Summer is here!

Somehow it's almost the end of May!  When did that happen?  This month has been crazzzyyy busy at our house.  With the hubs working extra, beautiful weather, random events, and trying to keep up with an increasingly more active one-year-old... the days fly by!

Jake and I got all done up for a Gala a few weeks ago!

Running in the past month has been humbling for me (to say the least).  After my rough 20-miler, I felt some tight areas that, combined with a new shoe problem, lead to shin splints and a pulled quad. After two weeks of little to no running and I was finally ready to try a long run... but instead, I broke my pinky toe.

I'm sure you wanted to see my super attractive foot.  You're welcome.

I am scheduled to run a marathon in three weeks from today.  Not exactly ideal.  So where does that leave me?  Well, I don't know.  Tickets are purchased, so worst case scenario I will run the half marathon.  Okay, worst case scenario I won't run at all, but I think I could do the half.  And I'm hoping I can do the full. I'm not a person that likes to run half-heartedly in full marathons, but I also need to set realistic expectations coming off a month of injuries. I guess I will just wait and see how my body cooperates,  Lesson to all of you:  NEVER take advantage of pain-free running.  It's a blessing.

On a much more positive note... it is amazing to me how quickly children learn.  They are like little sponges! Here is a quick 14-month update on Gavin!

His favorite new tricks this month:
- Blowing kisses, pointing out ears/eyes/noses, throwing his head back in fake laughter, dancing, stacking toys, bringing books to me and plopping on my lap so I will read to him, playing outside, practicing going up/down stairs, rolling his r's, waving, coloring and chasing Diego.

This laugh.  Goof.

All of the sudden he is 18 drafting architectural plans.
(OR scribbling.  But seriously! Time.... slow DOWN!)

He LOVES running after Diego.  

Words he Says:
- Up, no, yes, all done, 'nana (banana), E-I-E-I-O (Old McDonald song), Mama, Dada, Amba,  (Amber, my sis), ruff ruff, ABC, uh-oh, uh-huh, eat, and lots of others I can't think of!  He is SO talkative and is constantly trying to mimic what we say.  Love it.

Challenges:
- His allergies :(  His skin has been at an all-time LOW.  He has a rash all over his body and we cannot figure out what it's from.  We're leaning toward a pollen allergy but not sure.  Thank goodness most kids outgrow this stuff. And thank goodness he is happy as a clam.
- Daycare germs.  He is currently sick with his 628th ear infection. Okay, a bit of an exaggeration, but it feels like every week he gets a runny nose from daycare which then progresses into a clogged ear tube (he had tubes placed when he was 9 months old) and then it gets infected.  My heart breaks for him every time.

Luckily he's just as fun as ever and really doesn't seem phased by any of it!

When the days get longer and the weather gets more beautiful, Alaskans can't stay inside.  Gavin and I have been spending time outside every day whether it is walking around in the yard, going to the park, hiking, or playing with friends.

Who's having more fun, Gavin or Mom?

Bestest little bud.

"Mother's hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever"

My little hiking buddy.

Does it count as double mileage since I'm carrying him?

I'm getting more and more excited for the next few months because we have a two out-of-state trips planned, tons of camping adventures, my BFF in the whole world will be back for 6 weeks, BBQ season, and trail running! My plan is to slow down on the road running and focus on trails a bit more since the pavement has not been very kind to my body lately.  My super rock-star sister is a hard core trail runner so I'm hoping to tag along on her adventures! There's going to be lots of fun times and I'll try to keep updating as I go!

And in case you didn't get enough cuteness from these pictures, I'll fill that quota.  

Camping Adventures (Part 2!)

If you've never been to Alaska, you are missing out.

Besides being gigantic, beautiful and awesome, Alaska is the home of endless places to visit.  One of my favorite places in Alaska is Denali National Park.  It is located about 350 miles north of Anchorage and is the home of Denali (Mt. McKinley), America's Highest Peak! A few weeks ago, Jake and I drove there for a quick weekend getaway.

Always following directions.

A quick stop in Talkeetna for Dinner!

Denali

The perfect Campsite.

