More Fairbanks...

Here are a more pictures from my trip up to Fairbanks before Christmas...

Cherie and I at a part of the pipeline. I know that seems weird but I was excited to see it!

Pretty big right? I guess it is so large because it has to be insulated so much.

We took a dog sled ride we when went up to Chena Hot Springs.

It is amazing that such small dogs can pull so much weight. They were pulling 5 adults!

It was a fun experience but it was so cold! Remember the whole -36 degrees thing I mentioned in a prior post? Well, it doesn't help anything when you get into a sled and sit in a bunch of snow. My butt was numb for hours!

Stopping for a photo op.

Fun! I can't wait for Aaron to get home so we can go on a ride together. I bet it is much more fun snuggling up with someone!

Here is where they lived. There were a lot of dogs!

I thought this dog was so cute. I don't think he appreciated the photo op.

Alaska has so many wonderful thing to see and do! I hope you consider it someday as a vacation spot. Don't go to the beach again! All beaches are the same. Once you have seen one you have seen them all! :) Branch out this year and tackle somewhere new!

Icy Wonderland

During our trip to the North Pole, we visited a bunch of ice sculptures located next to Santa's House. (Random: Spellcheck wanted me to change Santa's to Satan's. Jeepers!) There was also a Santa RV Park but I didn't feel the need to capture that on film! The sculptures were amazing! There were at least 15 of them. We went there first during the afternoon and decided to go back down at night. I am so glad we did! The ice sculptures came to life at night and you could see so much more detail.

This one was my favorite! What skill to make such an amazing piece!

The AK quarter.

A cool Santa.

A crazy maze ALL made of ice!

A huge piece. Me sitting on it and freezing my bum. Again, ALL ice!

This was the day it was -36 degrees out and this is a picture of Cherie's hair freezing! Even her eyelashes were turning white.

Cherie, Kim and Carlo. They were such gracious hosts!

A slide made of ice. The sleds were way to thin to take to many turns. It was so cold on the bum!

Cherie on the way down.

Us on our very cold chariot.

Cool huh!?

Me laying on a block of ice they use to carve things. I wanted to lay on it so you could get an idea of size. Dumb idea! I was cold for a very long time after this!

A beautiful angel.

The whole place was amazing! When we went back at night we saw couple getting married in front of one of the sculptures. I didn't want to take pictures of their big moment without asking but I was tempted! :)

Home for the Holidays

I ventured to the 'lower forty-eight' (as they say around here) for Christmas. I had a really fun trip but learned quickly that a week wasn't enough time at home. Next time I will stay longer! The time went by too fast and the flight was too long for that short of a jaunt! It took me 11 hours to get there (thank you for only one stop!) and the trip home was 20 hrs! Of course you have to account for the 4 hour time difference. I got up at 6:00 am on the 29th and landed (or so my body thought) at 3:00 am the next day! Ugh! Although, in AK time it was only 11:00 pm.

I got to meet Anderson, my nephew, for the first time. He is so stinkin cute! And he is such a happy baby!

Syd and I doing our annual silly picture. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a nice one with her!

Anderson with his new Tonka truck.

He and I hanging out at Dad's house.

Don't you love the little mohawk!?

Syd playing her new Wii. That thing was a blast. We were all dancing to one of her game at some point in the night. Thank goodness I think (I hope!) no video was taken!

My dad with Anderson. I think they look alike! :)

Getting ready for dinner.

This what happens when I got to feed the baby!

Mom with her grandbabies.

Two great kids!

I didn't take near as many photos as I usually do. Because I am losing it at a young age I forgot to put my CF card back in my camera before I left. I got one at Wally World eventually.

Hopefully, Steph will send me the pics from my time at the Pearsall's house (hint, hint...ha ha!) I had a really good time at home but it sure went by fast. I can't wait to go back and visit again soon! I hope you all had a great Christmas holiday with your families!

Five Amazing Years

Five years ago today Aaron and I were married!

My favorite wedding pic!

Us at Popham Beach, ME.

We love taking trips on the Harley!

It has been an amazing and crazy five years together! In five years we have tackled NY, KY, ME and AK! I can't wait until he is home in a few months to see what the new year brings! I LOVE my life!

*This morning I am enjoying the chocolate covered strawberries and mini cheesecakes my babe sent me for our anniversary. Yum!*

God Bless You All!

Isn't he the cutest!? :)

I hope you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A Trip Up North

This past weekend, Cherie and I traveled up to Fairbanks, AK to visit her friends. Fairbanks is about 6-7 hours north of Anchorage. Let me tell you there is a huge difference in temperature and in daylight hours. The second day we were there it got to -36 degrees! It was insane! I never thought I would be out and about when it was that cold. I bundled up so much I could barely bend over. It was totally worth it! Also, right now our sun is setting around 4 and there was setting around 1:00pm. It was nuts to see a sunset at noon.

I have lots of pics to share but I think for this post I will focus on our trip to the North Pole.

We made our way to Santa's house!

I waited patiently for my turn!

Me and the jolly one! I think I was on the naughty list though, he gave me a candy cane at the end. I hate candy canes! Isn't Santa supposed to know these things!?

Lots of fun names for streets and restaurants that play off the Santa theme.

Proof it is a real place!

The coolest street lights ever!

The whole town was cool! And how cool is it that I can say I have been to the North Pole!? There was a lot that went on this weekend. I will post more pics soon! I am headed back east for Christmas! See you in the new year!

The Real Deal

In the beginning of December, Eagle River had their Christmas tree lighting ceremony. I wasn't really sure if I was up for it because I knew it would be cold. But once I heard Santa was going to be there I had to go! And some good friends agreed! We started out the night eating at a local bbq restaurant and drinking sweet tea. We were trying to think warm, southern thoughts!

Kristin, me, Cameron, Amanda and Cadence waiting patiently for Santa to arrive.

We visited with the sled dogs while we waited. Isn't he beautiful!?

Finally, Santa arrived!

And he arrived with REAL reindeer! So cool! Here I am hanging with Prancer. We tried to love on Dancer but he wasn't feeling the love that night.

The tree was really disappointing but it was a lot of fun. And in case you were wondering, yes it was cold but it wasn't as bad as you would think. I had three layers on the bottom and four on the top! I also had hand warmers in my gloves and in my back pockets.

Good friends+Santa Claus+8 tiny reindeer= Good times!

UPS's Claim to Fame in AK

I have seen signs like this around here a lot!

A Full Moon

9:25 am yesterday