Alaska-Day One: Getting There

Here's the thing about visiting Alaska: it takes a long time to get there!  I was really nervous about getting out there without someone falling apart.  I packed way too much stuff to keep the boys attention... just in case.  We didn't use most of them.  In fact, Alex was more entertained by the plastic trays given to him by the flight attendants than by anything I brought for him.  There were so many nice people on our flights... passengers and flight attendants alike... that it made Alexander's crying (from Houston to Portland) a little more bearable.  One lady traded seats with me so that James, Alex, and I could sit in the back with Rich and William.  Others sympathized as Alex was so fussy--remembering their own days of traveling with a toddler.  The airline worker in OKC were the best--he actually sought me out because he noticed that our family didn't have seats next to each other and told me that he'd do everything he could to get us seats together.  And the flight attendants couldn't have been nicer or more helpful.

 (Sorry for the poor quality... these were taken on my cell phone)

The boys could not wait to get Alaska to see Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Jacob.  When James realized Aunt Rachelle would be there he thought that was extra special.

The view coming into Anchorage was amazing!  So many lakes everywhere!  Next stop: Grandma and Grandpa's house!

While you are waiting...

I know you are all anxiously awaiting to hear about our trip to Alaska.  Okay, so maybe not.  But in the meantime here is a little something that Alexander picked up while we were out there: 

(Sorry the picture is sideways!)

Greeting from Alaska!!!

All the Cranes hiking Flat Top

We have been in Alaska for over a week now!  Rich has gone home but the boys and I will be here for 2 more weeks.  There is so much to see and do (when it's not raining!).... but I'll try to make an occassional post so there's not as much to catch up on when I return home.   Hope you are all enjoying your hot weather.  It's a chilly 54 degrees here in Anchorage this morning.

What would YOU bring?

For family night we talked about pioneers... since Pioneer Day is just around the corner.  As part of the lesson we played the Pioneer Puzzle Game.  James landed on a space that asked, "Some pioneers traveled by handcart. If you traveled that way, what are three important things you would take with you?"  His answer?  "My mommy.  My Alex." "Your what?"  I asked.  (Sometimes he's a little hard to understand.) "My Alex. My baby," he clarified.  He still needed one more thing.  He couldn't pick just one.  "My daddy and William."

He is just so sweet that I could eat him up.

Alexander has been climbing everything lately.  Some have been pretty scary.  But this most recent feat tops them all. 

Looks like we'll be moving the ladder on top of William's bed again.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

We love going to watch our local minor league baseball team, the Redhawks.  A few weeks ago for Family Night we took the boys to a game.  Before we got in we had a few fun photo ops:

 But apparently they weren't fun for everyone.  Poor Alex.

When we got into the stadium Rich spotted Rowdy the Redhawk and took the older boys down to see him.  They both got his autograph and carried it around with them for days afterward.

We then headed to the playground behind the outfield.  The boys love to play out there (and occasionally watch the game.)

They've changed the playground since we've been last and have added a tire swing.  William and James couldn't get enough of it!  (It was so funny to watch them get off after and try to walk.)

Alex has been fussy lately (he's getting his molars) so we walked him around the stadium to keep him happy.  And when I say "we" mean "mostly Rich."  One good thing came of it though.  While Rich was walking around, a ball was hit into the stands--into the very section that Rich was in.  So he hurried and swiped up that ball and brought it back for the boys.  The funniest part was that no one realized that he got the ball!  From our spot over at the playground we could see everyone in the section scouring the area in search of the ball!

And I think for the first time ever William and James sat in the stands and attentively watched the game.

I know not a lot of people care for baseball... but I find it so relaxing to watch and it's even more fun with my boys!

For it's one! two! three! strikes you're out! At the old ball game!

Pool Party

Last weekend we headed over to Aunt Lisa's house for dinner and some swimming.  It took some convincing for the boys to eat their dinner up so that we could head to the pool, but once we got in I think they would have stayed in all night!  William had fun playing with the cousins while James couldn't get enough of jumping into the pool!  Next year I will have to sign them both up for swimming lessons.

Alex was really funny.  I had him floating on his back--which he was loving--but he wouldn't let go of his leg.  So silly.

Most of the time, however, he wanted to get out and move around.

And here he is posing for me on his own!

Thank you Lisa and family for having us over!  We need to do it again soon!