On AK and Being an Aunty

My sister, her husband and their three cutest kids in the world are moving today from AK to the warmer temps of CA. I got the chance to visit them during their year in the frozen north and we had a fantastic time packing all six of us into a minivan, pulling a pop-up camper all over the state (and it's a big state, let me tell you). The views were spectacular. Mountain ranges opened up in front of our little caravan, inviting us up into their incredible heights and then thrusting us on to even greater views once we got there. We drove from Fairbanks, in north Central AK, to Seward, on the Kenai Penninsula, along the southern coast.

Along the way, we introduced the kids to camping...well, at least car camping... and I think we've recruited a new crop of adventurers to the wilderness. We fed them smores, let them ride their bikes all over the campground, and took them on walks and hikes where they found lots of moose poop (put that down, honey...). It was great. I'm writing this from a hotel room in Duluth but I'll post pictures when I get back home. All in all it was a fantastic trip. One of the best things for me (beyond just the chance to spend the time with Nic and the fam) was the chance to show the kids new things. It's one of the best things about being an aunty. A few years ago I taught the boys how to have a pillow fight. Didn't necessarily get the aunty gold star on that one, so I've tried to stick to more productive efforts since, like blowing dandelions and avoiding mammal excrement. Seem like good skills to know.

I love being an aunt. Maybe it's just the particular kids I get to be an aunt to but I have to say they're pretty great. Big brown eyes. Twinkling with just the right amount of mischief. Huge smiles. Squeaky little voices. Love those kids. Pictures to come.

Running for the Bus

I had to run to catch the bus this morning. As I was locking my front door I could hear it coming down the street. I looked up and noticed no one was standing at my stop, which meant there was no reason for it to slow down. I started to run. And for as silly as I felt running for the bus like a ten-year-old schoolkid, it felt good to run on a cold, windy morning. Who needs coffee? Well, ok, I did a few hours later.