Jaycie's Birthday

After the trip to the zoo, we had Jaycie's birthday party. She opened many gifts (starting to get the hang of opening the wrapping paper) and we let her go to town on the cake. She didn't really know what to do with it, but Daddy showed her how.

She is now thoroughly enjoying the toys and clothes that were given to her. Thank you all so much for the gifts!

Day at the Anchorage Zoo

As part of Jaycie's Birthday festivities, we took a trip to the zoo. It wasn't as large or extensive as Hogle Zoo, but had some cool animals that you can't find at Hogle Zoo. Jaycie absolutley loved the wolves. There was a pack of about 6 wolves and the enclosure was huge. They were really close to the fence from us, so we got a close look. It was neat to see the pack work together. They all napped together, horsed around together and looked at the crowd together (all wolves did the same things as the others). Jaycie kicked and sqealed when we saw the wolves up close. I think she has a favorite animal now.

My favorite was the huge bull moose as well as the caribou. They also had two baby moose that were very cute. Shannon's favorite was the baby musk ox, black bears and the porcupines. I attached some pictures of these animals.

So, overall the zoo was great and Jaycie got to have a special trip to the zoo for her birthday. On the way out we bought her a wolf stuffed animal.

Our First Hike in Alaska

After many days of chores relating to moving in, we decided to take a much-needed break and get out and do some hiking. We heard of a nice short hike to a waterfall called Thunderbird Falls. So, we strapped Jaycie in our Baby Bjorn (thank you, Nathan and Amy) and started up to the falls. Luckily, we made it there and back without any close wildlife encounters and got this nice photo. The falls are over my right shoulder (bottom of the falls). I got my exercise this day - Jaycie is getting heavy!

Growing Like a Weed

Jaycie has now been crawling all over the house. This has been keeping us on our toes. Thank goodness we think we have fuly child-proofed the house. She can also pull herself up to a standing position without any help! She will soon be walking (more running around of the parents). One time we heard her fussing in the kitchen and we found her under one of the barstools. She had somehow crawled under it (between the legs) and gotten in a sitting position and was now stuck. She looked like she was in a baby prision. She can also say Da Da, Ma Ma, Doggie, Kitty, Horsey, Ball. I can't believe how much she has grown and developed!

Yard Pictures...

Jaycie enjoying the swing, slide and grass.

We Have a Yard Now!

We have been enjoying our new yeard immensly! It is so nice to be able to relax out in the yard. We missed having a yard for many years while being cooped up in apartments. Here we are playing on the toys that came with the house...