Crazy Like Foxes!

Somehow, we've managed to usher in summer while even busier and crazier than usual.  And what a summer it's been, too - this may be the most beautiful season we've experienced here so far.  We've had two months of warm, sunny, dry weather, with little of the wind we normally experience in the Matanuska Susitna Valley.  Of course, it was a mild and dry winter, too, and this year's terrible fire season has already gotten well under way, reminding us all that there's a definite downside to the picturesque weather.

Here's the recap on a few of the things that have been keeping us so busy these past few months...

Malcolm was part of his school's science "olympiad" team that competed in the statewide meet on the UAA campus.  Malcolm and his partner placed third with their handmade helicopter, and Malcolm's school placed first overall for most medals won in all events.  And Calvin was able to join the science bandwagon this year with his first science fair project, "Mixing it Up", in which he employed a five year-old's enthusiasm for household chemistry.  They all brought home excellent end-of-semester grades, with Chloe earning her class' top score on their big annual placement test, and Malcolm getting an A in every one of his six classes - an exciting first for him.

Unfortunately for Chloe, she fractured her patella (kneecap) back when there was still a bit of ice left on the ground, while she was on a school field trip.  She wound up in a full-leg cast for a month, then a full-leg brace for a month.  Now she's in a half-leg brace that can bend to a predetermined angle.  It's been an unpleasant way to start the summer for her, but she hasn't complained a single time throughout the whole ordeal.  She should be able to take it off completely by June or July.  Of course, that's put her gymnastics on hold, which is perhaps the hardest part.

Calvin still loves his weekly karate class, and Malcolm has been very busy with both baseball (he's on the Reds this year) and Boy Scouts.  He and Brandon have also started doing more hiking, and have planned a camping trip in Denali for July.  For now, we're all heading up to our usual camping spot of Byers Lake soon, with a second night camping in Fairbanks, which is home to the University of Alaska's flagship campus (and a terrific museum), as well as, surprisingly, a rather impressive car museum.

Stephanie's office has moved to a big, new location which she loves, and Brandon's new job has already started sending him around the state - including to the Native village of Quinhagak (QUIN-a-hock) on the Bering Sea.  The photo of the footbridge was a "work" day for Brandon, when he had to trek into the woods to inspect a beautiful public use cabin built in the 1930s.

We also find ourselves with yet another family member - Clover the cat.  She's already endeared herself to everyone, as you can see.  And one more animal wishes to join, but we're not letting it inside - a red fox, who seems friendly enough to hang out in the yard and pose for photos, but fortunately not enough to come too close.

As always, life is good.  Everyone's happy and healthy, Chloe's mending kneecap notwithstanding.  Stephanie turns a young and sprightly 41 on May 29th, and Calvin will hit the big 6 on June 13th (a Friday, no less).  Our schedule is packed, and we're making the most of the sunshine.  The kids are spending half of their days now at Boys and Girls Club.  School will kick in again in August.  This year will be Chloe's last in elementary school.

Next year will be no quieter; Malcolm is thrilled to be visiting Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia as part of a school trip in March, and in May we'll all be packing up and flying to Europe for our first international family vacation!  That's a BIG one, and something we'll certainly talk about more in the months to come.

Until then, have a terrific summer!

When We Get Bored, We Make Movies

As usual, it's been too long since we last posted.  [Of course, "we" means Brandon - ed.]  Also as usual, we'll let the photos - and now, videos - take the place of what would otherwise be a long, boring blog essay about all the wild and crazy things the Tucker family has been up to.  

But first, a few words of introduction.  It's true; when we get bored, we make movies.  Or at least, we got bored one morning and decided to make a movie.  It became a huge hit at Chloe and Calvin's elementary school, and now the kids want to make a Godzilla movie starring Malcolm's bearded dragon, Smaug.

Speaking of Malcolm's reptiles, the second video is a presentation he made for class.  It was so popular, the teacher asked for a DVD copy to share with future students as an example.

And finally....yeah, we went ice fishing.  We didn't catch anything, but come on.  We got to drive on a lake.  That's just cool.

♥

Engage Winter Playtime!

What's that?  It's cold and snowy out?  Sounds like the Tuckers need to get outside and play...

This weekend we may also get out to do some snowboarding.  There's also snowshoeing, snowmen to build, more ice skating and sledding, fireworks on New Year's Eve...  Rest assured, whatever we do and wherever we go, we'll take the camera with us.  :)

♥

Calvin Goes to Kindergarten!

This picture says it all.  What an amazing kid.  :)

Maui, Baby!

We've mentioned before that we prioritize travel over other big ticket expenses, and so about every other year we've managed to take the kids on a big trip (like Disneyworld and our RV trek around California).  This time, we saved up to fly to Maui, where we co-vacationed with our family from North Carolina - Brandon's brother Ryan and Ryan's wife Heather, and their two beautiful boys, Jack and Bradley.  It was wonderful to visit Maui, but even more so for us all to be together, and to see the five kids all playing with each other for the first time (though certainly not the last).

As for the vacation itself, we enjoyed seemingly every activity possible, from submarining to parasailing, horseback riding to ziplining, an outrageously cheesy luau (think bad Vegas lounge act with brief moments of excellent traditional Hawaiian culture) and of course, plenty of beach time.  We stayed in Kihei, a small town of resorts and condos that somehow still has a genuine community feeling to it (unlike the scorched earth mentality of Kaanapali).  The beach across the road from our resort was great for playing and snorkeling, but a short drive south took us to nearby Makena State Park, which was simply breathtaking.

We hiked through Iao Valley, watched bad kids' movies and ate fantastic ramen in Kahului, bought armloads of fresh fruit (papaya, dragon fruit, apple bananas and pineapples), visited the Maui Ocean Center, a mini golf park, even a goat farm and dairy.  Every once in a while one of the mango trees at the resort would also drop some delicious treats for us.  We spent time at not one, but two arcades, and Brandon can now say with pride that Malcolm has a healthy appreciation of old school video games.  We drove just about everywhere except to Hana and Haleakala; the upcountry towns of Makawao and Paia were especially cool.  In fact, there wasn't much we didn't do, except have a bad time.  It was two weeks of pure fun and relaxation, and as nice as it was to be back home, it wasn't easy leaving.

Now we get to start planning for 2015.  It'll be the kids' first international experience.  Airfare from Alaska is roughly the same to either Asia or Europe.  Let the daydreaming begin!

Oh, and with the insurance settlement from getting rear-ended, Brandon managed to find another car...

♥