Fur Rondy 2012

The Fur Rondy Festival is a 77 year tradition. It is a significant part of the history and tradition of Anchorage. In the mid 1930's, Anchorage was just a small town of about 3,000 people.

Vern Johnson, the father of the Fur Rendezvous, was a likeable, outgoing Anchorage citizen with a keen understanding of social conditions. He and his friends decided to establish a 3-day Festival to coincide with the time that the miners and trappers came to town with their winter's yield. It began as a three-day sports tournament on February 15, 16 and 17, 1935 and featured skiing, hockey, basketball, boxing and a children's sled dog race down Fourth Avenue. Nearly the entire population of Anchorage turned out for the bonfire and torchlight parade.
Since then, the Fur Rendezvous has earned national and international notoriety, and visitors from throughout the world descend on Anchorage every February. Fur Rendezvous remains a highly anticipated time of year.

This is the first year we've been and participated. We LOVED it! We did and saw many things.

1. SLED DOG RACE

The World Championship Sled Dog Race debuted in 1946 and has become the cornerstone event of the Festival bringing teams of sled dogs and mushers to Anchorage from across Alaska and all over the world. The World Championship Dog Weight Pull began in 1967 as a bet between two dog owners to see whose animal could pull the most weight. Four decades later, dog owners are still competing against each other for the cash, notoriety and the illustrious World Champion title for the event.

To kick off the beginning of the Iditarod, the mushers and dogs race around Anchorage. The race really starts in Willow, AK. What is the Iditarod? It is an annual 975 mile sled dog race run in early March from Willow to Nome. Mushers and a team of 12-16 dogs, of which at least 6 must be on the towline at the finish line, cover the distance in 9–15 days. The Iditarod began in 1973 as an event to test the best sled dog mushers and teams but evolved into today's highly competitive race. The current fastest winning time record was set in 2011 by John Baker with a time of 8 days, 19 hours, 46 minutes, and 39 seconds.

We saw about 5-6 sled dog teams.
Everyone cheered as they came by.
2. CARNIVAL

They have a big carnival. Let me clarify, it's big for AK. It's not the OC Fair or anything.
We did not go on the rides. It was snowy and windy. Doesn't seem fun to twirl around on a ride when it's already freezing out.
3. FUR AUCTION

There are still many Fur Rendezvous events that have withstood the test of time and continue to maintain their unique character. The Official Rondy Fur Auction has been a staple of the Festival since the beginning and the Festival was named in large part to the economic importance of the Alaskan fur trade. Given that the fur trade was Alaska's third most valuable industry in those days, incorporating the industry into the celebration was a logical idea.

Umm, no thank you. I think this was a fox, with legs and tail still in tact.
At least they're warm. We saw another guy with a fox head as a hat.
True Alaskans, or maybe just wanna-be-s. My snow pants, jacket, and boots keep me plenty warm. It looks pretty cool though.

4. BLANKET TOSS

The Blanket Toss, an ancient Native Alaskan tradition, joined the Festival in 1950. Native Alaskans were flown into Anchorage from Nome and the Little Diomede Islands to participate in the Blanket Toss and to showcase their captivating tribal dances.
The "blanket" is made from walrus and breaded seal, at least that's what the guy told me. If you're native Alaskan you can kill any animal. They do use everything for something, like this.
So fun. I wish I could've done it too. I'm glad the girls got a chance.

In case you can't tell, the girls both loved it.

5. RUNNING OF THE REINDEER

This year was the 5th Annual Rondy Running of the Reindeer! This internationally acclaimed event is a fundraiser for Toys for Tots and is a great way to help Alaskans! We ran 4 blocks in the middle of the street and 8 reindeer chased and passed us.

This was a highlight. I went with my friend, Kirsten. We were in the women's heat. We stayed toward the back of the group to try and get better pictures w/ the reindeers running behind us. The crowd watching was CRAZY. Thousands of people lined the streets. People on second story bldgs taking pictures and waving, people yelling, all sorts of participants dressed up. It was such a fun environment to be part of. I've never been to mardi gras, but that's how I would've pictured it--minus the snow and cold. It was difficult for Jeff to take pictures or video because not only did he have 3 busy little ones to keep an eye on, but the mass of humanity was nothing we've ever seen.
You can't see me, but it's just a picture to see the tons of people. This just shows a glimpse of it. We didn't even get a picture of us w/ reindeers behind us, but trust me there were. There was one reindeer slacking behind and came right past us.
After the race. We went with a St. Patrick's day theme-clover socks, green shirts, necklaces, and leprechaun silly hats.
6. SNOW SCULPTURES

This is also a huge activity/competition they have. It stays up for a long time. The kids enjoyed playing around all the sculptures that were made.
Sydney behind a see-through sculpture.
Kids and their friend, Ila in a ice car.
Me and Levi on part of a train. He's all about trains and planes right now.
All of us in front of the train car.

