Fur Rondy

Here in the state of Alaska, they have a festival that originally celebrated the trappers bringing in their furs at the end of winter to sell, and now also celebrates the beginning of the Iditarod sled dog race. As any sensible person knows, you should always hold outdoor festivals at the end of February/beginning of March in Alaska when the temp. is below zero. Makes perfect sense. Also made perfect sense for us to go. We started out at the Pioneers club pancake breakfast. It's like a Lions/Kiwanis/Elks lodge, but you have to be a resident of the state for at least 30 years to join. My favorite was when Avery cried because his paper place mat blew off the table (a ceiling fan was directly overhead) and one of the ladies threw it away and then walked off. She didn't mention she was going to get another one. When she got back she told him "If you drop this one you don't get another one." Whatever biddy, he didn't drop it! Sheesh, pioneers! Next onto the outdoor carnival.

Notice how happy Noah looks. The day began with him having a meltdown over having to put on his snow pants and boots before we left the house. Then he had one at the pancake breakfast over having to put the hat on. By the time we parked at the carnival and I had to put his coat and mittens on (third meltdown, same parent) I had a meltdown (very grown-up of me) and Rich had to take over.

Avery on the other hand, whatever. No worries.

And ready to go. We have no pictures from the carnival because we couldn't get them to ride anything. We stood on the merry-go-round, watched a train and almost got on but then had to get our tickets back, and walked around a lot. Nothing worth documenting :)

These are of the dog races through downtown. Pretty cool. I remember thinking that they didn't seem to go very fast. Two weeks later when I did it myself, I had a different opinion!

The boys watching a team go by.

We didn't plan it, but we ended up at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, so we stopped in for a snack, heat, and to regroup. Like our rosy cheeks? It wasn't the outing I imagined when we left the house, but it was our first winter outdoor outing, so I'm glad we went.

Shoveling with Dad

Wrestle Mania!

Alright, so this actually happened immediately after the boys took off their aprons. This is what happens EVERY time Rich lays down on the floor.

Noah actually seems to know some professional wrestling moves (though none are shown here) and he's never seen it! I think. He's never seen it, right Rich? Right??

This is a story interlude. Avery actually stopped wrestling long enough to read Rich "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie", upside down of course, cause my kid is just that smart!

Ah, the signature Avery smile!

Pinned...

and dismount.

Blowing on Noah with the aspirator. I love his smiles and giggles!

You call it a sundress...

I call it an apron! The boys did a little experimenting ;)

Avery is modeling the "Little House on the Prairie" half apron sundress style. I told you guys I would dress my kids like this, I just thought they would be girls.

Noah is modeling the full length Christmas "only Dad could manage to tie it this way" style apron.

How cute are my littles?

My kid is in the CIA...

what does yours do?

On the other hand, Noah has no coat, no glasses, one boot, one sock. Same car ride.

Guess which child likes things "just so."?

Indoor play in the winter

When it's cold (read several feet of snow) outside, we have to do something to blow off little boy steam, so we've been pulling my car out of the garage to ride our "motorcycles". That's what they call their tricycles. Check out Noah's facial expressions. They are great!

Anything becomes a toy, including Dad's garage chair.

I don't know if Noah was teething or what, but he kept doing the weirdest things with his mouth that night!

Need a big jar?

Helping Dad part 2

Here are Rich and the boys making a "Classic White Cake" his words, not mine. My role, going to the store to buy more eggs.

Rich is stapling a table cloth onto the table.

Noah is helping :)

Nope, doesn't look like dad AT all.

The Littles turn 2!

A walk down memory lane for the fans of the Littles

Happy 2nd Birthday to the two best things I've ever done!