Last week we drove up to the Yukon area to do some camping. It is about 3 hours north of us.
The mosquitos were terrible. 
We played for a while at the Yukon River. It is the 5th biggest river in North America.
We did some shooting. The boys shot the .22 and BB guns. Megan loved the BB gun also. She was all about taking her turn too.
Last night was the Midnight Sun Run in Fairbanks. The race began at 10 pm. It is a big deal here, and I am glad that we had the chance to participate before we left. The run is a 10k. There is a costume contest which is largely participated in. We wish we had dressed up too.
Captain America. He had some red leather boots that he had to run in. It looked like it was miserable.
Where's Waldo?
Some kind of scary superheros.
My favorite--Packman and a Ghost.
Watch out for these guys. They were entertaining.
What a cute couple.
The boys loved the Storm troopers. They looked uncomfortable during the race too.
Yes, that is Jake riding in the stroller!!
#1 dad around!
On Friday Curtis re-enlisted for another four years. He had to do it early(before his time is actually up) so that he could accept the orders for Portugal. He just hit is 10 year mark. Wow, time has sure gone fast.
And yes, Jake is missing. He was with a friend at the beach.
We went on a couples backpacking trip into the mountains at Denali State Park. It was incredible. Once again I have to say that Alaska has some of the most amazing natural beauty on this earth.
Curtis "napping" on one of our breaks. The hike was rated moderate to difficult. There were some moderate parts AND SOME DIFFICULT. My body was thrashed after the three days were over. I could hardly climb the stairs to get to my bed.
Curtis cooling off with some nice, cold mountain stream water.
Yes, still snow at the end of May; at least on the top of a mountain.
Thanks Kari and Clayton for the great hike. It will always be remembered as one of the amazing things that we got to do while in Alaska.
Have fun (and freezing) around the campfire. We were above the treeline so we had to gather sticks and twigs when we found them. The fire was small but it did the job. We woke up both morning with stunning views of Mt. McKinley. It was spectacular; pictures do no justice.
On Saturday it was Armed Forces Kid's Day. To celebrate, the base held a kid's 5K run. We signed up even though the boys didn't think that it would be a fun way to celebrate. We had a great time. We ran and walk a little and ran some more and finally finished it. It was great, and the boys were very proud of themselves. They were beaming with pride to think that they could do something that they were sure they could not. It was a good life lesson.
Then we drove up to the Yukon River (middle of nowhere) where Curtis and a friend are baiting for bear. The beauty of this states amazes me. I am so grateful that we have been able to be here.
We have missed you, dear trampoline.
It has been a long, hard winter without you.
Thank you for making the children tired at night.
Thank you for taking them away for hours and hours.
Thank you for teaching Megan that bugs are not so scary.
And thank you for no broken bones....yet.
Megan was groovin' to some jams. She was singing like she owned the stage!
Jake showed us his dance moves.
Caleb puts on his own kind of show.
Today I walked downstairs and saw this big moose right out the window. It was about 18 inches away from the glass.
I think that they are twins born last year. I don't know where mama is though. They do like the green grass in our yard. They were causing quite the scene. Jake got trapped outside until a neighbor drove between the moose and the street so he could cross it the street and get inside. Ahh....Alaska, we love you! 4 sopping wet pairs of jeans covered in mud and dead grass,
4 sopping wet socks that stink like dirty water,
4 pairs of shoes gushing out water (in my entryway and hallway),
mud tracks all the way to Caleb's room so he can find his 5th outfit.
Maybe spring isn't such a good idea?
I love to see green (or brown.)
Caleb lost his second tooth.
And this is what Megan does when she is alone, with her brothers at school. Anything to keep herself busy. She also sings to herself. A LOT!! She often brings me one end of a walkie talkie so we can talk while she is in another room. Poor girl. She needs to go to school!
Life doesn't seems as thrilling after a vacation, but I suppose we have to move on and just keep going.... Nick tested and received his green belt for tae kwon do. He is a talented boy!
Jake and Nick also made cars for the Scout's Pinewood Derby. They like using the man-tools!
Jake made a bus and Nick made an iCar(like an iPod). I was glad to see them do it themselves. They weren't fast cars, but doing it yourself is a bigger accomplishment than watching dad make it! 
