Alaska Zoo

On Saturday, June 11th we drove into Anchorage for a fun-filled afternoon at the Zoo. It was a beautiful day...a little over cast and chilly but there was absolutely no rain! We explored the Zoo...it's been years since any of us adults had been and Cameron sure enjoyed his first trip to the Zoo.

My sit-and-stand stroller was such a blessing this day...it has been a blessing since I got it! Any how, We walked quiet a bit and it was nice for Cameron to be able to ride in the stroller as well.

Joshua loves the stroller and would ride for hours! He seemed to enjoy being outside...I'd like to think he enjoyed the animals but that might be stretching it!

The Grizzly Bears were playing while we were there....I love this picture!

Cole has been telling Cameron about the Mountain Goat since we arrived in Alaska...He has fond memories of watching them climb the rocky mountain on the drive from Anchorage to Homer. When we took our trip a few weeks ago to Homer he had Cameron on the edge of his seat trying to spot some...we didn't see any but we did get to see them at the Zoo

The wolves were so cool....they had them in separate kennels when we first arrived at this particular exhibit....the zoo keeper was out in their pin setting up food in odd places for them to hunt...we watched them hunt and it was probably my favorite exhibit!

This is a Grizzly cub....

Bald Eagle

Musk Ox

Polar Bears...we visited this exhibit twice....It was Camerons favorite exhibit. We were hoping that on the second visit we would catch them swimming. no such luck... they must have been tired that day!

Sea Otter

Seals

Moose! This was my first time seeing a Moose since we have been in Alaska this time! The following day while driving to Hatchers Pass we passed a moose on the side of the road....and then while driving Emily to the Airport we spotted another Moose on the side of the road...as well as a black bear cub!

I wasn't super impressed with the Alaska Zoo but it was definitely worth the money. We had a great family day and Emily seemed to enjoy interacting with Cameron over the different animals!

Aunt Emily Visits!

After a long 6 weeks my family or a piece of it had finally arrived (had, because I am writing this after she has left!). We had so much fun catching up and exploring our beautiful town with her. Cameron loved having someone new to play with as mommy and daddy get kinda boring sometimes! Joshua had an extra set of hands to hold and arms to carry him, he too was in heaven!

I almost had my sweet sister convinced to stay with us for the summer! She promised she'd be back in December...YES, she's crazy but if she's going to consider University of Alaska at Anchorage as a Med school she has to experience Alaska in the WINTER!

Cameron loves his Aunts and this week Aunt Emily was his favorite!

We had so much fun! I have a few posts planned with our outings and lots of Alaska pictures! Thanks Emily for keeping me company for being a wonderful sister and for being a marvelous Aunt! We love you and miss you more than you know!

Palmer Hay Flats

While Emily was here we ventured down to our favorite evening spot...Palmer Hay Flats. The flats are so beautiful. The very first time Cole and I explored the flats I couldn't believe something so wonderful was just minutes from my home. We promised we'd be back and sure enough we've been back time and time again.While with Emily we took dinner and sat while listening to the birds. Cameron wanted to fish so bad....

Joshua enjoyed eating rocks....and then telling us all about it!

We also walked down by Lake Lucille...Emily had to get a picture of Sarah Palins house.

We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area. I look around sometimes and ask myself what I have done to deserve to live here.

So much more!

WOW! It's been awhile. So much has happened since the 1st of January. Let's go through the family....

Joshua~ Has started crawling, he has his two front bottom teeth. He loves to eat anything and everything. He's still not a super sleeper and he's still been sick off and on....it seems like he is just more susceptible to lung infections...so much so that our great Doc suggested that we have him tested for Cystic Fibrosis. We did the test he is healthy as can be and does not have Cystic Fibrosis. There is still no explanation for his infections....maybe this will just be his/our challenge! He is such a joy....I love waking to his smile every morning. He has started playing games with us...he likes to play peek-a-boo and he likes to pretend he's going to sleep and then he pops up. So cute. He is walking along furniture and is getting more brave every day. He loves to be outside...the stroller is his best friend.

