wildberry

There is a chocolate shop in Anchorage that is more of a tourist destination. The World's Largest Chocolate Fall is found inside, and there are the most delectable chocolates you could fathom. They pick their own wild berries from the mountains, juice them to make their own sweet jellies, then dip them in chocolate that they make onsite. It is delicious! My favorites thus far are the pretzels dipped in peanut butter, then milk chocolate and the raspberry-jelly chocolates. Anything raspberry I have to get my hands on, so it's really no surprise. 

*I've never had one of the above pictured fruits dipped in chocolates, but they look very old-world yummy. Go to the link provided for the fountain to check out their goodies!

already

Already in our new ward, I have been called to a new (BIG) calling, and I have been asked to speak. On Sunday I was asked by our first counselor to choose my favorite (is that possible?) General Conference talk that I heard that weekend and speak for 20 minutes on it. Normally, in the past, I have spoken with Mark, so when I am under my time limit, I can sit down and he can make up for my 3 minutes (he's really good at drawing from his well of spiritual knowledge). But this Sunday, I am flying solo. No wing man. So I have to speak for 20 minutes.  I have chosen President Uchtdorf's talk: "Faith of Our Father." It will allow me to speak on a few different things, like our new wonderful first presidency:  Mark, I suppose, has been great at lying low because he has yet to be assigned a calling, or a talk assignment. I love having the opportunity to give a talk, but the nerves are relentless! 

happy things

In February, while visiting family on our way up to Anchorage, Mark's brother introduced us to "Flight of the Conchords - Jenny". Its even funnier the second time through. Have a laugh on me today.

what happened?

Over the weekend, it snowed again. It only snowed about 5-6 inches in the heavier parts, but it was supposed to be spring!! Secretly, I was pretty glad to see it snow here before Spring came in full-bloom. It was so nice and relaxing to watch it all fall. I haven't seen it snow in years. 

Some recent realizations:

 

- I love when someone calls Buckwheat "the Toto dog"

-Stepping in fresh powder snow is wonderful!
-Buckwheat LOVES to get "dirty" in the snow. I think he considers it 

white dirt. 

Right after I took the above picture, a branch gave way and covered 

Buckwheat in snow. He didn't mind one bit. 

Thomas Edison

I don't think I ever knew what Thomas Edison looked like. 

Here he is, unkempt and wrinkled, in his research lab.

new history

It has begun: a new class, that is. I have resumed my classes once again, since being on a break for moving. The last class I took ended before Christmas began, and I have missed it. This class will end the week we move into our house on May 1st, and then I will take another two week break for setting up the house, and then there will be no more breaks from then on. The class is US History from 1865-1945; I chose this class because of the early 1900s. I'm fascinated about those years. I just wish it encompassed the 10 years after, as well! 

eye glass test

Looking for new frames is one of the hardest things to shop for. Mark and I went to one store on Saturday, and found two frames we both liked on me. One was a bold, funky shaped frame that Mark said made my eyes look oh-so-good. The other pair was a small metal 'hiding frame' as I like to call them (ones that don't make you so claustrophobic). I love them both, but I didn't know quite what to do. One is fun and fresh, the other is practical and perfect for wearing at nights when I just want to read. So what did I try next? The eye-glass personality test, of course!                                    "From Salsa dancing one night to a poetry reading the next, your eclectic tastes call for a variety of frames. When you're feeling bold and sassy, look for dramatic colors and shapes. Nurture your conservative side with a more subdued pair of metal eyeglasses from timeless designers like Donna Karan or Anne Klein. For the social butterfly in you, don't forget about a pair of sexy frames to take you to evening and beyond."

You see? Didn't help me. At all. 

sign of spring

On a walk this afternoon with the pup, I found this pussy willow tree on the edge of the forest behind our building. This is my favorite spring-time plant; they're irresistible! 
Hopping around in the tree was this fuzzy little bird and its play mate. My guess was that they were making their nest out of the softest things possible for their little hatchers. 

What are your favorite signs of spring?

hockey game

Last night we went to our first Anchorage Aces' game. It was a blast! I got to enjoy my sport-nachos and I had a grand time asking Mark, "what just happened?" We sure wish we had the Pikes nearby! Dan could have explained a whole lot to us. It was a lot of fun though. These Alaskans love their hockey and the enthusiasm was contagious. 
Giving adult hockey fans their own personal cowbell is like giving kids their own bubble wrap.

moose chase try II

Ok. I got it up and running below. Every time I would see the moose start to run, because I was looking through my camera at everything, it looked like they were running towards us, so that's why at the end I said, "let's get outta here." It was crazy to see this in person. The video doesn't do their size justice. And they aren't even some of the bigger moose we've seen. 

