Simple Sunday

Another simple Sunday in Alaska! Boy did the day bring us exciting things! Exciting technological things! We FINALLY got rid of the old Dell computer that was driving us all crazy. When the sound finally went out this past week - that was the last straw! We got an HP Pavillion PC with a 22' flat screen monitor...holy cow is it big! In addition, we also got a new printer. An HP Photosmart All-in-one. It can print, scan and copy! We had an old Epson Stylus...the one we got with our first computer back in the late 90's. It still worked but it was getting harder and harder to find the printer cartidges. After that big shopping spree, we got Caden new slip on shoes that light up (just in time for July 4th), Daddy mowed the front yard, Caden washed his boat (that is one of his daily rituals) then we went for a walk. It was a gorgeous day up here. The big boys flew home Friday night and got on the fast ferry Saturday morning at 8am to see Grandma and Grandpa in Sitka. They weren't even in town for 12 hours (or long enough to get a picture taken)! Anyways, another simple day for us up here!

Hallelujah!

As many of you know, keeping a 3 year old entertained during an hour long mass can be torture. A few Sundays ago Ed and I were working hard to keep Caden under control and reasonably quiet. I know he was still distracting for those unlucky enough to be sitting in front of us but my philosophy is, if I always take him out of church, he will never learn to just sit there right? Well anyways, on this particular Sunday Caden was doing pretty good. He was even trying to sing along and participate in sections. At one point, the congregation said, "Thanks be to God" and out of nowhere Caden says rather loudly, "Thanks and the dog". Of course this outburst elicits a smile from Ed, a giggle from me and the big boys double over in hyserics (until I shoot them a look like...ok, ok, enough). We compose ourselves. A few minutes later the congregation said, "Blessed be to God". Caden's version? "Blessed be my gum". Background here...if you know Caden, then you know that he holds gum pretty sacred in his life. It is right up there with the toy vacuum and his blue blankie. He will do ANYTHING for gum. This second rather loud outburst from Caden has all of us giggling in the pew. Ed leans over to me and says, "all we can do is laugh right?". It was one of those most precious moments that you want to remember forever. It is not uncommon now for one of us to lean over to the other and say...thanks and the dog!

Simple Sunday

We had a simple Sunday. Here is just a slice of our day. Probably nothing exciting to all of you but we like it! First we made muffins - Caden just couldn't wait to try one, then we painted the trim on the outside of the house, then Daddy fixed his truck with his little shadow (Caden) watching his every move, then we got a visit from Auntie Caryn! What a day! Simple Sundays are the best.

Saturday Drive

The day started out drizzly and cold. All we really were aspiring to do was stay inside. I did venture out to get Caden a haircut (that went reasonably well) and do some shopping but then came home and vegged out in front of the tube. At about 5:30 though the sun came out and it turned into a gorgeous evening. We went for a car ride downtown to look at boats in the harbor. I snapped a few pictures along the way. One is Caden in his cool shades and the other is Mendenhall Glacier from the Brotherhood Bridge parking lot. This is a very popular stop for tourists every day. I was shocked there were no tour buses parked next to us. Just another day in paradise!

Clean Bedrooms

It is the little things that Mothers appreciate. Really it is. We don't ask for much. Do we? I know all the Moms reading this will appreciate this post. The big boys are on a 3 week vacation visiting their Dad in Eagle River. I ALWAYS take this unique opportunity to gut their bedrooms and clean everything. You would be amazed at the things I find under the bed...I swear Devin could open his own grocery store! I thought about taking a picture of this amazing stash but thought...nah. I would just show all of you what I love about walking down my hallway now. I actually keep their doors open as that stinky teenage boy smell has abated. I do miss them terribly but I don't miss their messy rooms, or piling laundry, or arguing, or.....Ü

Flowers Then

This was my flower garden last summer just after I planted it. I literally showed up to the Garden Center and told them that I kill flowers. Truly I do! I have 2 plants in my house and one is a cactus and the other I have to get on a ladder to water. I also have 2 plants in my office at work and I KNOW I don't water them enough so I think a co-worker has secretly adopted them because they are still alive. Anyways, I was positive that half of these plants (that I spent a fortune on) would not survive the winter. Well....look below! Impressed or what?

Flowers now

Here is my flower bed now! Are you impressed or what? I really don't know what I am doing. Honestly! Look at that bleeding heart will you (the one to the left of the whiskey barrel)? It has doubled if not tripled in size! It was NOTHING at the beginning of spring and every time I come home I think...holy crap I think it grew some more! I am almost obsessive about this garden now. I watch for every bloom with pride still amazed that things are not shriveled up. I love driving up to my house. It makes me smile. I think it is because it is warm and colorful and feels like summer finally. YAY!

Mercer Cousins

Are these kids related or what? These are the 3 Mercer cousins. Ashley (Ed's sister Caryn's daughter), Madison (Ed's brother James' daughter) and Caden. You can see the resemblance in those Mercer cheeks & eyes! Especially when they are making a scowling face. I often tell Caden when he looks at me like that that he looks like his cousins!

Life in Alaska is Full

It is true! In Alaska we have fish, bears, glaciers and lots of spruce trees. Life here is good. Simple and good. Here is a picture of Ed and Caden with a 30 pound king salmon they caught yesterday. Grilling it up for dinner tomorrow! YUM.