Although the difference between Winter and Spring up here is often semantic, there's no denying that Alaskans can feel the changing season, even if a glance out the window still shows snow and ice on much of the ground. As such, we've been getting outdoors a lot lately, with some days hitting 50 degrees. We're also getting busy with our usual host of work projects, like putting up a new fence, cleaning the house and property, and getting ready to start cutting next year's firewood. Speaking of the house, it's coming together very well now. We have new vinyl floors downstairs, and most of the wood trim has been replaced throughout. Now just a short wait for our carpet, and everything will be finished. It will have been a very long four months!One of our recent excursions included the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where we got to inspect examples of indigenous homes, and even saw one of Brandon's coworkers and her family perform a traditional dance. We also hiked a portion of the Eklutna Lake Trail, located in the Chugach Mountains, between us and Anchorage. It's an easy hike, so we were even able to take our bulldog Emily - not exactly the thoroughbred of dogs. With the quickly warming weather, it's anybody's guess when break up will officially occur. We haven't bet on the Nenana Ice Classic this year, but 2008 seems warm so far.
Malcolm has also started attending Mad Science classes every Thursday afternoon, and he loves it. The workshops are taught in conjunction with NASA. He's a big science buff, and is having a great time with it. Chloe is as wonderful as ever, and had her hair dyed pink again yesterday. Our next blog post will likely have a shot of her new 'do. The kids also had a great Easter, and that evening we all went to a Japanese restaurant for dinner. They ate like champs! Malcolm even asked to try some of Brandon's sushi. They enjoyed it so much, they asked for Japanese again the other night. Looks like we'll have to start making it a regular treat.
Stephanie has started this year's vegetable garden in small planters in the kitchen. We're planning lots of camping and hiking trips this summer, and we'd like to catch a ride on one of the whalewatching ships out of Whittier or Seward. Chloe may join a dance class, and Malcolm wants to try t-ball. And of course we're expecting the biggest joy of all this summer, with the birth of Blueberry, who should be joining us around the middle of June. Both mama and baby are doing great, by the way. Stephanie is beautiful and feeling good.
Finally, Brandon's brother Ryan is a daddy! His wife Heather and he are the proud parents of their first baby, Jack Brandon Markheim. He's beautiful and healthy, and they're all doing very well down in Charlotte. Congratulations, guys!
As always, take good care of each other.
Love,
Chloe, Malcolm, Stephanie and Brandon