Knock yourselves out!

Anchorage

Cook Inlet of Anchorage in the p.m. facing North

moose chase

When driving home from dinner last night, we saw these two moose being teased by kids, and when they didn't want to take any more, they chased the kid into the river! Moose: 1. Kid: 0. 

think A Christmas Story + moose + the bully with yellow eyes

Reeder's Digest

Not one of our better pictures, but it was such a cute place, I couldn't walk away without a picture of us celebrating our hatching chicks.
Mark and I set up his brother on a blind date with a girl we met here in Anchorage, and it was a great time. After the greatest pizza at Moose's Tooth, we went to Color Me Mine, painted our eggs, then went back to our apartment for a game of Golf (if you'd like to know how to play, I can email you the rules) and two games of Deal or No Deal led by Mark (there are no rules wen Mark's in charge). I lost my leftover pizza when Mark decided to put it on the top of the roof rather than pizza-ize our car, we drove away from the mall, I turn back to talk with Aimee and I see this big shiny thing (our pizza slices wrapped in aluminum foil) fall down her window as we were going through a light! Besides that, it was a very fun night for us all. I think I'm going to talk Mark into going back again.

Happy Easter

Last night we painted pottery, and celebrated Easter with Mark's brother Michael who had come into town late last night. The cute little peeper back there is the one my sweet Mark did. Mine is the big blob in front with the grey polk-a-dots. We'll pick the finished ones up in a week. Enjoy today, and remember the great miracle of new beginnings. 

*took this picture with my new camera that came in today! Still playing with it, and will be for a while...

slumber parties

As I wait for laundry to finish, I have no time to blog... yet here I am anyhow. Tonight Mark's brother Mike gets into town for a few days while on his Spring Break. He is bringing his sense of humor, and some cookies from my sweet mother in law. I am a little obsessed with her cookies so you can imagine I will probably fill you in on all their soft, crumbly, sugary goodness. oh my!  I have prepared the 3-room hotel for yet another day. There's only so much one can do in a hotel room. Buckwheat is clean and excited to 'Sensei Michael.' Let me explain:  Mark has been doing 'tricks' with Buckwheat that makes his normal routines look like something Mark has taught him. When he plays with Mark, Mark says, 'fight! fight!' as Buckwheat is on his hind legs batting his front legs (arms?) at him. It looks like they're trying to box. Then when Buckwheat starts to play, he always gets down on his front legs with his bottom in the air with his tail wagging back and forth. Mark calls this one, 'bow to your sensei.' Buckwheat looks like a genius after all his 'tricks.'  Slumber parties everywhere! I am spending the night at a girlfriend's house who had a doctor's appointment this morning and needs some 'monitoring' through the night while her husband is TDY. So as the boys have their Tonka-Trucks and 3-Stooges sleep over, I'll be monitoring Chrissy with crafts, chick-flicks, and some girl talk. 

I haven't been able to space my paragraphs like normal because every time I do, the next paragraphs get all bunched up and unable to space properly and it's starting to drive me a little nuts. If you've had this problem and now how to avoid such problems, please fill me in. Thank you thank you thank you. 

bunko

The Air Force has many deep rooted traditions for the spouses which lend support and friendship while their husbands are gone. When I married Mark, his mother gave me a book that had every sort of etiquette in order to be an Air Force Wife. It is such a fun book, I love to browse through it and extract ideas for parties and place settings. It has such things as 'how to set proper place setting' to 'invitation cards for different types of parties.'  To establish new friendships fast, or just to keep girls busy while their husbands are away, there are things such as "Coffees" where the wives get together for snacks, and a couple of games of Bunko. It is a 3-die game where you role for different numbers and rotate to different tables depending on your 'win-lose' status. I had a great time, and this silly game brought out my competitive edge. Normally only tennis or catch-phrase can do that! On the Bunko link provided above there are score sheets you can print off, and you can play without drinks or money (like we did), ad there is a way you can do without 4 people at your table. You just play with a 'ghost partner.' If you ever need an idea for a Young Women's or Relief Society Activity, this game comes highly recommended. It's a great way to have fun and get to know your table-mates... if you're not glaring at them through dice-glazed eyes. 

