Alaska!

Each summer we try to make it to Alaska to spend a week with Roy's parents.  The kids LOVE it, and I hope it's tradition that we can keep!  One of the parts that the kids love about the trip is the plane ride...

Or I guess I should say plane rides.  

 They each got their turns helping to fly Grumps' plane:

Our first full day there, we hit the ground running.  Roy doesn't mess around when he goes to Alaska.  Here we are doing hike #1:

This picture makes me laugh.  Roy put Charlotte out on this rock (he was RIGHT nearby) for a picture.  She did not like it. Her face makes me laugh!

Roy has carried each child on his shoulders at this age on this same hike!

 After the big hike, we went fishing.  It was COLD on this day....

 We built a little fire where we were fishing and Roy Austin was trying so hard to make a torch.  He finally got one (with the help of oil).  He was thrilled:

 The boat ride back was cold and just....COLD.  She finally fell asleep, thank you Jesus.  We were all thankful.  A screaming, crying 2 year old on a cold boat ride is not fun...especially when you are already exhausted and tired.

 She was exhausted.  She didn't even wake up when I carried her into the house and she slept like this for a long while:

Hike #2!  Corey and Cissie and Grumps came along:

 One night, the kids went out fishing with Roy:

 We had lots of fires on the beach at night with S'mores:

And here is hike 3#!  Seriously, the scenery in Alaska is just gorgeous.  You cannot take it in with a picture or a description.  It's just beautiful:

My pretty girls in their Carharrts...an Alaskan must:

One morning, Grumps took us to see the Bears.  We always enjoy this excursion:

 It was a long ride back:

Aunt Cissie taught Caroline how to make friendship bracelets, her new hobby:

And we celebrated the 4th of July with jeans, coats, a rainy 50-something-degrees and a community picnic!

 We saw an eagle land each night on a tree outside of Nana's house:

 And we got in some more fishing on a secluded lake.  It was stunning, and Roy and I realized that kids don't understand the beauty of nature....it's impossible for them to grasp and appreciate!  One day, hopefully, they will:)

At this point, this little boy was more interested in getting a big stick and pretending he was a Ninja Turtle practicing his moves:

 My Alaska Man.  I love seeing him in Alaska.

 We had a great time visiting Nana and Grumps.  It was so relaxing and just so nice.

On the plane ride to Anchorage, he just couldn't take it.  The sound of the engine humming and the turbulence put him right out.  This is a good indication that fun was had on our vacation!