I'm Awful....

I have been really bad about updating the blog. I think I am in a blog funk. I have had a lot going on this summer, so it isn't that I don't have anything to share. Who knows. I will try and do better!

Anyway, here is what I have been up to...

 Karen, Weston and Clay came all the way from Oklahoma to see us. Well, to see us and to explore AK. I met Karen at Fort Drum almost 7 years ago. She is a great friend! I was super glad they could visit while Aaron was away at JRTC. It helped the time go by faster! Unfortunately, he missed out on their visit.

Kinley and Weston eating at Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse downtown. If you are ever here, it is a must on the list of places to eat.

I took them to the 'beach' to see and touch the Pacific ocean. Weston loved it! He ran right in but with the aid of his quick dad, didn't get too soaked. 

Us hanging out in Talkeetna. I love this girl!

Kinley and Weston had fun playing together. It was awesome for Kinley to have a friend around. She really missed them when they were gone. She was all alone in the backseat again.

We couldn't make it to the North Pole to see Santa but we were able to go to the reindeer farm and visit his reindeer. Weston squealed at the sight of them. He had fun feeding them and loved chasing around the farm cat.Who cares about moose, reindeer, elk and bison when there is a kitty around! :)

The military has a lot of negative and positive about it. The huge positive for me has being able to meet some great women who I know will be in my life forever! Thanks again Huffman's! Love you guys!

The Headley's in AK

 My dad and Barb came to visit us as well this summer. It was great to see them. It had been 17 months since the last time we got to visit in person. Plus, they got to meet Kinley! She had a great time. She took no time warming up to them.

 Hanging out at the top of the Alyseka Resort. I know I take a lot pf people there but it is a great view of some AK mountains. You can't beat it!

 Yes, it is the summer and she is wearing a coat and winter hat. That is AK summers for you! But we do get some pretty nice days too. So beautiful! But of course, I am a little bias!

 We took them to Whitter. It is a great little port town with a fun tunnel ride to get there. We also took them up to see Byron glacier. Barb took all those pictures though...

Aaron and dad went on a float trip down the Kenia. They had a great time! Anytime Aaron gets to fish he is happy. My dad had a blast! And who wouldn't love to fish in AK. Here is him with the guide.

We had a great time having them here. They had a blast playing on the floor with Kinley and reading her books. She does love her books! She even got a new book from them that plays AK animal sounds. She loves it! The time went by too fast of course but we will see them again soon in December.

Random Picture Friday

Photo Courtesy of Karen Huffman

Kinley's 1st Trip to the Zoo

 She is ready to see some animals! Well, not really. She has no idea. She just  loves being outside in the stroller. 

 Turkeys are gross. I thought it was funny they were at the zoo. You see them a lot back in PA.

 I love bald eagles. You see a lot of them living here. I never get sick of seeing them. I did get some good shots of this one at the zoo because he couldn't go anywhere.  :)

 It was 70's the day we went so most of the animals found shelter out of the sun.

 It was a very lazy day at this zoo.

 I love this guy! I got pictures of him a few years ago. There is just something about his dopey expression!

 Loving time with daddy!

I think her first trip was a success. She didn't see most of the animals because they were hiding from the heat. It is a small zoo. They don't have a lot of the animals you would see at a 'normal' zoo. But it is still fun to go and spend the day as a family. Another check in the book of Kinley's firsts!

Some Tweaking

Before

After

I have heard many different opinions about editing photos. Some people think you should edit every one. Let's face it, there is always something to improve on in a photograph. It can be something as simple as sharpening. And then I hear others say they hate editing. Well, in my opinion if you are taking photos for others, you are doing them a disservice by not making the photo the best it can be. You can't take a perfect picture every time. People are paying you for your very best. If that involves some tweaking so be it. No one's perfect!

I don't know much about editing. I am learning about different editing  techniques. There is a lot of trial and error. There is a lot to learn. For now, I am having fun and taking it one photo at a time.

