Captain Eli

Bryan took Eli and I out on a little boat ride.  It was Eli's first time on the boat (and wearing a life jacket) and he did great!

He kept saying "ooh!!" with every bump and turn.

I think we have another fisherman in the works!

Berry Picking

Bryan had a day off!  (He worked 28 of 31 days in July).  Yikes!  Bryan's parents, Bryan, and Eli and I went huckleberry picking out some old logging roads.  It was very peaceful to walk along, pick berries (eat a few too) and just enjoy nature.  Eli did awesome in the backpack too! When I would be in a big bush picking, some branches would be near him and he would pick the berries too! He would eat a few, but most would fall by my feet.  Maybe next year he will figure out how to get them in the bucket :)

Can you see Bryan?  It is easy to get lost in these thick woods!

cleaning the berries

and a gorgeous walk along the shore in town

great end to a great day

Life Lately

I often lay in bed after a long day and wonder what I did to teach Eli, to better myself, to explore the island, and to record life with pictures.  Sometimes I feel I am just surviving and going through the motions without really soaking in life.  But when I took take a second to snap a picture I see how sweet and simple life really can be.

Gardening with Grandma

Eli can't stay inside all day, even if its rainy.  He heads out the front door and plays on the porch any moment he can get.  What a busy boy.  On the rare sunny days, he's soakin' it in, playing with Grandma Patty.  

Whew!  What a day!

Birthday Present from Grandpa

My dad sent a gift up to Alaska for Eli's birthday.  Eli had a blast opening it and instantly knew what to do ;)

He immediately found the buttons for the sirens and horns.  They have pretty much been going non stop since it arrived