family ski at Government Peaks Recreation Area

It was cold today, around four degrees when we headed out, but the skies were blue and the sun sparkled blindingly on the beautiful and long awaited snow. We decided to get outside and go skiing despite the cold temps, and finally made it out the door around ten with enough warm clothes to nearly fill the cab of the truck.

We drove the twenty minutes up to the Government Peaks Recreation Area near Hatcher Pass and sat in the truck for a moment, just staring at the beautiful view from the parking lot/chalet. Then the work began, as we spent the next twenty minutes layering the babies in their warm snow clothes, strapping them into the Chariot and then tucking Steve's down sleeping bag under and around them to make doubly sure they stayed warm enough while we were out skiing. 

It was our first time towing them in the Chariot rather than carrying them, and it went very smoothly. Pulling the extra weight while skate-skiing was definitely tricky, but it was a great work-out. I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner skier, I would definitely try classic skiing the first time out with the Chariot, but for intermediate skiers and beyond, I would say go ahead and try it. Downhills are extra fun with the added weight pushing you from behind too. 

It felt so amazing to be outside with the kids quiet, happy and contained for an hour, both Steve and I resolved to get up there skiing more often. Riggs even skied for about 30 minutes, and I was so proud of him for trying so hard, even skiing up an entire hill by himself in the tracks (and with no poles!). Sharing my love of skiing with both kids is definitely going to be a highlight of parenting, I can tell already. 

If you're in the Valley or in Anchorage and want a change of scenery, I highly recommend visiting GPRA - the trails are interesting and just hard enough and the views can't be beat. See a GPRA map, here, and the Mat-Su ski club webpage, here.

we saw three moose on the way up

weekends go way too fast

Why is it that just when the weekend seems to start, it's already over? That's I always feel when Monday morning rolls around. 

Saturday I went skiing up at Government Peak Recreation Area with Sarah while her sweet mama watched our babies. It was so fun and refreshing to get out without worrying about keeping little fingers and toes warm.

It was also the grand opening of the new chalet so the ski area was packed with people. I love to see it thriving and doing so well - cross country skiing is such a great activity for the entire family. 

Other than that the weekend was spent lounging around together: playing, laughing, doing art projects and just some good old relaxing. Sunday we celebrated our sweet boy turning two, but I'll be writing a separate post about that soon.

Oh, also, I ventured into Target Sunday to pick up a few things for Riggs' party and I just happened to see these gorgeous sheets on a clearance end-cap. I love the simply shabby chic line at Target but I hate to pay full price for it. So whenever I find it marked down I'm thrilled. Especially when it's marked down over 60%.

They were a repackage but I checked to make sure everything was there and I figure I'll wash them anyway (obviously) so it didn't bother me too much. Yay clearance! 

new snow and a skiing adventure

Happy Monday everyone! It's been snowing here for the last couple days and has barely stopped since it started. We are LOVING it! Friday, when it was just starting to snow, we went over to the Matanuska River Park for sledding and skiing.

For my fellow Alaskans who love to ski, the Matanuska River Park is a great place to take kids or to go and ski with dogs off leash. It's an RV park in the summer, but in the winter, they don't plow the roads and when the snow is deep enough they groom them for skiing. We just discovered it this winter, and have already made great use of it.

Anyway, Riggs has been loving his skiis, so we took him over to stretch our legs, throw the ball for the dog, and let Riggs practice his skiing. It was a blast! Steve also brought a sled and we had fun taking Riggs sledding down a hill for the first time! We actually bought a downhill ski helmet for Riggs at Costco last weekend, and we plan to use it for sledding in the future. Sledding accidents are really scary and can cause serious brain injury for kids (and adults too)!

skiing in the driveway while the truck warmed up:

 and at the Matanuska River Park trails:

 like his 'mittens'?

I put my wool socks over his little wool mittens

because I couldn't find his heavier mittens at the moment

why are mittens always missing?

(or is it just me...lol)

video of our little skiier:

He has been doing so good at skiing by himself.

The first couple of times we went he wanted me to hold his hand,

now he wants to go by himself, and he says "Go, go go" as he skis along.

fun sledding with mama and daddy:

I know it's been blizzarding all around the country, what have you been doing to get out and enjoy it?

Hatcher's Pass

After a somewhat restless night of sleep, I woke up in the mood to get out of the house, to do something.  It was cold this morning, about -10 F when I went out to plug in our truck, and the snow crunched under my feet loudly.  We had a leisurely morning around the house, in which fruit/veggie smoothies and scrambled eggs and spicy breakfast sausage were involved.

Around eleven we finally hit the road, after loading our cold weather gear and skis in the truck.  It takes about 25 minutes from our house to get to the parking lot for the Government Peak Recreation Area, and with the clear blue sky and brilliant sun (which hides behind the mountain at our house during the darkest winter months) it was a beautiful drive.  I drove out that way this summer, where the woman lived who I bought Riggs' wood high chair from, so I had a general idea of where we were going.  I love car trips with Steve, because we always manage to have some really good conversations.  But driving up the winding road that led to the parking lot, Steve and I were both quiet in anticipation.  

We weren't disappointed by what we found at the end of the road, and I was almost giddy with excitement as I put on my skis and poles and headed out onto the new trails.  There are three trails at this point, including a multi-use trail for skijoring and snow-biking.  The snow was fast and I was probably only the second or third person to hit the trail since it had been groomed...pure bliss.  I could have stayed there all day, exploring each loop, but I got back in the car after a quick 30 minute ski and we headed up to see how much it had snowed up at the Hatcher's Pass Lodge area.  It was beautiful up there, and there were a few backcountry skiers enjoying the sun and fresh snow (some backcountry dogs as well :).  What a perfect way to spend a Friday! 

the snow is falling softly down

It snowed all night and is just now starting to let up, and oh, it is beautiful!  It is that perfect, 20 degree snow and I love it so much!  We all went out to play in this morning as soon as it was light.  Being outside as the snow sifted slowly down from the sky just filled me with peace and I don't think I have stopped smiling since I woke up.

I shoveled the driveway and then geared up for my first ski of the season.  I have been waiting for this day for over a year!  Because of the heart condition I developed during my pregnancy with Riggs I wasn't permitted to go skiing last year, and that was pure torture because of all the beautiful snow that just piled up throughout the winter.  As my skis cut through the powdery white stuff today, I drew in my breath and smiled, my eyes closed in bliss.  There is nothing like cross country skiing, I swear it is one of my most favorite things to do.  I love gliding through the quiet woods, with even the sound of my skis muffled by the falling snow.  It was nice to be able to ski in my own back yard, but I have to admit I'm missing being close to Kincaid Park today.  I plan on heading over to the Government Peak Recreation area at Hatchers Pass tomorrow to see what the new trails are like there.

Riggs quickly fell asleep while I was shoveling, I guess it was tiring for him too!  I'm glad he likes being in the Ergo on my back more now (he's never been the biggest Ergo fan, he wants to be moving all  the  time) because I plan on packing him around in it while I ski.