April 28, 2009 at 6:41 pm (Alaska, Dear Hubby)
My husband and I had a great overnight getaway last weekend! The last time we went anywhere, besides the occasional dinner alone, was when I was pregnant with Monkey, four years ago! I did suffer from a little mommy guilt, but was glad to have the opportunity to get away with him if only for a night! We went to a little resort not too far from where we live called Chena Hot Springs Resort. When we got there we went and hiked a trail that looped around the resort. We didn’t see any wildlife, but we did find some of the Chena River. When we got back we checked in and our room had a little welcome basket. We decided to change and go for a swim in the hot spring. It was so cool to be swimming while surrounded by snow and mountains. The water went from a nice warm bath temperature to scalding hot, but it was so relaxing! Once we had been boiled we changed again and went to dinner. We ate SO much, but it was SO good! We went on a tour of the ice museum, everything is carved out of ice. If you’re really crazy, drunk, or just have $600 you’d like to blow, you can spend the night in one of the ice museum rooms. We are not that brave! We looked at them and took pictures, sat at the ice bar, and stood on the ice stage where you can get married. Hubby didn’t seem too keen on the idea of renewing our vows in the ice museum. I wonder why?? Later that night we went back and relaxed in the hot spring. The next day we went for breakfast, which was yummy, then headed for one last swim! We toured the dog kennel, learned all about mushing, and met some of the dogs. I learned that it would cost a ton of money to mush. So I guess I’ll have to put my dreams of winning the Iditarod on the back burner for now! Then it was time to come home. I could have soaked in that spring and relaxed with my wonderful hubby for a few more days! Oh, and on the way home, we saw a moose, a BIG male moose with a rack!!!
The Hot Spring!
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March 26, 2009 at 6:44 pm (Alaska, Miscellaneous)
My best friend left last night after being here for a week. Monkey and I were sad to see her go. It was so nice having a familiar face to hang out with and to help out! We packed a lot into a week. She wanted to experience Alaska, and so I tried to help her do that. We went to Santa’s House twice, saw the Aurora Borealis, which was absolutely beautiful and if I’d had a really fabulous camera I might have been able to get a picture, but my point and shoot just wouldn’t do it. We walked across the frozen Chena River, saw a dog sled race, and went to the ice park. The only thing we didn’t get to do was snow tubing, but Kendal got sick with a stomach virus and I didn’t want to leave her with anyone since she was puking her guts up and super fussy! We took lots of pictures and she bought lots of stuff to take back home! Oh, and she wanted to see wildlife and had almost given up hope, but yesterday on our way to North Pole, we saw a moose! It was a female moose, so no antlers, but a moose! I am so glad that she got to come!
Me, Kendal, and my best friend Melody
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March 22, 2009 at 10:16 pm (Alaska)
It was warmer today so I decided to shovel the drive. The warmer temperature made it a bit easier to break up the ice. I can happily report that you can now see the driveway!
**Note to self: Shovel driveway more than once a winter!**
Posing with my shovel
Melody earning her keep
See the pavement!
Do you think she's ready for summer?
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March 20, 2009 at 10:18 pm (Alaska)
Today we went downtown to see the dog sled race take off. It was pretty darn cold and once again we about froze our butts off, but it was so cool to see something so uniquely Alaska!
The dog sled team that almost took us out
Monkey and me waiting on the dogs
Dog Sled Team
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March 20, 2009 at 9:55 pm (Alaska)
Frozen phone booth
My best friend is here and yesterday we went to the BP Ice Art Championships (Ice Alaska). We had a lot of fun, even though we about froze our butts off! Monkey enjoyed sliding down the ice slides at the kids park and “driving” the snowmoblie made out of ice! 
Monkey and the snowmobile
One of the ice slides
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March 6, 2009 at 6:20 pm (Alaska)
Snow in front of our house
It has been snowing a lot the past couple of days, I know it’s Alaska and it’s supposed to snow, but I’m so ready for spring! Yesterday I spent almost two hours shoveling the driveway in blizzard like conditions. I finally decided that I was exhausted and just could not throw one more shovel full of snow over my shoulder and that as long as there was a path to get the car out of the driveway it was good. I came inside took off my layers and ran my fingers through my hair and what did I find? Icicles! In my hair. Crazy. The snow continued to fall and then the wind started to blow. All of my hard work was done in vain! So while I was changing into dry warmer clothes my Monkey walks out the front door in her underwear and swimsuit top and stands on the porch! Children! My neighbor came home and the snow was so deep she couldn’t get in her garage. Her dad came over with his snow blower and blew her driveway and mine! I was so grateful, I offered to pay him but he said it wasn’t necessary it was his pleasure to help us out! Monkey decided she just had to go out and play in the backyard, so I helped her get into all her snow gear. She was outside for two minutes. Two minutes!!! Today, the wind has been blowing and the snow has been falling. Don’t get me wrong, it is beautiful. On the other hand, I have seen snow since October and now I’m ready for any other color besides white! There is more snow in the forecast. Seriously, how much more snow can we get??
