The Last Frontier - Part 1

The Kinnamans set out on a great adventure to Alaska. Our good friends, the Deakins family, spend a good portion of every summer as commercial fishermen out on Alaska's Kenai peninsula. They had invited us to come see the Great State and spend time with them. So, we packed jeans and sweatshirts and we left Boise's 100 degree weather for the cool, cloudy comforts of the sub-Arctic.

All three kids were fantastic travelers -- ready to soak up every new experience. This brings Lisa and I much joy.

We took a late-night flight Monday, July 19 and landed in Anchorage just after midnight. Tuesday we rose to beautiful weather (by AK standards) low 60s, cloudy with a chance of rain. We spent the day doing "touristy" stuff in Anchorage where Lisa had a meeting with people she has done some work with at the Alaska Education Comprehensive Center.

We walked around downtown Anchorage and took a trolley to the Ulu knife factory.

We strolled through town looking at shops. Being the educators we are, we took our kids to the museum to learn all about Alaskan wildlife, geology, history, and culture.

We finished our day with huge plates of seafood and sushi at the Teriaki Box. It was a great first day to prime us for the adventures that lay ahead of us.

Abby Lou, Curly Sue

Abby routinely put her long goldie-locks in curlers over night to change her look. The other night she asked Lisa to try out her new, short hair in the curlers...this is what we encountered the next morning.

RIP CITY!

This week the boys participated in the Blazer's "Summer Tour". They had a fun experience spending time with members of the Trailblazers' organization. Follow this link to see a picture (number 53 in the slideshow) of Will Kinnaman with Jerome Kersey.
http://www.nba.com/blazers/makeitbetter/kia_presents_the_make_it_bette_2010_07_12.html#A1
Former Oregon Ducks player, Adrian Kelly gave Will his headband at the end of camp (which he in-turn very kindly gave to Ryan) and the boys had a chance to talk to Jerome and have him sign some cards.

I'm quite sure that I was far more excited about seeing Jerome Kersey than they were...it made me feel like I was a kid again.

Camping in Crouch

We returned from Clarkston and headed directly to Crouch, ID to secure a camping spot for the 4th of July.

We have had so much fun establishing this as a tradition with E-ma and E-pa.  The Fourth of July has been a relaxing time to get away and lounge with family.  We swim when we get hot, we fish when we get bored, and we eat well.  Too much fun.

These guys LOVE to fish!!!

Abby Lou's lovely locks

Abby desperately needed a haircut. She had been begging to have it cut short for months.

When the ladies at Monkey-Dooz told her that if she cut ten inches, she could donate it to Locks of Love. There, her hair would be made into a wig for a child who was undergoing chemo-therapy and was losing hair.

Remembering her own grandma in need of a wig during her cancer treatment, Abby felt inspired and compelled to *WHACK* it off.

This was a bit shocking for all of us, since Abby's look has been distinguished by her long flowing goldie-locks for so many years.

She is pleased with her haircut and pleased that she had the chance to help someone else out by giving. We are very proud of her for the choice that she made.

Big Water 2010

We made our anual trip to Clarkston, WA to be with my family and vacation a bit at Chief Timothy Park (aka "Big Water"). This is always a treat for me because much of my extended family comes out to play. It is the one time each year that my two sets of Grandparents are next door neighbors and I can miander from trailer to trailer, spending hours catching up with nearly ALL of my family.

The kids have begun to count it as their birthright to be there as it has been an institution standing since long before they were born.

Each year the kids have fun seeing their cousins and playing in the water with them for hours.
This year the weather was great and we enjoyed boating quite a bit. Ryan and Will rode the kneeboard and Ryan got crazy with his cousin Joel on the inner-tube.

It is such a great time...I enjoy being with my family and always take advantage of the opportunity to water ski. This has become quite the institution, one that my family loves and that my kids surely take for granted.

Good times.

New Friend, Ian

The Kinnaman kids were rewarded for hard work at home and school, by taking a trip to a local trading card show. They were pleasantly surprised to see Ian Johnson, the BSU running back of Fiesta Bowl fame, signing autographs.

He was so cool and kind to everyone, especially the kids. He signed anything and everything that was put in front of him, including Ryan's well-traveled Boise State hat. He was also kind enough to offer a greeting to Rick via video.

I have to say that I am continually impressed and never disappointed with the class that is demonstrated by the guys who come through the football program at BSU.

The Agony of Defeat

The intro to ABC's Wide World of Sports featured the legendary Jim McKay reminding us of "… the thrill of victory… and the agony of defeat… the human drama of athletic competition… " Ryan has become well-aquainted with both. As the the Boston Celtics return to their home to Massachussettes tonight, licking their wounds from their game seven loss to the Lakers, Ryan (no. 5 above) was reminded of how coming so close to winning it all leaves little consolation in the moment. His baseball team came within one dramatic out of winning his league's championship.

We are so grateful for the poise and gracious response his coaches showed in the midst of the drama and tension. We have been so impressed with the Cal Ripkin Little League and for Ryan's development in athletic skill as well as character. I try to point out to him that unfortunately he can't always win and that in some ways knowing that he can lose, makes the accomplishment of winning, just that much more rewarding. (I'm not sure if it's just because I am his dad, but it seems to give him little comfort)

His post-season award included a giant cupcake and a poster of the photo that you see below. He was invited to come back next year by his coaches and was praised for his development and contribution to the team.

Kid looks great in that uniform, doesn't he?

Growing Up

Abby graduated from pre-school May 22. Naxt year she will enter kindergarten at Pioneer Elementary School, with her brothers. We are so proud of her.

Power Up!

June 5 was Will's birthday. He desperately wanted a Nintendo DS and anything short of that would not suffice. His wish was fulfilled with a Mario Brothers themed birthday party and a trip to Wahooz fun center.

He is obviously very excited by his new gifts. All proceeds from Will's birthday were used toward the purchase of additional Nintendo games and Nerf guns.