Jeff's b-day weekend

A view from Jordyn's room. Guess what time it is? 

It's 10 pm. How am I suppose to sleep when it looks like this outside?
For Jeff's b-day we panned for gold at Crow Creeks Mine in Girdwood, AK. Before we did this we hiked about 3 miles in what looked like a rain forest. It was gorgeous. We did strike it rich, with 5 flakes of gold we found.
The mining town has the oldest bldgs in AK.
We stopped at this beautiful waterfall to take pictures, rest, and head back. 

Sydney willing to take another picture.

Jordyn had a sweet ride in the backpack. Sometimes kids just don't know how good they have it.
This was a cool hand tram to get across this huge river. We are about 60 feet above a river.
Driving to Girdwood on the Seward Hwy.
The night before we went to the zoo to watch the Airforce band play and to see the animals. Our favorite was watching the two polar bears.
This is what you do when you live closer to Russia than your family and friends that live in the lower 48. You do things that your kids would enjoy instead of having a party with friends and family. Jeff said he had a good birthday. He got some new weights and I made him a cake in the shape of a 30lb dumbbell. Now we're back to being the same age, in the same decade:)

Athletic and Clumsy

To start off I have to admit that I am accident prone from the waist down. At any given time I have at least 2 bruises on my legs. Currently I have a huge one on my thigh from walking into my bed post and I noticed a new one on my other leg, I'm guessing from hiking yesterday. I've always been active and athletic but I'm always walking into objects that leave these bruises all over. (Another reason why I'm not keen on summer/bathing suit season). On with this story.....I went to the DMV this morning (no story is good when it starts with this line). I was well prepared: had prepared for the written test, had the required forms filled out in advance, and snacks for the kiddos. Now my only wish was that syd and jordyn would allow me to take the test without much interruption. I'm a horrible test taker. The computerized women's voice put a smile on my face when I heard, "Number 040 counter 4 please." I was excited I only had to wait about 10 minutes to see somebody. The women took the necessary documents at about the time Syd took out the bag of chips from my purse.  This put Jordyn in a frenzy as she eyed the bag. Jordyn was in an umbrella stroller so she could be strapped in as a talked to this women and so I could take the written exam without having to chase her around the building. Jorydn impatiently started to tug on my pants. I ignored her tug and continued to answer the women's questions about age, address, etc. To my utter amazement, and embarrassment, I fell. Thanks to Jordyn extra STRONG tug. I tried to avoid falling on Jordyn and causing the stroller to fall backwards. As I fell, from a one year old's strong grip, I heard gasps from witnesses sitting waiting for the lovely computerized womens voice to call their favorite number that was written on a piece of cheap paper, squeezed in their hand. How embarrassing! How did Jordyn pull me over? Why does everyone have to stare and then pretend nothing happened? Laugh, ask if I'm okay, anything, but staying silent...is even more embarrassing. So I laughed when I got up and voiced my thought to the clerk women, "I can't believe I got taken down by a 1 year old." I'm still in shock from what Jordyn managed to do. I always thought if someone tried to steal my purse or harm me I would hold my own ground, but Jordyn gave me a reason to question that. Anyhow I took the test, got the first two questions wrong, but ended up pulling off a passing score and an Alaska Drivers License in my wallet. I'll probably find a new bruise on my leg tomorrow from falling and a reminder for the next few weeks of my clumsiness and the surprise strength from my daughter.

Entertaining ourselves at the park

Sydney learned to swing (pump her legs) to keep herself going. Yes! I'm so excited I only have to push Jordyn now. There's a video you can watch at the end of this post to see Sydney swing by herself. 

Watching her got old after a awhile so Jeff and I made up some games to play. We played who could jump off the swing the furthest. Jeff won. We played who could, from a complete stand still,  pump legs to see who get the highest the fastest. Jeff claims he won, but it's debatable. Our last game was who could get the most creative pose in the air while jumping off the swing. I think Jeff won this category too. But he was lame when it came to pushing the button at the right moment to capture my creative poses. I got him in the air at the perfect moment. Here are the funny pictures we took. I haven't laughed so hard in awhile. It was a ton of fun for us and the other adults who were watching us.

After watching us, Sydney had to jump too. I love that Syd tries everything and she's not afraid to try either. 

This was the funniest because I realized that Jeff is more flexible than myself. That's scary. I was laughing while I was taking this photo that I didn't get his face, but I got him almost doing the splits. When he landed, he immediately grabbed at his sorely stretched-out legs.

Buddha pose by Jeff
Give me a big hug pose.
Karate kick pose
Sliding into home base pose.
I'm a dork pose

here's sydney video.

Month in Cedar 4/09

 Some pictures of our time in Cedar. We did lots of fun things. We went to the circus. Sydney rode on top of a 45 year old elephant.
Jordyn playing dress up with her hat and purse ready to go. We also drove up to SLC to see the temple and to Provo to visit BYU.

