Our Life in Alaska and Beyond

We are having record breaking heat in Alaska! It's definitely been the hottest I've ever felt in Alaska this past week. Normally I don't think I'd mind too much, but the wildfires have been so bad I'm really hoping we'll get some rain soon. For now we're making the most of the heat and we're spending a lot of time outside playing in the water. Last Wednesday we decided to go swimming at Knik Lake. It was so much fun. Poor little Noelle got stung by a bee on her foot, but other than that we had a great time!

We are continuing to enjoy all the beautiful fall colors this year! Last Sunday was General Conference and after the afternoon session we decided to drive to Knik Lake to take a few quick pics. For the family shots the girls loved pressing the shutter button, and then running back to our spot on the blanket. It was a fun evening. :)

It's been kind of a crazy and busy week, but it's been fun! We started celebrating Mother's Day last night after I got off work. Scott and I made a delicious Thai dinner, and then this morning we had yummy blueberry waffles and whipped cream. Unfortunately Scott had to leave this afternoon for work in St. Paul, but I'm glad we got to spend most of the weekend together. Before taking Scott to the airport I had him snap a few quick pics of me and the girls at Knik Lake and at the church. It was a little bit cold and rainy, but a lot of green has come out, especially this last week, which is so pretty! We're so excited for summer!

I love being a mom to these two, soon to be three, sweet girls. I feel so blessed to have them call me "Mom." I love them so much, and I'm also so grateful for my own mom, too. She's the best example to me of what a mother should be. It's hard living so far apart, but I'm glad we're able to talk through FaceTime, and that both my mom and dad are able to travel up here fairly often to stay with us. Can't wait to see them in a few months when we have the baby! Happy Mother's Day! :)

29 weeks tomorrow!

I had a very happy Mother's Day. Scott made us all a delicious waffle breakfast, then we went to church (doing this quick two minute photo shoot before), and then Scott made a very tasty Mexican dinner, since he was in St. Paul during Cinco de Mayo, haha. Scott gave me some new Spring shirts and Ruby and Noelle colored some nice pictures for me. I had a great day. :)

I feel so grateful that I get to be a mother to two sweet girls. I love our little family so much. <3 I also feel very blessed that I have an amazing mother. She has been and is the greatest example to me. And of course, I have an amazing mother-in-law, too. So many great women in my life! Lucky for us this month we get to spend time with both of our mothers! Scott's parents are visiting us here in Alaska. And then we'll be with my family in Cali at the end of the month. Yay! :)

As I've said before, Fall in Alaska is beautiful, but also very short-lived. I wanted to get some family pictures done for our Christmas cards, and one of Scott's co-workers volunteered to take them. Yay! She was able to use our camera after I got all the settings all set. The lighting and location (Knik Lake) we chose were perfect! However, our girls have definitely seen better days. Ruby did NOT want to be taking pictures at all and threw a huge fit so she's crying in most the pictures at the beginning, and then by the end she finally started having fun, but Noelle had had enough and was so done. Oh well! I think we got one (1) that we can use for a card. :)

Smiley girl :) Also, it was really cold! Hats and coats were definitely needed!