*the above picture is of a group of Air Force wives back in the day playing this vintage game of rolling dice. Try it! You won't be sorry. 

happy things

Hope everyone had a happy St. Patrick's Day! Today we thought we had a touch of Irish luck, but we decided we were being scammed. O happy day. Why can't there just be a lucky chair? 

*the picture above is of Kylemore Abby in Connacht, Ireland. I didn't take this picture, but I love it.  Who wants to go to Ireland with me?

in with the new

Yesterday I gave in to the camera temptation and ordered a Canon A570. 

Aubrey mentioned her Canon A-series and I thought to follow suit. After much research, I found it. Ordered it. Now I wait. 

*The home inspection was on Thursday and went very well. We love the house even more now. 

goodbye camera

Meet: our camera. 

Hear: it's history. 

Mark has had this camera (picture found on ebay, under a caption "broken parts only") since he got home from his mission. He said, in about 2003 is when it was purchased. What a noble camera it has been. It even has gone to the Orient with him when he and a few other friends went to China for the Academy. It has been getting older the last few months. Aubrey heard how old it was when we met, and she said, "That is really old... for technology." I think she added the "for technology" part because she saw Mark's saddened face. 

Girls drop everything. It's a wonder we're the ones entrusted with babies. It's no exception when it comes to cameras; even when they come with safety, drop-proof straps. Which I wear most times I use it. Poor camera. So, for as many times as I use it, compared to as many times as I have dropped it, it is pretty good odds. Now that you know about my dropping tendencies, I will continue.

I am in the market now for a 'temporary' digital camera. There is a site called "woot.com" that every night at midnight, it showcases something electronic. The amount being sold varies with what it is, but this is what I will be checking in 15 minutes when it is updated. I'm crossing my fingers that there is a nice camera for the price of dirt. This site really is pretty incredible. Click on "product stats" to see how many are selling every hour after midnight. I dare you to check it if you're ever up past midnight. 

So long camera, it has been a wonderful few years that we've known each other. You have done a tremendous job in teaching me even the smallest of cameras can be used to capture beauty. 

we bought what?

We bought a house! I blotched out the numbers, so I feel safe putting this on here. But I'm too excited not to share. After house hunting for a mere two days, we saw this house on the second day, loved it so much, and made an offer. The nice military couple accepted the offer and in May we'll be moving in. We wanted to give them time to move out and get to their new base, etc. 

It is three stories with an unfinished basement (we're very excited about this project), but all the wiring and plumbing is already done. Whew! It's next to a part of the green belt, which is where there cannot be any development, the trees and wildlife is left alone, so Buckwheat will be able to have his glorified space. Granted, if there's no dangerous eagles, wolves, or bears... or moose! 

We've seen three moose so far. All the rest must still be dead. Mark had a briefing on bear safety, and then relayed it to me. Here's what I learned: guns don't stop a bear, it only makes them mad. On hikes, carry a "bear size" pepper spray. It's as big as a can of spray paint, I guess! Then you are supposed to 'react' differently to different bears, and also different situations. If you startle the bear, stand still and let it bite you (essentially). WHAT the heck. Then it'll leave you alone. It just needs to feel like it's done it's job of not being the weak one. But if it scares you, yell and throw rocks. Oh my. Still no wolves yet. Thank goodness!

the break up

The past two days here, it has been above freezing = it has been 40 degrees, so the "break up"  has begun. For now. This weekend it should fall to freezing again. The break up is when the ice starts to melt and break apart, as does the snow. Because I meant to take a picture for you all of these extreme roads and parking lots, I had to run out tonight at dusk when I remembered (hence yet another grey set of photos) my mission. You see how thick the ice is? And in the morning when it's all frozen again it's all nice and rounded because of the melting. And that means it's even slicker. How is everything not bashed in? I'm still trying to figure that one out. 

happy things

Something is in the works...

meet at See's

This morning after breakfast, I had an overwhelming craving for chocolates. Last week (the day we boarded the ferry), I got a box of See's Chocolates, which are my all-time favorite.  They had been frozen the whole journey, so I had to wait for them to thaw. They're delish. And while I was enjoying a sweet piece filled with the softest caramel, I was reminded of what else had happened that day. I had attempted this blog-post last week, the day of, but the internet on the boat was not the best. So a week and a half ago, I wrote: 

Today I had my first blog-meet with my blog-friend Aubrey; she is a cousin of my friend Mauri's. I have now put a face to a blog. It was my first, so I have to admit I was a bit nervous, but she was such a sweet person, she made me feel like we've known each other for a very long time. Very enthusiastic and encouraging. I can tell her kids love her for it. Her sweet children came a long as well and loved to watch Buckwheat and hold his leash as he traipsed around the park. 

