Puppy Update

I've had requests for more puppy pics. so here are a few. They do alot of sleeping but now have their eyes open and as you can see are starting to escape the box too.

"I'm the winner Mommy!"

Out sledding on "ski hill" with the boys, the 2nd weekend of Dec. after seeing Santa in town. This is Hawken's first time going down this hill and he loved it (ok maybe not loved it, but we went a bunch more times and I think he had fun)... As you'll see, Jax is the winner! It's a Sat. afternoon and usually this hill is covered with kids on the weekends but as you can see we had it all to ourselves this day.

Rag Rugs

I just learned how to make RAG RUGS, here are my first two made of shredded sheets (as if I needed a new hobby)! Then again winter can be pretty long and although keeping busy isn't usually hard to do up here these rugs will come in handy around the house. I wanted to learn a few years ago but the internet instructions I printed were hard to follow so I gave up pretty fast. Then last month I heard the local Community Enrichment Program offering a class on it and I was in. The program runs activities and classes at the grade school, during the school year, most often taught by locals and they are free or really cheap (this class was only $5). They also show a free Friday night movie in the winter, it's in the gym on a big screen, alot of the time it's geared towards kids but not always and they announce it on the radio the week before so you know what is coming. Obviously we don't have a movie theater here and I have never driven all the way down to Wasilla to see one, it's 70 miles one way and no movie is worth it. We did see one movie in Anchorage years ago before we lived here, we were just visiting, our pre-Jaxon Alaska trip. I don't plan on mass-producing these or anything but it's a great skill to have and maybe I should get started on next years x-mas gifts now...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL & LUV FROM ALL OF US IN ALASKA

Puppy Update

All five pups are doing great, Luna is a really good mom. She won't leave them and when they all whine so does she ( I can understand that :0) There are 3 girls and 2 boys in the litter and it looks like several will be staying local so it will be cool to see them grow up as Talkeetna dogs. The boys have been really respectful of them and so far we have mostly left the pups alone, there will be plenty of time to play with them in the next couple months. She's right off the kitchen in the laundry room so we can keep a good eye on them and of course Luna is loving all the attention. Here are a few photos I took today, CUTE!

getting off the school bus footage

This was a request by my Aunt, some footage of Jax getting off the bus. The driver probably thought I was crazy...

Not much to say, he's tired.

Here comes the bus...

and here is my big kid!

Our New Pups

Luna had her puppies the night of December 5th (Bachelor Ball night here) about an hour after I got home from an all day craft fair until a little after midnight. There are 5 healthy little pups (one is hiding under her leg in the photos). She did great and all by herself, we observed and encouraged but didn't assist. We still haven't really handled them and she won't leave them even for a potty break yet. There is one lighter one with a mask that is really cute (far left in photos and if it's a girl the local preschool teacher wants it), the rest are darker in color and the first out was the biggest and fatest. We don't plan to keep any and a few most likely already have homes-to-be, but it should be fun for the couple months we will have them. Jax was awake for the first one and Hawken woke up just before the last one was born so they both saw a little of it, then we went to bed not sure if there were more coming or not and in the morning there were still just the 5 of them. The dad is Lupo (we are pretty sure because of timing and the markings on them), our friend's Husky/German Shepard mix. He's a nice dog and fast, loves to run. Luna is a McKenzie River Husky so they are basically Husky Shepards, great Alaska dogs. Check back to watch them grow, they already seem a little bigger today :0) never a dull moment...

Jaxon's Kindergarten Christmas concert was this week. He's in the front row with his class, 6th kid from the right wearing a long sleeved red shirt. His friend Finn is to his left and Lizzy to his right (Jaxon is buddies with everyone in his class). The video isn't the best, gym lighting, distance etc. but pretty cute anyway. Jax would practice his songs at home for us the weeks before the concert and he sang and did the moves on stage this year which was so cool (last two he just stood there, preschool gets up before the rest of the kids to sing a couple songs). Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season! It's beautiful up here, as usual, warm and snowy (only to Alaskans is 0-20 degrees warm, but it is especially after the first -20 cold snap of the year :0)

