Spring Time Happenings --- Alaska Style

Didn't I tell you spring has finally arrived in my the last blog? Well, it truly is! Spring is just crazy in Alaska --- and I mean crazy. Everyone seems to be buzzing all over the place and with no particular place to go. After all, the ground is still frozen and so you can't really start gardening. The trails are mushy and so you can't go for walks or bike rides. But, there is so much daylight you just have to do something. What do you do with all this energy? Here's what we've been doing...

Running ---

Yes, despite the icy, mushy, trails, we've already been in our first 5K for the season. Appropriately named, we ran and walked the "Flush the Slush" run in early April to raise money for Landon's school. There's another 5K this weekend which we might do --- if it's not too cold!

Brad and Landon at the start of race.

Janet and Kalena at start of race.

Kalena celebrating the 1/2 way point!

Horseback Riding ---

Again, we know it's kind of slushy and mushy out there but the horses have also wanted to something so the kids started riding lessons again. It's a nice break from piano, which they gave up very willingly :)

Landon on Splash.

Field Trips ---

Even the schools want to get those kids out of the classroom and so Landon went on three field trips this week. It was also testing week. I went with the kids to the Large Animal Research Station. We had a blast seeing musk oxen and caribou. The kids even got to touch a musk ox named, Carter! He was very fluffy :)

I love this photo! A musk ox just hangin' out on a frozen pile of manure!

Buds.

Landon gets to touch Carter. Carter is ticklish so you have to touch near his hump. :)

Landon and the caribou.

Field Work ---

What is spring without Brad heading someplace to do field work? This April and May are no exceptions. His latest trip was to look for moose.

Brad's latest adventure and plane.

Easter ---

What is spring without a good dose of sugar? After all isn't that what Easter is all about? It isn't? Could have fooled me.... Anyway, we had many social events the weekend of Easter and somehow they all led to food and egg hunts in the snow --- truly Alaska style!

Looks like the Easter Bunny came for a visit!

Hope that where ever you are, that spring has sprung and that it is coming along nicely!

Happy Spring!