A Smaller Friend

Our friend Inari and her daughter Saana (16 months old), who now live in Juneau, were in town and came up for a visit. Lucy and Saana played really well together and enjoyed sharing food as well. It almost became a game that they were sharing cantaloupe - it was quite cute.

There's Underwear Under There!

Lucy was 16 months old when she first became interested in the using the potty. While I thought this was great, I also knew that I was not ready to deal with the responsibility of attempting to potty train her at such a young age! Long car drives to town, play time with little friends, out-of-state travel and nap time...I knew I wouldn't stop diapers anytime soon but I also knew I'd let her continue to use the potty when she wanted to - assuming that one day she'd say "no" to diapers. In other words, I wanted her to train herself.

That day came 10 months later...she started to get very emotional when we had to change her diaper or put one on. That along with a constant irritation on her skin from detergents used in cloth diapers urged me to ask her if she wanted to say "bye bye" to diapers except for in bed at night. She said "Yup!"

Lucy's been in underwear for just under three weeks. This week she has worn only one pair of underwear each day with no leaks! In fact, there have not been many leaks along the way at all. I am so proud of her and just wanted to share our accomplishment. She wakes up dry from naps, she's dry after being in the car, and she even asks to use the potty each time BEFORE anything comes out! This is one happy mama. Lucy is also quite pleased with herself.

Floating on the River

Today we took a break from our busy seemingly never-ending list of things to do at home and went for a paddle down the upper fork of the Chena River. It was a beautifully sunny, warm, windy and peaceful day as we floated down the Chena enjoying the fresh air and solitude. Luckily Lucy was excited to wear her PFD...we expected some resistance however she couldn't wait to wear it again this summer!

Helping Dada row.

Dada and Lucy surveying the river.

Ready to go again after lunch.

Mimi-nap on the river.

This is how Lucy and I spent most of the paddle. It was mighty relaxing!

A Day at Chena Lakes

Lucy was running around in the water immediately as soon as we got to the beach!

When it pushes 80 degrees in Fairbanks it is time to take advantage and go swimming at Chena Lakes! We spent the entire day here together, met up with friends, and swam in the chilly water with smiles on our faces. Lucy loves the water and did a great job swimming; she kicks and paddles while giggling nonstop.

Playing with her fish that swims in the water.

Showing me the seashell on her bathing suit. This was actually my bathing suit when I was this  age!

Digging in the sand. We dug holes, put water in them and put our feet in them.

Having lunch together. Food always tastes so delicious at the beach!

Watching other kids.

Carrying her bucket back up to where we were sitting to play with it.

Getting very sandy and having a great time!

Lucy sat and did this for at least half and hour. She carefully filled her bucket with sand.

A Belated Happy Father's Day

Lucy watches Matt make some finishing touches on the stairs made from recycled gym flooring. 

We celebrated Father's Day mostly on Saturday night with a relaxing evening consisting of going out for sushi, an ice cream cone, and playing in the park. Lucy ate potstickers for dinner and loved the dipping sauce most of all.

Sunday brought more work for Matt. He pretty much goes non-stop these days but so lovingly takes the time when he can to include Lucy and tell her what he's doing. If there's one thing Lucy is really into, it's helping her dada with projects and learning about tools. She can't seem to get enough of it!

She's just an interested person in general. Today we worked in the garden together tweaking the drip irrigation that seemed to be loose and had lots of leaks. She went around helping me fix all the connections saying "There, works now" or "All better" or "Drip there". Lucy just rocks our world.

So that's how you do it Dada?

McCarthy and Grandma Nancy's Visit

On the Richardson Highway headed to McCarthy

Grandma Nancy (Nono) arrived on a Wednesday evening all the way from CT. Lucy said when she saw her she was going to bounce up and down, run around, giggle and give her hugs and kisses. And that she did! We only wish that all the grandparents could have been here to receive the same fabulous Lucy-welcome. Matt and I were running on fumes when Nono arrived. We packed and packed and left only half a day late for our adventure to McCarthy to work on our cabin...a day and a half after Grandma arrived.

One of the bumps along the way to McCarthy. We only got two flats on the whole trip! Well, this one was a blow out.

Grandma Nancy was such a trooper. We feared she didn't know what she was in for or that she wondered what we got her into. Did I mention she'd never been on a camping trip before? So far, the trip wasn't easy and we arrived in rain and cold to McCarthy at 1am after a 13.5 hour drive (including stops). The trip CAN be done in 8 but not this time! We finally got inside the tent at 2am for bed. The first day it rained and was pretty cold. Lucy and Nono paid no attention and just played away in the tent. Lucy wasn't fazed. She was so excited to be camping with grandma!

First day of camping. Grandma brought her bag of tricks.

First nice day - we headed to town and had ice cream.

Our accommodations beneath the cabin. Bathing beauty is in the center.

The girls headed to Kennicott for lunch and sight-seeing one day. It was cold and windy so we didn't stay too long.

Out for lunch at Kennicott Glacier Lodge - Lucy waits for some ice.

The ladies.

Lucy getting her ya-yas out in Kennicott.

Out for a walk near our property.

Lucy hanging with Canute.

First sunny day - at McCarthy Creek.

In town.

Lucy became a fan of "Bedtuhmye Tea" and smacked her lips after each sip.

Lucy and Dada time.

Silliness in the tent - Canute tries to squeeze in for a snuggle.

We met Hamona the pig in town one day.

First wall up!

Proud Grandma and Canute.

Sharing some pumpkin seeds.

Prepared for mosquitos. They cam out pretty heavily the day before we left.

Lucy warms up after our sun shower together.

Matt's accomplishment - stood all the walls and installed some windows in a week.

Back at home - we played catch up on the garden.

Our little garden beauty.

Lucy and Nono plant her own garden box.

Precision pouring with a leg up for balance. She did so well!

On Brownie, the horse, at Ann's Greenhouse.

At Pioneer Park on the train.

This is Lucy's "smile" for the camera these days.

We had a great couple of weeks. Time flew by! Lots of work had to get done and we did it thanks to Grandma. Lucy woke up the next morning after Nono left and said ""Nono go?" with her hands up in the air. I told her she flew home on the airplane. Lucy responded with her high pitched "Mmnhmm!"