A great wave of nostalgia rolls over me each time I go home to Alaska. Simple, ordinary things whispering to me, "Remember when. . . " My mom still lives in the house that I grew up in so everywhere I turned there was a memory. It felt good to be home.I was a little worried when I woke up that first day to rain. We just left behind a month of rain and that was not how I wanted to spend my vacation. Luckily, it only rained one day and that gave us an excuse to go see the new Indiana Jones movie. Not a great movie but Harrison Ford is still fun to watch. My dad and Rose picked the kids up and treated them to Sams Club's hot dogs, pop and ice cream. They loved it.
Sunday was a reunion with my church family. Although many have left the state there are those faithful Alaskans I can count on being there to see. Later, we went to my friend Carinne's house for a couple games of Settlers. It was good to see her and her family. Our kids even got their own game of Settlers going.
Monday, Memorial Day, my dad and Rose took us out to Eklutna Lake. 
I've only been there once before for Girls Camp. It was a bit chilly. We had lunch and walked around a bit. It was beautiful and scenic and the kids were content skipping rocks in the water. Then Ryan found some ice and he and Kelsey decided to have batting practice Alaska style.
I've only been there once before for Girls Camp. It was a bit chilly. We had lunch and walked around a bit. It was beautiful and scenic and the kids were content skipping rocks in the water. Then Ryan found some ice and he and Kelsey decided to have batting practice Alaska style.
Tuesday, we went to the zoo.
Then later after hunting down some halibut, my cousin Sean and his wife came over and Sean cooked up my favorite-deep fried halibut.
My mouth waters just remembering how good it tasted. My Aunt Donna and Uncle Jim also came and we had some friends Holly and John drive up from Kenai to see us. They were so nice they brought us halibut and my aunt gave us salmon to take home. I'm definitely going to enjoy it later. 
Wednesday was our hike day. I planned to do 2 hikes on our trip but we had to cancel the one to Flat Top because of snow. This left Winners Creek down at Alyeska. 
There were a few patches of snow but for most of the hike the trail was clear and dry. 
Jason and I have hiked this before with Kelsey when she was about 3. I remembered it to be a fairly easy hike and figured all the kids could make the 5 mile round trip. I was excited because of the hand tram at the end. The kids did great, even Jenna. I figured we'd end up carrying Jenna but she hiked pretty much the whole way. Of course Oma helped with the stash of Reese's Pieces and chips she carried with her. 
We didn't bring the backpack so I ended up carrying Eric in a front pack. I felt like I was pregnant all over again. My poor back.
My mom came with us after I showed her how easy the hike was with pictures from the Internet. She has a hip that's giving her some trouble, but she came and trudged on anyway. The next day at a previously scheduled Dr. appt. she found out she needs surgery. I asked her if she mentioned our hike to her Dr. "No way!" was her reply. You're amazing mom! On our way home we saw 2 moose. 
You can't really tell from the pictures but we were pretty high up. It was a good thing Jason brought his gloves. He went back and forth quite a few times to bring us all across.
Thursday I went out to lunch and caught up with my good friends Julie and Lindsay Green. When I last saw Lindsay she was a Young Women and now she's returned from a mission, married and older than I was when I was her YW leader. I can't believe shes all grown up which is probably the same thing everyone else is thinking as I show up with my 5 kids. 
Kelsey spent the day with her good friend Ashley. Later we went to my dad and Roses for one last BBQ. They got out the pit and we roasted hot dogs.
One of the things my kids love to do when they are at Oma's is sleep in her bed. 
They each took a turn but the last night they decided they wanted to sleep out on the porch. It was something my sisters and I did each summer. The great thing about the porch is it's enclosed so you can still feel the cool Alaskan nights without the annoyance of mosquitoes buzzing in your ear.
Then it was time to go. As I prepared to leave I took one last sip of the cold Alaskan water and one last whiff of the cool fresh air. I reluctantly said good-bye but hope it won't be long before we're back. 
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