Alaska Wildlife Center

I had heard good things about the Alaska Wildlife Center so when Andy told me he had a bike ride from 10 - 12 today, I decided to get the kids up early and check it out.
Unfortunately the nice day in Anchorage turned progressively worse along the drive until we arrived in Portage in the rain and fog.

Luckily we had packed warm clothes and rain clothes. Not boots though.

 Esther liked these baby moose.

 Van liked this bucket.

 Esther fell asleep on the ride home.

 And I tried to sleep once we got home. Van took our picture.

But as soon as Daddy got home from his bike ride, we were awake again and ready to go.

He took us to Judy's cafe for a delicious lunch.

Bike commuting

I've been building up my bike commuting for the last month and a half. That means I haven't been  CrossFitting, but I'll keep that as an option when it gets cold.
Here are some facts about my bike commute

 - It takes between 45 mins - 1 hour to get to work
 - It takes between 1 - 1 and 1/2 hours to get home.
 - It is 12.5 miles each way.
 - I love to stop at the downtown bakery on the way in for a fresh chocolate croissant.

 - This is the elevation change of the bike to work

 - And this is the elevation change of the bike home from work

 - So needless to say, I bike to work more often then I bike home from work.
 - On days when Van has soccer, I just bike to the YMCA to watch his game and put my bike in Andy's truck.
 - This week I biked 90 miles.
 - 2 selfies from a leisurely commute home.
          - Downtown on 15th

          - And on the tour of Anchorage trail

11 kid hike in the rain

Like a slacker, I only supplied one. Amrita had her 3, and Svea brought 7. We were a wild hiking pack.

Stopping for a quick snack of crackers and deciding on the trail to take

Another snack break spot. Elin is not pleased.

With a nice view

Everyone made it to the top of the saddle. Too bad we couldn't see a thing.

I was in charge of the older kids on the way down.

 They liked to run

 And find mud

 Some of my crew. Just a little mud. No pants allowed in the car.

Then when I got home, I had to do a quick change because Andy surprised me with a date night! We had wine and appetizers downtown.

Esther reads a book

Esther pics

Charleston Shootings

I've been thinking and reading about this a lot. It makes me very sad that the culture in our country was able to support and produce someone like the shooter. I read his manifesto, he was very specific about his motivations and thoughts. He was not a crazy person, he was a sane, hateful person who felt validated and was motivated to horrific action living in the same country that I do.

I don't know exactly what to do to fight racism like this but reading these articles made me feel ready to take a first step.

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/11-ways-white-america-avoids-taking-responsibility-its-racism

http://www.blackgirldangerous.org/2015/06/white-fragility-silence-and-supremacy-why-all-of-your-hands-are-bloody/

http://www.alternet.org/culture/why-white-people-freak-out-when-theyre-called-out-about-race

and here's a video

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h_hx30zOi9I

I hope you find these things are helpful as I did.

Soccer

Here is our little soccer player