Roses

This is the rose bush that did not bloom for two years after we got here.  I am so excited to see all the buds forming and the few that have opened up.  I have, in my usual manner, provided ample neglect.  We have trimmed it back each year as it was threatening to overtake the porch but aside from the annual trim, everything else has been the lovely weather we have here.

The day lilies next to the rose bush are almost ready to bloom as well.  It was exciting to see just what the previous tenant had planted and it is even more exciting to see that our neglect has not harmed any of the plants.

They have bloomed!!

I have been thrilled to watch our flowers slowly begin to bloom.  It has been an interesting summer here.  It is almost August and I have only seen 3 salmonberry blossoms.  By late July the past couple of years, there has been a bumper crop of berries.  This year, the blueberries still have yet to bloom. Of course, I may not be looking in just the right spot.  But these beauties are right out our front door. I love the variations in color with the columbine and the peony is an amazingly huge flower. 

The best thing outside our front door is quite possibly the rose bushes that are beginning to bud.  There was one rosebush already here when we moved in.  In the past three years, we have not seen a single bud.  This year, they girls lost count around 52.  We also added two miniature rosebushes.  Last year, while they gave us some beautiful roses, someone from the neighborhood either cut them back to the ground or trampled them until the stems broke off near the ground.  Either way, I was unsure if the rosebushes would be back this year.  They are beginning to blossom too! I am excited to be able to share garden fresh roses with friends this year, especially as it seems we will have one or two to spare.

Not quite "raindrops on roses..."

I love this huge flower. It may be my new favorite!

Caught a fly on this one.

As you can see, this stem has 3 flowers. I don't think it will support all of them...

New camera + Family trip

Sliding with Barometer in the background

I guess only kids are allowed to survive...

Russian Church

Waiting to fly

All the cousins at the "Northernmost Denny's in the World"

Aunt Rachel and Lady A next to the Alaska Pipeline

The Duchess saw a BEAR!

Cousins... too cool for school!

Deep thoughts being shared here!
Also, a word of warning about crossing the white line in the background.

Hello! I'll be your server this morning!

The Duchess knows how to race that dogsled!

Sisters

Not quite as interested in this part of the tour

Lady A was laughing because her aunt and uncle kept moving in front of the camera!

Fun family photo!

Love these two!

The men.
Alternately, the tallest flanked by the shortest.
Or, the youngest flanked by the oldest.
Take your pick.

Our "Rustic" Cabin

Taking a picture of me taking a picture of her

Not sleeping.  Also, not smiling. But we can see his face!

Flipping the switch

Denali

Another view

I asked Mom what she thought about being on the train and getting all the hiccups sorted out.
This was her response.

Lady A in a pensive pose.
I was trying to show Princess N how to adjust the camera settings to achieve different effects with the lighting.

Recent happenings

In the last month or so, in no particular order, we have:

Worked on a science fair project

Seen some beautiful BLUE eyes!

Helped Mama ice her knees

Enjoyed an afternoon at the beach with typical Kodiak weather
(chilly and rainy for those who aren't familiar)

Defeated the baby gate to get upstairs
(The Duchess's foot is barely seen next to the wall)

Gone shoe shopping for me
No.  The shoes didn't fit.

Hiked at Ft Abercrombie

Talked on the banana

Played doctor

Worked on Mama's computer
(it had been closed and hiding under the couch...)

Bundled up to go for a walk with the new jogging stroller

Played in the snow (in late April)

Tried to sneak a cookie
(the orange cookies are a hit around here)

Shared with sisters

The Duchess comforted her Miss E after Miss E got in trouble

Swept the front porch

More shoe shopping - still nothing

Beautiful sunrise at the Buskin again

Coming home after a hike

Enjoyed making faces in her open top cup at the galley

Time for a workout! Bear crawling through the kitchen!

A rare sunny Kodiak day

Where we found a fallen tree and had to figure out how to get around it

Watched Lady A's very last soccer game

And worked on Mama's computer again.
(the Duchess is the engineer of our family)

It has been so much fun hanging out with these girls.  Birthday updates shortly!