It was so cool to visit the temple. We rode the train in and walked around everywhere. We took a tour of Brigham Young's house too.

Of course I had to walk around the campus and show the girls where I went to college. It brought back so many memories. None of those memories included any outstanding academic lectures I heard, although I know many devotionals touched my heart. The memories surround the awesome people I hung out with and met and the activities we did together. One of the best times in my life was here.

Finally!

Kitchen - duh

TV room on main level.

Back porch.

Backyard from back porch

Backyard picture from our Master bedroom upstairs.

We're finally in Alaska and I'm finally posting some info and pictures. In April me and the girls flew to Cedar City for a month while our stuff was being shipped to AK. (I'll post some cute pictures of our time in Cedar next) Jeff was away to various cities for trainings and other job stuff for that month. On Mother's Day Jeff and I flew to Hawaii for an award trip while my mom and sister watched the girls. (I'll also post some pictures of our time in Hawaii). It was awesome! We hiked to Diamond Head, flew in a helicopter around the island, took surfing lessons, and got in a shark cage all expenses paid:) It was none other than luxury for us. Right after that trip we flew from St. George to Anchorage. We were so excited to finally be in AK. The idea of AK had been around every since the beginning of December so I was just happy that we didn't have to talk in the future tense anymore....it was the present now and it was such a great feeling. Jeff had come to AK before and bought a house. When we got off the plane I laughed to myself as I saw a moose's head on the wall and saw a map with a city named UNALASKA. (they couldn't pick a better name for a city?) The ride to our house was spent observing my surrounding and flooded in my one thought that I couldn't get rid of, "I can't believe AK is my home." The home is very nice. Jeff did a great job. Our home is in a city called Eagle River. It's about 15 minutes from Anchorage. Our address is 17001 Yellowstone Dr, Eagle River, AK 99577 (for family members who have been asking). Our house is very spacious. 3 stories, 4200 sq. feet, 6 bedrooms, 4 toilets, and one forest in our backyard. Some adjustments we've had to make: black out blinds. The other day Sydney came in our room with a fever. It was light out and me and Jeff just suspected it was morning. Well when Jeff looked at the clock it said 3:30. I haven't seen the moon or stars since we've been here and don't expect we will for several months. Another adjustment: Animals. Like I mentioned our backyard is a forest. There are a ton of trees. Our backyard looks out into a forest with a river, Eagle River, that lies on the bottom of this valley. It makes for a beautiful view. Anyhow there are bears, moose, and wolves that have been spotted in our area. But then again it seems that there is no area in AK that doesn't have this problem. Last week we went on a hike with bear spray. I didn't know there was such a thing called bear spray, but there is and that's what people use. So we took our bear spray and whistle and never felt quite calm walking in the middle of nowhere. It's not like they have much in the way of search and rescue because the forest is so dense. When people go "missing", they are gone for good. After jeff told me about wolves I was all about buying a gun. Guns kinda scare me, but I know I won't feel safe without it. I really don't want to be a meal for any animal. The girls love it here. We have a play group on Thurs. we go to. In the summer it's at a park. We have a different play group we go to on Tues. This one is a hiking group. The kids love to go out and play and get as dirty as humanly possible. I love interacting with other women and learning the ins and outs of AK. I want to spend as much time outside since I know our outside time will be limited when winter hits. Things I love about our house: laundry room upstairs, central vac, the scenery, and having the windows open. Most of the trees have a thin trunk and exceed the height of our home. While sitting on my bed, I can see outside. When it is windy, the trees sway and the leaves hitting each other in the wind make for some wonderful music. Just think... at 11pm I'm laying in bed, the window is open listening and watching the trees, and it is totally bright outside. It's beautiful and weird at the same time. I hope some of these pictures and words can paint somewhat of a picture about our new life here in Eagle River.

Living/Dining/Family room. I always get mixed up with these 3. Either way it's a room where we all hang in to eat, play, visit, and and do everything but watch TV in.

View from out our front door.

Funny-looking milk carton. And might I add milk is only 2.50 a gallon at Costco. Several people informed me milk was super expensive.

Here is what bear spray looks like. I thought it was a joke at first. Who knows if it even serves its purpose. I don't really want to test it.

Arctic Valley

Today I thought I would check out what ward/church we would be attending in Eagle River. My jaw dropped and laughter followed when I saw that we will be in the Arctic Valley Ward. It didn't hit me that I was literally going to live in the arctic. I looked on wikipedia to verify that yes, Alaska is part of the arctic region. I know it is beautiful country and I look forward to many great pictures. I don't think we have the appropriate clothes and equipment to bear arctic weather. I'm secretly hoping that global warming will heat up the arctic so much that maybe Alaska will be a tropical paradise come October. I'm sure weirder things have happen before :)

Syd's first haircut

SYDNEY'S 1st haircut

This is the final product. I'm working backwards here. Yes Sydney finally got her first haircut and she's 3 now. She has curly hair and so I never realize how long it actually is and how uneven and dry the ends were. We went to this cute place for kids called "Lollilocks." Sydney loved sitting on the pink elephant and talked this lady's ear off.

