Frances & Eloise: Keenan's Trip to Alaska

Sorry about the LONG posts. I will try to keep up the blog a little more frequently which should shorten them.

Keenan flew back to Alaska with Frances and I. We stayed in Anchorage the first night and went to the Nordstrom Sale the next day which was definitely the highlight of his trip!

The next day was Brian's birthday. We had cake and played some games.

Keenan reading to Frances before bedtime. He is such a good and loving uncle!

Sword fighting with Adam in the backyard

I threw a baby shower for my friend Lynzie the weekend after we got back (which was so fun!!!) and a few hours before the guests arrive this conversation happened:

Adam: "Uh, there's a bear in the back yard."

Everyone else: "Whatever." (thinking it was just one of the St. Bernards)

Adam: "No, really, there's a bear outside!"

Everyone else: "Really, where?!?! Holy Crap!!!! Get your cameras!!!!"

Frances feeding Curious George some yogurt

The weather wasn't so great so we made a fire in our wood stove one night and roasted marshmallows

YUM!

July + Alaska = FISH

Here are my super trendy slickers, complete with suspenders

Taking Scott's uncle's boat down to their commercial fishing dock

Adam, Kristin, and Keenan all came even though they couldn't technically participate

Waiting for our boat to be lowered

Adam showing us how attractive hip waders are

Scott and I had the BEST life jackets. Mine had leprosy and Scott's made him look like a hunch back.

The dipnets

Here is everyone in action. Kristin our photographer did a wonderful job capturing everything.

I was always so happy every time I caught a fish! Scott's dad (driving the boat) got a kick out of it. He didn't really want to fish and Jacob, Scott's brother, was working the front of the boat. Our neighbor and his son came with us too. They were in the back of the boat with me so they helped me get my fish out of the net most of the time.

When I said they weren't TECHNICALLY supposed to do anything, they did anyway... don't tell! Keenan helped hit the fish over the head to knock them out and was helping Scott when they caught a KING! And, of course, Adam threw a dipnet in and caught 3 when no one was paying attention.

Keenan and Adam couldn't just sit around watching most of the time so we attempted dropping them off on the shore line to pole fish at low tide. The result? They both got stuck in the mud, Adam had to rip Keenan out of the mud because he couldn't even move his feet, then when he was trying to get him in the boat he got stuck again and they both fell. They COVERED with mud and decided not to fish!

We caught about 60 fish with 4 dipnets going for about 3 hours! It was such a blast! I think the big one on the right-top is the King.

I took Keenan to Go-Kart one afternoon. He totally beat me by lapping me at least twice!

I, of course, had Frances with me

My attempt to drive and take pictures

We went to this really great bakery called Moose's Loose. Keenan chose the biggest donut and a pop. Luckily we went to the park right after and burned some of that sugar off.

Trying on the infamous moose hat

Frances has been really loving her stuffed animals lately. She even likes to swing holding as many as she can!

Keenan wanted to celebrate his birthday a little early while in Alaska so we had an evening of fun. Because Keenan loved the Go-Karts so much, we went back, but with a little more competition. Scott took Frances this time.

Keenan gearing up to win

Brian going crazy while waiting for the green light

Adam and Kristin acting like tourists

Keenan in the lead, followed by Scott and Frances, then Adam and Kristin trying to squeeze between on the corner, and Brian right on everyone' tail! I slowed to take a picture. And just to let you know, Keenan didn't lap me this time!