Impromptu Den Meeting

We invited Jackson and his Dad to Girdwood for an impromptu Den meeting for Cub Scouts.  It was raining pretty good on Saturday, and it was a long week.  So Kyle (Jackson's Dad) and I pretty much just sat and talked while the kids played video games upstairs.  We did however, venture to LaBodega at one point to fill up a couple of growlers of beer.  

I was surprised at how quickly the snow has receded on the lower mountain.  This is the Magic Carpet beginner ski area next to the Day Lodge.  You usually ski DOWN to the platform to load on the conveyor.  The kids were a good three and a half feet ABOVE the ground level in this picture.  Crazy!

We were able to figure out what activities we were missing for the Sam and Jackson to advance to the Bear den group.  It was a fun weekend!

Scout-O-Rama on a Chilli Afternoon

This years Scout-O-Rama was held at a middle school on the east side of town.  Zach and I signed up for the 8:30 to 11:00 time slot.  I like helping out with the set-up and typically the mornings have a smaller crowd attending the event.  Plus, we had some things to do in the afternoon so this time slot worked out best for us.  When we got to the school it sunny and clear and a little chilly.  I was under the impression that the event would be inside, so . . . the kids and I did not bring jackets.  We were told to set-up outside where we would have more room for our activity.

We initially set-up in the shade of the building.  We eventually moved to the side where the sun was.  While the sun did not stay out, this was still a good move as the side of the building we were on blocked the wind.

This is our Troop flag.

Here are the kids building a picnic table out of spare lumber and by lashing twine.  It did not turn out super great, but it was a fun activity.

Sam had his own ideas for a project.  

While our Troops activities included "showing off" our picnic table and then building dart guns for popping balloons, some of the other troops had bigger objectives.  Sam found one of the troops that had built a rope bridge.  Very impressive!

I kidded that our table looked like a Hobo table.  The kids used it to eat lunch on, so I guess it served its purpose.  I think that they need some practice in the future if they are going to build another table.  

Fishing activity

Sam and a moose skull.

Zach and Carsten with water bottle insulating covers.

Another night . . . another party!

Renee and I do not get out THAT much, but with the new job, it seems like we have been invited to attend a few more events around town.  Tonights event is the Silent Auction Fundraiser for ACE, or the Alaska Center on the Environment.  

We had a nice time and got to get dressed up for a second night in a row.  It is funny, but I never used to like to dress up.  About a year ago, I decided to embrace dressing up and bought some fun formal-is outfits.  Now I look forward to events like this.

The event itself was very fancy.  I dropped Renee off at the door of the Museum and saw the Mayor of Anchorage standing near the front door.  There were plenty of auction items to bid on and the hors-de-obvoirs were good.  The Alaska Forum bought our tickets in and we met Kurt and his wife at the event.  There were not as many people that we knew at this event, so it it wasn't as fun as the event the night before.  After about 45 minutes we were ready to do something else.  

Luckily, Kurt (my boss) felt the same way.  He suggested that we go out to dinner at Sullivan's Steak house and we gladly accepted!  Service at Sullivan's was slow, but we had a great time catching up and hearing everyones stories.  It was a fun evening and great food.

Try to get some work out of the kids . . .

I LOVE this picture.  It captures everything PERFECTLY!!!  We do a lot of fun activities as a family and everyone is all smiles and wanting more, but . . . the minute we ask the kids to do some work . . .  THIS is what we get!  AND they are not even teenagers . . . YET!

Funny thing is that Sammy isn't even here.  He is good at flying under the RADAR and is off playing Lego somewhere.  This one (pictured above) was out riding his scooter and got asked to do a little bit of work.  Oh, the attitude and procrastination!  You would think I was asking him to lay railroad tracks from here to Texas!  I think there is still hope for these two however.  More chores are needed so that they see that work can be fun and there is a certain satisfaction in a job well done!  . . . and I will get some spring cleaning done at the same time!  Bonus:)

Pizza and Monicals

Monica's Pizza is a restaurant from my home town of Normal, Illinois.  I've always enjoyed their pizza growing up, and sometimes long for a taste of home.  While I can't have their pizza . . . unless we take a trip back to Central Illinois, I can have some of their famous Monical's Pizza dressing!  Last summer we made it back to Normal for an Outdoor Program reunion, and I made a point of stopping by Monical's to pick up six dressing bottles.  This should last for a while.  Although at last count we are down to four bottles left!  Guys I am going to have to find a source for the dressing . . . or plan another trip "home".

Mom and Dad are still cool!

After the awards banquet, Stephen suggested that since we were all dress up, that we should head downtown for a night cap.  He suggested the Speak Easy at the Williwaw.  Perfect destination for our 1920's themed attire.

Concept is cool.  First, you go to one of two phone booths staged on the ground floor of the Williwaw.  You pick up the phone and the other end rings through to the Speakeasy.  They ask how many are in your party, give you an estimated time and a pass word.  When there is room to let you in, they buzz you on your phone.

Once you get the go-ahead,  you go upstairs and down a nondescript hallway to the speakeasy.  Knock on the door, and if you have the correct password . . . you are in!

Fun way to end the evening.  We got quite a few looks from the other patrons.  The bar took our picture and put it up on their Instagram page!  Fun time with great friends!!

ALPAR awards banquet

Renee and I were invited to an ALPAR (Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling) awards banquet tonight.  The theme is the Roaring Twenties Recycled!

My boss Kurt, with the Alaska Forum bought a table for the evening.  The people in attendance were Kurt, Karen, Brad, Rebecca, Stephen, Natasha, Renee and myself.  We had a wonderful time at the event.  There was plenty of great food, door prizes and drink!  The banquet is an annual event and designed to honor those people throughout the state that excel in recycling efforts. Mary Fisher with ALPAR is the event organizer and the ALPAR executive director.

Lovely women of the 1920's.  

There were plenty of door prizes given away.

AlexAnna from Igiuigig was in town to accept an award for Outstanding Rural Recycler.

Larry Hartig, DEC Commissioner accepting an award for Marine Debris Clean-up efforts from the State.

Brad was one of the lucky winners of the evening!

Renee and Rebecca looked stunning in their 1920's get-up!

One of my former Co-workers from the State.  Stephen and I were looking dapper in our Tuxedo's!

Bow Tie?!?!

Renee and I are attending a fancy event tonight and Renee and I are going to get dressed in our best!  I found a bow tie to match her outfit, but unfortunately, it is the real deal . . . no clip-on.  Guess I will be watching You-Tube videos to get this figured out.  Hopefully I can get it together at leas once.

I am pretty sure this is NOT what a bow tie is suppose to look like!

Back to looking at You-tube to figure this out.

I eventually got it . . . once.  I had a blue shirt on and Renee suggested that I take that outfit off and get dressed around the tie.  I did . . . and it worked great!  Ready for our fancy event!!

Texas Roadhouse with Friends

Another Travel Club fundraising night at the Texas Roadhouse.  Good excuse to get out and enjoy a meal where I don't have to cook!  Their food is ok, but the atmosphere is really where it is at.  To be fair, next time I will order a steak, as that is what they are really known for.  A steak should prove to be a better barometer of how good the food really is.

One of Zach's classmates Danielle, joined us for dinner.

Jeffery, Renee's co-worker joined us as well!  Fun evening sharing stories and enjoying good food . . . and all for a good cause!