If you go to Denali National Park, I recommend you take a bus into the park.  Not only do you get to see the majestic Mt. McKinley, but you will see Bears, Wolves, Moose, Sheep, Eagles, Caribous... and the list goes on.  It is like the African safari of America.  Unreal.  I've been fortunate enough to go into the park many times and have had many close encounters with wildlife.  Jake and I opted not to do the bus this time around because we had little Diego with us and knew he wouldn't last 10 hours in his kennel.  Instead, we drove part-way into the park, went on a walk/hike, and explored the town of Denali.

So hardcore. 

Camping deliciousness.

It was a great trip, and as usual, Diego loved every minute.  Have I mentioned he is the best puppy in the world?  We are so in love.  :)  

Until the next Alaskan adventure!   

Camping Adventures (Part 1!)

My bestest friend, Katherine, was in Alaska for the month of June.  It was the perfect welcome home present for me since it had been two years since we saw each other! It was also the reason why you didn't see me on the blog for a month straight :) Katherine has been my best friend since the third grade when we rocked the leggings with stirrups, puffy-painted keds, and in our spare time liked to trade our collection of Lisa Frank stickers.  Yes, we were awesome.

Fast-forward 20 years, and although we still like to rock the leggings (minus stirrups), I'm happy to say we've moved on from Lisa Frank.  While she was in Alaska, we spent every day together.  Whether it was hiking, running, walking our dogs, shopping, or just talking, it was such a fun month.

Our dogs are best doodle-friends.

Momma and Baby moose in the road!

Copilot.

The next morning, we started our trek to Kennecott.  To get to the actual Mine, you have to cross a footbridge and walk (or take a shuttle) 5 miles.  

Old and New :)

It is annual tradition to do a long camping trip with the four of us, so we took a 9 hour long road-trip to Kennecott Mine and the town of McCarthy.  It is an old mining town that is 314 miles from Anchorage. 

It is only accessible by a 60 mile dirt road that follows the path of the historic Copper River & Northwestern Railroad.  The road is full of bumps, potholes, and loose gravel, so what should take less than an hour ended up taking about 2.5 hours!

When we got to the end of the road, we enjoyed our beautiful campsite next to the river. 

In case you've ever wondered what 2AM in June looks like in Alaska....

Diego held up like a champ and walked the whole 5 miles!  Not bad for a 3 month old pup!

Here are some pictures of Kennecott!

We enjoyed our camping adventure which involved lots of campfires, eating, drinking wine, and laughing.  If that's not what summer is about, then I don't know what is.  

I already miss her like crazy, but hopefully we'll be going to visit her in France next spring.  Until then... Bon Voyage!

I'm Back!

And the world's worst blogger of the year award goes to... :)

I apologize.  I wish I had a great excuse but the truth is that I have been L.A.Z.Y.  Okay, maybe I haven't been 100% lazy, it's probably 50% lazy and 50% very busy!

Summertime in Alaska is unlike any other place in this world.  Sunlight 20 hours/day, mountains begging you to explore them, trails to run on, parties to attend, friends to see, and camping trips to go explore our giant, beautiful state.  So, if you really want to know where I've been?  I've been enjoying and savoring every single moment of summer!  And what a summer we've been having!

I wish I could say that is normal to be in the 80's in Alaska, but unfortunately the highs usually stay around 65, maybe 70 if we're lucky!  I'm glad Alaska rewarded me with a wonderfully beautiful summer after 2 years of being away at school. :)

I am adjusting well to being a graduate and living back in Alaska.  I won't lie,  the first month was pretty rough... but it was to be expected.  Jake has been amazingly patient and understanding as I've settled into our home and started to find my way in the world as a "non-study-aholic-normal-person."  It is our first time living together since our wedding on December 30, 2011!  And forgive my cheesiness, but I am more in love with him now than I was a year and a half ago.  There is nothing quite as amazing as being married to your best friend.

Diego, aka the best puppy in the world, is doing great.  He is growing like a little bean and is currently 7.5 pounds!  Every day is such a joy when you have this face to look at.

Don't get me wrong, he's still a puppy and likes to chew on sandals, my favorite running headband, and iphone headphones...

Luckily he is a great listener, loves to snuggle, and 90% of the time he just wants to be near you.

I appreciate all of the love since I've been gone - all the comments and e-mails are appreciated!

I hope all of you are well!  How has everyone's summer been?