Alaska - Day 9

Our final day in Alaska and the last Alaska recap post. :)

After checking out of our room, we checked into another room. When we originally booked our room we were supposed to check out on the 3rd, but our flight didn't leave until 12:55 AM on the 4th. We thought it would be nice for Dominick to have a space to nap and for us to shower before we left for the airport. It worked out great and it was definitely worth the extra expense even if it was only for 8 hours.

After dropping our belongings off at the hotel we met up with our friends for one last Alaskan meal at Humpy's Alehouse (Man vs Food was recently filmed here). After lunch we all went back to the hotel and took naps. We were all to the point of exhaustion and so tired. It was a great couple hours and much needed rest. After our naps we ventured off to Cabela's. Ryan had wanted to go since we got there and heard there was one located in Anchorage...he was disappointed because it wasn't exactly what he was expecting (he was thinking it would be more like the one we have in Michigan and it was MUCH smaller). Once we got back to the hotel we ate a late dinner, took showers, packed the rest of our stuff up and headed to the airport.

We saw our friends one more time at the airport and then went our separate ways (we were on separate flights) until back in the desert.

such light packers we are! (yes, this was ALL ours - 3 suitcases, two backpacks, a stroller bag with car seat, a car seat, our airport stroller, a baby and two adults)

This trip was our first "real" family trip that we've taken and was SO wonderful. We had the best time with our friends, together, sleeping in, eating real food and being on a legit vacation. We had no time constraints, no people to see or places to be. We loved Alaska, the scenery is unlike anywhere we've ever seen and is almost indescribable. While it's beautiful to visit, I don't think I would enjoy living there as there are too many bears, moose and temperatures that don't reach 100 and are often below 0.

If you have any questions about things we did, where we ate, etc. please let me know! 

Alaska - Day 8

This was technically our last full day and we wanted to really do some hiking while we were in Alaska, but were always too scared to because of wildlife. It's kind of inevitable while in Alaska, but we really didn't want to put ourselves at a greater risk and especially not with a toddler. We found out Flattop Mountain is the most hiked mountain in Alaska and with so much traffic the chances of us seeing a bear or a moose weren't all that likely. We read a lot of reviews saying it wasn't that bright of an idea to take a baby, but we took our chances and are SO glad that we did.

we parked in that little parking lot

We hopped off the trail and went straight up a small peak and then back down to the trail. We hiked up to the top and as we were making our way down we saw that people were still going up. We were already a quarter of the way down and while on the ledge with a baby on your back and steep slope down we debated heading back up and decided not to. We were disappointed in ourselves for not making it to the top, but then we read that there is a second, third and even a fourth peak after you reach Flattop. So for our ego's we said we made it to the top (even though we're not sure) and called it a day. We made lunch and dinner in the hotel room and started packing up our bags.

Alaska - Day 6 and 7

After a few days of pure relaxation we were headed to Talkeetna, AK. We were debating on whether or not we wanted to make the ~6 hour drive from Anchorage to Denali or if we just wanted to get some pictures of the mountain and call it good. We decided to stick to the safer route and not take the little kids on such a long drive (It would have been 12 hours in the car just to/from). On our way to Talkeetna (a small river town) our friends' son started getting car sick and they had to turn around. We continued on and had one of the best days just the three of us. Talkeetna is seriously such a cute little town. It really reminded me of the small lake towns in Michigan. We walked to the river, threw rocks and took pictures of the mountain. When we were taking pictures an older couple offered to take a picture of us if we took one of them. After talking to them, we found out they were from Michigan too. :) When we got back we moved rooms (one with a kitchen...our original room only had 2 rooms and a living area) and settled in for the night.

he found a dollar!!!

Day 7 was another day where we slept in, had lunch at Olive Garden (so random) and celebrated Ryan's first day as a SSgt. That night we went to dinner at the Peanut Farm where it was warm enough to enjoy dinner outside and went for a walk to a souvenir shop. Dominick got a sweet bear hat. :)

Alaska - Days 4 & 5

Two posts in one week?!?! Whoa!!! I figured I should probably finish recapping our Alaska trip at some point so here is another post.

On Day 4 Ryan and Israel went fishing at the Kenai River, while Jen and I stayed back with the boys. Dominick took a good nap and we went to the Alaska Zoo (which is TINY), played at the playground and had dinner in their room. Ryan didn't get back until really late (1:00 AM) and didn't catch any fish, but had a great day regardless. All of these pictures were taken with Ryan's phone...it's just SO beautiful there.

 

Day 5 was spent lounging around. Ryan had homework to do and we were all down with just relaxing. We spent most of the day hanging around the hotel and then Ryan, Dominick and I headed down to the Anchorage Market. We didn't end up buying anything as it was very "Alaskan" and nothing that we were dying to have. Afterwards we went to the Ulu Factory and the Alaska Wild Berry Product store. We were heading to dinner when our friends invited us over for tostadas. After dinner we went to Earthquake Park and walked the trails. It was a beautiful night, but we didn't get home until around 11:45.

the sleeping lady (do you see her?)

we saw a train and this baby child was SO excited!

waving at another train going by

A Little Update of Sorts

I really need to finish our Alaska recaps, but I also feel like I need to do a little update on our life. Things have been SO busy, but also SO good and not that much has really happened. Just every day life for us. I feel like I'm struggling to find a balance in my life. Between work (which is BEYOND crazy right now), being a momma, a wife and also finding time for myself I just feel like I'm barely keeping afloat most days. I know there will be a day when I look back and really miss the chaos I call my life. With that said here is a little update on what's been going on with us.

+Once we got back from Alaska we hit the ground running. It was the 4th of July so we all took a really long nap and then went to watch fireworks with out little "framily" (friends who are more like family).

+We attempted potty training for a whopping 4 hours before we threw in the towel. Dom was actually doing better at daycare, but it got to the point where it was more like he was being punished and I don't want him to resent it because then he will never do it. When the time is right or he shows me more signs we will try again.

+My friend's son turned 5 and had his birthday party at Travel Town (a train place) in Los Angeles. Dominick was in "choo-choo" heaven!!! This boy LOVES him some trains.

+We've spent a whole lot of time outside. The summer months in the desert are HOT, but winter will be here before we know it. We love going to the pool, playing in the water table, grilling and just enjoying each other.

+Ryan and I went on a date night to watch the Tiger's when they played the Angels in Anaheim. We even left Dominick overnight...it was our first official date night (we've left him with my parents for a couple hours to go to dinner with friends, but never just the two of us on a real date) AND the first time leaving him. We do things big around here. ;o). In case you're wondering he did AMAZING! He cried when I went to pick him up. It hurt my momma heart, but made me so proud to know that we're raising a big boy who is confident and knows he's loved.

+We saw Sesame Street Live with the USO on base. Dominick was more impressed with his light up toy and kind of sketched out by the characters. It's okay, buddy, momma was too!

please ignore Ryan's face

+We had some play dates, went to Chuck E. Cheese for a birthday party, had a margarita and bonfire night with friends and ran many errands.

 

+Dominick's 2nd birthday is approaching. We've decided not to have a birthday party, but just have a birthday dinner with our friends, go to Disney with Gigi and Papa and Travel Town (again) on his actual birthday. His Gigi and Papa will be in town for 2 weeks so basically he's going to be the happiest little man around. :)

 

+Dominick is a HUGE daddy's boy right now, loves Paw Patrol, choo-choos and feeding his piggy (putting money in his piggy bank)! He talks so much and is learning on how saying ma'am. He knows how to throw a legit tantrum, is too smart for his own good and has a heart of gold. He's growing like a weed.

So there you have it. There's a little update on our little family. :)