Haloween 2010

I try to put on a Halloween party every year, and every year the weather is crappy.  Wind, snow, rain, cold or a combination of everything.  This year I decided to do a pre-Halloween party with the intention of having the kids outside instead of all crammed inside the garage.  To my delight, the weather was awesome!  Great weather however, was only part of a great party because this year we spookied up the backyard and had a scavenger hunt.  It was a super fun time!

Bill put a blade on the weed whacker and cleared a path around our property in the back.  Then he and Clara made tombstones.  We added Frankie clawing his way out of a grave, a pumpkin patch, a spider's web, a strobe light, a black cat, a flying ghoul, and lots of little toys and candy along the way.  It was sheer mayhem.'

Frankenstein trying to get out of his grave.

The pumpkin patch.

Shrunken heads.

Spider's web.  The "egg sacs" are actually upside down tootsie pops wrapped in webbing.

This was a flying ghoul Bill rigged up to scare the unsuspecting kids along the path.  It was AWESOME!

We also had some pumpkin carving going on.  One pumpkin for each family, and then they got to take theirs home.

Clara sporting some of her "loot".

Georgea and Wyatt cautiously trying to get to the tootsie pops.

Night time around the bonfire.

Clean up after the party.  What a mess!  Must have been a good time.

 Now we're just trying to figure out how to ramp up the terror for next year's bash!

This One is for Joe!

Camping at Hidden Lake

Whenever we camp at Hidden Lake, we think of our friend Joe.  The first time we camped there, he was with us.  That was many years ago, and I thought I would post some of this year's pictures for him to look at.

A whole family of Loons.

Another family of Loons!

Mushrooms growing up the side of a hill.

Itty bitty red mushroom.

Enjoying a dry moment and the campfire.

Mountain climbing in the rain.

Walking around the campground.

This year there were few bears, but a lot of rain and mushrooms.  This campground is one of our favorites.  It is clean, and usually fairly empty.  The kids run around, climb rocks, ride bikes or paddle out on the lake.  It is near enough to fish in the Russian River or hike one of the many trails in the Kenai Wildlife Preserve.  Of course we always have to be on the lookout for bears.

Alaska State Fair (part 2)

So, after the wet, wet, miserable, rainy day of the fair we decided we would  have to come back again for rides and general goofing off.  Lucky for me my friend Dawn was up for a "girls day" with out the kids.  She's the Superintendent of the Beekeeping exhibit.  I went along as her helper and got in free.  I'm sure I was a super big help!  There are no pictures of us.  We don't have to prove how much fun we had!

Woke up to a glorious morning.  The blue skies beckoned us once again to the fair.  We were going to wait until the last day (Labor Day).  But, I thought I could be pushing my luck and get another rainy day.  I originally had plans to meet Dawn and her kids Monday.  Clara needed someone to ride the Apollo 13 with her, and the 10,001 Arabian Nights and the Gravitron.  Dawn already gave me grief about changing my plans, so I wont go in to my sudden change of heart except that... it was a gorgeous day!  We called Clara's friend Shelby to see if she wanted to go, and we were off. 

It was such a nice day.  We got there early enough to miss the craziness at the rides and games, before we moved on to food/shopping and shows.  Mary was thrilled.  We rode some rides together, and went down the big slide twice.  If I didn't have to ride with her because of her size, she didn't want me to ride.  She's a thrill seeker! 

Flying the helicopter!

Driving the pink VW.

Riding the train.

On the ferris wheel.  That's Pioneer Peak in the background.

Clara is breaking new ground this year.  She went on the big rides.  She has always opted out of them in the past.

The 10,001 Arabian Nights.  Clara is 2nd from the left.

Getting on the Apollo 13 ride.  They were moved to the front compartment much to their dismay.

Needless to say there were some new experiences I had to adjust to also!

GULP!!!

Alaska State Fair 2010 (part 1)

Well, another Alaska State Fair has come and gone.  It is always a bittersweet end to the Summer.  Fall is in the air and school is back in session. 

Clara's dance studio performed 4 different times in 2 different places.  That was our first outing to the fairgrounds.  Unfortunately it rained and rained and rained!  Those girls were troopers.  The Colony Stage was about half the size of their regular performing area, and so they were bumping into each other, and their choreography was pretty off.  But, they really had good attitudes and kept on smiling.

Clara is in the blue jacket.  They are practicing their kick-line.

Look how much the practice helped!  Clara is the one kicking the highest.

They really are much better than this looks.  That is why it is sooo... funny!  They were really having a difficult time adjusting to the size of the stage.

They also performed at The Corral.  This wasn't any easier because although they had the space they needed now, they were performing in the rain and wet grass.  Poor kids!

It was such a wet and miserable day, but those girls had awesome attitudes.  They cheered on other dance studios and dancers and kept their spirits up.  I do think however, they were glad to have it over to go home and take a hot shower.  Because I was so proud of Clara's attitude, as soon as she was done dancing for the day, we went to the Alaska Grown booth and got her her very first Alaska Grown sweatshirt.  I guess she proved she is a true Alaskan!

Arctic Thunder

Last weekend we went to see the Blue Angels and other fancy flying contraptions at Elmendorf Airforce Base.  It was a pretty good time.  We headed out in the morning after some debate about how the weather would effect the show.  As it turned out, the sun came out, and it was a beautiful day!

Blue Angels in "Diamond" formation!!  Whoo hoo!!

This Harrier is actually taking off straight up from the ground.  It also hovered and flew sideways!

Getting on the "radar" plane.

Flying the "radar" plane.

Getting ready to take off in the C17.

My Angel!

My little Mountain Goat!

At the top of our hike to Gold Cord trail, Mary spied a rock she wanted to climb with out any help from any one.  I encouraged her to pick this smaller and "safer" rock instead.

Gold Cord Trail

It was a beautiful day brewing, so we met up with the Cowans at Hatcher's Pass and headed up Gold Cord trail. None of us had been up this trail, so we weren't sure what to expect. It was a great little trail. About a mile or so long, but that is debatable. I'm thinking more like 2. I was surprised at how well Mary did. There were some steep, rocky parts, and she never once asked on the way up to be carried. She did ask on the way down. I think she was a little tired. Luckily I had the stroller. Boy was that ever a good investment!

Our reward...Gold Cord Lake!

There were still pussywillows here!

It's like picture in picture!

Lichen

Dawn and Mary negotiating snacks at the top of the trail.

I think we were about half way up the mountain at this point. Still all smiles!

Future Crowberries

Future Blueberries.

Independence Mine across the valley.