Nooks & Crannies

Aahh... Winter in Alaska. Everything is white and cold, fresh and cool, clean and crisp. I love finding new trails or areas to explore up here and winter is a great time to do it. We can now walk, ride or slide over the lakes, rivers, streams and swamps that abound in this beautiful state. I call these places I come across the Nooks & Crannies of Alaska. A new view or trail can show you things and places you have never seen or known about. Of course up here you also need to be prepared, you can't just walk off into the Alaskan Wilderness alone or unknown (well you can but it's a bad idea). Most often you don't even have to share the wide open space with anyone else. Just watch for wildlife and keep your distance if you do see anything. You never know what you'll run into and we are enjoying their backyard afterall. The lakes are really fun this time of year to play on. Some people ski and some snowshoe but the trails often go around the inside perimeter of the lake, places you can't get to on foot any other time of year. Dog sledding is also big up here and I took my little one out this week, there is just about enough snow to start using it again, stay tuned for photos or video! Happy Holidays everyone, hope you all have a chance to play in the snow this winter...

new at the playground

Here are a few photos of the boys enjoying some of the new features at the playground before they are covered in snow. Some local log home builders just built/donated this cute little cabin and the bridge/tunnel have also been finished and are now open for play. We do stop by and play some in the winter too. It's fun, trails are stomped in to all the different areas of the playground and the large center parts creates a cool snow-free cave underneath. I will get some winter photos of it pretty soon now. The cold is starting to find us up here, looks like our lovely fall is over and snow is on the way... Stay warm everyone! Luv from AK.

A little of my handy-work

I just did our backsplash above the stove and around the kitchen, it turned out pretty good. The middle tile is of Denali and the others I found at a friends yard sale. Love it! Every little home improvement project helps...

"got breastmilk?"

"Got Breastmilk?" The statement speaks for itself, doesn't it? You would think... I can answer YES to this question (and so can he) but you know who can't? The California Milk Processors Board can't, which is strange since they have applied for the trademark on it. That's right and I think they may get it too because they can "afford" to make it happen even though they must know they have no right to it unless they are starting a new production line we don't know about. It's all about $ and the cash cow (ha, pun intended) that it could be. They funny part is they were quoted saying they want to merchandise the phrase "Got Breastmilk?" on t-shirts, onesies, BOTTLES and diaper bags etc. Wait a minute, BOTTLES? Now that is just stupid! Most of you know about my run in last summer with the CMPB and for those of you who don't here are the story links: http://thelactivist.blogspot.com/2008/07/california-milk-processor-board-goes.html or
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/ethicalesq/2008/07/30/got-jugs/ and
http://hoydenabouttown.com/20080915.2198/california-dairy-industry-tries-to-trademark-got-breastmilk/
(or google it and it shows up on a bunch of other blogs too, the Anchorage Daily News story on it has expired now). Anyway I'm not the only one they have harassed over this and so many people use it they have a lawyer on it full time it would seem. This poor girl in California is the next victim and this time they are suing her and her parents who she ran the business with! All I can say is "CORPORATE GREED SUCKS!"

It's Fall in Alaska

I love fall colors, a nice morning walk with the dogs and the quiet fog...

The Barbie Jeep

The boys really liked Virginia's Barbie Jeep! Luckily the Battery was low and it wouldn't go full speed because Hawken had figured out how to drive it too... There is a little boom box in it that they are dancing to, "B A R B Radio" funny :0) We had fun in Ohio!

The Tree Swing

Jax loved the tree swing in Ohio...

Fun at the Fair

Our boys can get pretty groovy to good music!!! This is the Ninilchick Fair we went to this weekend. I love these clips, they are going to be classic!

This is Kenai Peninsula Pig Racing, now you know! Jax bet twice and won, two little piggy banks.

Ahh... growing up Alaskan.

Jaxon's First Silver

Jax caught his first silver salmon this week while out fishing with his dad and little brother. He'll be starting kindergarten very soon too and will be eating his salmon (smoked) from his lunchbox this fall/winter. Wow! Summer has flown by, again... To be a kid in Alaska it doesn't get better than this. Picking wild berries in your own yard, eating from the garden, catching fresh salmon from the river at 4 years old, a summer of amazing weather (but every year is different) you get the point. It's why locals don't brag about this stuff, everyone would move here if they knew the truth... So stay where you are! Just kidding... come on up there's plenty of room :0)

My Open Air Market Booth

This is my Open Air Market Booth outside the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. We do this during the summer months Sat. - Mon. here in downtown Talkeetna. I have done it off and on for 3 years now. The spot I'm in isn't my usual space and next year I will be just left of the entrance to the hangar. A fun group of vendors are there, some locals and some not. Several people come up from Wasilla and Palmer to sell at this little local outdoor market. The tour buses and trains let people off just down the road for several hours at a time so we meet tourists from all over the world and the crafts they buy also end up all over the world, including mine! It's a great way to work for myself. I also do a few festivals each year around the state, maybe I will see you at one of them... Peace from Alaska!

