No matter how busy life gets, our family will always make time for our annual Christmas tree excursion. This December’s weekend commitments included soccer games, horse chores, birthday parties, book club, gobs of homework, a band concert, and a debate tournament. No matter. We blocked out one lone Sunday on the calendar and headed to the woods. Good choice. Sunrise isn’t until 10 AM this time … Continue reading Tree Day 2016
Woah. We packed it in last month! Life was at times overwhelmingly busy, but looking back I can’t think of one experience I would take off the table! It all started Labor Day weekend with an overnight excursion to our friend’s Bonnie Lake cabin. Boating, bonfires, and orienteering made for happy kids. Fresh air and fetch games made for happy dogs. And all of the … Continue reading A September to Remember
Summer is a time for salmon, and Alaskans are chasing them right now. A few weeks ago we headed to the Kasilof for some fishing. The fish weren’t running strong, but the sun was shining and we decided to give it a shot. Our family’s dipnet permit allows us to catch up to 55 fish per season, and the kids are now old enough to strap on … Continue reading Watch us Dip, Watch us Net, Net!
This spring break we mastered the Staycation. We played a lot, relaxed a little, and worked just enough to avoid feeling guilty. Trivia at Buffalo Wild Wings. Tubing at Arctic Valley. Lots-o-board games. A poker party, a vet appointment for Rosie, and Alyeska ski school for the kids. Maggie and I whipped up a batch of homemade lotion – when else do you have time … Continue reading Staycation
SEASON 2 May 24-25, 2015 How crazy that we headed out for the first trip of Season 2 on our boat exactly one year from our maiden voyage . We live about two miles up a curvy mountain road, so pulling the boat up and down is no easy feat. We made it halfway down when Clark realized he had forgotten his wallet. Should we … Continue reading Boat Log 8
It’s baseball season again, and this year Sam and Maggie are on the same team. Boy does that make life easier! Last year we hardly ever got to attend games as a family, since we were always split between two different fields. This year it’s so nice to cheer them on at the same time! Here are some pictures with Sam on 2nd base, and Maggie … Continue reading Our Little Angels
Today, finally, I am grateful for time. It’s the first day of winter break, and for the next two weeks life gets to slow down. Even amidst the craziness of the holidays, there is more time for the things that matter. Time to cook real breakfasts and eat better dinners. Time to take walks before the sun sets. Time to read, and time to write. … Continue reading Gratitude #10: Time
Friday, October 24, 2014 Today felt like a gift. Each moment was wrapped in a shiny bow, and I untied every second. Due to a late parent-teacher conference night earlier in the week, I only had to work until 11:00. The kids didn’t have school at all, so Clark took a vacation day. As soon as the work day was done (okay, maybe 10 minutes early) … Continue reading Gratitude #9: Today
There aren’t enough days in the weekend. ~Rod Schmidt Oh how I love the weekend! The kids and I ventured out of town the past few weekends: two weeks ago we went to Hatcher Pass, and last weekend to Girdwood: This weekend we stayed home. And when I say “stayed home,” I mean it quite literally. Today I didn’t even change out of my fuzzy … Continue reading Gratitude #4: Weekends
It’s soup season in Alaska, but we seem to have a carrot crisis in this house. Last weekend it was the beef stew. The meat was already tenderizing and veggies half chopped before I realized we were out of carrots. Apparently the kids are devouring them in their lunch boxes. Last night it was chicken noodle soup. Once again my children had inhaled 5 lbs … Continue reading Purple Noodle Soup
Profoundly Ordinary 