July Anchorage Adventure

This past winter, I made plans for a summer adventure in Anchorage.  I returned home this morning from five days in Anchorage visiting my childhood friend, Louis, and his wife and daughter.  

Getting on the airplane in Chicago, headed for Anchorage!

My best friend from childhood, Louis!

Life was GOOD in anchorage!

Dinner with friends!  Amazing peanut butter pie!  

Looking out the window on the way to Alaska!

Abel and Amy!  

Chicken and pasta!  So yummy!

Always good to see Fran!  

A visit to the Anchorage Museum.  Tourist for the day!  

I always like a good Raven!

The Feather Bears at the museum were my favorite.  Impossible not to smile!

Raven Totem

Fish Art.  

Cool mural.

Moose!

Another cool Anchorage mural.

Fun art on the side of all the trash cans in downtown Anchorage!

Blue Moose Totem

A few pictures from my hike up (most) of Flattop Mountain

Taking FULL advantage of the hot tub.

Flowers at the Zoo.

A puddle of baby moose!

I got to feed to porcupine!  

Raven sitting in the sky.

Mountain Goat

Grizzly Bear

Louis, Tamara, Evie, and Angus (dog).  Such a wonderful family!

Reindeer Hot Dog

Evie dominated the french fries

Tamara and Evie and french fries

Looking out the window on a rainy day.

Race Day Breakfast!  Skinny Raven Half Marathon...here I come!  

At the start of a VERY rainy race day!

Daddy/Daughter Giggles

Taking off back home on a rainy night.  

 

Small Big Things in June

Time, as always, is moving too fast, and yet at a summer pace.  The days are slow, yet seem but an eye blink.  It is a quiet weekend, as our plans were canceled...but the positive is the house is clean and the fridge is stocked!  Here are some pictures from the past couple weeks including Aunt Eden's visit and the annual run up in Duluth at Grandma's Marathon!  I completed the half this year, and enjoyed all it had to offer!

Cheers!

-a

A snack board on a summer afternoon.

On a run/bike with Violet.  Here we are at "The IT Drain".

Violet and Dad at Audrey's Flute Recital

Audrey during her recital.  She is truly wonderful!

At the zoo with Aunt Eden!

Sam on the Panda!

These ladies on the carousel. 

Saying hi to the snow leopard.

Audrey petting a goat.

Sam petting a goat.

These three....I just love them forever.

Chilling on a bench for a minute.

Painted Dog

Polar Bear

Grizzly Bear

Reminder:  Polar Bears are bigger than you.

Big sister piggyback ride!

Picture at the Roo with Aunt Eden

Seeing Spiderman with Aunt Eden.  Sam is here for the snacks.

My traditional pre-race meal at Grandma's Saloon:  Marathon Marinara Spaghetti!

It is always nice to be back in Duluth and take=in Lake Superior.

At the start corral of the half marathon.  It was another good year, and I am thankful to have the ability to run!  

Oskar in the morning sun.

Oskar and Luna:  Sun Dogs.

 

The Adventures Continue

A quick hello!  It is a refreshingly rainy morning!  It hasn't rained in weeks and the whole area needs it!  The windows are open and the cool, fresh air is blowing through the main level of the house.  Robins and finches call out on occasion, and the rustling of the leaves makes for a peaceful morning experience!  More than once in the past month I have heard both of my daughters mention that they read this blog and use it to find pictures from their earlier years!  It makes me happy to know that this whole blog is coming full circle in some ways!  So, in that spirit, here are some pictures from our summer thus far!  Let the adventures continue!

-a

Getting excited to run in the half marathon in Duluth in the near future!  Getting all the info for race day in this information booklet!  So exciting!

Audrey om her 8th grade graduation night.  I love her so much.  Proud Dad moment here.

I love going to the zoo, and the kids like it, too!

Getting the carousel in FIRST today!  

Sam on the Panda today.

Audrey on the polar bear cub and Violet on the penguin.  

Sam in a boat in the Swamp House

Sam and a Lemur.

We have enjoyed a few nights outside just playing and sitting by a fire.

Violet and Dad selfie by the It Drain Pipe.  Violet biked while I ran.  She did 5.6 miles this day!

Violet and Dad at Audrey's Flute Recital.  I love her so much!

Audrey during her recital.  She works so hard, and we are all so proud!