FUR RONDY ICE SCULPTURES

ONLY IN ALASKA HE WAS JUST CRUISING AROUND THE STREET

I LOVE THIS ONE BEST IF I WERE VOTING

THIS ONE IS PRETTY NEAT TOO

IF I WOULD VOTE THIS WAS MY FAVORITE

THE CONTESTANTS WORKING ON THE ICE SCULPTURES

AT THIS POINT THEY WERE STILL WORKING ON THEM

They have a competition every year during Fur Rondy festival for the best ice sculptures. These ttake so much time for people to do but they are so unique and different when they are done. When we first went by on Saturday they were still working on some of them but now most are done and ready for judging. It was really cold but I drove by yesterday and got some pics of a few of them while the kids were in school. If it warms up ill take the kids back this weekend to look at them. Only in Alaska and on cruises do you get a chance to see these ice sculpture creations.

FUR RONDY

We went to the annual Fur Rondy carnival yesterday. Fur Rondy is a 2 week event that takes place in Anchorage every February. It happens during the annual itadarod. One of the main things is a carnival which we took the kids to yesterday. Unfortunatley it was snowing really hard and only 15 degrees yesterday so we couldnt stay there that long. The kids did get to ride the ponies which they love especially Hailey. The Lady asked if we wanted to put her on a smaller pony and we were like heck no she can go on the big one she's rode real horses before. Then we went over to carnival but the kids only got a chance to ride 1 ride and play 1 game. They rode the kiddie train with their friend Alex, and played the fishing for ducks game. Right before we headed out Justin and I got funnel cakes and the kids had their very first candy apples. We took them back to the car to go cause it was really getting cold and the kids spent a good 30 minutes eating every bite of that apple and I think Hailey got more of it around her mouth and in her hair then she actually got in her mouth but they really enjoyed them. After fur rondy carnival we went and saw some of the ice sculptures in progress. They are being judged next Sunday the last day of fur rondy so we will probably go back next week and get some better pictures once they are all done. We went to Outback last night after the fur rondy activities and had a very nice dinner and on the way home from the restaurant we were able to pull over to the side of the road and were right in time for the fur rondy fireworks. Next Saturday is the start of the Itadirod the famous do sled race which starts right in the middle of downtown. We might try to take the kids to see it start off if its not too cold and next weekend they have all the anual car and truck shows as part of fur rondy so we wil probably end up going to see those as well.

A SPECIAL PACKAGE FROM JAPAN

DANIEL LOVED HIS DINOSAURS

THE WRITING ON THE BACK OF THE KIDS JAPANESSE CANDY

HAILEY AND HER HELLO KITTY CANDY ALL THE WAY FROM JAPAN

HAILEY LOVED HER HELLO KITTY PURSE

DANIEL WITH HIS BAG OF JAPANESSE CANDIES

THE KIDS THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY NEAT GETTING SOMETHING FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY BUT WERE EAGER FOR ME TO STOP TAKING PICTURES SO THEY COULD EAT IT

Our very good friends Andy and Amanda are stationed over in Japan. They sent the kids a special package yesterday with some Japanesse candy and some dinosaurs for Daniel which were in a Japanesse package. Daniel thought it was really neat getting something from a different country and how the packaging is so different with the pictures instead of words. Hailey loved her hello kitty purse and has already filled it with her lipsticks. Both Mommy and Hailey are huge Hello Kitty fans and our friends are definitly living in Hello Kitty territory. I like the candy cause unlike normal chocolate candies, Japanesse candies are more of a wafer so it is definitly healthier then American candy. Hopefully we will get a chance to go visit our friends and visit Japan in the time they are stationed there.

JUSTIN'S 30TH BIRTHDAY

We went on an offroading trail ride with an offroading club yesterday for Justin's birthday run. Usually Justin just goes with the guys but the kids and I tagged along for this one since it was how Justin wanted to celebrate his birthday.It was the first time the whole family rode in his Landcruiser on a trail ride. The kids were in the back seat all cuddled up in blankets and had their leapsters to play along the way and plenty of snacks to munch on during the trip. There were a few other kids there as well that they got a cance to play with in the snow while we were on the trail. Unfortunatley Justin's Landcruiser broke down while on the trail so im sure he will have some time he needs to spend in the garage fixing it back up. All in all we had a very good time and it was nice to spend the day all together. Today unfortunatley Justin had to work but when he gets home we are having some friends over and I had an offroading cake custom made for him to go along with the theme of his birthday weekend. We are having some friends over and having Pizza Hut and cake. The kids got Justin a Wii offroading game called Jeep thrills and I got Justin a few Dvd movies he had been really wanting to see along with a Steelers superbowl champs T-shirt. He thinks hes getting old cause He's turning 30 but he's still very young to me and we all love you Justin. Happy Birthday!!!!

Ps. Thank you for everyone who has sent cards for my Mom. She is doing better and out of the hospital and at the Rehab center now and hopefully she will be back home really soon. We can't wait to see her this Summer...