Those were the words Noel texted his mom after we’d organized and strapped down the chaos that happens when you have four people, one car seat, and four bags that have all stumbled into one tiny airplane aisle. Our kids are pretty experienced travelers (Cooper has flown twelve times in his three years and Ellen has flown five times in her eighteen months), but I still get nervous every time because you never know what’s going to happen with kids, especially when you’re in a confined space for five plus hours. We lucked out that the payment system to watch the inflight TV was broken, so Cooper watched Toy Story 2 to his hearts content before falling asleep. Ellen of course pooped during take-off and I was the lucky one that got to wrestle her until they finally turned off the fasten seat belt sign. When Ellen started to get ornery I was experienced enough to know that it was better for everyone to endure three minutes of her crying while I held her tightly until she passed out, than it was for me to try and pacify a whiny baby for hours beyond bedtime.
After a good night’s sleep in Anchorage, we drove our rental car through the woods to Soldotna, where Noel’s parents live. We spent the next few days indoors catching up with family as it poured rain. We got so stir-crazy that we actually went to the park during the downpour and got our wiggles out until everyone was soaked.
The next few days were spent in a cozy cabin outside of Seward. We also went on a wildlife boat tour to see the Kenai Fjords. We really lucked out with the weather and were able to see much more than any of their tours had seen in days.
The next few days we said goodbye to Noel’s parents (They needed a rest, our kids had worn them out!) and headed up to Denali. Noel’s parents has kindly given us a two night stay in a cabin there. We checked out Denali National Park (the highlight for the kids was the Sled Dog Demonstration) and even were able to see Mt McKinley. Apparently only 30% of visitors typically see it, so we lucked out with the weather once again.
Our last day in Alaska we met up with Noel’s parents in Anchorage. We spent some time at the park and had a nice dinner before saying our goodbyes. Then it was back on that plane once again for a red-eye flight home. Ellen fell asleep easily in our laps, but the rest of us tossed and turned without much success. I’d had delusions that I’d be up for going to church that morning (I really hate missing church), but when we’d finally tucked everyone into their beds at 7am after hardly sleeping all night it seemed like a really bad idea to wake everyone in time to make our 9 o’clock meeting. I mean, sacrament meeting is sometimes bad enough when we’ve all slept.
Today we’re getting back into our groove and adjusting to temperatures above 65. More pictures of our Alaskan adventure below:
Ellen is in love with dogs and couldn’t get enough of the dogs at the B&B in Anchorage.
Ellen enjoyed the swings even in the cold and rain.
So did Cooper.
My little puddle jumper in the making.
Noel’s mom made our room very inviting.
Noel and I went on a super romantic date to the laundromat.
Ellen sporting a dress that has been worn by all the girls in Noel’s family.
Cooper has landed!
It seems silly that they have Tillamook ice cream all the way in Alaska, but not in Colorado. We had to suffer and eat a lot of it to get it to fit in our mini fridge’s freezer.
An otter eating an octopus.
Ellen fell asleep on our wildlife cruise and Noel decided to use her as a table.
Part of the Kenai Fjords.
A whale in the Fjords.
Cooper and I on the top of the boat.
A spouting whale.
The tail of a whale.
Family picture in front of a tidewater glacier.
Minor calving on the glacier.
Panorama of the glacier.
Ellen really wanted me to have her binky.
A patriotic glacier picture.
Ellen got a big kick out of feeding grandpa.
Some steller sea lions. At first I thought they were overusing the adjective “stellar,” but then realized their name really is “Steller Sea Lion”.
Ellen and I on the top of the boat.
At the end of our little cruise this whale decided to be a show-off.
Noel getting morning snuggles from Ellen.
Ellen being super helpful . . .
Ice cream for breakfast. What an awesome vacation for Cooper.
One of the cabins we stayed in had pedal boats you could take out on the lake.
What we got to explore in the pedal boats.
Ellen holding our hands as we walked through the woods.
A moose we saw on the side of the road.
A moose we saw in the road. So big compared the car!
We were afraid the gravel was going to be the kids favorite part of Denali.
Ellen was so excited to see the Husky dogs.
I’m pretty sure she was begging us for a husky puppy.
