End of Summer Visitors

The one thing Alaskan summers guarantee is: visitors. And the one thing Alaskan summers doesn't guarantee is sun. We've been blessed that our past few weeks have been full of friends & family visiting. Unfortunately, the rain has accompanied each guest.

The Wonders came up from Seattle for a visit, and brought along Michelle's parents. It was so nice to see Michelle & Toby and also to meet Pat & Mike (who were so cute). Their trip was full of sight-seeing and of course, rain.

Next up at Chateau Doherty: Katie, Phil & Colin! They stayed for just a few days and were anxious to get moved out of their old home in Valdez & into their new house in Anchorage. Colin has changed so much since the last time we saw him . . . He's even learned how to give kisses (and he's quite generous with them)! It was sad to see them move to Anchorage, but we believe that it'll be the perfect fit for them. We wish them the best and just know that they will fill their new house will love & laughter!

It has rained for so long, that neither of us can remember the last day we actually saw the sun or blue sky. The river next to our house is just roaring and there are new waterfalls on the mountains. Believe it or not, we're already getting snow on the tops of the mountains . . . It seems that winter may be closer than we originally thought!

The rain hasn't kept the bears away. They are still out on the beach chasing down their salmon meals. There are quite a few bears that make the Dayville Road area their home and I am lucky enough to see them on my drive to and from work almost every day. The only thing that beats watching them from the side of the road is watching a mother & cub out my window at work (how great is that!!??). There is a creek that is nearby the office building, that they visit a couple of times a day. There are several other bears that visit that same creek, but the cub is definitely my favorite!

Two Eggs & A Compact

Eli packed his bear and with the help of wonderful friends, Sean & I got the rest. As of today, we've been in our new house for a full week and the place is still a disaster. We have boxes everywhere!! Even still, we are enjoying every foot of the house and every inch of our yard. We've had the best time taking Eli & Maybel out back to play. The dogs seem to enjoy the relocation more than us (if that's even possible).

Our neighbors are great! We've met quite a few and they've all made us feel very welcome; but no one more so than little Skylar. Skylar is an adorable girl that lives a house down from us and can't be much more than a day over three years old. She was the first to stop by & introduce herself - well, sort of . . . Skylar didn't speak but she did come bearing heartfelt gifts: two eggs fresh from the fridge & a make-up compact that I presume she snagged from her older, unknowing sister.

Sean's foot is still causing him quite of bit of trouble, but thankfully his job understands and has moved him temporarily to a 40 hour schedule in the office. He misses working in the field but welcomes the change. His first surgery is scheduled August 28th and I think he's ready to get it done and over with!!!

Our summer has gone by so quickly, it's just hard to believe that it is already August. Next month will be full of rain and before you know it, snow will covering the ground. We've got a precious few days of sun left (hopefully) and Sean & I will spend each of those on our new deck watching the sun set over the nearby mountains while our dogs wrestle in the grass.

We just couldn't be happpier with our new home & can't wait to have all of our family & friends come visit us.