Spring Has Sprung

When we lived in Nome, I loved the springtime.  The longer days meant more sunshine.  That sunshine often radiated off of the snow giving the whole frozen landscape a warm feel.  Now that we are in Anchorage, spring is different.  It really feels "like spring."  Although my lower 48 family may not agree since they just had another snowfall…….

 We enjoyed a nice outdoor egg hunt for Easter and an Arctic Hare… or possibly the real Easter Bunny stopped by to say hello!

 We have been busy exploring the woods around the house since the snow is all gone.  

 The girls even found their first WORM of the season.  Yes, it feels like spring has really sprung around here.  

Ski School

Spring Break 2016

I took the girls to Alyeska Ski Resort and met up with some friends for the day.  The girls took a lesson with the ski school and learned how to be on downhill skis.  They can now go…. and stop (pizza).  They can even "squish the marshmallow" to get the skis off.  We had a great time and I noticed a new confidence in the girls today as they skied on their cross country skis in the driveway.  This is something we will definitely put on our list of fun activities!

Time For Tea

Last May my dad drove up to Anchorage.  The neat thing about someone driving a car here is that they can bring "fragile" things with them.  Along with a baby doll crib from my childhood and grandma's china…….. my tea set came too.  A porcelain Beatrix Potter set.  I have had this at least since I was 7, and maybe even earlier than that.  

 Tonight I made the girls a special "pink" banana cake and we had a tea party!

 They sure got a kick out of pouring the tea from the little pot.  I had to make several trips "brewing" more tea!   The girls said they can't wait to do it again.  I am so pleased that I got to share this with them and that they enjoyed the experience.  

New Adventures

This summer we got a boat.  It has been so wonderful.  We have taken three trips so far, and the girls love it!  I love being able to get out and enjoy this beautiful state even more and I love exposing the girls to wonderful opportunities in nature.

We usually head out of Whittier and try to camp for one to two nights.  We have tried something new each time from bottom fishing, to trolling, to shrimping.  It is all such an adventure and new to us.  The girls have been learning to fish as well.  This last trip we gave them each a hook and V even caught one!  A pink salmon on her little "Frozen" fishing pole.  It was great.  

The hook and fight.

Reeling it in!

 We paddle to shore to stretch our legs and of course give Tisuk a break. 

 V "caught" a dead jelly fish.

 Beautiful sunsets.

 Lots of treasures to find on the beaches.

 We call this "Jellyfish Town."  Moon Jellies usually surface and we have had to raft over them. 

 One cove had berries galore so we spent our time picking.

The girls holding their first shrimp. (And our last, we didn't catch any the next time.)

More adventures await us.  For now we are lucky to have this opportunity to get out and enjoy our Alaska Life.

Seward

We started off our journey in Seward at the Alaska Sealife Center.  It had been 14 years for me since my last visit. I have been wanting to take the girls for awhile and thankfully Zeb had a nice stretch of time off work that we could wait for good weather.

The girls really enjoyed it.  They went back to the sea lions and seals several times!

Next we went on the hunt for a nice camping spot.  We researched a few before we left but "happened" upon a new one as we were leaving Seward. 

A "diamond in the rough."

V successfully toasted a perfect marshmallow!

 The girls and Tisuk enjoyed some nice beach time.  It is amazing how they can entertain themselves.  They built sand castles, threw rocks and found "treasures."  We were so happy to camp by this lake and river.  

The next day we played at a wonderful community playground in Seward.  Another "hit."

They have already been asking to go back!  

I am so glad they love adventures.

First Regatta

Most summer days we have special plans…. Monday zoo, Tuesday play group…..etc.  But Wednesdays seem to be our "free" days.  Since we had no particular plans today, we decided to have a regatta…. our first boat race. 

The girls each created an egg carton boat.  They picked their favorite paint colors and got creative.  

Once the boats dried we were able to take them to "our creek." 

We are fortunate enough to have a small creek that runs through the property.  

Due to the lack of rain…. the creek was not very fast.  That was ok, because they did not want to lose their boats anyway.

They were happy the boats did not sink.  

After the "regatta" they enjoyed playing in the mud.  

Not bad for a plain ol' Wednesday…….

Bug Garden

Phew!  I finished graduate school (again)……. and the 2014-2015 school year.  It is time to enjoy, well, time.  Time is something I have lacked the past school year.  This week I finished all the gardening projects around the house.  I had a few open barrels that really cannot grow much due to the lack of sunlight, so I decided to give one to the girls…..

We made a "rock" bug garden

 We all picked different rocks to paint and got right to work. 

 V got very creative and even painted spiders on her paper. 

When we finished we placed the "bugs" in the barrel.  The girls picked out some plants to add.  One pansy and 2 kale will keep the "bugs" company…. until the moose discover the delicious treats. 

Happy Summer! 

Easter

A little late, but better than never.  Here is a small snapshot into our Easter celebration.

 The girls' school had a nice Easter carnival.  They got to make crafts, see the bunny( a bit scarier than the bottom one) and go on a small egg hunt (indoors).  It was a nice event.  

 On Easter morning we were surprised with an few inches of new fallen snow.  They want to do their egg hunt outdoors.  It was nice, except the Easter bunny left a trail of footprints where the eggs were hidden, silly bunny.

 We had a nice dinner with family and afterward, the girls decorated eggs with auntie and grandma.  

Another blessed Easter!