Our Life in Alaska and Beyond

Mike and Kay came to visit us at the end of July/early August and we had so much fun with them! The day after they arrived we decided to go to Eklutna Lake. It was so beautiful and we had the most perfect weather! We first had a yummy campfire lunch with quickie pies and s'mores, and then we walked down to the water and played on the shore for a bit. Another family offered to let the girls use their kayaks and they loved it! So nice of them! Enjoy these pics of beautiful Eklutna Lake! 🩵

Just a few extras from July 2024. Such a fun month!

Friday Fling in Palmer. This peony was huge and so pretty! 💗 7/12/24

The main reason Chrissy came to visit us was so that we could visit Lake Clark National Park. This trip took several months of planning, and was so, so worth it! It was short (only 24 hours), but probably the best 24 hours of my life, no joke! It truly couldn't have been better and I loved every second. We took Ruby (part of her 12th birthday present) and Scott stayed home with Noelle and Robyn. It was very expensive, but in my opinion, definitely worth it, and definitely something I want to do again. 

We stayed at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge, which I highly, highly recommend. We flew from Anchorage on the morning of July 4th on a little float plane, and landed on a lake near the lodge. We then got on a little boat, and then we were taken on a 4-wheeler to our cabin and the lodge. From there we started our bear viewing (with a very experienced guide), with breaks for lunch and dinner, and then out again after dinner for more bear viewing. We slept very well in our cabin that night, and the next morning we got to do more bear viewing, followed by breakfast, and then sadly it was already time to go home. The next time I visit I would love to stay longer. But I have no complaints about this trip and really feel that we just lucked out with beautiful weather, lots of bears (no cubs, but that's ok), an incredibly knowledgeable and kind guide, amazing food (I don't think I've ever eaten as well as I did on this trip), and super comfortable accommodations. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This first post will be all of my cell pics, and then I'll do a separate post with all the pics I took from my big camera. I also have some great videos on my IG! Enjoy the bears and the beauty of Lake Clark NP! 🐻🏔️

About to get on our float plane at the Lake Hood Floatplane Base in Anchorage. We learned this is the busiest and biggest seaplane base in the world!

The next day we decided to go to Eklutna Lake, again, lol. It truly is one of our very favorite places. Scott and Chrissy went on a big bike ride all along the lakeside trail, and I stayed back with the girls at the lakeshore. They loved playing in the mud and enjoying the sunshine. After Scott and Chrissy got back we made a campfire and had hotdogs and s'mores. Such a fun day!

The next day Scott was working, but Chrissy and I took the girls up Hatcher Pass and we hiked April Bowl. It was a little chilly, but still so beautiful. I love AK summers! When we were back at home that evening we made pizzas in the Ooni. So yummy! 🍕

While Chrissy was still here we decided to do a little hike around Reflections Lake, and then we went into Anchorage and got Moose's Tooth pizza to go, and then ate it at a park. Yummm! It was a fun day. 😊

After spending time at the AWCC, we made our way over to Williwaw Campground. It was kind of rainy, so we didn't set up our tent just yet, and we decided to walk to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, explore there, and then walk back. When we got back we made a campfire and had quickie pies, but it was still pretty rainy, so we decided to just drive home rather than camp in the rain, lol. Luckily it wasn't too far of a drive, haha. This was pretty much the only rainy weather we had, so I can't complain too much, and we still had a great day!

Walking on the Trail of Blue Ice, on our way to the BBVC.

After hiking the Butte we went to the Reindeer Farm. It was so fun! The girls loved feeding the animals and playing in the new kids play area with giant bubbles and farm toys. (I have some cute videos on my IG!) Their favorite animal this time was a new baby alpaca, but somehow I didn't get any pics of it, lol! Still lots of other great pics. Enjoy! 🦌🦌

Scott had Juneteenth off work so we decided to spend the day at Eklutna Lake. It was the most beautiful summer day, and it ended up being one of our favorite days ever! We first spotted a black bear off the side of the road on our drive up, then we all went on a pretty 7 mile bike ride along the lakeside trail (even Robyn on her princess bike!), then we went back to our campsite and had quickie pies and s'mores. While we were right in the middle of eating, a black bear started to come towards our campsite! Scott quickly helped the girls get in the car, and I tried my best to gather up all our food. (I had read that's what you're supposed to do if a bear approaches you while eating.) The bear kind of started getting close to our campsite and Scott honked at it. Luckily the bear moved on with no incident, and I'm so glad we were all safe. We're just doing our best recreating in bear country, haha. But this definitely made for a very fun and exciting day at Eklutna Lake. We finished up the day by going down to the lake and and playing in the water. Scott even got all the way in, lol. Enjoy the pics! 🐻

After the wildlife cruise we headed back to our airbnb in Lowell Point and had a yummy campfire dinner with s'mores for dessert. The girls had fun playing around the cabin, and it was a nice relaxing evening. This was our second night at the cabin and it worked out perfect for us. Little family getaways like this are always so fun. 😊

The cutest little cabin! Just before leaving 5/25/24

We were able spend Mother's Day at the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer. They had a few baby musk ox that were just born a few weeks prior and they were so cute! The girls and Scott also treated me so well, and I had a wonderful day! I absolutely love being Mom to our three sweet girls! 💗💗💗

 A few extras from Mar. '24! Enjoy! ❄️ 

Plenty of snow to play in! The girls liked how they were opposites here 😂 3/12/24

We kept Easter pretty simple this year with just our little family, but we made and enjoyed a delicious dinner! Yum! Happy Easter! 🐰🐥

Noelle turned 9 shortly after we moved to AK. Her birthday was on a Sunday and we kept the celebration pretty simple; sledding with family, a few presents, and instead of cake she opted for hand dipped cones and ice cream. It was a fun day, and we're so happy to have our sweet Noelle Belle! 👸🏼

We didn't do too much to celebrate Valentine's Day, but we had some fun food with lots of hearts and reds and pinks. Happy ❤️ Day!

We actually made and decorated these a little before Valentine's Day. They turned out so cute! 2/3/24

Scott's work sent him to a conference in Napa, California called Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives. He got to spend a half day before and after the conference to explore a bit of San Fransisco. His role at his job now is a bit more in health education, and it includes healthy cooking and eating so this was such a cool experience for him. He learned so much and really enjoyed his time in northern Cali. Enjoy these fun pics!

Golden Gate Bridge

We had a wonderful Christmas all together as a family. The Christmas season is already pretty magical, but add lots of fresh new snow, being warm and cozy in a new, clean home, and it was pretty much perfect! Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁✨ 

Playing in the snow on Christmas day ❄️

Christmas was a little crazy this year having just moved thousands of miles, but it was so special to all be together. We loved being with just our little family in our new home. I got some cute pics of the girls in their new pjs (brought by Ronnie, our elf on the shelf), and earlier that day we had our friends, the Woods, over for dinner. In the morning we also had a delicious pancake breakfast decorated in fun shapes. Merry Christmas Eve! 🎄❄️🎅🏻

A few extras from the busy month of beautiful October! 🎃🍁 

Beautiful sunset from my parents' front yard. 🌅 The spider pumpkin decoration is so cute too! 10/12/23

We tried to pack as much as we could into summer before school started, and one of the things we squeezed in was spending a couple days up at Park City with Scott's fam! Scott's parents have a condo at Deer Valley and we love going there! This time we were there with Grandma and Grandpa H. and Ryan's fam. It was so fun! The girls loved being with their cousins, playing games, swimming in the hot tub, going for walks, doing crafts, and enjoying yummy food! So much fun!

Cutest cousins 💕