A Trip Home

Tonight I fly to Montana, where I will be going to my grandmother's funeral.  She died on Wednesday after a hard battle with Alzheimers.  Her funeral is on Monday morning and then I will fly back to Alaska on Wednesday.  I know that she is happy in Heaven and I am glad that she does not have to struggle through this world any more, but she will be missed greatly by our family.  Please keep us in your prayers.

Ohmer Lake Adventure Trip #3

Ohmer Lake was just a short hike this time at 1/4 mile, but it was to the lake, and had a cabin with a table and a fire pit and grate over the top for cooking.  This time Crystal, Farrah, and Farrah's friends the Gails, along with myself took our 18 children and they all had a spectacular time.  We had hot dogs and steaks, and they played hide and go seek for hours.  We had boat rides and smore's with giant marshmellows, and wonderfully icky lake creatures to keep the kids entertained as well.  We rented the cabin from the forest service and a few of our group might go back up and spend the night.  It is a peaceful spot to enjoy nature and relax!

Postponed

So Crystal and I missed our adventure last week and possibly this week too.  However we both had our own adventures this last weekend, and will probably have some more this week that I am sure will be posted.  So for now our adventure trips are postponed until next week where we have a cabin rented and a hike to get to it all by the lake!!  More to come on this later!!! 
So this week while we have a few more days with Aunt Hollie :) we are thinking of taking her on a hike, not sure where we will go yet, but I will post pictures of it when we get back :)!!!

5K and Triathlon

This week has been a busy one for Emma and Madison.  On Wednesday evening they headed off to Wagon Train for camp, and then early Saturday morning I grabbed them and we headed to town to run in a 5K race (3.1 miles).  They both did really well and finished strong for being so tired from being at camp!!  Then that evening we road our bikes over the course for their triathlon the next morning.  It was nice to show them what to expect, but agian by the end they were tired and at this point I wondered if it would be good for them to do another race!  However, after an early bedtime, and up early the next morning they had seemed recovered and we headed to the tri.  They both did and excellent job, and now we know that transitions are a work in progress!! :)  I think after this experience they are willing to do more races and I am so so proud of them for doing it!

bike stands

Wonderful little things we need for triathlons :)

Bear Mountain Trail Adventure #2

So this week Crystal and I took our 11 children up Bear Mountain, which was a little less than 2 miles roundtrip, but gained 400ft in elevation.  We both are really enjoying the time that we get to do this with our kids and glad that they can go hiking so well now.  We did have a few screaming moments.....most of the way up the trail :) (which we knew going into it) but on the way back down they were all so happy and had smiles on their faces!  The kids loved the view, and Madison told me as soon as she saw it "Momma, I am going to build my house right here so I can enjoy this view every day!"   I found it quite enjoyable that these young ones could appreciate the beauty that we are surrounded by and be so excited about it.  Even though we had some hard moments with our little ones, that time spent with the kids far outweighed that part of the trip.  I am looking forward to what is ahead for the summer! Stay tuned for the next adventure!!!!

Here is our group, except that Zechari only got his elbow in!  For some reason red was the color of the day!!!

Starting up the hill all in a row :)

Mason on one of the few times he was off my shoulders!

Heidi is sad and mad here because she got her bag of food taken by one of the other kids.  Poor little thing! She has gotten the pathetic look down :)

Looking at Skilak Lake from the top of Bear Mountain

More Skilak Lake

On our way back down stopping to look at the little swamp and flowers!

Mason and Tomi, my two little hiking buddies :)