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?

my little skier!

We went up to Hatcher's again today in the warm sun to enjoy some time in the snow. We brought along Riggs' skis to try them out for the very first time. I was a little nervous to see whether he would like it or if it would cause a meltdown. You never know at this age!

His grumpy face as I went to get him out of the carseat didn't give me too much hope, but at least Tutka and I were excited!

We got his snow clothes on and strapped his skis on and then we were ready to go!! He really wanted to try his poles so I let him for a minute or two before putting them back in the truck and really getting him out on the trail to get used to his skis. He did so good and had so much fun, I was just beaming with pride!

I was really happy we managed to pass two kind ladies who were out walking so that we could get a picture together. Do you ever ask strangers to take pictures for you? I'm shameless when it comes to pictures, I just love them too much!

I love his little grin! He did so well and made it about half a mile up towards the mine before he asked me to pack him up into the Ergo. I must have looked a little funny with him in the pack and his little skis hooked to the straps, but it was worth it! We had such a good time and it was beautiful weather to be out in.

When we got back to the parking lot, Riggs had fun running around in his long johns before he had to get in his carseat. He napped on the way home and then enjoyed some lazy time on the couch cuddling with Tutka and doing a few puzzles on the iPhone. Such a lovely way to spend our Monday :)

first ski of the season

Just two and a half months ago, Riggs and I were hiking in 80 degrees up at Hatcher's pass. This week, we dusted off our skis and headed up to the mine for our first ski of the season. This is why I love Alaska, people!!

There's no snow on the ground down at our house yet, but it's so nice to drive 25 minutes to get my ski on. Usually you'll never hear me say "I can't wait for Riggs to..." but man, I can't wait for Riggs to be old enough to really ski! He has little toddler skis that we'll try out in the yard once it snows at our house, but I can't wait to sign him up for junior nordic and watch him skiing around with his little friends and for the day I get to cheer him on at his races.

We skied out to the mine and back, not really possible to go too far without Riggs getting a little antsy. When we got there we stopped and I let him out to play in the snow for quite a while. So fun seeing him crunch around, eating snow and making snow balls [video].

If you love skiing I highly recommend making the drive up to Hatchers for some early fun in the snow. Plus it's great for tiring out littles too ;)

making the switch

cloth

Yesterday was a great day.  I had secured 5 used Rumparooz one-size pocket diapers from a woman on Craigslist {who also went for my super low offer - yay!}.  Only problem?  She lived in Wasilla and wouldn't be coming to Anchorage for at least a month.  Luckily for me, Steve didn't mind piling in the car with me and Riggs to head out to the Valley and pick them up!  Also luckily for me {and for Riggs' poor, sore little bum} there's an amazing cloth diaper store in Wasilla called Arctic Baby Bottoms.  My friend Sally recommended them to me, and I was excited to check out the store and meet the owner, who I'd only heard great things about.

The store was amazing!  I was able to pick up two used Rumparooz for $16 each {new they are $23.50}, two  used Katydids and one new Bumgenius 4.0 {Steve just had to have the Albert print}. All for under $80, which is a great deal, and it was nice to support a local business!  I now have 10 diapers, and am working on increasing my stash by at least another 10.  I've got one on the way from and online swap and if I love how the Rumparooz work {which I already pretty much do}, I'll probably just order the rest new from Arctic Baby Bottoms.

Anyway, happy Sunday and hope you have fun watching the Superbowl, participating in the Ski for Women, or whatever else you plan on doing today :)

snowy, productive Wednesday....

What a day...woke up this morning at 8am ready for getting stuff done! So I started the laundry, swept the floors, vacuumed the floors, mopped the floors, changed the laundry, washed dishes, cleaned the cabinet doors, put the dishes away, changed the laundry, tidied up my room, tidied up the bathroom, and changed the laundry once again. This was all before noon! Then I had to mix up some food for Beau, who is very sick and is on a extra lean hamburger & rice diet (1/4 cup mixed every three hours). After feeding him, Steve and I settled down for some MacGyver with our grilled cheese and tomato soup. Steve took a nap while I messed around on the computer, then we went for a ski with Pepper. What a great day!

Sunshine!

It has been so nice today to actually feel the warmth of the sun. I am loving wearing my sandals and sweaters rather than sorels and puffers. Not that I don't love those too, but it's nice to change things up once and a while. I love Alaska so much, because when spring, even when it's slushy and dirty, we are so much more appreciative of it after the long, usually cold winter.

Not that I think it's spring yet. Sadly enough, I'm sure it will get back below freezing and snow some more before winter is truly over. But I will revel in the weather that today has brought and smile up into the sun as long as I can. I actually hope it does snow a little bit more to cover up this icy crust so that I can partake in one of my favorite pastimes, spring skiing. There's nothing like skate skiing along in leggings and a t-shirt. I try to remember that when I'm wishing for summer. My life is short enough, I want to find something to enjoy and appreciate every day of it rather than wishing each day away...