One of our new projects was getting chickens. It started in 1st grade. In Krista's 1st grade class at McNeil eggs were hatched. This led to a 'chicken tractor'. This is a movable ark type chicken house that we relocate around our yard for 'organic' chickens and for free grass fertilizer. 
Princess dandelion
Our latest addition to our family is Claire's new kitten. As of today, it is still nameless, but we are working on names like, Chestnut, Toffee, and Spice.
After Karl and Kirsten came back to Homer, we took a 3 day canoe trip with the Taylor family. We try to camp with them every year. We went into the Swanson Lake (yes really!) area and packed in (with land and water portages) 5 lakes. We set up camp there. Then the next day, we explored other lakes with just day packs. Our friends Tom and Sarah joined us for the first day as well. Pete, Karl AND Kirsten all carried a canoe by themselves during the land portages.. WOW. Karl actually carried 2, one at a time. Claire and I carried gear and paddles.
Wild Lupine likes to grow near the Swanson lakes, and all lover Alaska.
Kirsten, Grace and Claire enjoyed the outdoors. Really outdoors. We had no toilets, water etc. Just plain old good Alaska canoe and pack in.
Collecting bait for fishing at Lonely Lake.
Grandpa Swanson gave us this boat which we brought home last summer. She paddled along beautifully.
Claire and Ian carrying their 2nd load of gear and paddles.
Looking for bait. The loons called and 'sang' all day long, but especially in the evening.
Lonely Lake
Man and his dog. Acutally my man and his/my dog. This is a 1/2 mile portage..
Break and snack time. A little lounging and fishing on the way back out.
Kirsten and Casey in Nicaragua at the top of a volcano. 
One of the highlights of the summer was Kirsten getting to take a Mission Trip to Nicaragua with her friend Casey. They went along with Grandpa and Grandma Stonoff. They spent a lot of time building, as well as helping at in the evenings with the Vacation Bible School. Kirsten really enjoyed her time, even when she tasted Boa Constrictor. Yuck. 
The guys, Kevin, David and Pete go out for a late evening fishing venture.
Claire and Amanda are strolling around on their scooters. Thank goodness for asphalt at our campground.
We are putting our 2 new canoes into action.
Grace, Ian and Karl go for a paddle on Hidden Lake.
Phil, Daniel, Karl and David have an airsoft war. Yikes.
Summer in Alaska means a lot of roasting marshmellows and campfires. This campfire pit is right outside my kitchen.
Karl and Tom are getting ready to set out again for another halibut run.
Beaver Dam on the far side of the lake.
The elder's from church spent 3 days together at Hidden Lake. Our families camped and played together. We brought our canoe's and Unlce Paul's boat along for fun. Claire went swimming even though the water was VERY cold. Guess that's what happens when you grow up in Alaska.
We went to the Homer 4th of July parade and then to some friends for a big 4th of July BBQ and party.
With both Kirsten and Karl gone for most of the summer, Claire had friends over to help fill the gap. These girls love to be in the garden.
The boys ran into a week of weather on their first trip out. They anchored up in a tiny town and spent a week of watching movies and walking the beaches. They created this crab pot out of scraps they found on the beach.
Cleaning up the boat after selling fish.Clear the kitchen for a dance floor.
Greg and Megan Sullivan came and hung out with us before fishing at Bristol Bay. This is what we do in Alaska without T.V. :) Swing Dancing.
Pete was drawn for Brown Bear this past year. He 'harvested' one in June. He went hunting with our friend Mark on horseback. They ran into quite a few brown bears. This guy was close to camp.
Claire and Lenore get the giggles
Kirsten and Claire stop on the dock for a photo shoot.
Karl is putting bait on the line before heading out to fish.
Karl commerical fishing on the Julia Breeze.
Karl celebrated his graduation with his 4 closest friends. They call themselves the Bros. They spend all winter together snow machining and hanging out. Only Ben will be going to UAF with Karl.
Swanson Summer in Alaska started out with Karl graduating from High School. We were lucky enough to have Grandpa and Grandma, Auntie Britt and Uncle Pat here for the festivities.
Greg and Megan Sullivan came and hung out with us before fishing at Bristol Bay. This is what we do in Alaska without T.V. :) Swing Dancing.
Pete was drawn for Brown Bear this past year. He 'harvested' one in June. He went hunting with our friend Mark on horseback. They ran into quite a few brown bears. This guy was close to camp.
Claire and Lenore get the giggles
Kirsten and Claire stop on the dock for a photo shoot.
Karl is putting bait on the line before heading out to fish. Karl commerical fishing on the Julia Breeze.
Karl celebrated his graduation with his 4 closest friends. They call themselves the Bros. They spend all winter together snow machining and hanging out. Only Ben will be going to UAF with Karl.
Swanson Summer in Alaska started out with Karl graduating from High School. We were lucky enough to have Grandpa and Grandma, Auntie Britt and Uncle Pat here for the festivities.
