him when we go out, but knock on wood, we have yet to see any bear very close on our hikes. They're out and about though. While we were gone on vacation, one of our friends who lives outside of town here came downstairs at hearing some racket and found herself face-to-face with a grizzly inside her front door. Yikes!!!
Out for Hikes on Army Hill
Summer is so beautiful here; we're enjoying our time and praying that this next winter will not be as bad as the last one. We've told many of our friends here that, had our first winter been as ugly as this last one--or if we would not have moved in in early July to experience the gorgeous Unalakleet summer--we would not have signed on for a second year. We've acclimated and we love it here, but last winter's storms were ridiculous. God showed us the good stuff and made us fall in love with AK before he brought out the Mother Nature's big guns. =) Daniel with his black eye (from turning into our kitchen counter too fast)
Rainbow
Bodie and Molly, enjoying the hikes and the tundraMolly and Bodie are best buds now, and have a great time playing together, especially when we all go out for hikes. We take them far enough out of town that we just let them off their leashes, and they run crazy until they wear themselves out. They're still getting used to the new house, and we've had some trouble keeping them quiet at night with all the dog, foot, and ATV traffic that goes past their dog houses. As soon as our friend Shelley gets back to town and her dog Aurora isn't staying with us anymore, our two pups will sleep inside with us again. Bodie also went out in the boat with us last time, and had a great time... definitely a water dog!
Takin' care of business on the trail (Daniel has been accident-free since July 8!)

Out for walks (Deej is behind, pushing)

Janelle and Jonah

Jonah is always happy for bath time

Jonah is stil not crawling, but has no trouble getting where he wants to go, and is pulling up on everything and starting to cruise... perhaps he'll skip crawling all together. He's so BUSY and LOUD! -Notices everything. Opinionated, but also full of laughs, smiles, and giggles. He'll be 10 mo on the 2nd of August, and he's keeping us on our toes. =)

Jonah playing with his bald eagle

Happy Brothers --they have such fun together (most of the time)
Daniel took this picture of Sarah Palin with his babysitter, Darlene (after he played with the settings on his camera--can you tell?) She came to Unalakleet July 17 to sign an energy bill, and there was a potluck (including lots of king crab!) in the community center. When Daniel approached Sarah, she asked him if he wanted to get his picture taken with her. He replied, "No, I wan to take yours piture." =) If he hadn't set his camera to flash on the "fork and knife" (plating/food) setting it might have been a decent picture.

Jake bringing in his first fish of the year (a female humpy)

Hangin' out on the water

Jonah's first (non-Ferry) boat ride

Jake is still taking classes and working full-time, but spends all of his free time doing stuff with and for the family including great cooking; maintaining our truck, 4-wheeler, and boat; building a smokehouse and a garden storage shed... and of course being the most awesome husband and father ever like he usually is. =) Life is good.

Daniel wearing an ice cream mustache @ the community pick-up bbq

Deej on the twirly slide @ the playground

My good friends Nathan and Angie (Jonah's godparents) JUST had their first baby--a boy named Johnathan. Congratulations!!! We are so happy for you!

Hope all of you--whether we've been able to see you or not--have had a wonderful and memorable summer so far. You're in our thoughts, prayers, and hearts.