Berry Picking

We went for a drive to see if the huckleberries were ready to pick. We found a few bushes and Eli was quite the helper!

He got bored of picking but stayed busy (and very dirty) in a saw dust pile. 

Those berries will be so perfect for huckleberry syrup! 

Sandy Beach

The last day Jess and Steve's family was here we all headed to Sandy Beach.  Unfortunately Bryan had to work, but we will definitely go again with him.  Sandy beach is named so because it is actually not common to have these beautiful sandy beaches, most are rocky shores.  This is a very shallow beach with excellent tide pools and rocks to explore during low tide. 

We left home at 6:30 to have enough time to look for sand dollars, shells, crabs, ect during the low tide.  Eli was happy as a clam ;)

 Did you know sand dollars are actually purple? They are in the urchin family, and have little soft spines on them too when they are still alive.

The weather was absolutely beautiful. 70 degrees, no wind, and just enough clouds to keep us cool.  Eli loved the sand, as you can see.

I tried to take some pictures, but I don't have a great camera, the lighting was a little difficult, and my subject was not very cooperative to say the least!

We could have splashed and played in the water all day.  It was so shallow and warm we both ran right in.  

Sunnahae

Today during Eli's nap (while Grandma watched him) we hiked up Sunnahae mountain. It was lightly raining and perfectly cool.  It was such a great hike. It was really nice to have a quiet afternoon with just the two of us.  

                                                                          Holy stairs! 

This mountain had been logged 50-60 years ago, and this hike is originally up an old logging road.  These stairs were part of the old train but are rotted away now.  

                                                                 Natures snack! 

                                                                       Craig, Alaska 

Balls Lake

A couple days ago we went to Balls Lake for a little Dutch oven cooking and walk around the lake! It was a nice warm afternoon and we had a blast.  Eli is such an outdoor boy!

4 out of 5 smiling ;)

Blue berry hunting!

Love those boots

                                         Time for some Dutch oven cooking!

                      These two little boys are buddies! They are pretty much inseparable.

                                                              Time for s'mores!

Eli at 2 Years Young

*** somehow my last few posts got mixed up so you may have to skip past Eli's birthday post to see the other ones.  Sorry!***

Eli at 2 years old:

Has 16 teeth

Finally weighs 25 pounds!

Takes a 3 hour afternoon nap 

Is talking like crazy!!

Loves to read stories, play with cars, trains, blankies, his 'bink', being outside, bubbles, and coloring. 

Is such a happy boy

This little guy is so stinking fun!

He's a busy little one, but such a joy!

Fishing Derby

I can't believe I forgot to post Eli's fishing derby pictures from the 4th of July.  All of the little ones (Eli and his 4 cousins) had fishing poles and life jackets and were ready to catch some fish!  They all had 30 minutes off the edge of the dock to catch the biggest fish.

 I think Bryan may have enjoyed it more than Eli ;)

Gettin' set up!

Bryan even fished through the pouring rain, with Eli's pole of course :)