Tigger Lake

I got away for a quick walk with Koda Bear the other day. We went to Tigger Lake, not far from our home here in Talkeetna. Just a nice locals spot, the kids really like playing there too but it's good for moms to get out for some peace and quiet on occasion. The loons are calling in the distance and nobody is around, it's perfect. In the winter we walk and ski on these lakes and some people ice fish them. Aah Alaska... Stay tuned for more of our adventures.

Talkeetna Brothers

"BROTHERS"
This photo was emailed to me by a couple I met in my booth while they were visiting from New York last month. They were really nice and took us out for a beer after the open air market closed that evening. It's a great shot of my little boys (thanx Jen). This is out back at "The Historic Fairview Inn" in downtown Talkeetna. These two are going to be great friends... (I hope :0)

Summer in Alaska

It's salmon season up here and Andy has been bringing them home! These are some really nice "reds"and we are stocking up for the winter. Jaxon loves salmon, it's one of the few meats he will eat right now... One day playing at Montana creek Jax caught some "smolts" (baby salmon) in a tote (that we of course let go after watching them for a bit). The other photo is of Hawk's new and first haircut! He looks like a little boy now...

Sold Art

I sold a piece of art! My mermaid Soywax Batik!

Spawning King Salmon

We were just hanging out with a friend playing in the sun at Montana Creek in Talkeetna. These Alaskan King Salmon are hard at work spawning and doing their thing. What a cool place we live in when we can play in a stream right next to these awsome animals. They didn't mind us a bit but chased off other fish that came by...

Festival Days

Here's a local little girl in one of my new dresses at Moose Dropping Festival in our home town of Talkeetna Alaska. I love to see all the kids in my hand batiked clothing! To see more about me, my art or my clothing line for kids visit my website at http://www.mountntopdesigns.com/ or my Etsy page at http://www.mountntopdesigns.etsy.com/ Thanx... Mountntop Designs

The many "job titles" of being a Mom

Mom's have experience in so many feilds they could claims any of the following on a resume...

#1. 24 hour on call Gourmet Chef (ok so it's not quite gourmet but the kitchen is open 24/7)

#2. Space Management Specialist (otherwise known as "dishwasher loader" and "toy organizer")

#3. Transportation Coordinator (aka: kids personal chauffeur)

#4. Supervisor of Household Organization (basically mom knows where everything is at all times because she is the one that cleans it all up!)

#5. 24 hour Laundry Service (we mostly keep business hours but there is the occasional 3am load of sheets that has to go in or the 10pm folding that happens after my customers are asleep.)

#6. Recycle & Waste Management Supervisor (well somebody has to do it, there's no "trash fairy" that takes care of it...)

*Other jobs moms do everyday: toy & clothing repair, bake sale rep (and baker), fundraiser, class helper, art teacher, nature guide, nutrition consultant, home improvement guru, detective, janitor, photographer & videographer, librarian, fashion consultant, therapist, nurse (or boo boo fixer), and the list goes on and on...

Funny Baby...

This is just a cute video of Hawken playing a throwing game, with himself.

Like the fashion statement? Andy's hat and a diaper...

May in Alaska

May has always been our favorite month in Alaska and the weather this year is a perfect example of why. The last of the snow melts off early in the month, it gets warm enough to go without a jacket, the trees are getting green buds and leaves, new grass shoots are sprouting up everywhere, animals are waking up and water begins to flow again. I also like the early part of the season because the bugs are not too bad yet and the thorny bushes are still small, Rosehips and Devils Club grow rampant up here. Another thing that isn't yet at the point of infestation is the tourists, they are just starting to trickle in now. There are climbers in town as well, this is the window that people can take a crack at Denali or as you'll often hear it referred to locally as just "The Mountain." When we were still just visiting up here we liked to come the first half of May because the "summer rates" don't start until around the middle of the month, even plane tickets are still a little cheaper then (travel tip for anyone who wants to visit :0) It's been a great couple weeks of sunny days up here that Alaskans are really enjoying in contrast to last years rainy cold summer, we are all hoping it will last! Hopefully the sun is shinning on you too right now...


