Our Life in Alaska and Beyond

This post is dedicated to the many pics I took of the beautiful, blooming fireweed while running outside in July, lol. Enjoy! 💗

I got Ruby to run with me a few times! (Love the daisies here too!) 🌼 7/15/24

Ruby and I had another mommy/daughter hiking date, and this time we did Reed Lakes! We had great weather, but unfortunately, the lower lake was almost completely clouded over, so we really couldn't see it that well. We still hiked to the waterfall, and it was so pretty, despite the low clouds. Such a fun hike (and pretty big, over 8 miles!) with my sweet Rubes! She's the best hiking buddy!

Ruby and I did a little mommy/daughter date and hiked the Butte as a bedtime hike. You'd never guess from these photos, but the time stamp on all of them is around 9 pm! Even after living here for so many years, that midnight sun never gets old! So fun to enjoy this late night sunshine with sweet Ruby! ☀️

I wanted to get some 12 year pics for Ruby, and we thought it would be fun to get take them in some beautiful blooming lupine. I took a few pics of her the day after her birthday, but then about a week later I found an even prettier lupine patch while running, so we ended up going out again and taking a few more pics. We also had Noelle and Robyn with us the second day so I got a few of them too. (The lighting was also better the second day, lol.) Enjoy these pretty pics! 💜🪻

The best and prettiest 12 year old! 6/14/24

A couple days after Ruby's birthday I took her on a special birthday hike (just a little mama/daughter date) to BBK! She's becoming the best little hiker and can pretty easily keep up with Scott and me! It was a beautiful morning, and I'm so glad I got to spend this time with my sweet Ruby! ❤️

We kept celebrations pretty simple for Ruby's 12th birthday, but she picked out this delicious mint oreo cake, and it was so fun to make! She loves mint chocolate chip, so this cake was perfect! Yum! Happy Birthday sweet Ruby! 🎂

Ruby had to handle some big changes this year, the biggest being switching from 6th grade in Utah (elementary) to 6th grade in AK (middle school.) We're so proud of her for trying out and succeeding in so many sports (volleyball, track, JNYO) and choir, and being the best student (straight As!) and making new friends. She's also the best big sister, and I know I can always count on her to be so responsible and take care of anything I ask her to. She's the best oldest daughter we could ask for! 🥰

The last few weeks of school are always so busy, but so much fun too! The girls had some fun activities, and then their official last day was Thursday, 5/23/24. Ruby got to hike the butte with the rest of the 6th grade on her last day, and Noelle and Robyn had a movie day. Earlier in the week the littles had a giant slip 'n slide and field day. Yay for end of school year celebrations!

Ready to hike the butte! It was a little cold and rainy this day, but if I remember right I think she said she didn't get rained on while hiking! (Also wish I had some actual pics of her hiking!) 5/23/24

A few extras from April '24! Towards the end of April things just start getting green here, and it gets everyone so excited for warmer weather! Enjoy these *almost summer* pics! ☀️🌱

The girls and I hiked the Butte! (Scott was on his way to St. Paul Island, but unfortunately the plane wasn't able to land, and it ended up getting scheduled for another time!) 4/28/24

Right after moving here I got Noelle and Robyn signed up for ballet to continue working on what they had started in Utah. It was a great studio, and they had a fun time, (although I definitely miss Studio 1!) In the spring they had a nice recital. It's a bigger studio so they had many recitals during the day, and Noelle and Robyn weren't in the same one, but I had fun watching all the other classes as well, haha. Both Noelle and Robyn are such beautiful dancers and I love seeing them on stage! Great job girls!

Ruby also had a spring choir concert with her school. I was so impressed with the program! Her music teacher is so good with the kids and puts in so much work. I don't know that much about music, but the songs were great, and the lights on the stage were so cool too! I loved the concert! Great job Ruby!

4/27/24

A few extras from Feb. '24! ❄️🩷

Beautiful sunrise from our front yard. 2/15/24, 8:18 am

January in AK can be pretty dark and slow, but we always try to make the most of it. Here are a few highlights! ❄️

With all the snow we got plenty of sledding in! Sledding at the littles' school here. 1/6/24

We really were in such a whirlwind moving back! Two days after arriving in AK the girls started school. Ruby had the biggest transition, going from 6th grade in elementary to 6th grade in middle school. She had to quickly learn how to use a locker, and go from having one classroom to multiple, with multiple teachers, and making new friends. She handled it so well though, and we're so proud of her! Noelle and Robyn also did great with starting at a new school in a new classroom with a new teacher. We've been so happy with the schools here, knowing they're in such good hands, learning to the best of their abilities! ✏️📚❄️

Had to get used to packing snow gear everyday again!

Ruby did volleyball again through Farmington city, and she loved it! She was on a team with her two besties, and the mom of one of them was her coach! They had a pretty good season, and I loved cheering her on! Go Ruby! 🏐

I took all these pics on Ruby's last game day 12/2/23

Ruby and Noelle performed in their school play, The Lion King! They worked really hard, going to early morning practices for weeks, and they did so good! Ruby was a lioness, and Noelle was part of the ensemble, as a bird and a wildebeest. I was amazed at how professional it was for an elementary school production! The costumes and set were amazing, and all the kids did such a good job. It was so fun to see! They performed two nights in a row, and I'm so proud of them! Most of our family came to watch them the first night, and then I think just Chrissy and I went the second night. Great job girls! 👏🏻👏🏻 

Ruby again wanted to play soccer for Fall '23. She had an amazing coach who she'd already had a previous season, and one of my friend's daughters was on the team, so it was fun to see him at the games. Go Ruby! ⚽️

9/19/23. Such a beautiful evening!

All too quick we're at the first day of school! (But we still had plenty of fun adventures after school started too!) Ruby started in 6th, Noelle in 3rd, and Robyn in 1st. It was seriously so nice to have them all in the same school and going for the same amount of time. (Unfortunately this only lasted a few short months before Ruby started middle school in AK, but we'll get there!)  These girls are the best little students and we're so proud of them!

My favorite race day of the year! I love this race, and Farmington, haha! This race is so fun, and the breakfast afterwards is so good! Scott and I ran the 10k; and Chrissy, Ruby, and Grandpa B. (pushing Robyn in the stroller) ran the 5k! Everyone ran great! See results here. 

After the race we met the rest of the family and had a delicious breakfast in the park! Then we walked over to the parade. That afternoon just our little family met up with Ryan and Jill and cooled down at Causey Reservoir. (Post coming soon!) That night we met back up with my family and went down the park and watched the fireworks. So fun! Yay for long summer days! 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🎆

The girls took swimming lessons at Farmington Pool again, and they did great! I'm so glad they were able to take lessons and become so much more confident in water. They're the best little swimmers! I took these pics on the last day of their lessons. 🏊🏻‍♀️

Ruby turned 11 on 6/6/23! She chose to have a "cherry" theme party, and we spent the day at Cherry Hill and had cherry cupcakes! We kept it pretty low key with just our little family and two of her closest friends, and it turned out to be a great day! It was maybe a little chilly swimming at Cherry Hill, but still tons of fun! Later that night we had Aunt Chrissy and Grandma and Grandpa Burton over to celebrate as well. For dinner Ruby picked delicious salmon tacos. Happy Birthday Ruby!! 🎂🍒

The girls finished up the school year before Memorial Day, which was so nice! The previous year in Utah (and when I was growing up) it was always after, so we loved getting out before! So happy to be done with school and so ready for summer! Good job girls!