Happy 2012!

Happy New Year!

I can’t believe 2012 is already here, seems like 2011 has flown bye.  The last couple months have been pretty jam packed to say the least.  Here’s a brief synopsis of what I’ve been doing:

-          Went tubing behind a snow machine on a frozen lake for the first time!  Was lots of fun and the similarities of it with tubing in the water behind a boat.  Marie’s two nieces (neither of whom have a driver’s license yet) were pulling us so needless to say we got stuck on some snow piles a few times with them trying to knock us off the tube.  Also had a huge bonfire there, and when I mean huge, I mean the size of a minivan huge.  Tons of whole trees stacked together and just lit ablaze in the snow, next to the frozen lake.  This was at the same place we had a fire and roasted hot dogs this past June, so that was pretty cool to see the place transformed into a winter wonderland.

-          Peed in the snow

-          Ran into my first ditch in Alaska.  Was quite anticlimactic (thankfully) I was switching lanes and instead of stopping in the lane I was in, I kept sliding to the left and down into the ditch.  Didn’t hit anything or anyone.  The best part?  I got out by myself!!  No need to call AAA or anyone to help me.  Just inched my way back up onto the dry pavement.

The most important and meaningful thing that happened in the last month is that my mom and dad came for Christmas!!!!!  It was incredible to see them, at the same time it seemed like they were just here and yet I had missed them so much.  They looked adorable in all of their ‘Alaska Winter’ gear.  Hats, gloves, scarves, long johns, boots.  They are always prepared for anything and this trip was no different.  It was so entertaining to me to see how much I am just like them.  When I picked them up, we stopped at stop light and pops took a picture of the snow with the gas station prices in the background.  When I visited last December, what was the first this I took a picture of?  The snow and the gas station prices.  Dad kept saying ‘this is so freakin cool!’ talking about the snow everywhere and I remember having the same excitement last year as well. 

They were both exhausted after their long journey so we just hung out the first night and made it an early night.  The next day I told them to pack up for an overnight trip (there were so stoked!) and I wasn’t going to tell them where we were going.  I felt like Santa.  After eating a great meal at the Brewhouse (a terrific brewery/restaurant in Anchorage) we made our way down to Girdwood.  The drive is always amazing and we got some nice pictures at the stop off points.  Finally arriving in Girdwood, and what’s in Girdwood?  Alyeska.  What’s Alyeska?  It’s a extremely nice ski resort; in fact it’s the only ski resort in the world that ends at sea level.  You can see the inlet from the top of the slopes, very surreal.  (SN: the more I live here, the more I hear things about Alaska, and at the end of whatever fact is being stated, you can almost bet there’s an ‘in the world’ ie: best fishing in the world).  We got settled in and rode the tram up to the top, packed in with all the skiers and snowboarders as they go to the top to try and master the slopes.  I had made reservations at Seven Glaciers which is a swanky fancy restaurant at the top of the slope.  When I say fancy, I mean so-fancy-our-waiter-has-clearly-made-this-his-career fancy.  We probably laughed every time good ol Mike left the table, his extravagant gestures and elaborate descriptions of the menu were just too. Much.  I’m sure the drinks we had also helped with the hilarity of the situation, but again, another memory made for the Gregg clan of three. 

Once we had driven back to the valley from Girdwood, it was time to go shopping and start to get ready for all the Christmas cooking!  We spared no expense.  Christmas Eve mom made her delicious ham and world famous pasta salad.  Dad also got part one started in his 47 part process of cooking his tantalizing turkey.  Jeff came by for a bit to eat and then it was time for the family tradition of watching “White Christmas” and heading to bed so we can wait for Santa!

Christmas morning was great, had a good breakfast and opened all our presents.  Dad cut his thumb getting the turkey ready, but I doctored him up in real RN fashion.  We had an awesome lunch and me and dad took a walk with the pups in the snow while it was snowing.  So peaceful and beautiful with all the fresh white snow falling all around us.  A few friends came by that night to hang out, it was a wonderful day full of good food, family and friends.  Ended the night catching up on some movies with Jefferson.

The next day we went to the reindeer farm, this marked my third visit.  Mom and dad thought feeding the reindeer was so cool and I always love seeing my favorite moose, Denali.  He stuck his head in between the gate and nuzzled us all a kiss.  It’s beautiful out there but it is markedly more cold.  My fingers were frozen after being outside for 10 minutes. 

I had a great time with my parents even though it was such a short visit.  I love spending time with them and letting them see what winter is like up here.  We can have a good time doing anything, even if it’s just sitting on the couch watching Food Network reruns.  We laugh, joke, and discuss anything and everything.  I can’t wait to come to NC and visit in the spring.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season and that you have a great start to 2012!