Pucker up Buttercup

Conversation overheard downstairs:

Corbin: "If you're wrong then I am going to kiss you on the lips."

Jared yelling from upstairs: "Hey, none of that Corbin James."

A few moments later in hushed tones from downstairs,

"Pucker-up buttercup."

I don't know who said it and I don't know who lost but certainly nobody won.

Hiking at Southfork

Always the happy hiker this one is.

A secret hideout in the trees.

Granola Bars: A Speaks staple

Not spending the night

So last night the kids were able to go to the school and meet their teacher and drop off their supplies before the first day of school.

As Corbin was unpacking his backpack out comes a toothbrush and toothpaste.

I said, "A toothbrush and toothpaste?!"

Jared said, "Son, you aren't spending the night."

A Break in the Rain

So it's rained in Alaska for 33 straight days. Today the sun has broken over the horizon!

Paper Hats

Cake

Corbin: "Mom, can I have some cake?"

Mom: "No. It's old and rotten. I am going to throw it out."

Corbin: "No it's not. I had some and it was delicious."

Maybe he was just asking to try to clear his conscience.

Saturday Trip to Seward for the Sea Life Rescue Center 5K

OK, here is what a house looks like that sits on the ocean...it's covered in Seagulls and..well..you can guess.

Great views though!

So here are the boys in Seward taking a break after playing tag at the park.

Meg thought the ocean stank. She is like a bloodhound, her nose is super sensitive. We'll see how that Dental hygienist bit works out when she gets someone with a severe case of halitosis.

We Speaks men on the other hand can handle anything.

Jared stretching the calves...

Stretching the hamstrings... (I didn't end up running in the Vibram Five Fingers, I ended up putting on the Adidas.)

And the victory dance... Notice anything? Like the lack of any pictures of me actually running? Yeah someone forgot to take any, she (um yeah, Megan) was too busy cheering me on . I actually did alright, I ran it in 20 minutes 30 seconds! I think I might have been top three in my age group. I didn't stay around for the results, I had to find food and ice cream.

Speaks Family Picnic

He we are in Columbia, MO at Twin Lakes park. This is most of the Speaks clan, minus Ginger, George, and the rest of the Schultz Gang.

Eagle River South Branch Waterfall hike

Here we are at the waterfall after a short hike in.

Jared kept taking pictures of these mushrooms...any Nomes around?

This is the best pic that Jared took of the waterfall. He keeps practicing with that new camera.

Fourth of July 2010

In 1982 the World's Fair was held in Knoxville, TN. They still have an area downtown for special events such as July 4th.

Here's Tessa and I eating snowcones while the boys played in the fountains.

Of course we have to put our bootie right on the water jet.

At the bounce house.

This is everyone waving to us while we were on the Ferris Wheel.

Fried Oreos. Food of the Gods.

Riley Rae.

There was a place that had about 50 different flavors of snow cones. Really! "Would you like sour apple, lemon, or guacamole?" It was ridiculous the amount of flavors! I love America.

This little girl is plum tuckered out.

Uncle Jim and Aunt Mandy's house

Jim and Mandy invited us to their lake house in Knoxville, TN. Here is the view from the front.

Here is the view from the back.

CAST:

Mom "The Sharonator"

Tessa Grit

Mr. You Can't Have a Picture of Me

Oh, Oh! We caught you Jim!

Miss Riley Rae

Jared Guy

Asher Brigham

Corbin James

Gavin Bryce

Where's Mandy and Megan? Who knows. We didn't get a picture but we were there!

Uncle Jim let Gavin drive the boat. Watch out!

Jim demonstrating the art of wake boarding.

Jared got up quite easily of course. What a beast.

Tess with determination on her face.

She's up!

It's not really fair that Tes is the only one to have a wipeout picture on the blog but I love this one. She knows she's going down and is preparing by reaching for her nose.

Asher giving the thumbs up that he is ready.

Here he goes!

And he's up!

Here goes Gavin!

This is as far as Corbin got. What a cutie. At least he tried. I didn't even try.

We had a little fun spiking our hair.

I wish these picture were bigger because they are hysterical. This is me and Mom on the tube.

We're working the lean, trying to hang on a little longer.

Looks like we are about to get blown away.

These are our pure terror faces.

Do we look worn out or what? It's like we just got beat up.

Tes taught me how to lean to stay on.

She was very loving and patient.

Here's the boys on the tube. Crazy guys.

Does everything have to turn into a wrestling match? Honestly!

The kitchen was a popular hang out.

As was the back porch.

We lost one and found him crashed on the back porch sofa. Sun and water will do that to the best of 'em.

We played hand and foot canasta until 2:00a.m.