I already miss this.....

Our first official day back was yesterday and I already miss summer! I loved just having endless time to spend with my little firefighters and do whatever they felt like doing. Life is certainly more rushed and frantic, but I feel pretty blessed that my part time schedule still allows us to spend our mornings lazily swinging or rescuing someone down some tire tubes!

Soaking it all in!

I'm not sure exactly where 2 and 1/2 months went, but sadly, they'll be officially gone in 2 days! We've had an amazing summer filled with tons of sunny gorgeous days and just the right amount of rain (in my humble opinion.)

Saturday was one of those drop everything you're doing and get outside kind of days. It was a beautiful day with not a cloud in the sky. So, I decided to have a date with my boys. :) Dane won a free pass to the Mount Roberts Tram for participating in a library summer reading program and he's been talking about going back up there since our last trip.

Here are a few shots from our day.

We had a blast walking on the trail, but the highlight for the boys was definitely the elevator and drinking fountain. Go figure!

Enjoying these last few days...

It suddenly occurred to me that I only have a week left of summer!! How in the world did that happen? We've been blessed with an awesome summer filled with lots of beautiful sunny days. It's hard to imagine we'll be hustling and bustling with our busy fall schedules in just a few short weeks. (I just got Dane's preschool schedule in the mail!) Until then, we're trying to remember to take things slow (thanks for the reminder Tristan!) and taking time to smell the flowers. :)

Sandy Biscuits!

Mushing Madness

Dan and I had the most amazing experience last night. We went atop the Mendenhall Glacier for a dog sledding tour via helicopter! What a thrill!! The helicopter ride was perfect. I loved the feeling of being gently lifted off the ground and up over the mountains. It was so fun to see our backyard from up in the sky. We were on Temsco Helicopters which is the company that flies over the mountain that towers above our house - Thunder Mountain. I can't tell you how many times a day we count the "haa-coks" flying over that mountain. :)

Here's the view from above Thunder Mountain. What a neat experience to see it from that vantage point. You can see Mendenhall Glacier in the distance.

Dog Camp
Our mushing team


Here I am "driving the team!"


I then got the chance to sit up front on the sled. Here's a short video of my view.

And one more video of the dog camp. The dogs were going crazy! There was a photographer running up the hill and they all wanted to chase him down. These dogs have an abundance of energy!!! When we stopped a few times along the trail they were chomping at the bit to get going again.

This was such an amazing trip. I'm already trying to figure out another way I can get another trip!

Another day in paradise

Yesterday was a bit more mellow, but just as wonderful. Daddy didn't have to start flying until 10 which was such a nice treat. We ate our breakfast outside, went for a "wee" (Jaeger's word for swing), and Daddy and Jaeger got their hair cut on the deck. It was my idea of a perfect morning!

After Daddy went to work, Natasha and I took the kids to a trail above Auke Bay School. We were surprised to find the blueberry bushes nearly ready for harvesting! The kids enjoyed picking a few and left with purple fingers. :) We'll be back in the next few weeks for some more serious picking. I think I may want to try this Blueberry Buckle Recipe this year. Maybe we'll harvest enough to even try some Blueberry Jam too.

Peek-a-boo!

As I sit and write this, the sun is already shining in our backyard and it's not even 7am. As soon as the boys wake up we'll get started on another sunny adventure.

The sky's the limit!

84 ° and taking full advantage of it!

The last few days have been GORGEOUS and we've been taking full advantage of the blue skies and 80° weather. Yesterday was a whirlwind of a day, but we loved every minute of it.

Of course being that it was Monday, we started our day at the fire station. And today we had company. My friend, Janet, and her grandson came along to see the firefighters in action.

We then headed to Harborview Park for some fun in the sun.

After a wonderful lunch at Paradise Cafe we headed up the Mount Roberts Tramway.


Taking in the view with friends, Hayden and Rylan.

Our gang.
Leave it to boys to find an awesome tree to climb in!


This one is for you Nannie! :)


Since the sun was still shining after nap time, we headed to Lena Beach for hot dogs & S'mores. Now, even though Angie told me the kids would want to swim, I didn't quite believe her. I was thinking are you crazy - yes, it's 80° out, but I doubt the kids would want to actually swim in the cold Alaskan water. Well, I was wrong! So off went the clothes and we hung out in our undies. Yep, I'm THAT mom!


We had a blast! Today the sun is shining again - I wonder what adventures await. :)

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

We've been cooped up for days! And we've had to get creative with some of our activities so we don't go stir crazy. :)

One of many forts!

Smoothies make...


wonderful beards!


Who knew the recycling bin could be so much fun?
Here's Dane renovating our kitchen wall.

And here the boys are making music.



And in some cases, you just have to get wet! (Notice that Dane's hands are in his pockets. They stayed there for the entire hour of his soccer class! But who can blame him? This kid was born to a California Mommy where even one gray cloud in the sky means a rainy day schedule. )


Yes, this is my kid too, but he doesn't mind the rain at all!!! You really can't tell from this picture, but he was having a blast at Dane's soccer camp.


Hope you're all managing to stay dry!

Our life isn't all about FIRE!

I know it's hard to believe, but our life isn't all about fighting fires (but it's pretty darn close!) Here's a glimpse of the other life we lead.

Meeting new friends at the beach.

Picnic Lunches.

Blowing bubbles at the glacier.

Feeding the ducks at Duck Pond.

Visiting Daddy at work.



Jaeger's new favorite pastime - playing in the Ward Air Van!


Waiting for swim lessons to begin. (This picture cracks me up - doesn't he look so serious?)


Strolling with friends.

Snacking with friends.


Looking for Daddy. The Airport Trail is a goldmine for this plane loving boy. He absolutely LOVES seeing all of those planes take off and land & during the summer it's one after the other. :)

Jackpot - Yep, that's Daddy flying that plane. Pretty cool!