Ahh Summer!

Yes indeed, summer has arrived. It's that special time of year where colors pop in shades of hot pink, yellow, and turquoise and shoes are prohibited.

Our summer motto is, "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem."





Daylight has currently extended to 19 hours per day (and counting), so this week we've been spending our time filled with small happenings in the front yard. We've continued to enjoy basking the sunshine and breathing in the fresh air. We're glued to our blanket in the grass like a retired man to his rocking chair on his front porch.





Since William was born in the dark of winter, he is a stranger when it comes to massive doses of sunlight. He isn't so sure about all the rays beaming down on his face, so we're going to invest in bundles of over-sized brimmed sunbonnets to protect his itty bitty eyes.





Krysta on the other hand, can't get enough! She's running around barefoot over warm pavements and grass, catching all types of wiggly creatures, and coloring our driveway every shade of the rainbow with sidewalk chalk.

I will tell you, it's summer goodness and I can't get enough!







And when Krysta plays, SHE PLAYS! Boys and their dirt have nothing on this girl!

Grass stained jeans and sparkly shoes, that's my babe.



Yes, yes, yes, there's no doubt about it, summer is here which gives us a license to be lazy. And we've been lazy at best.





Go out and enjoy your summer in slow motion.

Summer Lovin' Happened so Fast.

I never really know how to describe the Alaskan Summer. Our Summer is like your Spring. It's a beautiful sight- mild temps ranging from 50-70, lush flowers, bright green grass, blue skies, purple mountains, and everyday smells like fresh rain.

Summer in Alaska has come. The ice cream truck is making its rounds, the sounds of children laughing and the humming of lawn mowers fill the neighborhood, and the smell of grilled steaks on the BBQ fills the air. It's truly a really lovely time of year.





School is out,



snow boots are replaced by bare feet,



and from time to time, even unexpected visitors will arrive at our house!





We've been spending our days laying on a blanket outside- soaking up the sun, listening to birds, and watching clouds float across the sky.
The perfect lazy summer day.







In the military, with summer comes (what I like to call) "moving season". Within the next few weeks, we're going to be saying goodbye to a bundle of our closest friends. It's bittersweet, but it comes with the lifestyle.
This time next year it will be our turn to pack up our house and make our way to an "unknown" destination to start over- only to again, pack up and say "goodbye" in a couple of years.

We're saying goodbye to these girls next week. Krysta has already had a few emotional breakdowns with the reality that her best-friends are moving to Florida.

It's true what they say: "The military becomes your second family."







Yes, summer has arrived. Our last summer in Alaska. And we're taking it all in.
Every. Last. Drop.









Our favorite way to end ANY day of the year is cuddled up with freshly bathed babies.

Dance your heart out.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for the over-load of cute photos

My girl has been top-tapping, b-bopping, and gliding over marshmallows every Friday night this year. Her hard work, dedication, and motivation finally paid off this past Sunday at her dance recital. For any parent, this was a proud moment- seeing your baby confidently prance across the stage in yards of tulle and hundreds of sequins is enough to get your mind rolling in thoughts of her first ballet recital at 2 years old and wondering where all the time went. I'm sure this is just the beginning of many emotional roller-coasters where I would think back to her baby stages and question Father-Time, like her graduation, wedding, the birth of her own babies, and so forth. But, for now I'm mentally photographing memories of my little ones on a daily basis.

Jazz: "Jump for Joy"

This was the first year that we've done a jazz class. She loved jumping, hopping, and twisting in fast motions to a fast-paced beat. She was all over the stage and moving so quickly that my camera had a hard time keeping up with her. Heck, lets face it, I had a hard time keeping up with her- my eyes were going from left to right, back and forth, side to side across the stage and I couldn't help but to tap my feet along with them.










Ballet: "Your Heart will Lead You Home"

There's no doubt about it, I LOVE ballet. There's not a lot that will make your heart skip multiple beats when watching your little one elegantly glide and linger through every dance move. When Krysta puts on her tutu and hits the stage, she instantly transforms. She knows that the auditorium is full, but she dances like no one is watching. And when the audience applauds, oh man, that's when she really lights up! It's the most full-filling 3 1/2 minutes.


















Tap: "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch"

I have to say that Krysta's tap number was my favorite- she nailed it! I was beaming from ear to ear. She was bursting from the seams of her sparkly tutu with complete confidence and excitement. Watching her swing her hips, tap her toes, and move in rhythm of the music made my heart melt.


























And my girl... well, she marches to the beat of her own drum!





I can't wait for next year's performance!