Happy Birthday, Daniel!

We started celebrating Daniel's birthday about a week ago! He turned 3 today.

At the beach with Papa and Grandma V

Birthday breakfast. I know, it doesn't look like much.

When asked what kind of cake he wanted, Daniel said he wanted a chocolate triangle. Feeling relieved that he hadn't asked for something difficult like Lightning McQueen or a dinosaur, I prepared myself to make the easiest birthday cake ever....a triangle!!! As you can see from this picture, it turned out to be a pathetic mound of sugar that didn't even begin to resemble a triangle! So, logically, I put fruit snacks and jelly beans on it. I know, it doesn't seem like a solution to a flopped triangle cake, but it worked great. He loved it.

Party with Gramps and Gram at the beach.

Whitning MaTween pinata

Party with Ethan, Caleb, and Anelise. Since it involved candy and some of his favorite boys, Daniel loved it!

Camping

We went camping at Gram and Gramp's "beach house" this past week. Here's Nathan and buddy Addison hanging out by the cornhole stadium.

Peter didn't want to take a nap in the camper...especially after he peeked out and saw us sitting outside.

Don't think it's all just play time, either. There's a lot of work that goes on around a beach hole construction site.

These boys enjoy snacks. Peter is filled with pride and delight at his acquisition of a veggie chip.

Our New House

Several people have asked to see pictures our new house. We're keeping it under wraps so that you'll have to come visit us to satisfy your curiosity. I will give you these teaser pictures to make that visit irresistible.

It has a bathtub.

It has a big back yard with our two insta-gardens, thanks to Uncle Tim and Papa V.

It has our beds.

What's not to like?
Come visit us!

More Alaska

Day 1

Wake up at 5:30 due to time change.

Hiking by 6:30

Boat trip from Seward to go whale watching

Day 2

Fishing in Seward

Exit Glacier

Dinner and our lovely RV

Day 3

Ever traveled in an RV before? Fridge is right over there.

Homer. Where it is cold and windy. And there are lots of good skipping stones.

Turn your head sideways. I'm too lazy to fix this.

Turn your head straight again. Overlooking Homer.

Day 4

Denali

Bears

Alaska!

We're back from a 10 day trip to Alaska!
Alaska is so beautiful and magnificent.

I can't find any words in the dictionary that adequately describe the place.

Kurt and Trisha

My sister, Trisha, and her husband, Kurt, served as our trip planner, tour guide, grocery purchaser, cook, babysitter, Tichu opponents, and extra arms to manage 3 kids in Alaska. Many, many thanks.

Strange

We've Moved! It is strange.

A truck showed up.

We said good-bye to our favorite people.
One of our most favorite-ist people: Auntie René

Our stuff disappeared. We still don't know where it is.

The last time we saw it, these 2 guys were throwing it in a truck.

Then they drove away.

Good-byes

To the moms and the boys I met in Lamaze class when I was pregnant with Nathan.

To the Kamer clan. And to everyone else who we miss but did not get your picture when we hugged you good-bye.