Alaska

The family was in Alaska for 10 days in mid August. Our adventures in Alaska were not of incredible journeys or numerous fish, they were of a more gentile pace where we had long walks, passed a baby around, and chatted over healthy meals (you really can not find fresh salmon, garden salad and pasta as good anywhere else than on the Homer hill). Here are a few of the, Xander gets to know Alaskans in Alaska, highlights...

Introducing Xander to Grandpa Marsh (they hit it off and grandpa is already convinced Xander wants to move to Alaska).

Seeing Grandma Betsy again (sweet grandma and sweet potato face)

And introducing Xander to Dante (close encounters of the Bernard kind).

Meeting Uncle Ian and Aunt Stephanie (Here Ian gives Xander back after a quick hold as he is called into action to tend to one of his own)

Meeting, playing and learning from the cousins.

Going for a spin in an LRV (Living Room Vehicle).

And of course seeing the beautiful forests, fields, and creeks (and willow patches) of the Diamond Ridge.

Mom leads the way through the willow thicket by way of a coyote trail. Based on Peco's struggles during this outing it is obvioius the St. Bernard was not bred to rescue from forested areas during the summer months.

Teeth and food

Xander and company have been busy over the past few weeks making it difficult to keep up on the blog. But here is a bloglet...

The news of the week: teeth and banana cubes!!! Yes, at 5 and a half months the little guy has sprouted teeth and started eating solid foods. Xander loves to suck on these sweet, cold morsels and gets excited just looking at them. His hands go out, his eyes get big and he starts shaking with excitement. The frozen banana cubes second as a teething pain reliever. We tried some avacado yestarday but it was not recieved with the same open arms.

Mom and Xander sport some stylish summer ware. It will be a little while before those shades fit...

Xander and dad stay cool in the shade. It has finally cooled down since last weeks heat wave of temperatures between 105-110. We managed to stay cool with central AC. Alaska next weekend will be quite a shock.


















Xander is also making good progress in the mobility department. He rolls over with ease and is pushing up to 90 degrees. I have also seen a few times when he puts his knees under himself and is up on all fours for a moment.