The Clayton Clan

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Summer is here...

Summer is here! Alaska is having an unprecedented, uncharacteristic.... and unbelievably warm and sunny summer! We've enjoyed blue skies, gentle breezes, and long drawnout gorgeous days. It has been just breathtaking.... it has been just what the doctor ordered after enduring the gray, cold skies of winter. We are crossing our fingers that it lasts and that the clock and calendar will just slow down so we can soak it all in!

Erin finished her freshman year with excellent grades and a love of seminary. Russ Graduated from BYU-I and Emily graduated from BYU Provo... such great accomplishments.
Our annual trip to Ninilchik for the Memorial Day Weekend, Youth Conference, and Girls Camp all have kept our family hopping since school ended.

And of course, there needs to be an update on the boat.... it is coming along.... although bless Bob's heart, he took a week off of work to join us at girls camp.

Here is just a sampling of the fun we've had!

Girls Camp...

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

My Father....Loyal D. Hastings

It is difficult to even type these words out...
I've gone back and forth... what to say... how to say it...
My father passed away on April 21st....
The news came as such a shock....
In many ways... I can't believe it still....
I have learned about sorrow first hand...
He was such a good, good father...
I really do miss him... I ache to talk to him again...
to tell him thank you... to tell him I love him.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Redoubt Volcano

Isn't this picture of Redoubt fantastic.... it has been erupting on and off for weeks now,
we finally saw a bit of the ash come our way this past weekend.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Turning the boat!

OK, it's time to turn the boat over so Bob can sand, fill, sand, fiberglass, sand again, prime, sand, paint... you get the point... the bottom of the boat. Here is the boat off the cradle, and being held up by straps... ready to be turned over.

Here is Bob's crew.... we love these guys. From front right around the back of the boat is Bishop Herbert, Rod Hullinger, Bob, Jason Rampton, Chase Hullinger, and Kevin Thayer.

Here they go...

Up on it's side...

All the way over

Friday, March 13, 2009

Spring Break !

This is the first moose we met as we arrived at the cabin.... her eyelashes were something else...long and kind of curly!!

We had to carry our things from the road to the cabin... the snow was so crunchy with a hard icy top which hadn't been touched all winter....

whooo hooo.... we're holding up our skirts as we walk to the car for church.... unfortunatly our car was stuck solid in the ice and after Bob worked for 2 hours to get us unstuck.... a neighbor came and pulled us out..... we didn't make it to church....