The Best Smell Ever!

So, last night we had a thunderstorm, which in and of itself is unusual for Alaska (but lately we've had really hot weather, like 65 degrees!). And we got rain, which was much needed. But the best part was THE SMELL!! When I took the doggies out to go potty this morning I could not believe how good it smelled. It was what I imagine the Amazon rain forest smells like all the time. Although words really can't describe it, I'll attempt it for those of you not here and lucky enough to experience it first hand. Ummmmm, yeah, anything I write here is going to sound like I'm attempting a novel. Just think adjectives, lots of them! At any rate, I got to thinking (as I was standing there patiently waiting for Beanie to find the PERFECT spot), if through some miracle of science that smell could be bottled I would use it everywhere in my house. I'd spray it on my sheets, put it on the back of the toilet for air freshner, sprinkle it on my carpet when I vacuum and of course use it as lotion! Yup, it was that good.

Matanuska River

Mac, Mom and Noah

Austin and Connor playing in the sand.

Connor and Dustin looking for "skipper" rocks.

COLD water doesn't seem to bother Beanie!

It was another beautiful day in Alaska yesterday so we decided to head "out into nature". Out towards my in-law's house is the Matanuska River where you can ride 4-wheeler's, walk around, etc. The boys loved playing in the sand and finding skipping rocks. I loved the sunshine and fresh air. The doggies loved the water (crazy dogs) and Dustin just generally kept us all from hurting ourselves. We spent about 2 hours or so just wandering around before Noah was ready to nap and everyone else was ready for a snack.

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

God Bless Coffee

One of my biggest fears when moving up here was that they wouldn't have all the little roadside coffee kiosks that we had at home. I think it is a slight understatement to say, "I LOVE MY COFFEE!!" And aside from a severely enlarged sweet tooth, this is my only vice. At any rate, I had nothing to worry about. There are more coffee kiosks in a 5 mile radius of my home than there are people who drink coffee. And again I say, "God bless coffee".

An Astounding Transformation

Spring/summer in Alaska is truly here now. I have put away my snowman cookie jar and brought out the one with the pretty leaves on it. It really was one of those "blink and you miss it" type experiences. One day the trees were just starting to bud and the next day all the leaves were out. This makes Alaska even prettier than it was before! Unfortunately, almost all of the snow is off the mountains, but rest assured, it will return! In a month or two - lol!

It's interesting, it's almost like everyone around here kicks into high gear as soon as the first ray of sunshine hits on May 1st! The street cleaner came through, the guy who cuts the branches away from the side of the road, all the people who pick up the garbage along the highways, people cleaning up their yards. Apparently because the season is so short, people here don't mess around! They had it all done in approximately 3 days. Catch ya later alligators!

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, and another plane and another...

We live directly on the flight line. In fact, I'm convinced that if you live anywhere in Alaska you live directly on the flight line. The Alaska Almanac states that 1 in 69 people in Alaska own/fly a plane! Don't hurt yourself, I'll do the math for you - that's approximately 10,346 pilots in a state that has a total population of approximately 626,932. The moral of this story is that no matter where I'm at, home, Wal-Mart, picking the boys up from school, Anchorage (you get the point), there is usually a plane flying overhead.

A quick nod to a new blog I've encountered that I think you will all enjoy. If you have time check this gal out, she is hilarious!! She lives in Alaska and has wonderful stories and insights about Alaska and life in general. http://www.elisepatkotak.com/

Hope you all have a good weekend and don't forget to love on your mother!
J~

And So It Begins....

Noah and Connor before leaving on our "adventure".

We adventured today. We headed out towards Palmer and went to a park by the Matanuska River. Very nice weather. Took the camera, forgot the camera in the car! Dammit!! At any rate, it has a nice campground so I think we'll stay out there a time or two this summer. Looking forward to many more adventurings, hope the weather holds out.

Speaking of the weather, it was soooo stinkin' hot today - 64 degrees! I thought I was going to melt. Also met a very nice couple from, OF COURSE, Montana (Miles City and Whitefish).

Oh and one other thing, my mother-in-law told me we'd be able to "hear" the cottonwoods popping open. Sure enough, on a walk down to the lake tonight I definitely heard the snap, crackle and pop of cottonwood leaves opening up. Can't wait for those musical buggers to start sticking to my car! :)

J~