*The video is from last month, mid April. I call it "Spring has Sprung." The butterfly followed me the whole walk, once I finally got it off my boot...

Mountain Jax

This video of Jaxon cracks us up...

finger lickin' good...

mental sex change...

Have you ever taken your pet in to be spayed and when you came back they had neutered him? That's what happened to me this week with our sweet little 6 month old kitten CoCo who I was told was a girl when we got (her) him. At least it was a little cheaper but I really didn't want another boy cat... Too late now he's a part of the family and really good with the kids and other pets. My 4 year old refuses to believe she is suddenly a he nor will he let us change the name. So hopefully we have not confused his sexuality too much calling him Coco Girl for several months now. It's hard to make the mental change too, just like when someone you know starts going by a different name or something, in your head the name never changes, you know? So now it's CoCo boy, I guess... :0)

On my dog sled...

On a ride down our road with my dog, what a beautiful spring day in Alaska... We are lucky!

Only in Alaska

Only in Alaska can you see this kind of stuff! This is the Iditarod Restart on Willow Lake. The musher heading out here is DeeDee Jonrowe of Willow. This guy in the Wolf outfit is there every year and tons of people take his picture all day long, he's just a random local, I don't know his name. Here's my friend Debbie and her little girl Shelby checking him out. We all rode down on the shuttle (school bus) together. It was fun... We go to this just about every year, it's only a half hour down the highway and the only place it happens, pretty cool :0) Now they are on the long journey to Nome, and what a journey it is. You have to be pretty tough (and maybe a little crazy) to go on that 1,100 mile ride, good luck to them all!!!

Cats & Cars

Jax & Coco playing on a snow day...

Boys on the trail, growing up wild...

I often wonder what my boys will think of growing up in Alaska. They will no doubt see things most people only dream about and do things many people make into a "once in a lifetime" experience. Like moose hunting and King Salmon fishing or watching the Iditarod and Northern Lights, things that they will do every year here . They will also see the influx of climbers that venture here to take on Denali and maybe even want to do it themselves someday... Who knows what they will find on the mountains, trails and rivers of Alaska the adventures they will have. I can only hope they will be prepared and use their heads. I have a feeling they will enjoy the abundant wildlife and nature out their own backdoor and realize how lucky we are to have it.

Today we went for a walk at Fish Lake, the sun was out and the fresh snow was fluffy. I decided to neglect the dishes and laundry for some quality time with my boys, what's more important a clean sink or enjoying the sun and snow with my two little boys who will all too soon be men? No question and I think it's worth it...

Baby Laughs

He's 1 now and already laughing at me when I say "no" that can't be good!?

What to do at -30 below...

The yearly cold snap is lasting a little longer than it has in the past few years. Every January since we have been up here it hits around -30 below for about a week. Pipes freeze, cars don't start and it's too cold to do much outside. We are now in our second week of it and everyone is going to have "cabin fever" soon. Last year the freeze came on my due date and the car wouldn't start, luckily we were home with him the day before. I guess he knew he needed to come a little early because the hospital is 75 miles away. Needless to say homebirths are not real popular up here. We do have a medical clinic but they won't deliver babies, I guess they probably would if they had too... On my "town" trip a few days ago to make some Christmas returns it got down to -39 below around Willow, bbrrr... Town is 70 miles away, Wasilla, Anchorage is another 30 or so from there and I avoid that trip unless necessary. The closest stop lights to us are 60 miles to the South and 250 miles to the North (the new ones at Denali hardly count, they are only on for 3 months a year). So the term "town" here is relative to what part of the boonies your in. True Talkeetna is a town too but it is usually referred to as a community or village due to it's size, limited services and small year round population of around 800 or so. It would be nice if it would warm up a little so I can get back on my "dog-sled", I can handle a few degrees below zero but that's about it, it's also been windy which makes it even colder out. This weekend should be a fun one, we are having a full moon bonfire and birthday party for our littlest man. We're constructing an igloo/snow-fort in the yard for it which the kids are going to love. It's always nice to have friends over, food, kids and dogs everywhere, enjoying a big fire and a full moon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAWK!