Back in Alaska

We had a great vacation but it was great to get home to the house and cats and the beautiful Fairbanks summer weather. For a second year in a row we had a perfect evening for a low-key July 4th gathering on the deck, warm enough to break in the kiddie pool that Kieran had been eyeing in the box before we went back east.


The only takers for the pool were Kieran and Miss Lola who was thrilled to discover that this was going to be a pool party!

We were too lazy and/or frugal to drive to North Pole for fireworks this year so the kids were the entertainment (and I think they knew it).

Kieran was happy to be back in Auntie Rachel's lap. He discovered Lays potato chips that evening. Bad idea, I know.

A day later we took the Whaler out for its first cruise of the season on the Chena River in town. You can see that Kieran was mighty pleased with the boat. This was his first trip on the river. We'll try to do a bit more exciting trip out of Valdez later in the summer to give him a little more to look at, but for his first time this river cruise was plenty impressive.

To my surprise he wasn't bothered at all by his life vest. I think he was actually very proud of it.

Look how serious he was about "driving" the boat!

We watched the sky as smoke from wildfires drifted in to the area. We've had smoke on and off since we've been home...the price we pay for beautiful, warm, sunny weather.

Here's the confluence of the Chena (relatively clear) and Tanana (silty) Rivers.

Taking in the breeze on the way home. I think this kid is hooked.
A day later we had more smoke drift in. Luckily it stayed fairly high above the ground. This was taken from the deck at home. Since then we've had some pretty noxious days, engulfed in ashy smoke from a wildfire 20 miles or so south of town. For the first time since we've lived in Fairbanks we're getting ash dusting outdoor (and even some indoor) surfaces. Kieran's reaction? At any mention of the word smoke (even in reference to smoking fish, which we've been doing lately) he says with obvious disgust, "Ick!" You said it kiddo.

Summer vacation (week 1)

Vacation already seems so long ago. What a great trip to the east coast, beach house hopping from family to friends to more family. We had great visits all around and Kieran turned out to be a happy traveler, pleased to find plenty of playmates everywhere we went. Here he is with cousin Sam in Westport. They were instant buddies - here they are together only hours after we arrived. Kieran grabbed Sam's hand for this walk like it was something he'd done every day of his life. Sam is a pretty special big cousin.

Kieran's first impression of seaweed rotting on the beach. Stinky!

A closer inspection with dad. This was the only clear day during the week we had in Westport. What a beautiful evening to welcome us back!

Kieran's cousin Ben giving the beach pebbles a little taste.

Goofing around with Sam. Kieran misses you Sam!!

Ah, one more picture from that perfect sunny evening...

For the rest of the week his is where we spent much of our time. Sam, Kieran, Max...three peas in a pod. Nice to have a fire to tend when the sun isn't shining.

The weather didn't get Kieran down.

Besides, there's always plenty of cleaning to do in an old beach house. Kieran is very thorough with a broom.

We didn't have much sun but most days were just fine for walking the beach. Here's Uncle Adam with Ben and cousins Payten and Alegra looking just a little chilly.

Kieran and Max looking out over the ocean from the old ruins.

Marching up to the point of rocks.

Splash, splash, splash. Kirean's idea of "tidepooling".

Throwing rocks into the water.

Local fauna...Kieran thought this sea star was a little strange. Nothing like his starfish bath toy. He made me put it down after this picture was taken.

Our wet little boy splashing in the rain puddles on the way home.

We celebrated two very important birthdays. Happy Birthday Bushka!


Happy Birthday Alegra! And thanks Auntie Helen for making not one, but two delicious chocolate cakes. Yum!

Back on the beach Kieran tried a little bouldering.

And shoe burying in the sand.

And some tumbling with cousin Ben. Good times on the coast!

After a week we had to say goodbye to Westport. The weather made it a little bit easier than it would have been on a beautiful sunny day but it's always hard to leave such a lovely place and say so long to family we won't see again for another year. Sigh.

Summer vacation (week 2)

After all that chilly rain and wind in Westport we were relieved to get off the plane in Charleston, SC and step out into the hottest air we've felt in years! Over 90F and not a cloud in the sky. We felt like we had come to the right place to warm up and dry out. Best of all, we could do it while visiting with dear friends in a beautiful house on a lovely marsh. What more can three Alaskans looking for a warm vacation ask for?