After we left my aunt's and uncle's Bellevue home, we went to a QFC (fantastic grocery chain if you ever get the chance to go to one - mom I got you a QFC benefit card already) and then to See's Candies where we met Aubrey. My Aunt Lynn drew us a fantastic map.

Aubrey I'm so glad we got to meet. I'm sure I'll see you again now that my parents will be nearby. Good luck with all this week's events! Enjoy those Ghana stories. 

'o8 Iditarod

Earlier this week, Mark and I ate chinese food, and along with the food came a cookie for us each, of course! Mine gave me the prediction of doing something new this weekend... wonder what it could have been?

This morning was when I did the 'something new'. We attended the start of the 2008 Iditarod dog sled races! Here's a video, courtesy of yours truly. 

*enjoy my first blog-video. It took a while to figure out, so enjoy!

I thought they would shoot a gun and they all take off at once, biting and barking for first place, but it was much more relaxed, but still very interesting! They must have an listed order for who starts to run first. I was also surprised to see that they run with two sleds and three people. I suppose there is safety in numbers. As a side note, all the dogs had booties on! I heard that they have been doing this because it saves time of stopping every so often to get the ice out of the dogs' paws. 

No ice, less stops, more running = faster time. It was awesome! We were on the lesser crowded parts of the streets. Down were all the ice sculptures were, there were crowds and crowds of people. We walked down there and I had to hold my camera to take pictures just so I could see anything. The dogs were pulling so hard. I only could tell this when they would pass us and I was looking at them from behind; they would be leaning in the farthest-forward direction from where they had been tied to the team. They are good examples of loving their job. What extraordinary animals! Buckwheat needs to meet these dogs. He'd have some role models.

driving the Alcan

Monday around 11:00, the ferry docked in Haines, Alaska and we drove off to a "Welcome to Alaska" sign. It was snowing and pretty dang cold. But it was beautiful!

We stopped off the side of the road to wait for the other two cars in our caravan before driving to the hotel. The water was still that slate grey because of the cloud cover, and there were so many bald eagles. At the hotel the next morning when we were packing up the car, Buckwheat got really nervous and would stand on top of his kennel so he wouldn't be forgotten. Poor guy! 
When we were driving through the part of Alaska before British Columbia, Canada, we counted 15 bald eagles, and 1 golden eagle in only a distance of 20 miles or so. They were everywhere.  When we drove into British Columbia we saw these two tractors plowing and blowing snow off the highway. It looked like they were trying to make a bunny hill or something.
I had to use the restroom a short distance into Canada, and the only things they had were these little outhouse rest stops off the sides of the highway. That was the coldest seat ever! My family and cousins will know what I mean when I say it is even colder than the Judd cabin's toilet seats early in the morning. 

After British Columbia, Canada came the beautiful Yukon:
After leaving British Columbia (which was desolate tundra nearly the whole way - awfully depressing!), we made it to the Yukon. It was beautiful. Below, this is the largest lake in the Yukon. It was all frozen. In one part of it, there were parts where an actual wave had frozen; almost like it had been frozen while it was crashing. It was bizarre. The caps were even frozen. It reminded me of The Day After Tomorrow. Sorry about Buckwheat's blatant sniffing. How about that hoodie on him, eh?

Leaving the Yukon, we saw the Alaska sign! It was huge, and the people we were driving with took a few other pictures of us but said we looked "too cold". So this is us "not looking cold."

About 80 miles outside of Anchorage, there was the biggest glacier we have seen yet. It looked a lot like the lake in the Yukon that was frozen because it looks like it has white caps like the ocean would. It came spilling out of a mountain, about 4 miles behind us (you can't see it in the picture) and kept going! We pulled over to all get a picture with it.  Where we were wasn't even the end of this glacier. I'm so excited to see it in the summer time when it's green around it. 

We are so excited to be in Anchorage. There are stores, restaurants, forests, inches of ice in every parking lot (I don't understand how everything isn't bashed in), and indiscreet moose that apparently don't like me! Last night we went to The Moose's Tooth (delicious pizza and home made root beer), then afterwards our friends drove us around to find a moose. They were so surprised we didn't even see one with where we were driving; I had warned them that they must not like me - that or they're all dead. 

