Our Alaska Vacation-Denali

Sorry for the delay in posting.  I'll just claim ADD and move on from there!  R and I decided to take a family camping trip before he left for JRTC in Louisiana. It was a tough decision but we ended up going back up to Denali and then to Fairbanks.

 Our campsite in Denali was really fun great and much better than I imagined!

 My little ham!  I'm so glad one of my children don't mind getting their picture taken.

Photo by surprise!  The only way to get one with Ian actually looking at the camera!  Stinker!

 My little National Park Rangers getting sworn in!  They love this stuff!  

 D didn't want to give the hat back!  He's such a character.

 Mama and a baby moose.  I love those things!

 R and his boys!  I just love these guys!

 My little goofballs and I.  It's so peaceful out there, even with the boys!

 D looks like he's wrestling this tree down!  He's so tough looking with that hair cut!  And he likes it that way!

 It's amazing how fast they grow!

I love it when my husband takes pictures when I'm annoyed or frustrated, it's so faltering!  

Finally got to see something other than moose in Denali!  You would have thought I was a kid at Christmas!  Very cool caribou!

Happy 4th of July from Scar Face!

There hasn't been a lot going on around here except hours and hours of scooter riding, bike riding, and super hero wars.  Such is a lovely summer with my boys!  Yesterday Ian took a header doing tricks on his scooter and this was the result.  Thank God I'm such a stickler for helmets!  I can only imagine what his face would have looked like without his helmet to buffer the coalition.  It was a bit dramatic to clean but he was so proud when it was all said and done.  In fact, he ran out to show his buddies his "war wounds".  I love having boys!

Anyways, hope you all have a wonderful 4th and don't forget to thank a soldier!  Freedom isn't free but it is worth it! Happy 4th of July!

Ryan's Big Fishing Trip

Ryan and his friends took a fun little weekend fishing trip this past weekend and they did great!  I mean, they didn't catch a 200+ lb halibut like a little girl did the day before but they brought enough home to make me happy!  I still have to laugh a little because he doesn't even eat fish.  I'm hoping this will change with time but not as of yet.

Wow, someone looks really sleepy.  I guess the all night fishing excitement wasn't a great idea before a 5am fishing charter.

Aaron and Shane...Ryan's partners in crime!  Such great guys!

Mighty proud fishermen!  Hey where's Aaron?  He seems to escape photos kind of like Ian.

The charter crew...they did great.

Halibut are really unattractive fish but they sure do taste good!  

Hiking Mt. Baldy with the boys

So Ryan and I have been dying to get out and hike Baldy (a little info about it is at the bottom). This is a local mountain that is very popular and a fun hike. We decided that we would see how far we could get with the boys in tow. I really didn't think we would get all the way to the top but once again those boys surprised me! The start was a little rocky with lots of whining and tears, keep in mind that this was about 200 yards from the car! But Ryan and I pushed them on and they really got into it!

This was about half way up and they were doing awesome! After all, Ian was "born to climb", or so he claims.

Almost there and complete with M&M stops!

They boys and I above Eagle River! Amazing and kinda chilly!

Cutie boys!

My guys! Love them!

Amazing views and great family time! One the way back down it was harder on us then going up the mountain. Toward the bottom of the mountain Declan was hitting his legs and saying that his legs were "cranky". Their poor little muscles probably never worked that hard. They were such troopers!

When we got home they wanted to play outside for a little bit and they both hobbled across the cul-de-sac. They are awesome and they continue to amaze me!

Trail Statistics & Information

Activity Type:	Hiking
Nearby City:	Eagle River
Length:	7 total miles
Elevation Gain:	2,700 feet
Trail Type:	Out-and-back
Skill Level:	Moderate; rough trail, alpine tundra
Duration:	4 to 6 hours
Season:	Best in the summer months
Top Elevation:	4,446 feet
Local Contacts:	Chugach State Park

Alyeska with the family

Before Grandma and Grandpa left we wanted to get them out to Alyeska to hike on the Winner Creek Trail (which we love) and take advantage of the Groupon (also love) we got for the tram. It was a very rainy day but still fun and we learned that gummy bears and mini marshmallows help our boys move on the trail when they start to get tired! It was a 5 mile hike and the boys were champs! I love my little hiker boys!

Diane, Declan, and I up on the mountain in the avalanche zone...yep, it's June!

Ryan's parents in the misty mountains.

My super hiker boys!

The Dall sheep we saw on our way home! So close and so cool!

And this is were we ended our day and ate dinner! Yummy southern BBQ, fried okra, sweet tea, and banana pudding! OH MY!