It has been a busy couple of weeks. Sam has been back to work and busy setting up Smith Equine, LLC. He should be up and running able to see appointments in the next week or so!
Avery and I are settling in. I have found a few things around town for us to do and made contact with a group of women with kids Avery's age in the area. Thanks goodness for the internet and social networking...otherwise I would be lost! Hopefully, we will get to meet some of these people in the next week or two.

The weather has been UNBELIEVABLE this past week and we set out and found some great spots. Auke Village Recreation Area is just 5 miles from us and has a great beach! Avery loves it!



There are a couple other spots within walking distance from our house that we have hit up as well, but this beach is by far the best we have come across.

Our bear friend keeps on coming. The trash is in the house, but he still comes by almost every night. I know because he takes out the baby gate to gain access to our deck and occasionally rips something up. Like the "bear proof" trash hatch that we found out is not so "bear proof". It was repaired, but he decided to come back and rip it up again even though this time there was not trash to rip up. I have yet to see him/her, but apparently he/she is BIG!



We also have a great rhubarb plant. It is HUGE I had more than enough from 4 stalks to make 2 pies. It was delish! Seriously, it is the easiest recipe ever and was so good. The best part is that the plant will be ready to harvest at least 2 more times!



Avery has been on fire as of late! The kid is CRAZY exhausting. I have a hard time coming up with things for her to do and get the things I need to get done in the meantime. Her attention span has gotten better, but she would prefer to be in the middle of what I am trying to accomplish than play with her toys.

She has picked up some bad/interesting habits.

• One of her favorites is to pick my flowers. Not cool, Avery!
  
• She has become quite obsessed with chasing the dogs around the house. We are trying hard to break this habit, because the dogs are growing tired and have been unbelievably tolerant lately.
• She loves purple. Seriously, LOVES it and will point out everything purple EVERYWHERE!
• She insists on having every single stuffed animal in the house in her crib at night and then has to take every single one out in the morning. This is an excruciatingly long process. Sometimes, I can help, but most of the time she insists on doing it herself one plush toy after another.
  
• Rocks. We often cart around a large rock or two. She takes them in the car and to the store and back home.

We are really liking Juneau. Sam really likes his job and it is breathtakingly beautiful here. I have met quite of few of his coworkers and they all seem easy going and enjoy each others company. Basically, all we really dislike is the housing situation. Rentals are few and far between and rentals that will take 2 dogs are even more rare. Our lease goes through May and hopefully by that time we can find something better.