August 28 - 30, 2016 – Backpacking in Denali State Park! (Part 2)

Kadin and I went on a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip up Troublesome Creek trail in Denali State Park.  We might have only gone a few miles each day, but we had a great time shwacking through the ferns and tall grasses, setting up camp, and eating yummy food.

Pre-planning yummy and easy meals was key!  Kadin really wanted to "help" with the cooking and lighting of the stove.  Meal times were probably the most dangerous part of the whole trip!

And we're off.  My hiking pole was a perfect size for him when it was fully collapsed.  He insisted on it any time he was hiking on the trail. 

Needless to say, it was slow going.  Kadin can walk pretty fast, but is distracting every 20 seconds by neat things along the way… birds, leaves, twigs, the river, etc…  I think he is pointing out the river in this photo.

I tried to wipe his face a bit before heading into bear country, but obviously wasn't too successful.  I certainly did get it clean before bed though! 

He usually started the day hiking, then ended up in the carrier.  Then out of the carrier to walk 5 feet, then up, up up.  Then out, out, out.  Over and over.  Here, we just got into our camp for the night.

A river with lots of rocks and sticks on the shore was a perfect distraction for him as I unpacked and set up the tent.
And it was just a few yards away, with a shallow section, so I didn't have to be too worried (still watched him like a hawk though!).

I think he looks like my brother Mark in this photo!  Something about the expression on his face reminds me of one of Mark's baby photos.

And here he is just adorable smiley Mr. Kadin.  Love you.

Ha!  Not just a bear-proof canister… it's Kadin proof too!  Drove him nuts, trying to get to all the snack and lunch foods!

That's my sleep pad he's playing with.  I went super light weight for this trip since I had an extra 30 pounds of Kadin plus his diapers and clothes, 2 sleeping bags, and of course, his Curious George and a book for bedtime.

Kadin found this bee first, and somehow it landed on my hand.  After a summer of swatting mosquitoes, he tries to swat or stomp on any type of insect, and I have to tell him these are our friends.  Amiga, Kadin, la abeja es nuestra amiga.  

Kadin is such a helper and after breakfast at our second camp, where there is no river nearby, he runs over right away to help me break down the tent in the morning. ;-) 

And then, it was time to relax and have some snacks.  I mean, it's been at least 1/2 hour since he's eaten.  Of course he's hungry!

Our last day hiking and Kadin finally is able to nap despite the constant bear calling.  It took him 3 days to get used to me hollering out every few minutes.  He'd say, "No!" and I'd explain that we have to say hi to all the animals as we hike so we don't scare them as we pass through.  He'd still say, "No!" every time I called.

The whole hike was forested and the trail was often overgrown and narrow like this section here, so it was a bit tough for Kadin to hike sometimes, but it was overall a big success.

And the link, if you can't watch the video in the blog:

https://youtu.be/pFwsYuhUnxI

August 16 - 31, 2016 - 2 years 1 month (Part 1)

Boy can he fly!! 

Any chance to take his clothes off... 

Me! Me! I want to throw the glider plane! Me!

Hanging out with Farah, Dean, and Ben.  

Helmet?  Check. 

Yum!  High bush cranberries! 

I finally got some clothes on him, but it seems as if I've lost the helmet now...

OK, it's hard to make sense of this photo, but it made me laugh so hard.  I was trying to read a urine test under the microscope and I looked down to see a little naked boy squatting next to me with my crocs on backwards and an antibiotic label on his nose.  Looking up at me so earnestly.  Jeez, I love this kid!

Buenos dias!  Off to daycare today.

Kadin ended up getting Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease – a viral rash that ended up spreading to the entire daycare to the point that they shut down for a day to disinfect.  After he was cleared as no longer contagious, he went back to daycare and tried to inspect everyone else to see if they had a rash as well!  Here, he's lifting up Soleil's shirt to examine her back for itchies.

August 1 - 15, 2016 - 2 years 1 month

Such the little Alaskan!

Lots of daycare photos this week…  

Daycare carnival festivities with Angelo pushing the car. 

Kadin looks serious, but had some seriously silly times with all the kids at Skye's birthday party.  Skye is the girl wearing the purple striped jacket. 

Enjoying his favorite foods at daycare - apple sauce, raisins, and crackers.

This is at Mia's house and he is handing her her margarita.  What a helpful little boy!  Of course, he had to take a teensy sip to see if it was well-made...

July 16 - 31, 2016 - 2 years old

Wholesome food at daycare

Our tadpoles are now froggies!! This is in the froggerarium I made for them in the house.

And a few days later, we released 3 little froggies near the pond on my property, where we had collected the eggs.

Good luck little froggie!

Kadin helped me let the froggies loose, enjoying the soft mossy area near the pond.

Every morning, Kadin jumps up and goes to the foot of the bed to hug Birch.

Just too cute, I can't stand it.  Oh, and look at Birch's little paws in the corner.  Birch loves Kadin just as much.

Here he is… my new associate veterinarian.  

This is the second shot, a bit blurry, but it has it's own appeal...

Apparently at daycare, when Kadin goes under the table, it's because he's pooping.  Hee hee.

Mia made the kids at daycare a yummy smoothie and Kadin was the only one who liked it!  That's because he's used to my concoctions with the Ninja!  

Kadin helps me pick up my local veggies… including this cabbage that is bigger than his head!

We went to drop off a bunch of recycling in Wasilla and they have a little nature trail with various creatures made from discarded scraps.  

Every so often, Kadin gets a sudden desire for green things and binges on them.  Here, he just attacked my salad and shoveled it in as fast as he could.

July 13, 2016 - July 15, 2016 - 2 YEARS OLD!!! A 3-DAY CELEBRATION...

Happy 2nd Birthday, mi amor!!!

We had a mini party for him on the 13th… with carrot cake and paper airplanes, a bunch of kiddos and a baby pool.  Fun, Fun, Fun.

The morning of his actual birthday, the 14th, we enjoyed a mellow morning with leftover cake for breakfast and silly antics with balloons.  I haven't laughed so hard in a long time!!  

(you have to see the video to really get the silliness)

He received a cute card that sang out "Happy Birthdaaaaaayyy" and within minutes, my little engineer had taken it apart and found the battery and circuit board.

We then packed up the car and headed to Byer's Lake, for two nights of camping, pack rafting in the warm water, and enjoying the long summer days.  

Kadin's friend Farah came up with her mom Rachel to help celebrate!

This is Kadin's new "smile for the camera" face...

Kadin had found a speck of pollen and carried it all the way to the lake.  He'd drop it and miraculously, we'd look around and find it every time!

Making friends with a random doggie...

Kadin's first marshmellow roasting!

Here's the link to the video if you can't see it on the blog: https://youtu.be/QfnUmQ-IrMk

Here's the link to the video if you can't see it on the blog:  https://youtu.be/nufSkr2ZHAE

And of course, don't forget about our tadpoles… who now have hindlegs!!