Kodiak, AK

We got to have a wonderful trip to Kodiak! We took the kids up on Monday and then J and I were supposed to leave Fri for an anniversary trip and the kids would come down with Granny and Papa the following Wed but J and I got fogged in so our weekend trip had to get cancelled but we saw some amazing sites, enjoyed some beautiful weather and still got a couple days on the end at home when we didn't have kids with us. It was such a great trip.

I took this at 10:30 at night to show some of my friends what it looks like at night.

Travel day! They do such a nice job traveling it is awesome!

We arrived and went on a little hike. The next day we walked out to Buskin beach and enjoyed the sun and water

This is the beach sand, it is amazing, so soft. And crazy that one area has rocky beach all over and the next has completely sandy one.

We definitely felt like we were on an island in the Pacific (just a bit more south than we actually were)

Paddle board!

Bath time

The next day Papa treated Jeremy, Granny and me to a flight-seeing trip. It was amazing to see the island from the air and land on an alpine lake, wander for a bit and then continue on. We saw goats, bear and deer, glaciers and such amazing scenery it was incredible. Thanks G and P for a wonderful anniversary present.

You can see the shadow of our plane at the very bottom of this pic.

So amazing I can't even describe it!

The sea lion pile! We saw a couple sea lions trying to join the heap and kept getting pushed back into the water. It was pretty funny.

Fishing and boat time

And even just a little catching!

Then the kids got to be in not one 4th of July parade but 2! They rode in Dr. Dave's really old car in the town parade and rode in a decorated boat in the Chiniak parade. Quite a fun day celebrating the 4th.

Picture through the window while driving home. The girls and Papa in the front, J and me in the back.

When the fog rolled in we went to Abercrombie and did a little more hiking and beaching

We got to see Granny in her bells performance

Then we hit an awesome farmer's market with pony rides and goat petting and all sorts of fun activities.

We had such a great trip in AK!

Visit with the Korstanges

We enjoyed an awesome week hosting our friends from Tennessee. We met Amy and Ryan when Amy and I were RDs at WWU back in '04-'05. We only worked together one year but have stayed in touch (particularly Ryan and Jeremy who will talk to each other probably at least once a month). Ryan had a conference in our neck of the woods so the whole family came out a week before and we got to enjoy a fun filled week of outings and adventures. Jaydon and Lucy are similar ages to their younger to Collins and Alyn and Katy Jane (their oldest) was great at playing and taking care of Kate. It was pretty amazing how quickly our kiddos built up a solid friendship and we made it through the week with no fighting that I can remember.

Some at home play time

The boys would read each other stories each night before bed

Visiting our WWU roots! Introducing the kids to the Red Square Fountain

Taking pics on the Old Main lawn (the Korstanges were better jumpers than the Smoldons for this photo op)

Taking the ferry out to Orcas Island

We made it up to the Mt. Constitution look out with barely enough time to run out get a few pics and drive back down the mt. before it was closed by the ranger. Gorgeous views and at some point I will need to actually get the pics Jeremy took because they are way better than mine.

We went on a fairly strenuous hike up Turtle Mt (I think was the name) but it had a great view and the kids did pretty well.

On our way home from Orcas we swung by Deception Pass and enjoyed some amazing views.

Walking the bridge is a little scary

Heading down to the beach at the pass

Jeremy and Katy Jane collected these little guys from the beach

The next day we went to Ebey State Park on Whidbey Island

More hiking and beach time...seriously gorgeous!

Our last night together all the kids enjoyed story time together

And of course it wouldn't be a complete vacation without a game of Settlers thrown in.

All of the junior ranger booklets the Smoldon kids did during the week (the Korstange kids had a few extras too)!

It was a pretty idyllic week (minus the plumbing problems at our house). We are certainly planning to not wait 13 years to get together again.