Juneau day one

We arrived in Juneau on a rare clear and sunny day. This did not last long but it was great to see the city for the first time under a blazing sunny sky and blue skies. 

We checked into our hotel after a quick hour and half flight and headed to silverbow bagels for brunch and caffeine pick me up. 

We walked around the water front and gawked at the tourist gawking at Alaska. I thought we had lots of tourist in anchorage but Juneau had 4 cruise ships at the harbor at the same time. Different languages surrounded us everywhere we went. 

Taku is the local salmon processor. After tasting samples we decided it didn't hold up to our favorite salmon copper river reds! Two weeks until hubby goes dip netting on the copper!

Ocoee and I rode the Roberts tram to the top and enjoyed the views. To be honest the views were nice but at $31 a pop it was more of tourist trap than anything. There was still too much snow to use the trails so not much to do up top. 

Across the street from our hotel we headed to the hanger for dinner. They were too full so we went two doors down to the silver gulch and ate a yummy crab boil and fish and chips while watching the sea planes land. 

A few Alaskan porters and deck space to climb around and we were all happy campers!

Good first day! Tomorrow we will swim and see more sightS. 

Cheers

J

Family trip to Juneau, Alaska

Tomorrow we head to Juneau. It is our state capital and I have never been. Located along the lovely inner passage it will be rainy and wet but lovely and lush also. Bags are packed and we are ready to go. 

My advice to parents who travel with kids-give up on packing light. Sure but light easy gear (we love our peapod) but bring what you need to enjoy yourself and keep everyone happy! So worth it in the end. This will be Ocoee's first trip of the summer and about the 12th flying trip of her 20 months. She is a pro traveler and we feel lucky to get to travel and experience the world with her. 

Stay tuned for Juneau visitors info!

Cheers

J

Mary Poppins play review

We subscribe to the anchorage concert association and pick 4-5 events to attend each year. We sometimes add on a few throughout the year and also have been going to some youth theater with Ocoee. She loves the plays and always sits and pays close attention. 

This year's highlight was Mary Poppins. We have been looking forward to t all year. We picked an afternoon show so Ocoee    would be well rested. We had 4th row tickets and a few kids in front of us so the view was great for ocoee. We tossed all her stuff in her seat and she plopped in my lap a few minutes before the curtain rose. 

The show was, like Mary herself, practically perfect in every way! The casting was spot on and the color and lights were a feast for the eyes. It was worth every penny. I loved the messages that the play hit on, having fun and joy in your life, spending time with your kids, treating your toys and others kindly and money's value being in how you spend it. 

There were some amazing magical moments when Bert danced on the ceiling of the theater, Mary's umbrella flying and the park transformation. The special effects they pulled off were engineering feats! 

Ocoee indulged in her first chocolate milk and I had a glass of Pinot before the show. They also allow pre-orders for intermission so our fruit plate, wine and chocolate milk were waiting for us. We stepped outside into the glass walk way and had a quick mini picnic before heading back in for act 2. 

I was worried Ocoee would fall asleep but the show held her attention and she stayed riveted the whole time. Three hours is a lot for a 20 month old! We got home and she feel asleep before 6. Tired little lovely. 

I am extremely happy she enjoys theater as much as I do and I am going to begin picking next seasons play today since I received the new season schedule. 

The show was simply supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Cheers

J

A perfect sunny Alaska day!!

Gardening, park, playground and lots of sun. So perfect. 

Cheers

J

Fun with love bug

The whole family went to see the junior theater production of Winnie the Pooh on Sunday. Ocoee exclaimed Bear! When pooh first come out. We don't have any Pooh books and she has never watched a show but she still seemed to like all the plush character and she loves plays. We head go the big show of Mary Poppins on Sunday. 

Ocoee and all of our animals have special bonds. She misses Love dog and spends lots of time taking care of Brodie. She covers his up with cloth napkins and hugs and climbs all over him. He tolerates it all by just laying there and I secretly think he enjoys all the attention. When you ask her what doggies do she pants because Brodie is a big time panter!

Nodstroms had a big sale and Ocoee scored new sandals and other cute gear. We love a sale! She likes Nordys because they won her over with a pink balloon. Sneaky!

School is officially out after tomorrow! Can't wait to have all summer with love bug! We head to Juneau, Alaska next week and I just booked a trip to Phoenix, Arizona in July. It will be so hot!! Can't wait-our Alaska bodies need some heat. 

Alaska Snow in May!!

Check out the photo shoots of Ocoee with her Uncle Dede in the snow....yep, snow in May!

It was a great visit and May is still my favorite month of the year, even if it snows!

Cheers
J

Summer bucket list

Summer starts for me in 7 days. Next Friday I will bust out of the doors of the school ready for a nice long summer break. My book club girls and I will get together for drinks, manis  and pedis to celebrate retirements, graduations and last day of work! I simply can not wait!!

In anticipation I have made a bucket list of things I want to do. Most are simple but those are the things that make me happy. I look forward to recharging my batteries, reconnecting with my hubby and loving Ocoee more.

Work out more
Color run with friends
Hike, new ones and old ones
Head north for Nancy lake Camping
Spend time in Homer
Visit Fairbanks
Travel to Denali National Park
Photo shoots with Ocoee, especially when grandparents are in town.
Bike rides with new bike trailer
Use Zoo/Museum pass
Read tons of books
Visit the beach and have picnics
Picnics with hubby at lunch
Walk coastal trail, feed ducks
Make matching earrings for all my lost ones....at least try!
Get hair did :)
Plant more ferns in garden
Kayak portage and whittier
Spend time with Sarah when she is in
Catch up with friends and meet new babies
Long relaxing lunches
Cook with no rushing, try new recipes



What will you do this summer? Many of my friends have big trips to Europe or back to the lower 48. We have Juneau coming up and then lots of other Alaska trips but nothing out of state.....unless I can't take the weather and book a flight outta here to the sun. As I speak it is snowing and very un-summer like.

Cheers
J