"Spring" in Talkeetna

This past Friday was our day off for spring break. Of course, "spring" is relative in Alaska. It was a gorgeous sunny and "warm" day (highs in the 40s!), so we took off north to Talkeetna with a group of friends.

We walked around the main drag in Talkeetna. Many businesses were closed, but we still had fun playing in the snow and large puddles.

Lunch was nice and filling at the Denali Brewing Company, followed by playing out on the river for awhile. Talkeetna is where three rivers meet; the Talkeetna, Chulitna, and Susitna; creating the Big Susitna drainage. It was a bit windy out on the ice, but it was gorgeous, so we had snowball fights and built a snowman.

Some open water on another part of the confluence

After some time on the ice, it started to cloud over, so we headed back home, just in time for a nice spring snowfall. Some areas of Anchorage got 24 inches! Thankfully, in Chugiak, we only had 4 inches.

***All photography is property of the author of this blog.***

Grandpa Gobbo

Last month, my Grandpa Gobbo passed away.  After a turbulent last month, I wanted to record my thoughts on such a great man.

Grandpa Gobbo, volunteer fireman with Suffern Fire Department for 48 years

Grandpa was born in 1928 in Pennsylvania.  He married my grandma in 1951, and they had four great kids, the second youngest being my mom.  Both Grandpa and Grandma had amazing New York accents - Grandma being born in Flushing, and Grandpa growing up in the Bronx.

Grandma and Grandpa dancing up a storm at my wedding in 2005

Growing up as an Air Force brat, the one house that was my "constant" through all the moves was Grandpa and Grandma's in New York.  We often spent many a summer trip, Thanksgiving or Christmas break at their house, filled with the rest of my cousins who were blessed to grow up in New England and near each other.  Grandpa and Grandma were often the first family members to come to visit us at each new base, and we would all play tourist together exploring our new home with them.

Grandpa, Aimee, and I in Pisa, Italy

Grandpa, Aimee and I at Exit Glacier, in Seward, AK

 No matter what was going on, Grandpa could always make us laugh!

Grandpa leading the conga line at he & Grandma's 50th wedding anniversary party.

He led such an amazing and full life - serving in the U.S. Navy, working for H.O. Penn Caterpillar, and volunteering with the Suffern Fire Department.  He and Grandma also brought into this world four children, eleven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.  His obituary just shows only a portion of that incredible life: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lohud/obituary.aspx?pid=169162787

Grandpa and Grandma and their four kids

On January 10, Grandpa passed away.  Due to winter storms, I was unable to attend his services, but my family provided me with some stunning photos from his funeral.  They show what a wonderful and loved man he was.

Grandpa's last ride

The Gobbo Clan

Ironically, I started this blog for Grandpa - so he could see what was going on in our lives in Alaska.
I love and miss him so much.

Grandpa and I on my wedding day

Holly Jolly Christmas Season 2013

Wow!  What a great and busy Christmas season!  This is a picture-loaded post with just a quick view of the goings-on that we participated in this past month - so enjoy and we hope you had a blessed Christmas season!

Our life group had an epic Christmas party with a white elephant gift exchange that involved some very bizarre gifts.

Tami and her new garden gnome, Figgaro

Andrew and his new Duck Dynasty beard

Livy was not too sure of Andrew's beard

The weekend before Christmas we went caroling as a life group - it was not too chilly and we had a blast... even though we could not make it through a single song without giggling...

Finally Christmas Eve was spent helping out on the church's production team for ACF Church's 3 services.  It was an amazing service, Christmas Light.  One of my favorite Christmas Eve!  

The church had a photo booth out again, so we got some shots done in between services.

Christmas day we headed to the Woodleys for dinner and opening presents with family.

Abby and Connor, a.k.a. Sully & Mike

Abby making me a rainbow loom bracelet

She likes her new mug!

Connor and his new light-up watch

The day after Christmas our life group hit the slopes - to go sledding.  The same park we go to for baseball games also has a great sledding hill, with lights even!  It was a long hike up, but was so so worth it!

Us girls doing a "train"

The train derailed...

Livy was tired when they got there

Beautiful view from the top

Andrew ready to head down the hill

He made it to the bottom - that's him laying down next to the orange sled...

We are enjoying a few weeks off from school and a few days here and there off from work.  We head back to school on the 13, but hope to keep up on the blog during the semester.  Happy New Year!