Mr Lorax, don't look now!

We had some major tree eating work done at our house.

I couldn't help thinking about my tree class; my tree class professor, Dr. Allen; Wump World by Bill Pete, and of course The Lorax by Dr Seuss...

And don't get me wrong, I love the right tree in the right spot.  But our yard is WAY better without those gnarly, noxious, nasty trees!  And it will be even better when we get rid of the cottonwoods!


And this machine was COOL.  

before and after!

Seward Alaska

We went to Seward AK and it was Beautiful!  So sunny that I probably should have brought sun screen for Henry, and we all had a great time.  Here are some highlights:  

Inside the RV.  One day I will be brave enough to camp in a tent.  ...but it is not this day!

 

Day one we did the Sea life center and hung out at our beachfront campsite.  We all loved the sea life center.  Especially the Sea Lions, and their new exhibit where you can touch starfish and anemones!

 

Sea combing

  

Henry was totally into rock tasting, so Lily Anne couldn't miss out!

 

 Day 2:  We were all brave and did a 4 mile hike!  William walked the whole way, Lily Anne almost walked the whole way, and 20 lb Henry got carried the whole way! (Pico came too!) 

Lily Anne has a few classic complaints she cycles through to try to get... something.  We aren't sure what she really wants sometimes but it's pretty funny to hear her go "I'm thirsty (x10), my teeth are hurting (x100), I'm having a hard time (x1000), and the never-ending I'm so hungry (X 1,000,000)" over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.   But on the hike Weston kept everyone perky with a single piece of fruit snack for a "leg power-up" after each rest spot and on the way back Lily loved singing songs like

 "It's always a good time" with me

 

 

Let's not forget Henry!!!

Below is the destination.  For quite a while we were the only ones on the beach, which was a really neat experience.

 

I wish I could say Pico always came on command this enthusiastically...

My favorite part of the hike is seeing the kids on the lookout for BEARS!!!

William:  "Lily Anne!  There are bears! Put your lookers on!"

Lily:  "OK Wiw-yum!" 

 

When we got back we had dutch oven Mexican Monkey Bread.  The kids (and I and Weston) loved it! 

William is a ham...

 

The many sides of Lily.  She's pretty cute, even when she is pouting... 

 

 

The last day we did Exit Glacier.  Another little hike, but less than a mile.  

A good way to get kids to hike is a little competition.  It kind of back-fired when they started fighting over it, but this is pretty funny: 

  

Which Picture is better, William picking his nose, or pouting because I took his finger out of his nose?

 

Weston remembered catching eels here when he was 10ish, which is one of the reasons we came.  We were a bit disappointed that the tides didn't cooperate and we thought we weren't going to catch any, but on the last day Weston found some and William was really into it.

  

All this camping wiped Pico out.  I caught the kids laying rocks on him while he tried to nap.

And a Pico movie, because I love playing fetch more than he does...

 

 

"Friends, Roman's, Countrymen... I got somethin' I wanna tell ya"

Mr William just turned for years old.  And for weeks he has been telling *EVERYONE* we meet about how his birthday.

He invariably starts out: "So, for my next birthday I'm thinking I'm going to get a bow an' arrow.  (then he acts out, while describing:) you pull the pokey back, let go, and P-CHEW! made a shot! I've been learning about it watching Robin Hood" 

Then if the listener is really attentive, he'll continue.  "So on my birthday I'm going to have waffles, strawberries AND... Whipped CREAM! and for dinner  .... FAT DOG Casserole.  Then for dessert, cherry berry on a cloud!" 

Now that his birthday is over, he still says "for my next birthday I got a bow and arrow!" 
....He'll figure it out :)

Oh he was such an excited boy!  It was funny the way he opened the presents.  It was as if he was looking for the bow and arrow (which he opened last)  He sure loves that toy.