This is always my favorite part of getting my haircut. Sydney was indifferent.

This is just a picture of Sydney in front of our "For Sale" sign. Speaking of our house on the market, I'll be glad when the house doesn't have to be cleaned in 15 minutes because people are wanting to go through it. We did purchase a house in Eagle river, AK, about 15 minutes from Anchorage. So now we just need to sell this one.....QUICKLY.

This is Sydney in her gymnastics outfit. She LOVES going to gymnastics to hang upside down on the rings, do flips on the bars, walk backwards on the beam, or just to jump on the trampoline and other things. She has learned quite a bit in the few short months and will be sad when I tell her that she won't be going for awhile, until we find something in Alaska.

Sigh of Relief

Yesterday morning was a little overwhelming. I will try and paint the picture. I was standing in an all white operating room wearing a white jumper and blue shower cap on my head looking down at Sydney whose eyes started to roll back. My eyes became glossed over with tears that I couldn't see. I gently kissed her on the cheek and longed to see her awake again. 

Sydney got her adnoids removed and tubes placed in her ears. I know it's a frequent procedure but I will always have that reaction when I see my child be put to sleep. Sydney has been a big snore(er), girl with many ear infections and illnesses, and recently she started placing toys next to her ear (that was the straw that broke the camel's back) and I went to see an ENT. He saw fluid in her ear (big surprise) and suspected she had large adnoids. So we set up the procedure rather quickly since we'll be gone soon.  Once the swelling goes down, I should notice results--no more snoring or apnea-type symptoms. Since yesterday she has not said, "Can you turn it up? What? or Louder." The ENT doctor guesses the enlarged adnoids were blocking 75-90% of her air passage and that the fluid was so thick that it would have never drained by itself.  I'm glad the procedure is done and breathed a sigh a relief when Sydney woke up an hour later and was begging to climb and jump of this huge rock outside the hospital.

On a side note, on Sunday Syd bore her testimony in sacrament for the first time. She brought it up to me when she saw my friend bear her testimony. I told her if she really wanted to go up there (I wanted to make sure the desire was there because I didn't want her  to go up just to breathe heavily in the mic) she needed to find Jeff (he was in the hall with Jordyn). My other motive was then I wouldn't have to go up with her....Jeff would:) So she went up with Jeff and said this all by herself, "Jesus loves me. Jesus fixes my toys. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." I doubt anyone else could understand her; she was close to the mic and was breathing heavy. It was still so cute to me and cute that she was so proud of herself. I love Sydney (and Jordyn).

Alaska bound

For the past 4 months I would say, Jeff's job has laid many people off. We found out in January that Jeff's job would no longer be a position, thus sending our nerves flying with trying to find another job within his company or looking for another altogether. A job opened up in Alaska as a state manager. He would be responsible for the entire state. It would be a huge promotion and honestly I prepared myself that he would not get it. However, today we found out he got the promotion. We are just so grateful that he has a job especially considering todays economy. We feel humbled that the Lord wants us to be there and excited for the new experiences that will come our way. I'm sure I will have some fun posts in the future wether it's random wild animals, extreme climate, or environmental differences. Either way right now we're just elated that the anticipation of having a job is over and looking forward to the anticipation of Alaska living.

last time we were at the temple we parked our car as we usually do. When we came back, this Alaska car was parked right next to us. I took a picture because I thought it was a "sign," at least I was hoping it was.

My bachelor date

I know you're thinking, "Wow those outfits are hot." Luckily Jeff and I have been married for awhile now. This isn't something you want to do on a first date. You realize how ugly a person looks like with googles smashed to their face and a funky type of space suit on. As if that isn't bad enough, when you're in the chamber with huge amounts of wind, you see just how much excess skin is on someone's face. It totally flaps everywhere and if you open your mouth, drool will fly out. But it's worth it. If you don't have fun, you definitely have fun watching other people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wgu9ry7RUg Here is a link to watch a minute clip of myself skydiving indoors.

Jeff had a surprise date fo me yesterday. When we showed up to this indoor skydiving place the thought crossed my mind that this was like "The Bachelor" sort of date: exciting, adventurous, and with a hot guy to enjoy it with. We were in this chamber that blew tons of wind and flew in the air like we were skydiving. It was a ton of fun. I would recommend this activity to anyone who is curious to feel the sensation of skydiving without the cost of really jumping out of a plane and skydiving. After this, Jeff gave me another surprise and had made a reservation at a nice restaurant close by. It was great to do something that got me a little nervous. There was much fun "screaming" coming out of my mouth. Jeff was a little disappointed when he quickly realized that you can't just jump in the chamber and do backflips. There is quite a bit of coordination and experience involved to get to that level.