Alaska Fun Part 2

Yay for family coming into town! We had a blast hanging out with so much family that we hadn't seen in awhile. First up....Midnight Sun Run! Brian, Rebecca, Ashley, Emery and I ran the race. This race is a lot of fun. It's a 10k and it starts at 10 pm. You run through all kinds of neighborhoods and there are drinks, kids squirting water, music blaring and all sorts of people screaming and yelling. Emery was my little running buddy and boy did she kick my butt! Ha! 

Awesome running buddy! This picture was taken at Midnight. Crazy how much daylight there is in AK in the Summer. 

Grandma and Grandpa have a great yard for playing soccer and boy did we play lots of soccer! Adults and kids got out there and played almost every night. 

We brought out the hula hoops and Brian had to show the kids how its done. I love his hands! Haha

And apparently Carson was thirsty...they have buckets sitting around to catch the rain so they can water their garden with it. Carson thought it was there for drinking. 

A couple other activities we were able to do with all the family is Gold Dredge 8, playing in a lake and the Santa Claus House.

Gold Dredge 8 is a little train ride you get to take back to a little shop where you can pan for gold. On the there, you stop at different places and guys are explaining how planning for gold and mining work in the olden days.

Stopped by the Alyeska Pipeline on our way to change before we headed to the lake. 

Since we left, almost 4 years ago, they have made these lakes known as the Tanana Lakes. There was one for swimming and then one for boats and such. And the water was freezing! Reagan was the only brave one in our family to get all the way in. 

Our kids did not believe us when we said we are going to the Santa Claus House. And when we pulled up and they saw the reindeer, they were very excited!

And since we were already in North Pole, we decided to take a little drive to Salcha and hit up The Knotty Shop for ice cream! Yummy! 

Alaska Fun Part 1

We decided to fly out of Atlanta Georgia because it was cheaper so my mom and Maureen rode over with us so they could bring the car back. Boy what a trip! On our way over, our A/C was blowing hot air so we had to pull off and find some place to test the Free-on(no idea how it is spelt). Luckily we found a place and after waiting over an hour, we were back on the road and heading for the airport.

Here we gooo! Off to another adventure for our summer vacation. Alaska here we come!! We flew from ATL to Seattle then had a 2 hour layover and then onward to Fairbanks.  I was dreading these flights because I had no idea how Carson was going to do. Reagan and Bryson were good, they have snacks, movies, games and coloring. Carson on the other hand, he just wanted to play in the aisle and run up and down it. I am so glad Brian was with us so we were able to split watching Carson. Once we got to Seattle, we told the kids they needed to get their PJs on because it was time to sleep on the next flight. So glad they all listened and slept! :) We got into Fairbanks about 1am and were more than ready for bed! Brian's parents were able to pick us up and as soon as we got back to their house, we were all fast asleep.

Trying to keep Carson entertained but I think Brian enjoyed it more :) 

YAY for sleeping from Seattle to Fairbanks!!

For our 1st day in Fairbanks, we told the kids we would go find a playground to play on for a bit. They were beyond excited(it's too hot to play at the parks in AZ)! It was drizzling a little bit so we headed to the Morris Thompson Visitors Center. One of Brian's old bosses is now working there so it was fun to meet her and then walk around and see all the displays. All of the Athabaskan bead work was amazing!

I want something like this! Just amazing! 

And Carson is in heaven! So glad Chena was here to keep Carson occupied :)

Of course we had to make a trip to Alaska Land which is now known as Pioneer Park. Actually we made a few trips here. Kids just loved to be outside!

Carson found every puddle there was and went to splash in them. 

We took the kids to see The Alyeska Pipeline. They really had no idea what it was but they enjoyed seeing it. 

Yes this is usually how Carson acts when I want a picture of all of them. Little stinker! 

This water was FREEZING! But nothing stops throwing rocks in the water. Or maybe daddy was telling them to try to hit me...

And a couple pictures just messing around Grandma and Grandpa's house.

PS- I am writing these posts months behind and I regret not doing it right away! I should have kept a journal of everything we did....next time! or next year! 

Space and Science Center

From the moment the kids saw the giant Rockets on our way to moms on the first day, they have been begging to go see them. They were so excited to finally get to see the rockets and the spaceship. We weren't sure what to expect so we weren't sure how long we would be here. We ended up staying almost the entire day and the kids loved minute of it! 

We found where Papa Lars use to work! 

Some of the cutest astronauts I have ever seen.

There was a little kids area with this ride and a play area. The kids must have rode this ride about 15 times. I think it is safe to say that it was their favorite. 

Brian was ready to ride this ride and then they announced it had broken down. He was a bit bummed. Next time dear!

The kids keep talking about all the fun they had and can't wait to go back! Hopefully it can happen sooner than later. 

Fathers Day

We are so grateful to have such a loving daddy in our family! 

HAPPY FATHERS DAY BABE!! WE LOVE YOU!!