Happy 2nd Birthday Mister!

Happy 2nd Birthday!!

Really?!? A 2 year old - okay, so technically I'm writing this at 8:17pm and that means I was still in labor as our wonderful son was born at 10:38pm.  But - whose really that technical right? On with the celebration!

Mister had a wonderful day at his day care and our provider threw a little party for him with his friends.  I made cupcakes (no frosting- thank you) and they sang to him. 

Ready, set, make a wish...

and a present too!

I'm sure glad our day care provider was able to capture some pictures - because this was the scene when we got home.  Well, first we went to McDonald's for dinner - here in Eagle River they have a playland that he can climb all the way to the top and slide down - he has so much fun.  So, between the party at day care and then out to eat...

yeah.... he was tired, so we stopped trying to sing to him and let him get down to the business of opening his presents.

 At Christmas,  he wasn't too interested in opening presents but he started to get the hang of it this time. 

Pretty exciting to see some new toys come out - a few books, puzzles, trucks, a train, and a dinosaur - what more could a little boy want. 

About 20 minutes of playing with new toys and mister was ready for his bed time routine.  

I'm so blessed to be this little mister's momma.  He full of energy, exploring the world around him, learning new things every day and such a, well... 2 year old!  Even though we experience the tantrums occasionally, I love that he will randomly stop playing and run over and give me a great big hug, or curl up in my lap to just snuggle for a bit. 

Happy 2nd Birthday Mister!

The Bunk Beds

Bunk Bed Project ~ March 2014

 

Leif spent all of his spring break in Fairbanks working out of his dad's wood shop building bunk beds for the kids.  He truly enjoys wood working and since his dad got his shop up and running, Leif and his dad have built, a dresser, chest of drawers, TV stand, bookshelf and now the beds.  The project was inspired by the idea that Lukkas was in desperate need of a bigger bed and when we have company visit  Sister doesn't have to be 'displaced' as her bed was the spare bedroom's bed.  One evening Leif was browsing wood working projects online and came across the plans.

With long days,

hard work,

and help from Pope (Leif's dad), the project began to take shape. 

Since the kids and I did not join Leif until later in spring break, we missed being able to take pictures of the cutting out of everything.  However, we did get in on the sanding!

Okay - so really the kids got to sand a piece of wood that was not part of the actual beds, but they don't know that. ;0)  

Leif sure did enjoy being able to share his passion with the kids.

Next - time to put it together before stain is put on. 

The kids thought it was pretty fun to stand inside the frame, but they understood that it wasn't quite ready to sleep on yet. 

No job is completely done until clean up is complete.  Okay- let's be honest, all the kids really do was spread the saw dust all over the garage, but it kept them entertained for a good 15 minutes!

The kids and I headed home while Leif finished up the stain and letting it all dry before he brought the beds home.  As the kids grow older, the beds can later be separated into individual twin beds.  

The beds look AMAZING and soon were the favorite place to be.

Sister is very much a routine girl and when things change she has a hard time adjusting.  I wasn't sure how she was going to do with so many changes: 1) new room - prior to the beds, she was sleeping in her own room 2) - having brother in the same room and 3) sleeping on the top bunk.  

Well... I think the picture can speak for itself

The kids did great their first night in their new beds.  Sister likes to tell brother a story and brother likes to say sister's name over and over again in the morning to wake her up.  We do have to take the ladder out at night because brother can climb up to the top bunk by himself and well... we don't need him pestering Sister all night. 

We still need to finish the the caps for the post on the bed, but I'd say the project has been great for the whole family - but mostly for Papa.

Artic Winter Games- Ice Carving - Fairbanks March 2014

 With our sad news of losing our dog Bailey, the kids and I decided to make a trek up north to Fairbanks.  Leif has been there all week working on the bunk beds for the kids - don't worry, I will blog about the project when it's 100% complete.  I will say that he's done an amazing job!!

Every year, the Artic Winter Games happen in Fairbanks and one of the events in the Ice Carving/Sculpting competition.  Leif was to a point where he had to wait for stain to dry and so, we loaded up the kids and went to the check out the ice sculptures. 

You got to love a competition that creates things for kids to play on!  The kids loved the ice carved slides. It was perfect - some time playing and then a walk through the sculptures with the reward of playing on the slides again. 

The first area we walked through was the single block sculptures.  This one was titled "Teaching Breaching"  - my photo really does not do the artist justice.  

This abstract bird was breath taking!

What?!? A train carved out of ice that the kids could climb in?  Both kiddos were so excited. I couldn't get brother to sit still long enough for a picture, but this one of sister is adorable.

Next up - the multi-block sculptures- these were just amazing. 

Two deer drinking water in the forest with the mountain in the back drop.  

Due to the shade to prevent melting - it was difficult to get good lighting to capture the details. 

This sculpture didn't have their shade up for some reason - I wasn't complaining because I was able to capture some of the detail.

Like I said - after looking at the artwork, it was time for kids to play.

Who doesn't like a castle slide with double slides!

Let's not forget to have a race car event!

It was an amazing afternoon and I'm glad we took time to go and appreciate the art work of people from around the world.

Rest in peace Bailey Sue

Bailey Sue was adopted from the Fairbanks animal shelter in September 2005.  She was 8 years old at the time and won my heart when I bent down to pet her and she stuck her head right next to my heart and just snuggled.  I remember looking up at Leif and he immediately knew that she was our dog.  

