Seattle & Graduation

We had such a fun time in Seattle visiting with lots of friends and family and celebrating Anna's graduation. Neal has done well with the busy schedule that we have had since being here and has managed to take naps wherever and whenever he can.






Though we had hoped for warmer weather while here we got a variety of rain, sun, clouds and thunder. Quite the interesting start to summer.



Neal got to meet his great grandpa for the first time and got lots of play time with his cousins. We have had a wonderful time and will be sad to say goodbye to everyone.

Congratulations Anna

We came up to Seattle this summer to celebrate Anna's college graduation from nursing school. We are so proud of Anna and all she has accomplished. She has worked so hard to not only finish the nursing program but to do so with honors. She is going to make a fabulous nurse. Anna is so good with people and can always make someone feel welcome and comfortable. She is going to touch so many lives as a nurse and will have a positive influence on both her co-workers and her patients. We are excited to see were she ends up working and how she will use her nursing degree in the years to come.



Like we have said before Anna - there are always nursing jobs in AK and we would love to have you come out by us. Neal would love to have his Tia closer.

Congratulations again on all your accomplishments.

Summer has arrived

I think I can officially say that summer has arrived in Anchorage. The past few days have been absolutely beautiful. Today it got up to 80 degrees outside which is not too common for Anchorage especially this early. We have taken full advantage of the past few sunny days by going on lots of walks. And Yawkey loves being able to be outside again.


It has been wonderful, during Neal's morning nap, to be able to sit outside in the sun, drink my coffee, read my Bible and listen for him to wake up (since his bedroom window opens out to the deck). Neal has enjoyed laying out on the deck in the afternoons in the shade and playing with his toys and just "talking" about his day.



We sure hope this weather continues.

Congrats Natalie

We are so proud of you Natalie and were so happy to be able to share your special day with you. We can hardly believe that you are done with high school. You will have such a great time at college but we will miss you here at home.





Congratulations on all your hard work that brought you to your special graduation day. We love you

Toys - a new discovery

This last week Neal found his toys and how to use his hands to move them and now plays with them all the time- the video and pictures tell it all - Enjoy

Starting the move

Spring is finally here - it has been so nice all week and in the mid 50's which seems really warm. We have gone out for a walk almost every day this week. Every Tuesday I meet with some girl friends and go walking. It is so fun to have a scheduled walking time and a chance for good conversation with great friends. A few of us even participated in a 5K heart walk last weekend.



Tyler was out in Galena the past week and just retuned home on Sunday. Neal and I are very glad to finally have him back after 10 days away. Though Tyler is very busy with work it is nice to have him home in the evenings.

Today marks the first day of Neal sleeping in his room. He is still sleeping in our room at night but nap time is now in the nursery. So far so good right now. His first nap in the nursery was this afternoon and he did great. I hope that he continues to sleep well at night and once we return from our trip to Seattle I hope to make the transition to him sleeping in the nursery at night.



Neal is starting to talk more and more each day. Last night before bed he was making lots of noises and "talking" quit a lot. It is fun to hear his little sounds and watch him respond as we talk with him. I can't believe how fast he is changing each day.

The Blessing of Friendship

I mentioned before that there were going to be lots of new babies in our group of friends up here. Well all the babies have arrived healthy and beautiful. All new baby boys and one new baby girl.


It has been such a blessing to have such a great group of close friends. The Lord brought all of us together at our church, all newly married and now all new parents. I have been so encouraged by all of these couples and families. We have spent many times hanging out, laughing, playing games, praying, studying the Bible, and eating together. Our kids will have so much fun with so many playmates close in age. However our gathering will have to start earlier in the evening and will look very different going forward with so many little ones.


On the home frond things are going well. Neal is getting more and more animated each day. He loves to be on his back on his play mat. Tummy time is not a favorite of his but we are working on it. We have are good days and bad days but all in all Neal is a very low key baby with a mellow personality which allows me to keep up with housework somewhat.




This weekend I will be participating in a 5K heart walk with a few friends. We will be walking with the kiddos in the strollers so we hope the weather is clear and sunny. It is nice to finally be able to get out and exercise a little in the crisp spring air, and Neal loves to ride in the stroller.