Summer 2009

It's been several months since I've contributed anything to this blog! I'll try to sum up our wonderful Alaskan summer. The summer of 2008 was unusually cold and rainy for Alaska so we were approaching this summer with a fear that we would experience more cold weather. To our pleasant surprise, it was filled with many warm days and right now we are experiencing a sunny beautiful autumn!



Rosy and Lisa continued to stay with our family through the summer. Lisa attending EFY with Emily on campus at UAA and had a great time.


The Lake House was our favorite place to be this summer. We took every chance we could to enjoy the sunny weather, jet skis and four-wheeling!






This is a Teacher's Quorum activity we hosted at the Lake House. David and the girls were at girl's camp, so it was me and the boys!



We enjoyed a fun Fourth of July with family at the Lake House except for a (luckily) minor injury incurred by Amy as she was trying to wake-board for the first time. As she was trying to get up out of the water on her third try, she pulled the muscles in her back. When we pulled her out of the water, she was unable to sit or stand due to the pain. I took her to the emergency room where they took x-rays and gave her some really good drugs for the pain. Fortunately nothing was broken and we left with more good drugs and some muscle relaxants.



Trying to watch fireworks in Alaska in the summer is hard to do!





Daniel's first summer to wake-board - he took to it like a pro!



Daniel, David and Dean


In August, Rosy and Lisa's brother Kou returned from his mission to California. They left our home to be reunited with Kou and their other family members. We will always fondly remember the months that they spent with us and wish them the best of luck in the future.

Amy Graduates!

Amy Elizabeth Novakovich graduated magna cum laude from Bartlett High School on May 12, 2009. She has been a hard-working student and has always made her parents proud. Grandma and Grandpa Whitney were able to attend the graduation as well as Duncan and Joy along with their children. It was bitter-sweet for me. As all of the graduates walked into the arena, I got choked up and teary eyed. I can't believe my baby is an adult ready to go out in the world. I worry that I haven't taught her all she needs to know, but deep in my heart I know that she is going to be just fine - actually better than fine. She's going to be wonderful!

Amy will be attending Brigham Young University-Provo this fall. Good luck Amy - go change the world!

Michael's Testimony

Our family had an amazing spiritual experience last Sunday during our fast and testimony meeting. After a long awkward pause in the meeting, Michael (10 years old) started walking up to the podium. I was in shock as Michael had never born his testimony in fast and testimony meeting before. Here is his testimony as I remember it: "I was sitting there on my pew and I thought, 'Would Heavenly Father want me to bear my testimony?', but I didn't know what I would say. But the last few testimonies inspired me. I don't have a lot of experiences to share like the rest of you, but I do know that the Church is true, and I know that the scriptures are true. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

He spoke with such maturity and eloquence, that we (and half of the congregation) were in tears. The sister that got up next said (with tears running down her face), "If he can do it, I can do it!" A dozen people commented to me later what an inspiration he was to them. It was one of those rare "parent paydays".

Bartlett Prom 2009

Here are pictures of Amy (with her date Adam) and Emily (with her date Alex) before leaving for Prom. We had their dresses custom made because finding modest prom dresses in Anchorage is impossible!

Nikiski High School Prom

This past week-end Amy attending the Nikiski High School Prom with our good friend Adam. Adam's family was our next door neighbors when we owned a cabin in Nikiski and we became good friends over the years. Emily and I traveled with Amy as her Stylists. I did her hair and Emily did her make-up. It was a really fun mother-daughter(s) road trip!

Lisa and Rosy

Our family is growing (at least for awhile)! Lisa and Rosy Vang who have been staying with us are becoming a part of our family until July when their brother Kou returns from his mission. We love having them at our house - they fit in just like they belong here. Lisa is in 8th grade and attends Central Middle School. She was just elected Vice-President of the National Junior Honor Society in her school. Rosy is in 5th grade and has transferred to Scenic Park Elementary school to attend school with Michael. She tied for first place in the class spelling bee on her first day at Scenic Park. These two are smart chicks!

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal at the lake house in Wasilla. In attendance were my sister Jessica, her husband John and their five kids, my brother Duncan, his wife Joy and their five kids, my parents, Rich and Sharon, and our family plus two - Rosy and Lisa Vang who are staying with our family while their dad is out of the country for a month. To see more pictures of our Thanksgiving, go to http://ldsmotherteresa.smugmug.com/gallery/6930565_gearQ/1/443509118_Jk3dv