Alaska Ferry

These pictures are some of my favorites from the ferry-cruise. The above picture I took Sunday morning when we pulled in to Ketchikan.  It was the first stop we made, and the first thing we saw after we passed through Canadian waters. This next picture would fit the right of the one above; the sun had lit up all the fog on the water. The sunrises were beautiful!

In Juneau the following morning (Monday), Mark's cousin Shelly came out to visit us; it was extremely nice of her because the ferry docked at 4:3o! She and her two kids had to wake up so early. But they came out with their beast of a car and took us through the dark snow to the glacier and told us about this "friendly" black wolf who plays with other dogs who are on walks with their owners. Mark says he must have realized that it was easier to get food if he was nice. Makes me nervous (especially if you remember the 7 things post).
The first night we were on the boat, I woke up at 4:00 because it felt like I was falling downwards in my bed (feet first because we were rocking a bit). I woke up to find our first light house. I woke Mark up to see this ghostly white lighthouse with it's beacon light shining our boat every 3 seconds. The lighthouse above we saw on Monday morning after leaving Juneau.  The scenery was picturesque.
This picture above is full color, it's not in black and white. Everything looked like Ansel Adams photography.  We kept seeing little glaciers every now and again, but this one took the cake this day. 
Here's another light house we saw on Monday before we docked in Haines. It was pretty far away, so it's sort of fuzzy because of my crop job. 

Sunday night, we were standing at the stern of the boat and it had gotten dark while we were standing there. So dark in fact we couldn't see anything. All the sudden a huge spotlight turned on with a huge metallic noise. It swiveled on its axis to this iceberg! It wasn't too big or anything, but it was about 10 feet long out of water, so it must have been pretty big under the surface. Shortly after we passed that one, another spotlight turned on so they could spot even more icebergs. I felt like I was on the Titanic and was happy to go inside and play Skipbo and not think about the cold! 

ferry day 1

We arrived at the Alaskan Ferry on Friday at about 2:00, made some friends as we waited in line, and then boarded the biggest ferry I have ever seen at about 5:30. There were U-hauls, and semi-trucks being loaded! The red expedition with the roof box on top is an awesome military family we met who are going to Anchorage as well. They have three kids (the oldest is almost my age, a little strange thinking I've been married 2 years!), a dog and a cat. We will be caravanning with them on our way up through Canada and back down. 

If you enlarge this photo, you can see into the hull of the ship, this is where we parked and where Buckwheat remained a champ throughout the entire ride. On a side note, the cop on the right was wearing the greatest boots. Their motorcycles looked like fun as well. 

We got situated in our room, #171, and were happy to find that it was on the right side of boat. If we never left our room, we still would have had a great view.  This picture was right after we set our bags down. This is a coast guard boat that followed us up for a while. 

A little while after we started moving, there were small islands and inlets everywhere: 

This picture was taken the first night, when the clouds got a little thinner. We were closer to the open ocean, so it's a little rockier. Never got sea sick!

Mark and I spent a lot of time playing a new game his family gave us: Skip-bo. It's a great past time game that doesn't take much concentration, but Mark is still beating me every time! I think he's a bad shuffler. 

This picture was taken in a lounge at the front of the boat by a guy who Mark knew at the Academy who will be in our 3-car-caravan. He just got a new Canon, so I guess he was trying out our old Sony. 

The internet was really weak on the ferry, so every time I tried uploading pictures, it would fail. Now we're at the Captain's Choice Motel in Haines, AK and the internet is off-and-on stronger. Ferry day 2 coming up! 

a new view

Yesterday we stopped at a new home for my parents, and we loved what we saw! In the back, there's a blackberry bush. I am so excited for summer, when these shriveled berries will be rich, purple, and sweet with juice. 
In the front of the house I saw a huge Bumblebee, but it wasn't scary because it had a lot of fur on it, so it looked like the ones in stories - right. I got about 2 shots of its behind, then in this shot it started to take off and fly towards me! Buckwheat and I ran for the house. 
I turned around, and this is what I saw; it's breathtaking. My parents are going to get sick of me with how many visits I'm hoping to make.  

indian snow

A patchy here, a patchy there. 

* in this picture we're driving in Oregon, but across the river is Idaho. 

happy things

We're all packed up - o o oh!

The car is packed, the jerky and water is in my orange striped beach bag, Buckwheat is bathed, and Mark and I are excited. 

Watch out Alaska! Here we come!!