James' unexpected workout - August 27, 2017

Reason number whatever to try and stay somewhat in shape and properly hydrated with kids: cause you never know when you'll be doing a two mile jog.😁😓

Eagle River Nature Center - July 31, 2017

It's a "chandelier" in the Anchorage Library lobby.  When you stand directly underneath and look up, there's a mirror. Hi family!

Eagle River Nature Center. Albert Loop Trail - 3 miles.

Raven visitor - July 3, 2017

Playground wander - June 4, 2017

Fish Creek and Barbara Street Park

Kincaid Park - May 23, 2017

James wanted to go mountain biking at Kincaid Park and we wanted to play in the Sand Dunes there. The kids had to carry their buckets and shovels on the "hike". (Malachi Ray came along)

We played in the sand until James finished his ride. Then Lincoln ran behind the bike back to the truck and I gave Meta a lift.

James had to ride to the sand dunes with us because Lincoln was running right behind his bike and Meta doesn't walk fast enough for us to keep up.

One time, James stopped the bike and Linc was so close behind that Linc ran into the bike tire.

Lincoln says he wants to bring his bike to ride the trails. We told him training wheels aren't allowed on the trails, so he needs to learn to ride without them. He's thinking about that. I'll bet he's training wheel free before the end of the summer.

Point Woronzoff - April 25, 2017

James and the kids went out to Point Woronzoff for an explore while I had a YW presidency meeting. Looks like (cold) fun!

Cardboard box sledding - March 27, 2017

At the elementary school near our apartment. It worked surprisingly well on the packed snow. Whoo hoo!

An hour in the snow - January 9, 2017

James is changing out the starter in the truck in 15ish degree weather. I took the kids to the elementary school playground for an hour.

I'm holding Meta. Then Lincoln, Thomas Dooley and Malachi Ray are in the sled on the ground. 

Christmas - December 25, 2016

Such fun Idaho goodies! (I have sweet potatoes in the fridge, going to try some potato recipies on those.) And the quick-inflate/blue banana chair is going to be so fun. Thank you Davis Family.

Waiting to go through the wrapping paper and out to the living room.

Oh Christmas Tree.

Meta's scooter and kitty helmet. 

Sibling gifts - Lincoln chose a singing microphone for Meta.  Meta chose a Paw Patrol lunchbox for Lincoln.

Lincoln's new Scooby Doo Lego Set. He already built it!

Should be on the mend - December 17, 2016

Every couple of years, James gets a stomach bug or flu that his body can't stay ahead of and we get him medical care and an IV.

I know he's feeling better when he falls asleep on a hospital gurney with an IV in his arm.  Now he's got all weekend to get some restful sleep.

Gospel Doctrine teacher - December 11, 2016

I think he's handsome.

Christmas Bird Count for Kids - December 10, 2016

The Ray's bought a house in a neighborhood across town. So while their parents move, Elijah, Malachi and Matthew came with us to the Alaska Zoo. (Elijah, Lincoln, Malachi, Mathew and Meta) We learned about Birding - how to identify birds by shape, sound, shade (color), and more. We spent 1.5 hours learning about birds. They even brought in a Peregrine Falcon named Snake. Then we spent 1 hour outside in the zoo looking for wild birds. We saw ravens, chickadees, mallards, waxwings and a woodpecker. After the hour, we met up in the auditorium again for pizza and warm cider and to tally all the birds we saw. Our group, The Magpies, saw the largest number of birds, so each of the kids got a laminated guide to Alaska's birds.

The Ray boys and Meta did great outside, but after 30 minutes in 6-degrees-F cold, Lincoln was crying from cold toes. I wrapped my sweatshirt over his coat and we went inside the coffee shop to warm up. We put hand warmers in Lincoln's boots for the walk back to the auditorium and that did the trick. It also may have helped, that instead of looking for birds and being hurried along, we just wandered back and looked at zoo animals along the way.

Halloween Scare - October 31, 2016

Trunk or Treat at the church - decorated the truck with balloon spiders we made.

Bass Pro Shop has a pretty impressive polar bear.

Firefighter and Little Red Riding Hood/Big Bad Wolf.

Happy 10th Anniversary to Us! - October 10, 2016

For our 10th Anniversary, James and I stayed at Hotel Alyeska while Tia Kathleen stayed with Lincoln and Meta.

The collage shows James and I when we were dating at Brighton Ski Resort, our picture at 10 years at Alyeska Resort and our cute family - Lincoln is 5 and Meta is almost 2.

Thanks Tia Kathleen! (Get some sleep)

I survived the grocery store... - September 1, 2016

I survived the grocery store ...with 3 kids. The Fred Meyer has a complimentary fruit display to help kids be happy while shopping. We went through 4 Mandarin oranges, 2 bananas and 4 little cookies (from the bakery).

On the way out of the store, someone asked if Meta and Thomas are twins. I suspect we will get that question a lot while we babysit Thomas (Dooley). He is 2  months older.

Dandelion Fuzz wishes - August 31, 2016

Tonight we went for a family wander near Hilltop Ski Resort and ended up hiking partway up the hill. Lincoln discovered dandelion seed puffs. I told him to make a wish and blow them away. He wished to keep hiking. Wish granted.

Then he found me a perfect wishing puff. I wished for a hug from Lincoln. Wish granted.

Then Linc wished for a hug from Mom and Dad. Wish granted.

I wished for a kiss.  Lincoln granted that one.

Then Linc wished for five hugs from his Mom. Wish granted.

I liked this game.

Tia wished for a selfie with Lincoln. He said, "That wish is not granted." and about five minutes later, Tia did a reverse photo bomb and got her wish.

On the way down a steep section, I handed Meta off to James. He has surer footing on the steeps. Meta protested. James said, "Fine. Let's get Mom!" So I pretended to run down the hill and Meta and Daddy pretended to chase me. Meta giggled all the way and when they got close, Meta said, "Got ya!"

Sunrise - August 27, 2016

The benefit of working into the early morning.

Frisbee - July 20, 2016

Lincoln is getting really good at frisbee. James bought a flexible one that doesn't hurt if it hits you. Linc catches one every so often and makes accurate throws more often than not.

I am the one that threw the frisbee underneath the ice cream shop. Meta had fallen on the concrete and I just threw it ... to about 8 feet underneath the building. James found a perfect stick and rescued it and Meta stopped crying and started watching for spiders (mostly daddy long legs).

After dinner we went to the playground at Westchester Lagoon. James did some push ups and pull ups. Linc used the rings.

I walk/jogged along the trail and Meta ran to meet me when I got back.