Playground Fun

The Anchorage Parks Department has been doing a wonderful job lately of improving the playgrounds and parks in town by updating and adding new equipment. On one of our Mondays together, we explored two playgrounds. The first was redesigned to resemble a tree house and while I thought it was well done, the equipment was geared towards kiddos aged 5 and up - a little much for my almost-3 year old.

The next park was in Oceanview and we both loved this one. Along with the existing slides and play structures, a zipline and rock climbing wall were installed. We both had a lot of fun at this park. Boyd so loved the toddler zipline - he asked to do it over and over again!

Super happy kid! 

Potter's Marsh - September 2014

Potter's Marsh is a protected area along the Seward Highway that is home to waterfowl, fish, small critters and sometimes moose. It's part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and a great place to see birds in Anchorage. Boyd and I strolled along the boardwalk on a Monday in early September. 

Salmon ready to return to their creek to spawn. 

San Diego - 3

I never finished my San Diego recaps...from JANUARY. My blogging has really gone downhill!

At Sea World San Diego - such a cool place but lots of controversy around it due to the treatment of the killer whales.

TURTLE!

Oh gosh, look at my poor sick baby. He caught something on the plane and was pretty miserable. 

We missed the Shamu show because of Boyd's nap schedule, but still got to see the orcas (killer whales) swimming. I was surprised that they had 4 or 5 of them all in one tank. 

We figured out our nap system on this day - leave wherever we are at lunch time and then drive around until B falls asleep. We figured out that we absolutely CANNOT stop the car or else he'll wake up. And get mad.  

The penguin exhibit was really neat too - they are so much larger than you would expect them to be. Most of them just stood around watching us, but there was a small group that would jump in and out of the water. So cute. 

Baby beluga whale. We have these at home - you can see them along Turnagain Arm.

Mama is a sucker and bought the $26 penguin rolling backpack. In my defense, it's super cute and kept him occupied for quite a while. And he still likes it today. 

4th of July in Homer

The best part about a long 4th of July weekend is when our whole family is able to spend it together. How lucky are we that this is possible? :-) We all decided to spend this holiday in Homer - D, Boyd and I slept in the camper with Grandma Mim and Papa Don, while Risha, Gabe tent camped and my mom slept in the truck. My in-laws even managed to get us a couple camping spots in our favorite campground!

A pretty happy kid on the 4+ hour drive down from Anchorage. 

A scenic overlook sits at the top of the hill before descending into Homer. 

On Friday, July 4, all eight of  us piled into D's boat and we motored over to Seldovia, which is across Kachemak Bay from Homer. The girls were going to check out the town during the Independence Day celebration while the boys went halibut fishing.

Leaving Homer harbor in the morning. 

Grandmas!

The boys leaving Seldovia harbor after dropping us off. 

Seldovia has a cute little playground that we hit up first thing in the morning. 

Interesting sights around the little town...it was a beautiful day for exploring.

The Seldovia Slough. 

4th of July Parade photos...

Seldovia Harbor...

And canoe jousting!

What a great catch. 

Words to live by, for sure. 

Playing on the beach and watching for Daddy's boat to come by. 

Bath time in the camper. 

This was so cool - I went out with the boys for one last fishing run on our final morning in Homer and we saw these two sea otters playing in the harbor area. One of them even hauled up on the dock!