Cameron~Is my big helper. He loves his brother...almost too much sometimes. He learns something new everyday and reminds me so much of Cole...it's scary! He is such a trooper and tries his hardest most of the time. He can count from 0-15, can recite his abc's and can spell park. He knows his shapes...his colors and know which are primary colors and which ones to mix to get the other basic colors. He's taken a liking to learning to write his letters (kinda thought it would never happen). He loves to sit with Cole and watch science and history shows...it's amazing what this kid picks up. He is my first pride and joy...and makes me laugh all day long!

Cole~ Took a new job...in Alaska! We were separated by miles for just over 6 weeks. He is loving his new job...he is in such a great place mentally and emotionally. He loves living in Alaska and says he's glad we've finally joined him. He traveled the Al-Can with his dad at the end of March...it was quite the adventure but gave them the father-son time they hadn't had for a while and it sure sounds as if they enjoyed each others company.

I am holding up. This move has been hard on me. From the moment Cole took this job he's either been traveling or gone...so I had to pack and clean and move and get rid of everything on my own. It was emotionally exhausting....but I made it through. The boys and I were able to stay with family while Cole got established in Alaska....and we missed him terribly. We have been reunited for a little over 4 weeks now. It was bitter-sweet coming to daddy. We, of course, left all of our family and friends behind but we are making due.

Since we have been in the beautiful state we have had the opportunity to travel a little bit and really focus in on what is important. we have been living with the bare necessities for a few weeks now....it's pretty humbling! Thanks to Cole's grandparents we now have a real mattress to sleep on and a card table that is making due as a dining room table. Family is everything and we are really trying to rely on each other. Like I said before...Cameron is such a trooper...I believe this move has been the hardest on him.

Looking ahead, Cole's sister Shannon is pulling into town is just a few hours to spend the weekend with us. My little sis Emily will be here in two weeks to visit for a week and then at the end of July we get to see Mandi and her fam, another sister of Cole's! Looking forward to the wonderful long days and the warm sunshine!

Good-Bye 2010

This year, for our family, has been filled with joy and heartache.

I started the year pregnant and sick! I was so tired.

In February, Cole started a fabulous job. It gave us the ability to move from the farm into our own place!!!

We spent March getting settled into our new home. Our apartment is perfect for our little family.

In April we learned that the little bundle of joy that I was carrying was another boy!

May...we were all sick in may and it seemed to last FOREVER!

In June Cole was let go from his job for no apparent reason. We were discouraged, shocked and confused. After about of week of not knowing where to go or where to turn Cole started milking the cow at the farm. This has now turned into a "permanent" thing and is providing for our family! CRAZY!

At the beginning of July Grandma Doris passed away! It came as quite a surprise and although I know she is much happier now...it has been very hard!

August brought the arrival of Joshua Scot. He has been such a blessing to our family.

September was spent recovering from Joshua's birth and coming to terms with the fact that I do have two kids now!

October started the countdown to Halloween, Cameron's birthday and Christmas!

Cameron's birthday was celebrated over the span of a week. He had 4 different parties and I swear I won't do that again next year! It's still hard to believe that he's 4 years old!

December is still a blur...way to many sweets....way to much family....and Fun all around!

I can't believe 2010 if gone! I'm excited to see what 2011 has in store for our family!

Resolution #1

One of my goals this new year is to be better organized. I ran across a blog offering and organization challenge. 21 days to organized sounded great to me! So excited to participate! Stay tuned for my posts!

Report

Can you tell I love my family?

I'm happy to report that I am finished with Cameron's Christmas gift shopping....He is done! Although Santa still needs to finish with the stocking stuffers.

I'm not happy to report that I have mastitis again!

Also not happy to report that Joshua is sick...today was day 10! Praying it stays in his head and doesn't settle in his chest!

Happy to report that Cameron, who was sick first is all better...so is daddy!

I love this time of year....cold weather, lots of yummy smells and hot cocoa....also snuggling with my babies under warm fuzzy blankets....THE BEST!