7. UAA HOCKEY GAME

As if our day wasn't busy enough we fit in a hockey game. We love going to these games. Our friend hooked us up with tickets.
When Jordyn saw the mascot, the sea wolf, she said, "I'm gonna give the monster a hug."
Between the periods the girls were thrown a Sea Wolf T-shirt and each got a water bottle and puck. I love having kids, they get all the cool stuff. If Jeff and I had been to the game alone, they wouldn't have thrown us that stuff.
Love these guys! Yummy. One's hot the other is cute.

Random stuff

To say I'm excited that we're going to Maui in a few weeks would be an understatement. At this point I haven't traveled further than 30 miles in 10 months. Sometimes I feel like I live on a small, frozen island only 20 miles in diameter. That's all we travel in the winter. This is the poster I made last time we left. We count down the days.

Finding a good deal is also exciting. I wanted some boots like these and they were only $15. Normally they were $45 but with some sale and coupons I got hooked up.
It's pretty random that all three kids are looking at the camera and sitting still in the bath tub long enough to take a picture. It'll probably be the last one they're all in the bath tub together. Sydney's at that age where she needs to start taking a shower.
This is random. Rarely do I see a sunset like this in the winter. Even in the summer it's rare because I go to bed before the sun sets. Last weekend I saw the NORTHERN LIGHTS for the first time. We saw them from our bedroom window. It is definitely amazing. Glad I finally saw them before we live.

soccer, skiing, and more

Some things we've been up to:

1. FHE

These next four pictures is an activity we did with family home evening. It comes from Ephesians 6:11-18 about putting on the "whole armor of God." The kids loved the armor I made. We talked about each piece of armor and what it means to us.

With their armor on, we threw "fiery darts" and the kids were able to block them.
Jordyn with the "helmet of salvation, shield of faith, sword of the spirit, breastplate of righteousness, loins girt about with truth, and feed shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
2. Skiing

Jordyn took the girls skiing at Hillberg. This is a new way of teaching kids how to ski. Jeff's ski poles were attached to the back of Jordyn's skis. This way he is able to push her and steer the skis. He liked it better than the backpack leash approach we did with Sydney. But Jordyn is a different learner than Sydney. It would've been very helpful if I could've been out there with Jeff and been the designated "cheerleader" and "motivator" a 4 year old needs. Of course Jordyn's favorite thing was riding the ski lift.

Sydney is the smaller kid in blue riding the ski lift by herself. She is totally self-sufficient. Sydney had a friend to ski with, Anna. Anna rode with her dad so Sydney rode by herself. Don't worry this is the only ski lift so Jeff was able to watch her the whole time too.
Jordyn getting ready to go skiing. She did good considering she was sick and they went night skiing so she started out a little on the crabby side. I do expect a whole lot more next year when she sees her cousins ski and my parents can help out too.
3. Soccer

Nothing is cuter than seeing a 4 year old in a soccer uniform. Actually there is, watching the 4 year old "play" soccer. I use the term "play" loosely. All of them are so cute. Running after the ball, kicking the ball, and cheering when they score--or when the other team scores. It doesn't matter to them. Half the time Jordyn is complaining to her coach, usually that she has hot feet. The other half she is casually running to the ball and if she's lucky she'll make contact with the ball and kick it.

Jordyn is on the Alligators team and she is number 4.

valentines

I like valentine's day and all, but I'm still getting over the sugar rush and excitement from Christmas that I don't care all that much for this holiday. Luckily with Pinterest I get motivated to try and make the day a little extra special for my family that I adore.

We had our friend Ila over and made some valentine sugar cookies.

On valentine's day I was sick so I made valentine's breakfast a few days later.
Jeff and I are still planning on seeing the movie Vow for our date we didn't go on since I was sick. We exchange love letters and he surprised me and got me a mani and pedi which I plan to use soon before our Maui trip.

Oh, and for dessert, heart shaped cinnamon rolls.

front yard snow

The twiggy tree Sydney is standing by is the top of the tree buried in 5 ft of snow. Jordyn keeps saying every time it snows, "the tree is sinking."

