A few of our first adventures in Fairbanks include going on for Wheeler rides with our new four wheeler’s, walking at Creamer's Field for something fun to do before school started, and also hiking around birch hill with new friends from church. Melanie and Nicole said the hike went so much better with my big kids as carriers and leaders for the pack of younger kids.
The countryside really is beautiful, the trees and forests— thankfully the mosquitos were not as horrible as I had thought they would be- at least this year they weren’t. It is always a little tricky to find friends, and I have to say that everyone from church and the neighborhood has been so friendly. I was put into phone number groups and online contacts right away, which makes it easier to get involved. It can sometimes be awkward to invite yourself along, or reach out for playdates at the park, but I've tried to push past that uncomfortable stage and just go for it! I find that it can really be the difference between feeling sad leaving where your were (your friends and such) and being more comfortable in your new place.
Walk around Creamers Field. The paths around this field and forest are flat and easy, on this day it was a little warm so we were hunting for the shady paths to walk along. The kids were mostly in good spirits, but there was some weeping and wailing from a few (Cael wanted to stay in the car, Brielle was too hot, etc). And don't ask me why I can't get them all to pose nicely for a "normal" sibling photo-- it just never works!
Birch Hill trail- We were sitting in the hotel, which hadn't been horrible, but we were getting pretty tired of the same breakfast every morning and the feeling of being right on top of one another-- when I looked saw an open invitation to join some ladies on a hike. I was pretty sure I had met them before (or maybe not) at church that Sunday-- it's tricky to keep track of who you have met or not- but regardless... I quickly sent a message that I would like to join and got the location and details. I had to pry the kids away from the cable television and endless cartoons (not always a bad thing) and we loaded up in the car. There was a little wait at the meeting point and the boys joked around that I had been tricked "are you sure there are people coming?" Hahaha.... And they did show up and it was really fun to walk in the forest and get some fresh air. The brightly colored mushrooms were so fun to look at- different shapes and sizes of natural decomposers!
So here are some of the first adventures of living in Fairbanks... there will be more to come!
