Winter in Alaska

Alaska is beautiful.  There are so many incredible things to do here, in the summer and winter.  One thing we've learned is that you have to get outside and do things, no matter what the weather is.  This has been a hard pill for me to swallow with a newborn in tow.  Aisley's first month of life we got out of the house by running errands and going  grocery shopping, the temps outside were usually below zero.  After we settled into a new routine with a baby, and then when Jon came home, we needed to really get outside.  So here's what we've been doing the past several weeks.

Sledding is always a fun thing to do.  Ila's preschool had a field trip to go sledding so we made it a family outing.  Ila loved it!  I watched with Aisley in the Moby Wrap and inside my coat.  Jon proved to be just as big of a kid as Ila is.
 
On base there are a few ice skating ponds.  One Saturday morning found us all bundled up to go ice skating.  It was Ila's first time on skates.  She did really well!  She smiled the most when she fell on her bum.  She's such a good sport about trying new things.

 Aisley preferred to stay in her car seat.  She took a nap while we strolled around the pond. 

 It was 17 degree's that day. 

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is always fun.  We've been there in the summer but this was our first winter visit.

 Jon's parents came for Aisley's blessing so we took them out to see all the wildlife up close and personal.

I have a new appreciation for good winter gear.  We never leave the house without coats, boots, gloves, hats, sometimes scarfs, and hand warmers.  Our sock drawers have been over run with wool socks and we wear lots more layers than we ever used to.  It's all worth it though.  Like I said, Alaska is beautiful!