For the past eight years the kids have happily dressed up in coordinating Halloween costumes. Eight years of adorableness. Eight years of sibling love. Eight years of sewing and face paint. 2008 – Jack in the Boxes (so stinking adorable) 2009 – Nebraska Cornhuskers 2010 – Tom and Jerry 2011 – Rapunzel and Pascal 2012 – Scary Skeleton and Witch 2013 – Magician and Rabbit 2014 – Harry and … Continue reading I Dream of a Halloween Theme
It’s back to school season: our house smells like Sharpies and new gym shoes, our lunchboxes don’t have jelly stains yet, and the kids are actually excited to go shopping. Apparently buying pencils and binders is fun, but trying on pants is torture. Go figure. This year the excitement was elevated, because Sam started middle school and Maggie moved up to a new 5/6 combo class. If … Continue reading First Days
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 weekend I saw a post on Facebook that went something like this: “When I grew up, we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green. The End.” Luckily I’m able to laugh at myself, because this post is most likely directed at moms like me who like to turn every special occasion into a themed extravaganza. Take our annual St. Paddy Poker Party for example. Perhaps we should rename … Continue reading St. Paddy Poker Party
Today I’m grateful for our little entrepreneurs. Not only do I love hearing about their business ventures, but the vast amount of time it takes to draw up a business plan usually means I get to cook dinner in peace. “Mom, we’re starting a plow business!” the kids declared tonight. I was chopping veggies, but of course listened intently as they told me about their … Continue reading Our Little Entrepreneurs
This “Thirty Days of Gratitude” thing is going around Facebook right now. Last year I tried something similar, and it took me around 6 months to post two weeks of grateful posts. And lately I’m averaging one single blog post a month. So naturally I’m on board. I figure if I can shoot for more ordinary and less profound this might be doable. So here … Continue reading Halloween 2015
Election season came early to our household, but fortunately student council candidates aren’t allowed to make robo calls. Instead, they spend copious hours designing posters, writing speeches, and begging for button making machines. Sam ran for President, and Maggie for Sergeant at Arms. We are so proud of them both! Maggie didn’t make it to the final round this time, but her disappointment didn’t dampen the … Continue reading Mr. President
Last week was all about hiking, and the grand finale was an 8.8 round trip hike to Rabbit Lakes. The more I explore new trails in the Chugach National Forest, the more I understand why so many people slap “I Heart Chugach” bumper stickers on their Subarus. Summers like this make me wonder why the entire planet isn’t migrating to Alaska. There is an infinite … Continue reading I Heart Chugach: Rabbit Lakes
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
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. ~Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird I’ve been home sick a few days this week. The first night I was worthless, shivering under the covers with a high fever and sleeping for nearly 16 straight hours. … Continue reading Mockingbirds and Meano
Profoundly Ordinary 