Happy Leap Day!

I just love occasions to celebrate, and a day that only comes around once every four years sure is cause for  some sort of festive acknowledgment! I have to admit, though, that I'm kind of stumped; how does one recognize leap day? I could go the whole frog route, but my kids aren't old enough to appreciate and it's kind of childish for just adults... I'm intrigued by the number four- maybe a four course dinner? A pizza with four toppings? Four fun appetizers for dinner?

At any rate, I think we'll watch one of my favorite girly movies that Blake actually likes too, Leap Year, starring Amy Adams and some Irish guy. It's a really sweet movie and is pretty clean (a rare thing in a modern chick flick!). Look for it at redbox if you need a treat tonight!

Vote Today!

Attention registered Arizona republicans! Today is election day! Never mind the snow, get to your precinct and vote!

The Last Frontier

We flew. We admired. We ate. We moved. We lounged. We went to Alaska!
I truly am fortunate among sisters to have a brother who lives in Juneau. I mean, I've wanted to go there my whole life, and were I a more strategic person, perhaps I would have hinted he should move there to provide a cheap dwelling for my future adventures. But he up and did it on his own and I never had to say a word! That was years ago. He now has a grownup job, and a grownup wife, and a grownup apartment. They graciously offered to put aside their grownup life for five days of showing off their city to me, my man, and our two noisy babies.
I'll rely on pictures more than words to give you a glimpse of the amazing time that we had.

Hanging out on Sandy Beach on Douglas Island in Juneau

There were mountains EVERYWHERE

Xtra-Tufs, a Juneau staple. Seriously, half the people we saw were wearing them.

Rory loved getting to know her aunt and uncle better

The weather was just lovely

Rory and her authentic Alaskan moose, a la Costco

Joe and Andrea were always willing to hold a baby!

Bash was sure smiley with them

Alaskan bear baby

I was kind of embarrassed by Aurora's name in Alaska, which is quite common up there and is on par with naming a kid "Aspen" in Flagstaff

Bud-o loves his auntie!

Hanging out at the Mendenhall Glacier

So many great sights were super accessible, including the glacier

Kisses

It really is that blue

The unavoidable need for nap time (as seen above) forced us to enjoy downtime too

We did not starve in Juneau. This amazing halibut fish and chips was just the beginning...

Amiable Bud-o

I love how distinct the snowline is

Seeing ocean vessels against a backdrop of snowy peaks and fir trees, and bald eagles amongst the seagulls, is a little confusing

Bash found it all very stimulating

Looking down the Gastineau Channel

My favorite traveling companions

Cheeks

Scarily excited about her high chair

Loving Auntie's boots

Blake and his squinty girls

Fierce Bash

Bundled up to check out an old gold mine

Treadwell Mine on Douglas Island

This waterfall supplied the mine

My favorite views of the trip were from North Douglas

Spectacular scenery

We had a fancy salmon dinner!

Shrine of St. Therese

An eerily beautiful old church, isolated and on the water

Blake kept our little lion warm

Enjoying Andrea's smoked salmon dip in a coffee shop

The benefits of having a musical uncle

Baked Alaska!

The Northern Lights in the Anchorage Airport

We took advantage of a 12 hour layover and visited the Anchorage Museum

Aurora had a ball in the kiddy area

Anchorage has mountains too!

Reindeer sausage pizza!

The end of the road...wilderness beyond!