Random ~ By Niki

Jeremiah Hamrick & Dad went fishing together, they portaged through 5 lakes before stopping to fish. There were several lakes close to each other, with land separating them. The men took a canoe, fishing gear, cooler, lunch, etc.. and rowed through one lake then would carry the canoe and stuff over land to the next lake, row through it, carry the canoe over the land to the next lake... That is portaging. They were wore out when they came home.  Here are the Northern Pike that were the biggest. They came home with a total of 4. 

Aaaaaand...... back on the homefront..... some Turner girls & the Hamrick girls made clown hats with tissue paper & came giggling upstairs complete with cottonball clown noses!  

Hank and Jr put together this wooden ship.  

We flayed the fish at the Hamricks, all the children were having a hands-on science lesson, touching the fish guts, heads, etc...Aspen even popped the eyes out! Isn't it wonderful that God formed each living thing?

Hot Cocoa Time! Mmm! Dad, Mom, & Hank gets coffee, we get Hot Cocoa!  Now I know some of you are thinking..Hot chocolate in the middle of summer?? Let me inform you, that summer everywhere is not the same.  50's to 60's alot and there have been days in the 70's.  Dad loves this weather! 

-Hunter Lee- It was sprinkling & Hunter saw my umbrella & wanted his turn...He also has his boots & makeshift belt on!  Having lived in the desert for almost 5 years, it seems like it (it does) rains alot here!

Story Time in Gus! 

David had a car dolly setting around & Dad got some free hollowcore doors at a garage sale...so the car dolly became a trailer for hauling trash to the dump. 

The trailer & its constructer. :) See the eyehole? (doorknob hole) heehee

Panning for Gold~ Post by Niki

David Long Family-Sunday Evening Picture Time!! SMILE! 

Here was the group that was taking pictures of  David & Holly's family... the Denny Wray Family! 

Some of the Wray's wanted to go 'panning for gold', so the Sunday evening that the Wrays were at the Long's, Lenoard asked Dad if he could drive a suburban of people to Hatcher Pass Area, for Gold Panning, Dad said sure. Then we found out that our suburban would be totally empty & Dad said our whole family could go!!

Tyler & Amber Deaton, Derrik & Courtney , Lenoard & Cannan Deaton, & Kelsley Benedict were among the Wray's that went. 

We thought we found some gold, so we got a container from the Suburban & put the flakes of 'gold' in it. After we got back to Wasilla Area, we discovered that is was not gold, but it was ??????, "fake gold".

Amber & I, on top of a huge rock, at the Hatcher Pass Area. One of our 'panning for gold' sites we stopped at.

Science & Supper: Post by Nikita

Science & Supper is a once-a-month get-together that David's takes turn hosting with the group they fellowship with. Joshua & Ami McClain hosted July's S&S, it was up at  Hatcher Pass Area. We learned the poisoneous & edible plants. One plant produces berries & is so poisoneous that 1 berry could kill a child & 2 could kill an adult. 

Hiking up to the top of the hill. 

Each family took their own supper. We hiked up-hill &there was a big flat parking area we stopped, ate, &  me, Louisa, &the McClain boys had brought some edible plant to share. 

Louisa & Miciah (mi-KI-a)-Flower Lovers  There was a huge patch of Daisys that we had fun picking. I also love flowers! I got a nice boquet, as did most everyone. 

 This is a waterfall you could view from the top of the mountain we hiked up. 

This picture covers about a 1/16 of the entire Daisy patch. The purple flower is fireweed, it is edible. You can make jams, jellies, add it to salads, & more with the Common Fireweed. 

Having a great time of fellowship.

Mrs. Rose placed Daisys in the girls hair. Some had crowns,

others just had them placed in their headbands & braids.

Abby & Aspen 

The Picnic~ Posted By Nikita

This Picnic was an all day project for Nikita, Louisa, & Brandy. 

From Left to right: Douglas, Holly, Cassie, Aspen, Ivan, & Nikita

We had REAL Pretzels & Lemonade, Mud Bread, 

Fake Minnow 'tortillas' (mud & minnows wrapped in leaves)

Fake Chocolate Brownies, Edible Red Currant Berries,

Fake Currant Berry Cobbler, fake salad, & fake cakes. 

Lacy & Aiden "Two Peas In A Pod"

Cindy, Holly, Hank, Douglas, Aiden, Ivan, Cassie,

 Aspen, Lacy, Hunter, Louisa, Brandy, & Nikita was present at the Picnic.  

Creativity

The boys built the sign, the girls painted it. This is set up by the mailboxes and they got alot of business, I thought! 

The girls painted rocks & priced them.. unfortunately, no one bought any rocks. The girls had alot of fun gathering, washing,& painting the rocks. 

What looks like just a pile of boards..... is a project in the making 

Beginning to take shape... it is upside down 

Notice our "house" in the background!  The tarp over the door is a wonderful porch area.. our shoes & camp chairs don't get wet!!    

Can you tell what "it" is yet? 

Hard at work!

"it" is a..... BOAT!  

Psalm 2:12 "Kiss the Son" 

The builders Shane, Hank & Douglas--wish I would've gotten a picture of the boys painting it!!  

The very bright yellow paint that was in the 2nd's section worked just fine.   

Loaded & ready for the maiden voyage!  First just the builders went, then Shane came back and got me and    the other children(except David's little ones), and we all went and took turns taking a row with Shane!  

A Peek At Sunday's

David's have been meeting with around 4 other families for Worship on Sunday's.  Usually they take turns at one another's homes.  We have been very blessed to join them, worshipping the Lord, getting to know each family. Shane has preached a couple times, a couple times the brother's have all shared on a subject or chapter, & Denny Wray preached one Sunday.   

The first Sunday-at David & Holly's.  There were 59 people total. 

We fit snugly in!  For the meal, everyone spread out to the porches.

The first time we met- & now feels like we have gotten to know them alittle! 

Here are just some of the children taking a walk with their dad's.

This picture was in case some of you were worried ...

"What about children for the Long's to play with..you know only 4 other families..."

This was Sunday, the 22nd,  we were blessed to spend it with both: families that we have 

just gotten to know & with familiar families we have known! Denny & Susan Wray,

& all their family were here visiting Alaska... Gary & Denise & family

Leonard & Kristy & family, Darwin & Cui Ping & family

We met at James & Renee Richardson's  

They have a large open living space  

I think there were approx 75 people in attendance 

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!!  This reminded me of Thailand!!  At most houses, 

we take off our shoes at the door... I think this is a great thing to do!

The Wray's rented some of these for their time in Alaska