May 2017

May feels like summer - though there is still some snow on the ground in a lot of places.  We had an adventurous month!

Noah wants to be everywhere his big brothers are - and rarely leaves them alone.  They are good natured about it though and usually include him in their games. 

We headed to Seward to visit the Sea Life Center.  We even saw a whale in the bay!

We thought the Tsunami warning signs were pretty entertaining and the kids decided to document what their reaction would be to a 15 foot wave coming ashore.  

There was an area where they actually got to touch and handle some of the creatures from the bay.  Ayvri wasn't too sure and they were all surprised by how cold the water was. 

The views were incredible!

We couldn't believe the size of some of the creatures and all agreed that the sea spiders (King Crab) were a little too large to make us completely comfortable.  

Then we headed to the Exit Glacier for a lovely hike.  It was really fascinating to see how far the glacier had receded, they had marked the trail with the years and where the ice reached in those years so as you got closer to the existing glacier you'd know how long it took for it to recede that far.  So interesting!

Brigham is a ham and always has us in stitches.  He is such an easy kid to love and is always happy with whatever is going on.  

He also likes to jump off of things. 

And is usually encouraged to be a little reckless by his older brother and sister.  

Tyler tried a new style for a day or two.  

We visited the Wildlife Conservation Center by Alyeska.  It was so cool to see all the animals - especially the bears. 

Mom (Toni) loves moose!

The wolves were the scariest thing we saw (though maybe not the most dangerous)

Thankfully it was a sunny day and not too cold. 

Noah still loves to be outside and the backyard is his playground. 

Sometimes Mom has to work and the boy needs love.  Sometimes it happens at the same time and I kid myself into thinking it's possible to accomplish anything work-related when he is on my lap!

We celebrated Easter at Uncle Robert and Aunt Melanie's house.  It was a very warm day and the kids and adults both loved being outside in our shirt sleeves.  

Leisl likes to play spelling games but she will only play if she is wearing her sunglasses.  Also, she must be paid for each correctly spelled word.  She is so much fun to school with and her language is improving all the time. 

Don't we all have mornings like this occasionally?  

Darla is brilliant and loves to build and do all things creative.  She also loves math. 

We hiked the Bodenburg Butte together.  What a view!

For Christmas we got compound bows and these days we like going to target practice. 

Mom (Toni) got to attend Time out for Women in Anchorage and I ran into a friend of mine that I met when I was in Nauvoo!  What a small world - she lives in Eagle River.  It was a much - needed mom refueling spiritually. 

Tyler has taken on the project of remodeling his office and we are building a reception desk for the front reception area.  He is so handy and is the can-do man!

Another hike - this time to Thunderbird Falls with the other Petersen kids.  

For art we tried our hand at quilling and it was so cool!  It is also interesting to see how each kid interprets the opportunity differently.  

Ksenya is gearing up for trek!

Little girls with little curls.  These two are so much fun!