We Three Hageman's: Sunshine with a side of mid 60's

The weather has been pretty icky lately so unfortunately we haven't gotten a lot of outdoor time. But when it's nice, DOGGONE IT WE ARE OUT. We go all winter long (all 9 months of it) wondering why any sane person would choose this life. Mostly that answer is two fold, 1.) 'Family', and 2.) 'Alaska has jobs!'. The answer 'Weather' is way down on the list after number 974.) 'Shopping'. The average rainfall in Ketchikan is 160 inches. We all know math makes me hive out but I'm pretty sure that is over 13 feet a year (right?). Feeeeeet. Our much coveted "liquid sunshine" record is currently 202.55 inches as showcased on our lovely rain gauge downtown, but inches of rain is nothing compared to consecutive days of rain. Light trickle or not, that is never fun. So I had to do a little research on that one because I swear I have lived through the worst stint of it, and wouldn't you know it, I have! In 1999 I survived a whopping 39 consecutive days of rain. 101 days in 1953... poor unfortunate souls. My family was in California in those days sunning our hair blonde. But HEY, you never have to shovel rain :) And you can indeed still play a full season of softball as well as build year round.

Geoff works his but off building homes in some of the worst weather known to carpenters. Turns out you can't build a roof in the rain though :D Lucky for Luke and I, we have had a few extra Daddy days scattered here and there in recent weeks. There have been a lot of Father-Son time going on and lucky for Mommy, a partner to help her with chores and dirty diapers woohoo! We have been doing some fun ones too though. Geoff built us a BEAUTIFUL headboard and also painted our front door, complete with new peep hole! I think we went a whole day where he was on one side of the house doing home projects and Luke and I were off on the other side doing projects as well. I am mastering the art of being one-handed. It is an art, and it takes a lot of patience and finesse but we're getting it. Since the sun has been making an appearance, I have finally been able to bring some of my projects to the deck. I learned that with practice, you can indeed sand a chest of drawers while holding a baby that can't even hold his own head up quite yet. On that note, just yesterday I did squats to polyurethane an oar that I had to lay flat on the deck, and today we went to the bathroom... not my first choice... my only one. And nooooo he wouldn't let me put him down, that was my first choice. Anyway, Luke and I have been enjoying the sun and drawing, sanding, staining, painting, stapling, and sewing. It melts my heart when, "do you want to paint boy!", put's the biggest gummy grin on his face (he is smiling!) Plleeaassee love to do these things with me, Luke.

I am certain of one thing he loves to do already, and that is CAMP!!! Our baby boy LOVES to be outside. On those long rainy days when all he has to look up at is the ceiling or his Mom and Dad's face obnoxiously coaxing him to smile, the endless view of tree tops and blue sky is mesmerizing to him. We were able to plop him next to a smoldering warm fire on his mat for long stretches of time while he cooed and smiled at the randomness of the outdoors. That's our boy. The worst part of the experience was packing and even worse... unpacking, as is true for all camping experiences ever. But damn it... forgetting the formula and a decent nipple? Shalie. You're lucky you were only car camping in Ketchikan or it would be sober-ville for you. A drink while you camp is a yes, so poor sweet Geoffrey not only went to town for a nipple, but went back a second time when we realized we didn't have enough formula. Ya, we realized these things at different times. Couldn't have realized it at the same time of course, that would be too easy. Lesson learned. When all was said and done, we had one fantastic evening walking the lake, playing Head's Up (Ellen's new app haha) and playing ball with my brother Chris and his friend Mary. Absolute seclusion is only a short drive from your house around here so the rest of the family was even able to pop out for a quick visit before bedtime.

Ok. Pictures! Not necessarily all related to what I just talked about.