When we brought Bailey home, it was obvious she had been abused by a male figure in her past, because she was very skittish and would cower around males.  We worked with her and in the last few years she would accept affection from anyone.  Maybe that's because we introduced Leinna and Lukkas into her world and she was just happy to have some undivided attention.  Either way- we are happy knowing that she had a happy, positive and joyful last years of her life.

Last night, Bailey stayed outside all night - which is unusual for her, but I thought maybe she was just hot and it wasn't too cold last night.  When I brought her in this morning I could see she wasn't doing well.  Her stomach was extremely bloated and she drank 2 dish fulls of water within an hour.  So, we headed to the vet.  

I've blogged early that we suspected that Bailey had cancer due to the growth on her lip and lower leg.  We had also started to feel a lump on her stomach.  When the vet showed me the x-ray, the lump we were starting to feel on her stomach was much larger on the inside - which was making her intestines not act properly.  So, with my sweet 13 year old Bailey, the vet shared her opinion and the best options for Bailey.  With the tough decision, we said good bye.   We love you Bailey Sue <3 br="">

Koda - March 12, 2012

Bailey - March 9, 2014

My sweet doggies running through the woods now pain free in heaven!

Start of Spring Break 2014

Spring time in Alaska is so... bright!  We are gaining around 5 minutes per day of sunlight - YAHOO!!  Our sunrise is around 7:40 and not setting until 6:40pm.  I love it, love it, love it - especially since we live in a place where we get to see the sun more!

It was so bright at dinner time tonight - we didn't even have to turn lights on to cook or eat our dinner!

Needless to say - our spring break is starting off well!

Last weekend we took advantage of the sunlight and made a trip to the park after kids took naps. 

It's fun to head to the park with Lukkas being able to be a little more independent. 

However, Leinna is too independent and way too brave!  This is a fire pole to slide down - do you think she was scared to go down?!? Not one bit! I stood on the other side to help her reach the pole - but otherwise all on her own - she wanted me to move away - I told her no way! Crazy kid...

Today was an inservice day at school - which was a great way to kick off spring break. I was able to accomplish many school things and now can truly relax during the break.  Our plans?  Leif headed to Fairbanks this afternoon to work over the weekend with dad on the bunk beds.  Leif's parents still have to work next week as their spring break is after ours.  So, the kids and I may drive up Monday and spend just a few days.  As I told Leif, doesn't make sense for the kids and I to come up if Grandma is working all day and you and Pope are going to be in the garage... I'm hoping Grandma and Pope will come down our way to start their spring break - we'll just have to see what happens.  

Otherwise - our plans include just hanging out and enjoying our time together!

Happy Spring Break!

23 months old!

23 months old - I can hardly believe our little Mister will be turning two at the end of the month.  I just happened to use my camera phone to capture this moment.  Oh, how a picture can say a thousand words.  Upon first look, you see this sweet little boy - which is true, don't get me wrong.  He is a very loving little boy and will randomly run up to you and give you the biggest hug.  When he really wants your attention, he will but his hand on your face so that he knows for sure that you are looking in the direction he wants you to.   But look a little closer at the picture - especially into those twinkling eyes... do you see it?  The little mischievous plots in his mind that every 2 year old should be plotting?  Ha, ha... we are not quiet two yet, but everything about his behavior is!  Mister wants to be independent but get frustrated when he can't do it - so you try to offer some help and that just makes it worse.  He climbs and explores places that he knows he's not suppose to - especially onto the top of the kitchen table now that he can climb up the chairs.  He takes his sisters toys and runs away because he likes to have his sister chase him.  He understands the words "Time-out" and respects his time-out place - but uses his powerful lungs to let you know that he is not happy about it.  His speech is becoming more and more clear each day - and the word "Nooooo" is is favorite :o) The saying, "He's a growing boy" to describe the amount of food this kid eats is an understatement. He eats more than I do at a meal - he's just a rock solid kid.  He loves to run around, drive his trucks and is starting to show interest in coloring when sister is working on her projects.  Don't forget his cows and playing with his tractor and farm house - a favorite pass time.   So - well - I could write a thousand words - but I think I'll let the picture say the rest.

What else is new in the Jacobsen household? 

Yes- I personally, without the kiddos - took some time last weekend to hike a near by trail with a dear friend.  The weather was perfect and the doggies were happy to be on the trail!

Thunder Bird Falls - is about a mile hike to see the falls.  Along the trail, the trees literally had snow garland hanging from them.

The sway in the snow is only supported by the snow itself.  So pretty and the snow garland was all over the trees.

There were a few other people on the trail - as you can see the ice climber in this photo.  The sun is starting to peak over the mountain top.  I can imagine in a few more weeks - doing this trail again to see how the sun directly hits the falls.

My hiking partner and I could have sat at the base of the falls for hours.  It was so peaceful to hear the sound of the falls under the ice and just be in awe of the beauty nature provides.

It was a great afternoon and a trail I must hike again - I even think the kiddos could probably hike it - well maybe in the summer when the icy patches are gone!

The rest of our week included having fun as a family.  We've had beautiful, sunny weather - so best to get out and make some snow angels!  This time of year we gain so much sunlight and so quickly - the skies are lighter each morning and the sun doesn't set until after 6 pm!!  I love this time of year!!!