All of the girls had gift cards from Christmas.
We were in Anchorage so we went to the mall.

Cali had a LOT of money to spend at Build-a-Bear. Uggg. Every parent's dread. 

We tried very hard to talk her into clothes for bears she already owns but it was not to be.  

She came home with an armoire (that Mom had to put together) and Papa Smurf.  

Lugging it through the mall was no easy task.  :)
Alaska
3:30pm

Cori had ODP training this weekend. She is getting SO fast! 

I love to watch her run!

Alaska

12::30pm

As part of a Language Arts project Cori wrote to the FBI in Anchorage 

to inquire about future career opportunities.  

Today she received a wonderfully informative letter and package of information in response to her request. 

Here she is reading the letter to us. 

She is still rather uncertain it's really the career she wants but it was really neat to learn about it just the same.

Alaska

6:00pm

Our wood stove  is working overtime this winter. 

Every night we all make a trip outside to tote in some firewood.

With 5 of us in the family, we get a big enough pile to carry us through the next evening.

Here's hoping it gets warmer soon.

I'm tired of vacuuming up little bits of wood everyday.

Alaska

8:00pm

The girls received very cute little piggies from Marianne;
she brought them back from Germany.

When they first opened them we weren't really sure what they were, but thought they might be candy.

Cori, with her bottomless pit, decided she was going to eat it regardless. 

After a bite, she chickened out and decided she better wait to be sure. 

Turns out they were marzipan and were in fact edible. 

We sure have fun times and great friends who help make them happen. :)

Alaska

7:00pm

I am sure I've seen temperatures like this before but I really can't remember them.

I was rather shocked to see this on my weather app.

Who's coming to visit?

Alaska

12:13 am

We started the New Year off just right, playing games as a family.

This one is called Buck, Buck, Moose! and although it is not complicated at all, 

it was still very fun!

Alaska

4:00pm