The snow in the backyard
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March 1, 2009 at 1:37 am (Alaska, Monkey)
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February 21, 2009 at 3:14 pm (Alaska, Military Housing, Monkey)
I attempted to lock my door that leads to the garage the other night, but when I pulled on it, it opened so I assumed the lock didn’t work. This assumption almost lead to a disaster! Monkey had taken her back pack with her to Kendal’s doctors appointment yesterday and upon returning home she left it in the car. A while later she asked me where it was and I told her it was in the car and she asked me to go get it, so I did. I guess I pulled the door too hard and it closed. I got the backpack and tried to open the door. No luck, it was locked. I started knocking but no luck. Then I started to panic, my children were in the house, my keys were in my purse on the dryer, my cell phone was on the desk, and the only neighbor I know was at work. So, I opened the garage door and made my way to the front door in the snow, with slip on shoes and no socks. By the time I got to the front door, my feet were wet and freezing! Now, any other day Monkey would fall all over herself trying to get the door if the bell rang. Apparently, yesterday, was not one of those days. So, I started ringing the bell and I could hear Monkey saying “Mommy, the bell is ringing.” I continued to ring the bell and pound on the door. “Mommy, there is some peoples at the door.” “Mommy, where are you, the bell is ringing,” As I stood outside pounding on the door and bell, I was yelling, “Monkey, it’s me, open the door.” I finally gave up and came back into the garage. I pounded on the door, “Mommy, where are you?” “Monkey, I’m in the garage, open the door.” “Mommy, what?” “Monkey, I’m in the garage. The door is locked. Open the door.” Finally she opens the door, pajama pants on, both legs in one pant leg. I came in the house and she said “Mommy, I couldn’t find you. The bell was ringing.” “I know Monkey, it was me.” “There were some peoples at the door.” “No, Monkey, it was me at the door trying to get in.” “Well, I thought it was Mimi.” “Nope, it was me.” “Well, Mommy, I had to get my pants on.”
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January 16, 2009 at 8:28 pm (Alaska, Monkey)
The temperature has been above freezing, well above freezing for the past couple of days, and it’s been so nice being able to leave the house without having to spend twenty minutes trying to get everybody in their winter wear and out the door. Today, we ventured to the post office to mail a box to my sweet husband (I’ve had the box since before he left and finally got it mailed…see honey I do love you!) and then to Old Navy. Inside the store Monkey struck up a conversation with a little girl who was wearing a lot of pink and carrying something pink. The little girls mom asked Monkey if she was a pink girl too and Monkey happily replied “No, I’m caucasian.” Laughter erupted from the little girls mom and you know I couldn’t help but laugh too!
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December 31, 2008 at 9:15 pm (Alaska, Army Wife)
We were on our way to the grocery store today, all bundled up ready to brave the -50 temperature that awaited us once the garage door was opened. The girls were safely strapped in their car seats ready to go. I turned the key, and nothing…the battery was dead. Apparently I had not closed one of the doors when we came in from running errands the other day and the light had been on ever since. I brought my girls back in the house and called Triple A, only to find out that my membership had expired, even though the card says it’s good for another year. I don’t really understand that, but OK, whatever. The man on the other end was very helpful and put me in touch with the Alaska Club, the lady that helped me was super nice, and I was able to renew my membership right then and there and get set up for someone to come jump the battery. Now I’m feeling all kinds of hopeful. Then I get a phone call that the station that services my area is out of service because they are over run with calls, so I can cancel my request for service and call back early tomorrow morning. I moved on to plan B. I contacted my friend to see if I could borrow her husband. While waiting for a response I called my FRG leader who of course wasn’t home, but did call me back a few minutes later. While talking to her she asked me how I was doing since my husband left, was I sad? Honestly, I miss him like crazy, but I really don’t have time to be sad, or even eat for that matter. Finally, my friends husband said he’s come by and jump the truck. Again, feeling very hopeful. So, he came over, pushed the truck out of the garage, put the cables on, and, yep, nothing. The battery was totally drained. He told me to call around and find a battery and he’d pick it up and install it after work. So I did and he did. I’m so grateful that he was willing to endure the frigid temperature to help me out. I have to laugh as I wonder why things like this always happen when my husband is gone? Needless to say, we will be celebrating New Year’s Day at the grocery store!
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