No snow yet!

The fall leaves have come and gone but we have yet to have snow that sticks.  There were some flurries a few weeks back but it wasn't worthy of playing in.  The snow can be a pain so I'm glad we've had an extended fall, but it's much more fun to brave the cold with the kids when there's actually snow to play in!  In due time...

Chris had a lot of time off in October so we've been able to spend a lot of time together with our family of 4 before we are outnumbered as parents. Unfortunately, most of our activities have been kind of lame considering where we live and what we COULD be doing. But I blame it on pregnancy and the fact that I can hardly turn over in bed, let alone hike tall mountains and explore the great outdoors. Here's a few pictures of what we've been up to: 

Anyone else take their kids to the store to just LOOK at the toys?  A favorite pastime in this house.

Do people actually buy those MASSIVE stuffed animals at Costco?  What on earth do you do with them??

The museum we have a membership for in Anchorage opened a Lego exhibit and the boys were enthralled to say the least. 

We have done some hiking - we checked out Thunderbird Falls about 15 minutes away. Always take a weapon when hiking in Alaska.  Even if it's just a plastic sword. 

And always bring suckers for bribing lazy children to keep going. 

And this is why I don't post belly shots more often...

First and only snow so far..

Pumpkin painting - we have yet to carve our big pumpkin. Just not my favorite activity...

Caramel apples

I had Jared set up our pack n' play last month but it won't fit through the door and I'm too lazy to take it apart to move it. So there it sits...waiting for a baby :) 

I slept in one morning and they managed cereal on their own.  Clark chose cocoa crispies (my late night snack) for himself and made Isaac eat plain rice puffs. Ha!

The kids got some good use out of their Halloween costumes this year.  We trick or treated in Anchorage at all of the shops downtown, had a carnival at Clark's school, handed out our first stash of Halloween treats to Chris' office staff and the employees at Target, went to another school carnival, visited the fire station, and went real trick or treating at a few houses in our neighborhood. I'd say we successfully celebrated Satan's holiday and the kids are still obsessed with all things Halloween. ;) 

Coolest knight I've ever seen!

Frightened face

No, we didn't hike the same day as trick or treating - I just don't have any clothes that fit anymore.

Cutest cow around - and no, he didn't CHOOSE to be a cow. It's what I got on clearance at Target last year after the season.  Next year he can choose his costume. :) 

Delivering candy to all the "yay-dees" (ladies) at Daddy's office

Checking out the loot - Isaac didn't want anyone to touch his Tootsie Pops and Clark threatened anyone who touched his little bags of pretzels. Gotta train these kids better on their choice of favorite treats.  But at least I ended up with all of the Twix and Milky Ways. ;)

Happy Fall! 

Uncle Jared

I am pretty certain there is not a more patient uncle on this planet than Jared Choate.  While waiting to leave on his mission he came to visit us for 2 weeks.  He endured 8.7 million questions about Minecraft, Legos, and Star Wars.  Clark is now a Star Wars junky despite never having watched the movie. 

We tried to show Jared some Alaska sites, but my pregnant/tired body didn't prove to be that adventurous.  We did a few fun things, but mostly just hung out.  He was able to check a few things off his bucket list though -  seeing a moose (3 right out in our front yard!), seeing the Northern Lights (a poor display of them after driving around for an hour, but we saw them!), using an apple/peeler/corer/slicer, and eating moose meat.  I count that as a successful trip.  

The boys loved having him here and Isaac cried the whole way home from the airport, "Me no want Jared to go on his mission. That my uncle!!"  Jared will be missed but we're excited for him to be a missionary! 

Caterpillar wonders

Jared made "robot" costumes for the boys. They were a hit.

We tried ice skating at the local arena. And by "we", I mean Jared and Clark went for 20 minutes.  Clark did pretty good for his first time. 

And Isaac just looked cute in his beanie

We tried a cool park in Anchorage that had zip lines and cool swings.

Anchorage Museum served us well - we even got the membership. 

 

This kid is killing me lately with his cuteness.  Add that to his new found love of talking and it's pretty awesome.

Jared is an animal whisperer. 

Isaac's face is the BEST. Zoom in.

Jared, come back in 2 years and we'll try to do some more exciting things!  But my boys will talk about your visit for weeks.