Alaska

A month ago McKay got to spend a week in Alaska for work. Poor guy, what a hard job!!! Anyway, here are a few pics that show his trip. The first pictures are from his ride in a little bush plane. Those things make me nervous, but he made it out alive!!

The big city...Anchorage.
Beautiful, majestic mountains
I actually loved the contrast of the red wing in this picture
If I remember correctly, this is one of the mountain sides that the pilot says some mountain climbers will be dropped off. WHAT?! I decided there are some places humans aren't meant to be. The pilot also mentioned they lost their first climber not too long before McKay was there. Meaning, there will be more lost? Silly thrill seekers, don't they know they could DIE!?
Wrinkly Ice, middle-aged ice, been-in-the-bathtub-too-long ice
Another place humans don't need to be
A place where someone decided to build his house, and then more, and more, and more.
McKay also got to go on a guided snowmobile trip. This was his favorite activity.
They had to cross this little river...BRRRRRR!
Iceberg
Christmas Story moment. "No Ralphie, don't leave....don't leave Ralphie!"
Whale eye iceberg
Why a picture of dumpsters? How bout that moose standing on the small hill behind it!
This is downtown. That's not normal. But it is in Alaska.
He got to see the false starting line for the Iditarod downtown before he left. The real start is in the middle of nowhere.
These dogs were raring to go! He got several pictures of them jumping up and howling.

I had to end with this adorable picture. Dogs are so cute from afar! :) All in all, it sounds to me that Alaska is one of those places that everyone should see once because of how beautiful it is. Maybe I'll go see it too some day, but it's a bit down on the priority list!

Vintage Family Picture

I came across this lovely photo of our little family from 9 years ago. Thank goodness I don't have those pants anymore...or that haircut. But looking at it made me realize just how much our lives have changed from this picture. And you never truly know how easy you have it until it gets harder! That Andrea would have a lot more time to invest in a blog, facebook, pinterest, and any other hobby of choice. She also kept a MUCH cleaner/organized house. Of course, to be fair, we also didn't have very much then! 9 years doesn't seem that long ago when I say it out loud, but looking at this picture, it is clear that it's long enough to have moved twice, change jobs thrice, finish college, and have 3 more kids! When I think about what happened to my twenties (because they flew by), I'll remember that as much as I loved that old Andrea and her new wonderful life with McKay and ONE child, I would never want those days back. Life is so much sweeter and rewarding now....hectic, crazy, and challenging too. But really, I wouldn't have it any other way! Except maybe a more organized house.... :) ahh well! This too shall pass!