We drove out to meet April, Jeb, Marit and Torin who were waiting for us on Kiawah Island. Big thanks to Jeb for finding such a great spot. Here's the "back yard" of our rental house. While we were there the coast saw record breaking high tides that inched up to the back corner of the house. When the tide was out we often had a nice show of wildlife out in the marsh grass from egrets, deer, and raccoons...out the front door we had a great view of a half dozen really BIG garden spiders. I liked the view out the back better.

This is looking out the same window at low tide with a couple of morning visitors right outside the kitchen nook picture windows. Not a bad view to take in while eating breakfast!

Kiawah's beaches are beautiful and perfect for the kiddos. As the tide goes out shallow tide pools form in the depressions and warm in the sun creating excellent playing pools for the little ones. You can see the wrack of reeds that was deposited by the extraordinary tides the day we arrived. They were once removed for the convenience of the visitors but are now left in place as they protect the dunes from erosion.

Little Miss Marit modeling the latest in adorable beach wear for the preschool set. She knows what to do at the beach and she was happy to show Kieran the ropes (most of the time).

Max and Marit working on the drip castle. Max knows what to do at the beach too.

And what do you do with a sand castle? Destroy it!! Raah!

Now if that isn't cute I don't know what is.

Auntie April hanging out in the shade with little Tor, aka "Tordy". He knows how to model the latest in infant eye protection. What a couple of hams in this family! Too cute!

The dads took the kids one morning so the moms could have a couple of hours in the shops...our mission was to find replacement sandals for the ones Kieran grew out of in Westport. Everything grows faster when it's warm, I guess. Anyway, with the moms away the dads found a cool spot to chill with the kiddos and enjoy pool-side bar and restaurant service. Perfect. The kids had a FAN-TAS-TIC time and from the look of it, Max and Jeb had a pretty good time themselves

The main mode of transport on the island is by bike. Kieran wasn't so sure about his helmet but he soon forgot about it and enjoyed the open air rides on the back of Max's bike.

"Does this make my head look fat?"

Max enjoying a little bike time without his back seat rider.

Jeb and Marit out for a cruise.

Kiawah really is an ideal place for families with small children and we enjoyed it so much that we were talking about returning again next year even before we left. It would be a great tradition to start with wonderful friends whom we think of as family.

April warned us of Jeb's low country "ear rings". I think the halo effect adds a mystic ambiance to the moment -it was caused by low country humidity condensing on the camera lens.

Our time in Kiawah seemed all too short as we were just getting into the groove of the place when we had to pack our bags and head north. We'll look forward to a return trip in the future and another great visit with April, Jeb, Marit and Tor. It was hard to say goodbye.

Our next stop was Charlestown, RI to visit with Grandma and my side of the family. Unfortunately, for this part of the trip Kieran was suffering a bit from a virus he caught somewhere between Charleston and Charlestown and pictures weren't a high priority much of the time. Nonetheless, we had a great time and a fun visit with Grandma and Kieran's aunts, uncles and cousins. Here's Kieran with his cousin Maggie, just a few weeks his senior. They got along well, in the stroller and out. Here they're enjoying kicking back and re-hydrating after a busy morning of splashing in the water.

Kayaking on the salt pond with Kieran and cousin/nephew Graham. Kieran wasn't a big fan of being in such a wobbly boat so close to the water. Our trip lasted less than 10 minutes.

Our last beautiful evening on the Charlestown beach. Max was out snorkeling while Kieran and I played in the sand and enjoyed the quiet of the beach after most of the day's visitors had gone home.


Say mom, can I have a turn with that camera?

After RI we drove inland to visit with Grandpa and Grandma Lee at the farm. Grandpa gave us the keys to his cart and we took a leisurely tour around the fields. Kieran was pretty excited about our mode of transportation.

We stopped to give the early corn a taste test. Kieran thought corn came from boxes at the grocery store. He must have been surprised to see them hanging on these tall plants.

We sampled the cucumbers too. There's nothing like eating your way around the farm.

Kieran took his cuke for a walk through the greenhouse.

We had a great visit with our farm family and even had a surprise visit from Kieran's third(!!) Auntie Heather right before we had to leave. So nice to see you all!

Bushka and Grandaddy happen to live in a very convenient spot for quick visits to and from Logan airport so we were able to see them on three separate occasions on this trip. Here you see that Kieran is just fine with that. The more time with his Bushka, the better!

Sharing stories about back yard bunny sightings. Can't wait for our next visit!

Playland at Lodan airport. This sure beats those boring rows of seats and airport CNN news blaring on the tv's in the "grown up" waiting areas!

How do you start this thing?

Bye bye east coast...time to go home.