A Fairbanks Blizzard

Did you know that snow weighs about 17 pounds per cubic foot? I figure that I shoveled enough snow today that I probably won't need to work out for the next week!

The Fairbanks area got around 10-18 inches of snow yesterday and last night. I really don't know how much was dumped on mi casa but I know that I shoveled for almost 2 hours and didn't get the driveway clear. Two awesome friends came by with a 4-wheeler plow and took care of the rest for me.

Jordan and Ava playing in our street with their sleds. They were trying to push against the wind gusts of up to 30 mph.

Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race

We took a detour from regular homeschool geography and history to learn about the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race. Every year the Yukon Quest is held in February and it is the same length as the Iditarod, 1000 miles. This year it started in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada and ends in Fairbanks. They alternate the start and finish each year. Next year it will start in Fairbanks.

We watched a couple of documentary films on mushing (dog sledding) and then we've been tracking the mushers online for the last 10 days. This year's winner is Dallas Seavey, the 23 year old rookie and son of Mitch Seavey an Iditarod winner.

The Yukon Quest trail runs on the Chena River. We can see the Chena River from our house, but we missed Dallas coming through at around 10pm last night. Today we ventured down to the river bank in negative 20 degree temps to try to catch a musher coming through. Apparently we missed her by about 15 minutes.

We tried again at about 5:45 pm and we caught the sixth place finisher, Alan Moore on the river. Our kids were stoked to finally see one. They shouted and hollered to him from the bank and he waved to them. They were most excited to see that all of the puppies have booties on!

These mushers and dogs are amazing. 1000 miles by dogsled in below freezing temps. There are 3 more racers out there that probably won't arrive in Fairbanks until late- Thursday night or Friday. My kids are hooked and can't wait to see some more!

Supporting Nick B.

Last year when we stopped in New Hampshire, the big boys received these t-shirts from Steve and Liz. (Charlie's Aunt and Uncle) Their son, Nick shares Charlie's love of SPORTS and the number 23. We hope Nick is having a wonderful basketball season!!!!!

Last night, Brady begged me to wear one of his Daddy's t-shirts to bed. I told him to go dig one out and he came down with this one on. Then Jordan went and got his and a spare for Beckett. They all slept in oversized t-shirts last night. Always fun to do when Dad is out of town!

I decided to take pictures and share!

Happy Heart Day!

A Budding Imagination

Brady's imagination is growing spectacularly and he spends a good portion of his time building parking garages out of Lincoln logs. Makes my heart melt when creative memories are made....

My BIG Boy!

Beckett was rather resistant to potty training and had no interest in doing it. But I decided that it was time for big boy underwear. Last Friday we put him in underwear and by the end of the day, he had caught on to the concept. Prior to our first day, he had never peed on the potty. We would sit him on there first thing in the morning and he would never go. I was convinced that it was going to be a battle.

Three days later, he had it completely figured out. Now it has been 7 days and he is Mr. Independent. He goes into the bathroom, shuts the door, and won't let you in until he's done. He's even staying dry at night... but I haven't had him sleep overnight in his underwear yet. I'm not ready because he's in our bed.

Here he is modeling his Calvin Klein Thomas the Train underwear.

Ava's Birthday!

We celebrated Ava's birthday last Saturday with a group of 10 little girls and her 3 brothers. First they decorated aprons (and their own shirts) with fabric paint. I didn't think to tell their parents, so everyone went home with some paint on the clothes they came wearing. Oops! Then they created their own pizzas for dinner. It was a bit crazy, but they were occupied with activities for much of the party!

On Ava's actual birthday, I stated that I couldn't believe that it had been seven years since my last baby girl. Ava asked me how that could be? Then she realized that she was my only baby girl! Time goes by so quickly and she is growing up so fast. I need to keep a journal of all the cute things she says because I am pretty sure that it won't always be this way!

Cake time!

Blowing out her candle! This candle has been circling the neighborhood for the last few months and all of her friends have blown out the same one.

Opening up her gifts.

Making the pizzas!

Her family birthday cake!