Sydney standing in front of the wall in our driveway. The wall is getting so high our snowblower can't blow snow over it anymore.

In the 3 winters we've been here, this is the most snow we've gotten. This past Thursday school was cancelled due to icy roads. This is the second time school has been cancelled. We stayed home and did some science experiments and valentine crafts.

Update

The good news is that Jeff is coming home tomorrow night. The other good news (okay I'm trying to be positive here) Jeff didn't get the job. It wasn't meant to be. I believe that things happen for a reason and something else will come up.

Today

Today is pivotal. The next 6 hours may be life changing. Currently Jeff is in a hotel room in Irvine, CA waiting for a 2 hour interview with a group of people and another 2 hour interview with what would be his boss if he gets this job.

Last month Jeff was told that they were no longer going to have an AK state manager. He wasn't fired but he needed to find a lateral transfer. It's funny, because we were talking and looking to transfer anyway. This past November there were another set of lay offs and although that did not affect Jeff, we were feeling vulnerable being in AK anyway.

Yesterday I took Jeff to the airport not knowing when I will see him again. I have never had that feeling before and it wasn't a pleasant feeling....the unknown of when I'll even see Jeff; not to mention our FUTURE. Levi and Jordyn were crying in the back as I drove away. I would've been too if I hadn't been trying to be an example of strength. If he gets the job he will stay there while we stay here trying to sell the house.

In March we are flying to Maui (jeff too) for Spring Break and my parents will meet us there. I was already looking forward to that, but now more than ever do I have something to get me through the next 3-4 weeks.

I do smile at the idea of moving to warmer weather and living close proximity to family. Driving distance to family is a novel idea to me now:)

I'm excited for Jeff and nervous. He's done so much to prepare for this interview. We're similar in that way...preparing, planning, practicing, putting 110% of everything we have into something.

If he doesn't get the job, we'll be okay with that too. He'll come home by this weekend and we'll wait until something else opens up. I'm confident in the knowledge that things will work out no matter what the outcome. This, along with prayer gives much comfort in times of uncertainty.

animal friends

Was running down stairs to get something when I saw this. Levi, Jeff, and I stopped and stared for about 10 minutes. I will miss seeing moose (from inside a house or car) whenever we do leave. I can't imagine another location that have so much wild life.

Sydney's reading has come along so well. Better than I ever imagined at this age. I think she actually reads at about the level of the 2nd grade kids I student taught years ago.

Dad's birthday gift

So I love my dad and it's his 75th birthday so I wanted to do something extra special for this special year. This is a phenomenal idea (not mine of course) for a birthday/anniversary gift. Definitely one that won't be forgotten and can be passed down.

For my dad's 75th birthday (tomorrow), I saw this idea that involved collecting people from his past to contribute a memory they had of him. I'd put each memory in an envelope--75 total, of course--and have him open them, one by one, on his birthday. That would be a lot of memories, but so much fun, right?

So I wrote and email. I sent it to family, friends, and everyone one in between. This is what I said:

Hello everyone!

If you're receiving this email, you probably know that my dad, John Koehler, is turning 75 in January next (much as he would hate us to be reminding everyone, I'm sure.) To celebrate his birthday, I'd like to put together a little surprise to let him know that his nearest and dearest are thinking of him. I"m going to try and create "75 Years of Memories" by filling 75 envelopes with a memory his friends and family have of him.

And this is where you come in!

If you have a spare moment in the next few weeks, I would be so grateful if you'd jot down a favorite memory you have of my dad and put it in the post. It doesn't have to be anything fancy -- you can just write it down on a piece of paper and sign your name. You can mention anything you like -- although the more nostalgic the better! Please absolutely feel free to send more than one memory (in fact, I welcome it -- I've got 75 envelopes to fill!), but make sure you write them on different pieces of paper (and sign your name to each) so I can split them up.

Thank you so, so, so much for participating -- I know everyone is busy with their own lives, and I do appreciate you taking a few minutes to do this; it will be so worth it when he reads all the memories people have of him! (Please don't forget to keep it a surprise until then, though!)

Thank you so much again.

So I sent the email and then I waited. I collected them for two months, my heart pinging with excitement each time a new one arrived. In a way, I'm sort of sad that this project is over because it was a huge amount of fun to collect and collate all of these memories, many of them occurring years before I was even born. I enjoyed reading and reminiscing about the each memory. I realized even more how blessed I am for a loving and highly involved dad and role model I have in my life. Grateful for all the lives he has touched including my own and my family. I could go on and on about him.