Ellen flying in the Ergo Baby.
If you use your imagination you can see McKinley in this photo.
Noel and the kids taking a break on our exhausting .6 mile hike. Notice the can of bear spray, we were being so safe, did you hear that Glenna?
Cooper really wanted to wade in the river even though the water was freezing cold.
Noel had to beg him to get out of the water đŸ™‚
The cabin we stayed in didn’t have a first aid kit . . . so when I cut my finger they gave me some duct tape and a kleenex. Actually worked better than most bandaids.
We cooked some eggs over charcoal one morning.
Cooper being funny on a bench. Check out his big boy shoes with laces!
On our drive back to Anchorage we actually caught a really nice view of Mt McKinley.
While Noel was taking pictures Cooper decided to practice his driving.
Ellen practicing her slide ninja moves. Luckily grandma Glenna was there to catch her.
Check out the hair on that baby!
Apparently the springs on those park toys have a limit . . .
Grandma Glenna making Ellen laugh.
Our total mileage for the trip. Yikes! Good thing the rental got good gas mileage.
Some people say taking a stroller through the airport is a pain, but I say it’s a lifesaver. It’s like my personal handcart.
The Anchorage airport has a “nursery” for families with small children.
Basically, it was our own playroom complete with private bathroom. Deluxe.
This is how Ellen choose to ride home.
Well, until she decided this was better.
This rainbow out the plane window was a nice end to our trip.
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4 thoughts on “Over Canada and Through the Woods to Grandmother’s House We Go”
When happiness comes to Alaska it comes in the form of Noel, Audrey, and kids. Even through the rain and clouds there shined a light in the Northern land.
Those were the words Noel texted his mom after we’d organized and strapped down the chaos that happens when you have four people, one car seat, and four bags that have all stumbled into one tiny airplane aisle. Our kids are pretty experienced travelers (Cooper has flown twelve times in his three years and Ellen has flown five times in her eighteen months), but I still get nervous every time because you never know what’s going to happen with kids, especially when you’re in a confined space for five plus hours. We lucked out that the payment system to watch the inflight TV was broken, so Cooper watched Toy Story 2 to his hearts content before falling asleep. Ellen of course pooped during take-off and I was the lucky one that got to wrestle her until they finally turned off the fasten seat belt sign. When Ellen started to get ornery I was experienced enough to know that it was better for everyone to endure three minutes of her crying while I held her tightly until she passed out, than it was for me to try and pacify a whiny baby for hours beyond bedtime.
After a good night’s sleep in Anchorage, we drove our rental car through the woods to Soldotna, where Noel’s parents live. We spent the next few days indoors catching up with family as it poured rain. We got so stir-crazy that we actually went to the park during the downpour and got our wiggles out until everyone was soaked.
The next few days were spent in a cozy cabin outside of Seward. We also went on a wildlife boat tour to see the Kenai Fjords. We really lucked out with the weather and were able to see much more than any of their tours had seen in days.
The next few days we said goodbye to Noel’s parents (They needed a rest, our kids had worn them out!) and headed up to Denali. Noel’s parents has kindly given us a two night stay in a cabin there. We checked out Denali National Park (the highlight for the kids was the Sled Dog Demonstration) and even were able to see Mt McKinley. Apparently only 30% of visitors typically see it, so we lucked out with the weather once again.
Our last day in Alaska we met up with Noel’s parents in Anchorage. We spent some time at the park and had a nice dinner before saying our goodbyes. Then it was back on that plane once again for a red-eye flight home. Ellen fell asleep easily in our laps, but the rest of us tossed and turned without much success. I’d had delusions that I’d be up for going to church that morning (I really hate missing church), but when we’d finally tucked everyone into their beds at 7am after hardly sleeping all night it seemed like a really bad idea to wake everyone in time to make our 9 o’clock meeting. I mean, sacrament meeting is sometimes bad enough when we’ve all slept.
4 thoughts on “Over Canada and Through the Woods to Grandmother’s House We Go”
Thank you so much! It was wonderful.
When happiness comes to Alaska it comes in the form of Noel, Audrey, and kids. Even through the rain and clouds there shined a light in the Northern land.
Wow! That looks like quite the adventure!