Mushroom Hike ~ Girdwood, AK

Our 12th wedding anniversary was spent in the delicious marshy northernmost rain forest in the world!  Love love love!  The goal ~ find the most unique mushroom for mom to photograph.  Of course I did not have my 50 mm, but hey we sure had great time!





8.26.12 ~ Happy Anniversary!

He LOVES his daddy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Shirt Lake

If you don't pack it...you don't have it.  This concept becomes a little more critical when you have small people.  Our first experience proved successful.  Yes, we overpacked, but nothing super important was forgotten.  Our little man even managed to bring along a few cars. 

Ready to hit the trail ~ 6.9.12

It was great to be on the water!  Brian looks a little serious, but he is really just super relaxed. 

Megan and Omar found our cabin.  Pretty fantastic to have your own island.

You have to find your wood.  Our island was really picked over so we canoed to a different piece of land and literally loaded one of our canoes to the top.  Didn't have the camera along for that adventure. 

Boys loving up their daddy!

Time to fall asleep in the midnight sun!

Good Morning!!!

Morning ride with aunt Megan and Omar.  Good stuff!!

We had our own island on Red Shirt Lake.  We had a roof over our heads ~ public use cabin number 3 at Nancy Lake State Recreational Area and canoes and two feet as our mode of transportation.  The hike in was 3 miles followed by a quick relaxing canoe ride.  Success!  http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/nancylk/nancylk.htm

Kenai Lake Walk

Beautiful, relaxing and fun for everyone...go for a nice long family walk along Kenai Lake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenai_Lake in Cooper Landing!  We parked at the Quartz Creek campground boat launch parking lot.  If you RV, the campground looks like an AMAZING place to be! 

Bogs and rainpants are certainly a bonus!

Kenai Lake ~ Mother's Day 2012

Puppies REALLY love the lake!

Drift wood playground equipment

We only had one minor mishap, which should be easily avoidable, unless you also have a four year old whose idea of skipping rocks is to throw a handful up in the air.  Sometimes buddy...they drop down on your face. 

McHugh Creek after a Record Snowfall Year

It was not one of those bluebird sky days, but it was still fantastic to get outside and explore.  McHugh Creek is flowing like crazy!  After playing at the creek for a bit we made our way up rainbow trail to an amazing lookout.  Spring is coming!!

Checking out the creek from the overlook ~ 4.21.12

My cool guy playing at McHugh

Plenty of snow remains

McHugh Creek ~ 4.21.12

On top of the world!

Fun Family Shot

Hugs!

Iditarod 2012

The day was fantastic!  The bright blue sky was amazing!  Our hosts were beyond gracious!  To top it all off, it was grandpa's first Iditarod!

Big grandpa hugs!  3.4.12

Complete comfort!

Grandpa is rooting for Kristy and Anna Berington.  They are 28 year old twin sisters who live in Kasilof.  Kristy in the photo above placed 29th last year!  Oh and PS they are beautiful blonds.  :)

Everyone gave grandpa a hard time for running out to high five Kristy so Anna (the rookie) only got a wave and a good luck.  :)

This is Dallas Seavey.  He is my pick.  He is a third generation musher, the 2011 Yukon Quest champ and has placed in the top 8 in the last three races.  Besides that, he is a kid...only 25 years old.  Go Dallas!!

Here is Lance Mackey.  He won four straight Iditarods in a row.  He is Levan's pick.  Lance was very friendly to my enthusiastic seven year old!

Here are my boys being well...BOYS!  This entire experience is aligned with their souls.  Don't get run over by the dogs B!

Wrestling...of course.  Levan is a very good big brother. 

Snow fight!!

Thunderbird Falls Fun

Up the first tiny hill and Bensen says, "Hey dad, we forgot my backpack." What does this mean?  It means it has been a cold Alaska winter and we are out of practice.  Our four year old wants a ride.  Thankfully he bucked up a few minutes later and was full of energy the rest of the trip (1 mile in - 1 mile back).  No whining from that boy.  My seven year old didn’t share the enthusiasm, but this momma enjoyed every breath of the fresh crisp air!

Heading to the Thunderbird Falls

Guster - enjoying every second!

Grandpa, Grandma and B

Family shot ~ 2.18.12

Grandpa and Grandma

View from the trail

Giggle Time

Kincaid Park, Little Campbell Lake

Besides Church with my family, our mini snowshoe adventure around Little Campbell Lake tops the chart for my 2011 Christmas Eve events.  I sure love Alaska and I sure love having my family surrounding me!

Go Gussy Go!!  He has no idea that he is a bulldog.  Outside he is a wild grey wolf and super entertaining!

Levan Patrick always up for exploring the great outdoors!

Happy Day!!  12.24.11

Love you bunches Dad!!