Hiking is Hard

Last weekend, we hiked Bald Mountain. I think that is what it is called. I get it confused with Mt. Baldy back home. Anyway, the hike was hard. I need to practice more! The scenery was more than worth the soreness though.

You can't see it in the picture but behind Aaron and Trevor was Mt. McKinley! Also, once we got to the top we saw a momma moose and her baby running down the valley. It was pretty cool to see! Unfortunately, since I wasn't carrying the pack, I didn't want to load it with lenses. I chose not to take the telephoto lens and I missed out on a great shot.

Yes, Kinley is passed out in this picture. I have no idea how she feel asleep. It was rough going!

 

 

We took a different way down. It was easier on the knees and just more fun to see a different view.

You can see my town down below.

Kinley's First Reindeer

Aaron has had block leave the past two weeks and we have been loving every minute of it! This past Monday, we headed out to the reindeer farm in Palmer. I have been there are few times but never with Aaron and Kinley. I wasn't sure how she would respond to the animals. She was leery at first but when they walked away she stretched her arms out to them. Kinley is already loving the wildlife. She really is her father's daughter!

 The mountains surrounding the farm are amazing. This photo doesn't do them justice.

 When we drove up we noticed people were running around with TV equipment. Aaron then noticed, Larry Csonka. He hosts and Alaska Outdoor show Aaron likes to watch. I also learned that Mr. Csonka was a pretty good NFL player back in his day! Pretty cool.

 This was one of many horses on the farm. I assure you he was alive and well. He was so relaxed, I swear I heard snoring!

Kinley meeting her first reindeer. Her name was Mary.

 Feeding the reindeer.

 

 Surrounded!

 She reached right out to touch this one.

 She kept wanting to grab their antlers. The one thing the people told us we could not do. Truth be told, I wanted to touch them too. They were all in velvet. Did you know males, females and the babies all grow antlers? They fall off every year and they grow another pair.

 A touch! They kept coming around her and she didn't even have food. I had both things of food in my pocket. I think they were curious about her.

Another nuzzle! I took a lot of video of the trip. There is a really cute exchange between her and a baby reindeer. I am sad I didn't get a photo but the video of it is priceless.

Aaron still has a few days off. Who knows what adventure we will go on tomorrow but it is fun knowing we can all do it together!

Wordless Wednesday

The PA Pearsall Clan Visits AK

 The day after they got here we took Trevor and Myles to hike Crow Pass. They loved it! (Aaron's mom, Steph, Myles and Trevor, his little brothers and me.)

 Kinley and I took Grandma and Grandpa to Alyeska to ride the tram and have lunch.

The next day we all packed up to camp along the Denali Highway. The views were amazing! Riding the dirt road made it feel like we were back home.  The guys caught grayling. I wish I had pictures, there is only video. The following pics are from the camping trip.

 

 

The guys also took a day trip to the Russian river to caught sockeye salmon (aka reds). They were quite successful. And also got to see some grizzly bears during there trip. I wish I could have been there. Not for the fishing but to see the bears.

 Close enough, right!?!

Another day, we headed to Wasilla to the Iditarod Headquarters. We had a lot of fun playing with the puppies. They were only 3 weeks old! So cute!

 

 She wasn't sure at first but then she wouldn't let go!

 

Kinley and Grandpa had fun reading books. Well, Grandpa reading. Kinley listening and eating. 

 

 Trevor, Myles and Steph went to visit a college roommate of Trevor's who is working at the animal conservation in Girdwood. They had a great behind the scenes tour. How cool that Myles got to feed a baby moose!

Trevor got a job out of the trip! He is working down at the conservation in Gridwood for awhile. If while your there, you get a snack, he probably made your food!

It was a fun filled week! It was great to have family visiting. And it was even better that Kinley got to meet them all. She was all smiles most of the time! I think she misses having people around. Aaron and I must not be all that fun. :)